Punisher first appeared in Amazing Spider-Man #129, published by Marvel in 1974. That places it in the Bronze Age.
Why this issue matters
Frank Castle debuted as a Spider-Man antagonist, a Vietnam veteran turned vigilante whose willingness to kill set him apart from nearly every other Marvel hero of the era.
Key facts
Amazing Spider-Man #129
- Character: Punisher
- Publisher: Marvel
- Cover year: 1974
- Era: Bronze Age
Before you buy or sell one
- Check it is a first print, not a facsimile or reprint. Newsstand and direct editions are priced differently too.
- Condition decides most of the value. Whether grading is worth it depends on the copy.
Go deeper
Other first appearances from 1974
- Wolverine Incredible Hulk #181, 1974
- Wolverine (cameo) Incredible Hulk #180, 1974
- Iron Fist Marvel Premiere #15, 1974
More Marvel firsts from the Bronze Age
- Phoenix X-Men #101, 1976
- Black Cat Amazing Spider-Man #194, 1979
- Emma Frost Uncanny X-Men #129, 1980
- Mystique Ms. Marvel #16, 1978
- Storm, Colossus, Nightcrawler Giant-Size X-Men #1, 1975
- Ghost Rider (Johnny Blaze) Marvel Spotlight #5, 1972
- Luke Cage Hero for Hire #1, 1972
- Thanos Invincible Iron Man #55, 1973
Got a copy?
I buy key issues and whole collections across the UK, and I will tell you honestly whether what you have is the real first or a later printing. Send me photos of the cover and the indicia and I will come back with a straight answer, and a proper valuation if you want one.