The Punisher (Webisode Series)

[peapotmaster]

TITLE: The Punisher
GENRE: Comic Book/action/adventure/drama
TYPE OF SERIES: Webisode
RATING: TV-MA for violence, blood, gore, and strong language


SUMMARY: Frank Castle has returned to New York City after two years in Iraq to see his family again. One day, things changed for Frank when his family is gunned down in Central Park during a mob hit. Frank changed that day as he went into depression until he knew what he had to do…Revenge. Now taking the name that he took at the war in Iraq, Frank Castle died, and The Punisher is born to take out crime his own way.

WRITER’S NOTES: I kind of wanted to do a crime noir series without the likes of Spider-Man or Daredevil within this version of the Marvel Universe. The first Punisher comic I read was the Garth Ennis/Steve Dillon arc “Welcome Back, Frank,” as the first season will be based on that comic book arc. You will see Joan the Mouse and Mr. Bumpo in this season, as well as Ma Gnucci as the main villain of season one. I didn’t care about the original and War Zone of the Punisher on the big screen, as I like to make Frank into a avenging angel that people like as a antihero. The first season will consist of six episodes, as this is a webisode series.


CAST

Frank Castle/The Punisher (Tom Hardy) - Frank Castle has returned home after being in Iraq fighting the war to be with his family. Things changed, as Frank’s family is killed during a mob run in Central Park, leaving him into a dark depression. Now Frank has regained himself with vengeance against crime and lowlife criminals with punishment. Taking the name he was called in the war, The Punisher is born for revenge with his own brand of justice.

Ma Gnucci (Glen Close) - Female head of the Gnucci crime family, Ma is a threat to all who get in her way. Rumors are that it was her sons who killed The Castle family in Central Park that will lead The Punisher into his war on crime. Ma fears no one; even her men are incompetent to fear her.

Martin Soap (Adam Carolla)- Detective Martin Soap is a slacker of a cop who some say is bad luck. Some say Soap had sex with his mother who became a hooker. Soap regains himself as he is sent to turn in the mysterious Punisher.

Mr. Bumpo (Kevin James)- Bumpo is a heavy set man who lives with Joan The Mouse in a rundown tenant house, until Frank came alone leading them into his war on crime when he’s the Punisher. Bumpo and Joan don’t know that Frank is The Punisher.

Joan the Mouse (Jennifer Laurence)- Joan is a girl who lives with Mr. Bumpo, and is a shy person who ran away from her home after a fight between her parents. She makes ends meet working as a waitress in a diner. Things change when Frank came alone and changed everything.


EPISODES

01x01- “The Bad Death Of Frank Castle:” Frank Castle has returned home to be with his family, until one dark day things changed and The Punisher is born.

01x02- “Punishment:” The Punisher begins his war on crime that leads to Ma Gnucci to take on this mysterious vigilante.

01x03- “Soap Opera:” Meet Martin Soap, a detective who has been sent to do The Punisher case with his lesbian partner. Plus, Joan and Bumpo learn about their new tenant…Frank Castle.

01x04- “Top of the World, Ma:” Ma Gnucci and her gang take on the Punisher personally, but Punisher has other plans.

01x05- “Standoff” Pt. 1: Two weeks have past after the last episode, and Ma Gnucci has had enough of the Punisher, as she sends hired guns to take him out once and for all. Also, Soap gets to meet a certain Marvel character in a cameo appearance.

01x06-“Standoff” Pt. 2 (Season Finale) This is it, the final battle between The Punisher and Ma Gnucci in this double length season finale to the first season. To save Joan and Bumpo, The Punisher must make the ultimate price or let innocents die at the hands of a madwoman. And a surprise guest that will change everything.

[Brian Melanson]

Hi, peapotmaster.

I would like to say you do have a good concept here with using the MARVEL "The Punisher" as your series idea. While I have never read or seen anything about "The Punisher". It does give me that early S1 "Arrow" vibes of a Vigilante taking on the city and getting justice and such. As for your pitch, it does feel a bit like we don't have enough to go on. You do seem to have a general idea of what, You, want to do. But it's not quite showing to me. I'm not saying the pitch is bad at all. You do have a very interesting idea, especially with adapting a comic book series. I would just like to see more, such as longer episode descriptions, and more in depth of the characters. It just feels like, there isn't enough to go on. And with the huge MARVEL Universe, you could have endless possibilities.

Just for me, right now, just feels like a story of a man who lost his family and is now getting revenge. Go in depth with some more of the characters, explain some of their history. Some things you don't have to keep in there such as "Some say Soap had sex with his mother who became a hooker". That does nothing for Soap's character. It's something that people say about him, but it's not about him. You get what I'm saying? Explain these characters, make us want to get to know them. But like I said, you do have a good idea here, but just expand on it more. Expand your characters, expand your story, and don't be afraid to challenge yourself with this. Because right now, all I can see is you're making this show about Frank, who could be a very well done 3 dimensional character, with a bunch of One-Dimensional characters.

There are a few Grammar issues and Spelling Issues. Such as, Joan the Mouse, is played by Jennifer Laurence. It is Lawrence. I know that is a silly thing to point out, but I would just go through again and bring this show to life, and don't be afraid to have some graphics for your pitch. It really catches the eye. Overall, if you make improvements to this and write a pilot, I will give it a read and leave a formal review. Hope this helps and hope to see some changes made in regards to explaining how the show will work and how your characters play out. Make them relatable and make them feel human to us. Best of Luck!

- Brian

[Brady Brown]

This has the exact same issues as your previous pitches. That's all I can say.