Metal Gear Frank Head
When we talk about Punisher, whether it be Netflix, MAX, or Mezco, there’s no shortage of takes that feel like a “definitive” portrayal of old Frank Castle.
Interestingly, one that seemed to make a big impression in its day, only to dissipate into the shady back-issue boxes shortly after was Greg Rucka’s 16-or-so issue run that started in 2011.
It was a pretty decent run, nicely contained and full of references to classic movies like Se7en. The art was solid and moody, and of course it punctuated it’s run with giving Frank a new “signature” look- one he borrowed from Big Boss.
After a nasty run-in with the Vulture early in the series, Punisher spends a good deal of time recovering from some serious injuries, including his left eye. So, the visage of Marco Checchetto’s bandaged and eye-patched Punisher became a visual signature of the series.
So, when my friend Drone 90 took a crack at a headsculpt inspired by that look for a One:12 figure, it was an easy pickup.
Now, one thing we have to save the comment section some trouble on is that yes, this figure has his right eye bandaged, as opposed to the left that the Rucka Punisher injured. But you know who else has that injury? Only the world’s greatest soldier, Big Boss. In fact, this headsculpt almost shares as much with the first appearance of Venom Snake as it does Frank Castle. Somewhere out there, somebody probably wants to know the difference between calling him “Big Boss” and “Venom Snake”– someday, maybe I’ll have occasion enough to explain that in a Metal Gear figure review. We can only hope.
Anyway, “Metal Gear Frank” as he is lovingly known is still very much descended from the Castle family line. He has the facial features of a younger but still very Mezco-esque Frank, even as beat-up as it is. And that damage isn’t just on his eye and forehead, you can even see a fat lip in there. But even so, there’s a healthier look to this head overall, which helps sell the idea this is a bit younger man.
The detail of his good eye, the strands of loose hair, and that rough lip- there is a ton of character in the sculpt. He’s worthy of being an individual of his own right, honestly. That’s one of the reasons I threw together a soldier body to show it off on. Well, that and Big Boss. But let’s say you have need of a Punisher- maybe you got in late to the game on One:12 and can’t touch one of the several Punisher figures without a couple hundred bucks. In that case, this head, one of Drone’s custom shirts, and in this case combat pants from my good buddy CJESIM, with a Commander Rogers figure can give you a very legitimate variant Punisher without resorting to selling organs.
And fortunately enough, his second batch of these bad boys should be up for pre-order shortly! You can get ahold of him at @drone_custom_figures as well as under Drone-90 here on the Fwoosh boards. You should also be following him on Instagram if you’re not already.
And maybe follow me too. Maybe.