#3 RACHEL COLE-ALVES
We all know the origin of Frank Castle/The Punisher, and in keeping with that tragedy, a new character was born just a few years ago: Rachel Cole. Cole’s entire family and friends were killed in front of her at her own wedding reception, and being a decorated marine (just like Castle), she began to plot her revenge. When Cole-Alves attempted to carry out her plan though, a factor popped up that she didn’t account for: The Punisher. The pair met and realized that they have a common goal and decide to team up.
Like Frank, Rachel Cole doesn’t actually have super powers, but she’s a Marine Sergeant who served three tours in Afghanistan and has advanced weapons training. Cole and Castle make a great team, and they get up to some crazy shenanigans throughout writer Greg Rucka’s run of the character. She may not take out as many foes as Frank does, but a body count doesn’t matter when you have a compelling character.
Cole not only provides a new path to reboot the Punisher franchise but also gives us a badass female character that is just as capable of slinging guns and throwing down as Frank Castle. Cole is a complicated piece of work whose story is as engaging and thrilling as it is heart breaking. The journey she takes in the comics is one of the most unique tales out of Marvel in the last couple of years and her POV is pivotal to the unfolding of the story and allows the reader to not be forced to side with Castle, but also further understand his mind set.
Her cousin is already present in the MCU, but we think she’s good enough for her own movie. Read more on page 4!
