The Machine Keeps Moving

Punisher resurfaces, crossovers multiply, and an exclusive sneak peek—by Stephen Schleicher

Apr 10, 2026

Friday has reared its head again—but this week, I’m not trying to chop it off. You know how that goes.

Cut one head off, and seven more days grow back.

PUNISHER GETS COMPLICATED

Marvel’s Punisher is about to get a lot more exposure in the coming months.

First, he shows up in Daredevil: Born Again. Then this summer, he swings into Spider-Man: Brand New Day. And in May, we get The Punisher: One Last Kill.

That’s a lot of Frank Castle—which usually means Marvel thinks it has something.

It’s a good thing parental controls exist on Disney+, because if the trailer is any indication, this one is heading to a very dark place.

Then again… maybe that’s exactly where everything is trending right now.

TOLDJA: SUPERGIRL/BLADE

As mentioned last week, DC Comics has officially announced the Supergirl/Blade crossover by CRC Payne, Mikel Janin, and Hugo Petrus.

Not to be outdone, Marvel is rolling out It’s Jeff/Aquaman by Kelly Thompson and Andres Genolet.

Both are available now—just not where you’d expect if this were a real crossover.

Put both books on both digital platforms.

But that would require cooperation—and we all know how that story usually goes.

THE ROBINS ARE COMING

Thanks to the reveal in Absolute Batman #19, DC has dropped Nick Dragotta’s cover for Absolute Batman #20 (May 12), featuring giant mech Robins.

Yes.

Giant mech Robins.

Scott Snyder raised concerns a while back about solicitations and covers spoiling major story beats—and he’s not wrong.

Still, there’s an argument to be made that spoilers don’t ruin stories. Some studies even suggest they enhance enjoyment.

(We’ve been saying that for years. It’s literally in our name.)

But still…

Who had “giant mech Robins rampaging through Gotham” on their 2026 bingo card?

X-MEN REBOOT GETS NEW WRITERS

Creator Lee Sung Jin (Beef) and Joanna Calo (Thunderbolts), along with director Jake Schreier, are stepping in to rewrite Marvel Studios’ X-Men reboot.

If Thunderbolts* is any indication, we’re heading into heavier territory—trauma, identity, and consequences.

Scott Summers might finally have to deal with… Scott Summers.

That’s a lot of repressed kinetic energy. Can the Punch Universe contain it all?

GHOSTBOX: BLACK AND WHITE #3 EXCLUSIVE

Let’s close out the week with an exclusive preview of GhostBox: Black and White #3 from Comixology Originals.

Written by: Mike Carey
Art by: Pablo Raimondi
Experience the series in raw black and white.
Where Chloe runs, the Estival follow. Gerwais has a plan—but it only works if she can reach a place of worship, with half the Cornish police force on her tail.
Meanwhile, inside the ghostbox, Jan uncovers new information—and new dangers.