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Netflix's new 'Punisher' trailer broken down, blow by blow

Marvel's most brutal antihero returns with plenty of blood and bullets to get revenge for his family's murder.

Bonnie Burton profile photo
Bonnie Burton profile photo
Bonnie Burton
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1 of 27 Video screenshot by Bonnie Burton/CNET

Prepared to be punished!

Vengeance and justice go hand in hand in "Marvel's The Punisher" -- airing on Netflix in 2017. Here's a closer look at the trailer that dropped Tuesday. 

Warning: Spoilers ahead!

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2 of 27 Video screenshot by Bonnie Burton/CNET

Family flashbacks

Before Frank Castle, played by Jon Bernthal, became the Punisher, he was a happy dad. Frank Castle's loving family members, who appear in a series of blurry flashbacks in the trailer, kept him grounded. Here is son Frank Castle Jr., played by Aidan Pierce Brennan, having the time of his

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3 of 27 Video screenshot by Bonnie Burton/CNET

Frank is all smiles

This may be the happiest version of Frank fans will ever see, as a solider who came home from battle to finally spend quality time with his family.

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4 of 27 Video screenshot by Bonnie Burton/CNET

"We have all the time in the world"

Frank loves his wife Maria, played by Kelli Barrett, and is thankful he can be with the woman he loves. Until trouble arrives, that is. 

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5 of 27 Video screenshot by Bonnie Burton/CNET

Men wearing masks always mean danger

A masked man comes out of nowhere and kills Frank's family for some yet-to-be-revealed reason. Life will never be the same. In the Marvel comics, Frank's wife and two children are killed by the mob for witnessing a killing in New York City's Central Park.

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6 of 27 Video screenshot by Leslie Katz/CNET

Noooooo!!!!

Frank witnesses his wife's murder, which serves as the catalyst to send him off the deep end to eventually become the vigilante crime fighter known as the Punisher.

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7 of 27 Video screenshot by Leslie Katz/CNET

A city full of secrets

New York City looks almost peaceful ... that is before the Punisher battles against criminals who want him dead and the military who want to capture him. 

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8 of 27 Video screenshot by Bonnie Burton/CNET

The logo is created

The pouring white paint can only mean one thing -- the Punisher is creating his famous white skull logo. He uses it to both to intimidate his enemies and attract their bullets to the more heavily protected spot on his armor.

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9 of 27 Video screenshot by Bonnie Burton/CNET

Serious weaponry

When the Punisher wants to strike at his enemies hard, you can be sure large guns will be involved. As a war veteran and a United States Marine Corps Scout Sniper, he knows his way around guns. 

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10 of 27 Video screenshot by Bonnie Burton/CNET

Shoot 'em up

In the trailer, this particular battle is fought completely in the dark, with only the gun fire illuminating the room. It's hard to see who's shooting, but the Punisher is most likely winning. 

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11 of 27 Video screenshot by Bonnie Burton/CNET

All sights on Punisher

When searching for the Punisher in the dark, it's best to keep your gun lights ablaze. Here the military takes that approach to apprehend the Punisher.

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12 of 27 Video screenshot by Bonnie Burton/CNET

The Punisher

Covered in blood and dirt, Frank wears his DIY Punisher T-shirt proudly. Artist John Romita Sr. was credited for putting a large skull symbol on the Punisher's chest in the comics. 

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13 of 27 Video screenshot by Bonnie Burton/CNET

Vengeance keeps Frank fit

Frank isn't afraid to stop criminals permanently, which means a lot of blood gets spilled in the comics. Looks like that'll also be the case in the Netflix series.

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14 of 27 Video screenshot by Bonnie Burton/CNET

Pick your weapon

In the trailer, these are the tools of torture used by the CIA in a covert operation Frank was involved in. Judging by the amount of blood, it looks like pliers were a favorite.

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15 of 27 Video screenshot by Bonnie Burton/CNET

Is Rawlins to be trusted or added to the hit list?

The high-ranking CIA member Rawlins, played by Paul Schulze, crosses paths with Frank due to what happened in Afghanistan. 

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16 of 27 Video screenshot by Bonnie Burton/CNET

Torture time

Back in Afghanistan, this prisoner is being tortured for the truth. But is that Frank hanging from the chains, or is he one of the masked soldiers holding a gun?

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17 of 27 Video screenshot by Bonnie Burton/CNET

Worst YouTube video ever

The footage is online for everyone to see, including Frank. But this appears to be a file and not a live show. 

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18 of 27 Video screenshot by Bonnie Burton/CNET

Facepalm from Frank

It appears Frank is remorseful of his time in service. Could his violent past and present be colliding?

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19 of 27 Video screenshot by Leslie Katz/CNET

Welcome to Homeland Security

Ever since the Avengers made the citizens of New York City antsy with alien battles and a whole lot of property damage, it appears Homeland Security is keen to find the Punisher. 

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20 of 27 Video screenshot by Bonnie Burton/CNET

There's a familiar face

We first saw the Punisher (as Frank Castle) having to pay for his crimes in a court of law in "Marvel's Daredevil" TV series on Netflix. Now it seems that Karen Page, played by Deborah Ann Woll, is back at Frank's side as his friend and supporter.

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21 of 27 Video screenshot by Bonnie Burton/CNET

Kaboom!

Fire! Fire! In one of many action-packed attacks in the trailer, this one looks the most deadly for our hero. 

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22 of 27 Video screenshot by Bonnie Burton/CNET

Meet Marco

David Lieberman, also known as Micro, is a former NSA analyst who assists Frank with tech issues from time to time. But in the comics, his ally becomes one of the bitterest of villains. 

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23 of 27 Video screenshot by Bonnie Burton/CNET

Bring on the heat, Billy!

Billy Russo, played by Ben Barnes, was Frank's best friend when he served in the military. Russo operates Anvil, a private military corporation.

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24 of 27 Video screenshot by Bonnie Burton/CNET

Sliding over a cop car

You have to be brazen to slide across the hood of a police car while people are in pursuit. Here we see Frank doing his best "Dukes of Hazzard" stunt.

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25 of 27 Video screenshot by Bonnie Burton/CNET

Geronimo!

Frank uses a fireman's hose to quickly escape a trap. This is one of the many last-minute decisions Frank makes in the trailer to ensure he stays one step ahead of the police. 

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26 of 27 Video screenshot by Bonnie Burton/CNET

Say your prayers

In this climactic moment, it looks like Frank might have to hang up his Punisher T-shirt forever. 

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27 of 27 Video screenshot by Bonnie Burton/CNET

Ready, aim, yell!

But as luck would have it, Frank comes out as the Punisher with his gun a blazin'. Now that's more like it!

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