In this review of The Punisher #8, consider this chapter Wade Wilson: Deadpool #8.5 as Wade hijacks the narration for “Big Guns” part 2. Frank Castle still gets to do some damage with minimal dialogue and maximum efficiency, and neither of them have run out of ammo yet. Also, the process of how the Badpools form is finally shown, if you’re into that kind of body horror.
THE PUNISHER #8
Writer: Benjamin Percy
Artist: José Luis Soares Pinto
Main Cover: David Marquez
Variant Covers: Netho Diaz, Josemaria Casanovas, Philip Tan, Gurihiru
Page Count: 32 pages
Release Date: August 12, 2026
This review contains spoilers
The Punisher #8 begins with Deadpool’s narration as “Big Guns” continues the crossover. Wade’s healing factor stitches itself back together as Wade’s Badpools (from severed body parts) attack Castle. The little critters put up a good fight, swarming Castle and even stealing one of his guns but Castle finally dispatches them and plans to do likewise to Wade, but Blind Al disarms and captures Castle.
Soon, back in the “Merc Mobile”, Blind Al attempts to interrogate Castle (as Wade attempts to breach the SHIELD facility). The thunderstorm covers Castle’s escape as Blind Al continues talking. At the facility, Wade breaches the facility with Al’s help as Castle secretly follows him. Wade is ambushed by arm guards, resulting in more Badpools forming as Wade returns fire (but only shooting to wound).
Al tells Wade that she thinks she lost Castle, who shoots Wade and cuffs him to a pipe as even more Badpools form. Castle locates the secret vault and uses a stolen SHIELD badge to gain entrance. He discovers a Nick Fury (Sr) hologram warning about the danger of the so-called “time-travel” gun. Wade breaks free and staggers down the corridor in search of Frank.
The Punisher #8 ends as armed Badpools gang up against the SHIELD agents and breach another vault where they discover Frank’s Iron Man Legacy armor.
Analysis
The Punisher #8 reads much more like a Deadpool comic, especially with Wade’s narration, as well as Blind Al’s welcome appearance. The overall lighter touch with loads humor balancing out the dark drama and tension. Microchip is also MIA from The Punisher #8, but Frank proves resourceful on his own in escaping the Merc mobile (thanks for not hurting Blind Al), battling the Badpools (ick) and breaching one of SHIELD’s secret vaults.
Writer Benjamin Percy crafts a fun new chapter of Big Guns with loads of graphic violence, gunplay and gory mayhem that signifies his Punisher run while keeping Frank’s dialogue to a minimum and allowing his actions to speak volumes. The reveal of the secret SHIELD is hardly novel, but the hologram of Nick Fury, Sr. is a welcome touch, as is Frank’s Iron Man armor from 2017’s Marvel Legacy.
The shootout between Wade and the SHIELD agents draws parallels to Terminator 2 in its gratuitous violence mixed with dark humor, and Frank again gets to vent his rage against Wade in The Punisher #8. The Badpools get another chance to wreak havoc, first in the opening sequence and later inside the facility.
Jose Luis Soares balances the absurdities of Deadpool’s world of the Badpools mixing with the dark, vengeful graphic violence of The Punisher’s existence. The charming exchange between Blind Al and Frank as he quietly frees himself illustrates Frank’s lingering humanity while providing an amusing visual gag that enhances Percy’s script.
The mystery behind the time-travelling gun is a MacGuffin for the crossover, and since it has been revealed, it will most likely be used, although it feels like the story would need more than two chapters to wrap up the potential chaos of the weapon in either vigilante’s hands.
Final Thoughts
The Punisher #8 continues the well-executed mayhem that balances action, violence, humor, drama and humanity into a messy but entertaining package. Big Guns continues to impress with solid writing and wild visuals both gory and absurd.
