Spinning out of the second Punisher War Journal series by writer Matt Fraction, this series of Punisher places the character firmly in the ongoing Marvel Universe inhabited by superheroes such as the Avengers and Spider-Man, and super-villains such as Doctor Doom and the Masters of Evil.

[1] For the majority of issues released, the series had tied into the ongoing events of Marvel's line-wide "Dark Reign" storyline, opening with Castle attempting to assassinate Norman Osborn.

Castle, normally favoring simple ends to his targets, must adapt his methods to Osborn's far-reaching influence and deep-seated corruption.

Castle and his new associate Henry Russo elect to gather evidence of the former Green Goblin's wrongdoing in order to completely destroy his newfound reputation and end his Dark Reign once and for all.

[7] The Hood's crime organization grows at an alarming rate, eluding the authorities of New York City, most of the superhero population, and Norman Osborn and H.A.M.M.E.R.

The Punisher positions himself as the only thing resembling consequence and makes it a personal mission to bring Hood and his organization down.

[8] And in the monthly's first Annual, Punisher moves in on criminals of New York City before being confronted by a dangerously strong and agile hypnotized foe: Spider-Man.

Morbius "re-composed" Castle, hoping his military experience, tactical mindset and leadership would help the Legion of Monsters overcome a society that has been hunting them down.

To do this, he hits the streets once again to punish the guilty, and begins to formulate a plan of vengeance against the man who killed him.

The first 16 issues holds an average rating of 7.8 by 51 professional critics on the review aggregation website Comic Book Roundup.