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boyd94's review
dark
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
as_in_crazy's review
5.0
Disclaimer: Garth Ennis is one of my favorite comic writers, so I am decidedly a little biased.
When I found out that the writer of Preacher also did a run on Punisher I had to give it a go. Now Punisher, specifically the MAX version of the character, is exactly what the character exists for: Testosterone fueled fantasy fulfillment.
When I found out that the writer of Preacher also did a run on Punisher I had to give it a go. Now Punisher, specifically the MAX version of the character, is exactly what the character exists for: Testosterone fueled fantasy fulfillment.
zare_i's review
4.0
Frank Castle is back terrorizing the mafia Dons. His raid during the birthday party for one of the oldest gangsters and subsequent wipe out of survivors during funeral services for those killed in raid brings him to attention of shady services of the US government.
Using Micro to track down Punisher goal is to give him offer he cannot decline. Of course this does not end as Micro and his associates expected.
At times a little bit too gory but nevertheless very good story.
recommended to all Punisher fans.
Using Micro to track down Punisher goal is to give him offer he cannot decline. Of course this does not end as Micro and his associates expected.
At times a little bit too gory but nevertheless very good story.
recommended to all Punisher fans.
webjoram's review against another edition
5.0
Frank castle sin edulcorar. Es toda una declaración de principios por parte de Ennis que además se complementa con un gran dibujo. Absolutamente recomendable.
helpfulsnowman's review
4.0
Dig it.
Nice, serious, old man Punisher. And betrayed by his only friend in the world. Very nicely done. Garth Ennis even manages, well, almost manages to go down his regular pathways he uses to make characters seem nutso.
You know, the one thing, I didn't think the idea of "hunting" Bin Laden would age so poorly. Somehow it turned from a crazy, but legit, legitimately crazy idea to sounding like a novelty.
This could, however, be entirely the fault of this guy (http://www.denverpost.com/ci_15305913) Yes, my hometown's homegrown Bin Laden hunter.
He's not exactly the type you might picture. No Marky-Mark, that's for sure. No Eric Bana. But then again, who IS an Eric Bana? Only Eric Bana. And that's why he's Eric Bana.
Armed with a pistol, sword, dagger, and night-vision goggles, this semi-employed construction worker made half a dozen trips to Pakistan to root out Bin Laden in the early and mid 2000's.
The more you look into it, the more you have to wonder. What the fuck was this guy's plan?
I mean, sure, points for enthusiasm. But as far as I know, he doesn't speak the language, isn't any sort of trained killer, and oh yeah, he has to be on dialysis three times a week.
Now, there were rumors that Bin Laden was on dialysis as well. Maybe he's in the mouth of madness there, so that's an advantage. You know, hire a killer to catch a killer? Hire a guy with renal failure to...well, you get the idea. It's a lot less sexy as taglines go, but sometimes the most sexy things aren't the most effective ones. My grandmother put it best: "Damnation, these huge jugs of mine are so impractical, but there too sexy to let go. Feel free to quote me on that when you're writing things about goddamn comic books."
Maybe the Punisher got to Bin Laden after all. The Bin Laden Hunter of Greeley, sadly he didn't manage to finish the battle started all those years ago. But he showed one last bit of courage and honor in asking for a mere quarter of the $25 million bounty, figuring that his presence is what rousted Bin Laden from his hidey-hole.
Nice, serious, old man Punisher. And betrayed by his only friend in the world. Very nicely done. Garth Ennis even manages, well, almost manages to go down his regular pathways he uses to make characters seem nutso.
You know, the one thing, I didn't think the idea of "hunting" Bin Laden would age so poorly. Somehow it turned from a crazy, but legit, legitimately crazy idea to sounding like a novelty.
This could, however, be entirely the fault of this guy (http://www.denverpost.com/ci_15305913) Yes, my hometown's homegrown Bin Laden hunter.
He's not exactly the type you might picture. No Marky-Mark, that's for sure. No Eric Bana. But then again, who IS an Eric Bana? Only Eric Bana. And that's why he's Eric Bana.
Armed with a pistol, sword, dagger, and night-vision goggles, this semi-employed construction worker made half a dozen trips to Pakistan to root out Bin Laden in the early and mid 2000's.
The more you look into it, the more you have to wonder. What the fuck was this guy's plan?
I mean, sure, points for enthusiasm. But as far as I know, he doesn't speak the language, isn't any sort of trained killer, and oh yeah, he has to be on dialysis three times a week.
Now, there were rumors that Bin Laden was on dialysis as well. Maybe he's in the mouth of madness there, so that's an advantage. You know, hire a killer to catch a killer? Hire a guy with renal failure to...well, you get the idea. It's a lot less sexy as taglines go, but sometimes the most sexy things aren't the most effective ones. My grandmother put it best: "Damnation, these huge jugs of mine are so impractical, but there too sexy to let go. Feel free to quote me on that when you're writing things about goddamn comic books."
Maybe the Punisher got to Bin Laden after all. The Bin Laden Hunter of Greeley, sadly he didn't manage to finish the battle started all those years ago. But he showed one last bit of courage and honor in asking for a mere quarter of the $25 million bounty, figuring that his presence is what rousted Bin Laden from his hidey-hole.
some_okie_dude27's review
5.0
Garth Ennis was among the later comic authors to come from across the pond of the UK (in Ennis' case, Ireland) along with Warren Ellis, Andy Diggle, and a few others to Vertigo at DC Comics. It was also around the time Ennis came that Vertigo was about over with their 'golden age' as I tend to call it. Ennis was one of the last great writers from Vertigo, penning a run on John Constantine (which many consider one of his best works) as well as Preacher, a fan favorite series he did with late, great Steve Dillon.
Ennis is well known for his rather distasteful views on superheroes, preferring such titles as Judge Dredd as well as writing about war (which I think he’s quite good at). But The Punisher is an exception for Ennis, along with John Constantine or Nick Fury. Ennis originally began his take on The Punisher as a darkly satirical comedy, beginning with the appropriately titled Welcome Back, Frank with Preacher artist and frequent collaborator Steve Dillon, which became a classic in Punisher lore. But Ennis decided to do something different and bring the character back to his roots.
The Punisher hadn’t had a good story in a few decades when Ennis took over, there were many badly written issues after badly written issues and many fans were often let down that their favorite skull clad vigilante wasn’t getting his just deserts, but then Marvel MAX came.
Marvel MAX was started as a sort of response to DC’s Vertigo, who were already testing the boundaries on what comics could do, so Marvel decided to try and even out the competition. They gave creators such as Ennis and Brian Michael Bendis free reign to do what they wanted with particular characters. The Punisher, being the vigilante that he is, seemed right at home with the new MAX line, which had more violent and mature stories. So editor Joe Quesada gave Ennis free reign to write The Punisher as long as he wanted and to do whatever stories he could, and as thus this epic run was born.
Many people would probably say that Hellblazer, Preacher, or The Boys are Ennis’ best works, and I quite enjoy them and I think they’re great works as well. But I’ve always had a particular affinity for Ennis’ Punisher MAX run, which began with his excellent miniseries Born. Ennis allowed himself to have a rare subtlety about what he wanted to do with The Punisher and he allows you to think about who you’re actually supposed to root for. Frank Castle in this run is a cold, efficient, borderline sociopath who is a barrage of contradictions that Ennis never fails to showcase. Such as he’s supposed to be the hero, yet he viciously and ruthlessly dispatches any criminal that crosses his path, also where we see that Frank might not just be doing it out of the goodness of his heart (if there’s any left of it), as well as illustrating that Frank is, quite frankly, not much different than the criminals he faces.
The first arc is probably as perfect of a beginning as you'll get to the series. Ennis' pace is immaculate and he manages to combine gritty atmosphere, great artwork, straightforward storytelling, and rather disturbing implications about the characters and their motivations. Ennis takes the tone that he set up in Born and runs with it, creating some of the best stories that The Punisher has ever had the privilege of being in. Lewis LeRosa's art work also brings a sense of grit to the atmosphere of the series, giving the world a sense of realism. Ennis also brings a hard edge to the world of The Punisher, as MAX, much like Vertigo, allowed Ennis to work without as much editorial oversight, allowing him to tell much more personal and haunting stories with The Punisher as a forefront. Ennis' depiction of Microchip is also strong, showing him as a man who's desperate to save Frank, despite that he knows, deep down, that Frank has no interest in being 'saved.'
Ennis’ Punisher MAX run is, quite simply, a masterpiece and one of my favorites from Ennis. It's a comic that proves just how great of a writer Ennis can be, and the most likely the best version of the Punisher that's been put to page.
warlockmythic's review
5.0
The MAX imprint was the last best thing that happened to Marvel. Ennis successfully takes the liberty to use this imprint for a violent, gritty and mature story. While the violence is over the top, I loved the art direction and Tim Bradstreet’s cover posters. Profanity, guns and drugs are freely used in order to convey a more explicit story and this allows for a more realistic Frank Castle. It’s the type of storyline the modern cringe Marvel fans are too squeamish and picky about. It’s what Marvel should have been instead of letting themselves be bought by Disney. You might not like the plot entirely, but the art, aesthetics, mournful realism and moral dilemmas do justice to The Punisher. Suck on that, Avengers!
and_it_spoke's review
2.0
Violent and very 90's (yes, I know it came out in '04). IT doesn't really showcase the best of what The Punisher character or Garth Ennis as a writer have to offer. It came of as dated, and full of caricatures of what masculinity should be. One poorly written token woman character, and lots of pulpy silliness.
If you want to slum it, give it a read but don't expect anything monumental.
If you want to slum it, give it a read but don't expect anything monumental.