The Marvel Universe is full of incredible heroes who rise above the muck and the mire to inspire others through acts of bravery, heroism, and altruism. It’s also home to all manner of disgusting, depraved, and morally bankrupt villains. But sometimes taking the high road isn’t an option. That’s when you call in The Punisher.

Clad in black Kevlar emblazoned with a white skull and loaded with a veritable arsenal of firearms, The Punisher is a vigilante with his own cold, calculating code of honor, one which boils down to: the only good bad guy is a dead bad guy.

Marvel’s resident gun-toting badass has had several feature film adaptations over the years, but he’ll next be seen going toe to toe with Matt Murdock in Daredevil Season 2, which we revealed to you has been called “Daredevil vs. Punisher”.

While many people were excited that The Walking Dead‘s Jon Bernthal was cast to play Frank Castle, many more were wondering, “Wait, Shane’s playing who?” So, to help prepare you for the long, bloody, bullet-riddled road ahead, I’m going to tell you everything you need to know about The Punisher on today’s episode of The Dan Cave.

After all, who wouldn’t want to know about a man willing to punch a polar bear in the freakin’ face.

Yeah, that’s right. Frank Castle is the honey badger of the Marvel universe. He don’t give a shit. Especially if you’re a dang polar bear.

Still not caught up on Daredevil? What’s your problem? It’s okay — you can watch my primer right here:

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Dan Casey is the senior editor of Nerdist and the author of 100 Things Avengers Fans Should Know & Do Before They Die. You can follow him on Twitter (@Osteoferocious).

IMAGE: Incredible Hulk #8, art by Michael Komarck