Marvel to relaunch 'Punisher MAX'

Marvel Comics has hired artist Jason Aaron to relaunch its Punisher MAX series.

According to the comic book giant, the Ghost Rider penciller will team up with fellow artist Steve Dillon on the reboot's first issue.

The new series marks Aaron's return to the character he helped develop with regular collaborator Garth Ennis when the title was published under the Marvel Knights imprint.

"With Punisher, it's a challenge to follow Garth. And what Garth did was set up this blueprint that he followed with story after story, creating these incredible crime stories with Punisher as this unwavering centre around which this craziness evolved," he told Newsarama.

The artist went on to confirm that traditional Daredevil foes Bullseye and the Kingpin will serve as the series' antagonists.

"When it was suggested to bring in Kingpin, I said, well, if we're using him, then Bullseye can't be too far behind," he added. "So the idea of getting to do my own take on those two characters was really exciting and gives it a different twist around which Marvel can market and toward which readers can gravitate."

Punisher MAX #1 hits retailer's shelves this November.