Punisher's War Machine Teased In Secret Empire Omega

09/13/2017 05:11 pm EDT

Marvel is gearing up for a new era of the Punisher, and it all starts in Secret Empire Omega.

Spoilers incoming for Secret Empire Omega, so if you haven't read the issue yet you've been warned.

The obvious focus in Secret Empire Omega is the direct fallout from Hydra Captain America's actions during his tenure as top dog in the Marvel Universe. Still, the book does allow time for a few subplots, including that of the Punisher.

As most know, The Punisher has been teased to take over the War Machine armor during Marvel Legacy. While he doesn't don the armor in Omega, the foundation is laid for the role change. A hydra agent is seen running from an unknown assailant, and while begging for his life offers up a "hail hydra" plea. The assailant turns out to be the Punisher, who is now wearing his classic colors and costume.

During the days of Secret Empire, Punisher shed his familiar Punisher costume in lieu of a Hydra influenced suit. Believing that Captain America would always ultimately have the good of mankind as his guiding beacon, Frank Castle aided him on his quest, hunting down Black Widow and her Red Room unit on direct orders from Cap.

It turns out Frank Castle doesn't take too kindly to being misled, and once he finds out the Cap he followed is not the Cap he knew previously, he sheds the Hydra ensemble to hunt down any and everyone that had something to do with their regime.

"Now it's time to set things right," Castle says, with the facility in flames behind him.

Castle is unknowingly being watched from afar though by an interested party. Nick Fury Jr. can be seen on a rooftop close by, and tells control he has eyes on Castle. With that, he offers up a "he's ready" before the scene switches, revealing that it is Nick Fury Jr. who brings Castle into the fold. At one point it seemed possible that Castle would steal the suit for his own use, but now that doesn't seem to be the case

What purpose he hopes to achieve is anyone's guess, but a pissed off Frank Castle isn't exactly who you want to give a loaded suit of armor to.

You can view the spoiler images in the gallery.

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