Marvel Preparing For Punisher Vs The Defenders

Marvel’s newest iteration of Defenders are taking a cue from their Netflix counterparts and forgoing the mystical and cosmic-based threats that the original team went up against. Instead the newly united Daredevil, Jessica Jones, Luke Cage, and Iron Fist will be taking on street-level foes when the comic releases in June.

And according to an upcoming cover from series artist David Marquez, it looks like they’re working their way up toward one of the heaviest hitters the MU has to offer.

Wanton killer, morally bankrupt vigilante, and fellow Netflix star Frank Castle looks to join shoot the team as Punisher is featured in battle against the team on the cover for the third issue of the series.

It’s a convergence of multimedia and comics as every character starring in a Netflix series is featured on this cover, depicting the Punisher going up against the street-level super team. Poor Luke Cage is going to have to get another shirt. And Daredevil is used to running around with broken ribs, so this is par for the course.

Brian Bendis is writing the series with Marquez and Christian Ponsor on art, making this a high profile launch for Marvel Comics.

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Bendis has teased returning to the Heroes for Hire ever since his run on New Avengers ended, a comic which included both Luke Cage and Iron Fist on the team’s roster while constantly featuring Daredevil and Jessica Jones as a part of the run. He also had a lengthy, revered run on Daredevil and is the co-creator of Jessica Jones alongside Michael Gaydos.

Defenders will combine many characters which Bendis has had lengthy runs with and will coincide with the release of the forthcoming Netflix series. Because we all know Marvel loves synergy, and Bendis is typically the right man for that job.

Defenders #3 should release in comic shops in July.

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[h/t] Reddit