Born #1

Born #1, published by Marvel Comics in 2003, serves as a dark, psychological origin story for the character Frank Castle, better known as the Punisher. Written by Garth Ennis and illustrated by Darick Robertson, the four-issue limited series was released under the MAX imprint, which allowed for more mature, gritty storytelling than the standard superhero fare. The narrative is set during the Vietnam War, recontextualizing the character's origins not as a sudden tragedy, but as the culmination of long-term trauma and a pre-existing affinity for lethal violence.

The creative team aimed to deconstruct the Punisher mythos by stripping away the comic book tropes and placing the protagonist in a visceral, realistic combat setting. Darick Robertson’s art focuses on the decaying environment of the jungle and the psychological toll on the soldiers, complementing Ennis’s cynical script. Upon its release, the series was received as a significant departure from traditional Punisher depictions, garnering critical attention for its unflinching portrayal of war and the perceived inevitable progression of Castle's transition into a vigilante.