JOHN Travolta has been hitting the books – the comic books, that is.

Joining the ranks of Hollywood stars flocking to big screen versions of comic books, Travolta has just signed a deal to play the villain in the Artisan/Marvel Studios adaptation “The Punisher.”

Slated for release next summer, “The Punisher” tells the story of FBI undercover agent Frank Castle (Thomas Jane), who seeks vengeance for the murders of his wife and son and finds redemption along the way.