The Punisher #5

Cover by Marco Checchetto

The Punisher #5 (November 16, 2011)

Writer: Greg Rucka

Penciller: Marco Checchetto

Colorist: Matt Hollingsworth

Letterer: Joe Caramagna

Whoa, where have I been?

I somehow managed to miss three Punisher issues and not collapse in a state of mourning at the absence of Frank Castle in my life. I guess I’m just an incredibly strong person.

Anyway, I still love this run though The Punisher #5 was definitely more of an interlude than an actual action-packed storyline continuation. At first that threw me but after I finished it, I genuinely appreciated this issue and the exposition it gave.

The Punisher #4

Cover by Paul Neary

The Punisher #4 (October 12, 2011)

Writer: Greg Rucka

Penciller: Marco Checchetto

Colorist: Matt Hollingsworth

Letterer: Joe Caramagna

I’m having trouble deciding which is my favorite Marvel discovery upon beginning this blog.

At first, it was definitely Avengers Academy but now I’m all about Thor and those crazy Asgardians but everytime I read Rucka’s Punisher, I love it more and more. So right now, it’s a toss-up between Thor and the Punisher. They couldn’t be more different but that’s fine since I am a very complicated person.

Anyway, The Punisher #4 totally kicks ass and for a long time after reading it, that was my only coherent reaction. Though this issue is not as action-packed as the previous one, it dealt with the fallout of the Punisher’s actions as a crazed vigilante and did a solid job illustrating the way in which the Punisher affects not only the bad guys, but the local community, the police and, in this case, the would-be victim of a wedding massacre several issues back. I’ve always really loved comics that portrayed even the lone heroes’ connection to their community; like how Batman is so connected to Gotham and vice versa.

The Punisher #3

Cover by Bryan Hitch, Paul Neary, Paul Mounts

The Punisher #3 (September 7, 2011)

Writer: Greg Rucka

Penciller: Marco Checchetto

Colorist: Matt Hollingsworth

Letterer: Joe Caramagna

Inker: Paul Neary

Until now, I haven’t seen a knife fight in free fall. I also have never seen a half-human, half-vulture acid-spewing creature claw at a vigilante like a piece of carrion.

So points to The Punisher #3 for showing me something new. I am warming up to this series quite a lot, actually.

The Punisher #2

Cover by Bryan Hitch, Paul Neary, Paul Mounts

The Punisher #2 (August 24, 2011)

Writer: Greg Rucka

Penciller: Marco Checchetto

Colorist: Matt Hollingsworth

Letterer: Joe Caramagna

I guess I was super out of it when I read The Punisher #1, or perhaps Rucka thoroughly improved as a writer between issues (I shall go with the latter option) but I actually completely understood what was going on in The Punisher #2 and thoroughly enjoyed it.

The much-appreciated backstory first page by Marvel put everything into perspective for me and I was able to finally keep track of all the characters and their personal objectives and functions in the story.

So far, what I am really enjoying about these comics is the literal absence of Frank Castle; while he appears rather sparingly in the comic, his presence over hangs through out the entire issue and is felt by each character. They know he’s out there, watching and therefore, the reader knows as well. His actions can be predicted or dissected by the other characters but ultimately, they are all at his mercy, even the good guys.

The Punisher #1

The Punisher #1 (August 3, 2011)

Writer: Greg Rucka

Penciller: Marco Checchetto

Colorist: Matt Hollingworth

Letterer: VC’s Joe Caramagna

Cover Artist: Bryan Hitch, Paul Neary, Paul Mounts

Frank Castle/The Punisher is another character that I have long been interested in reading. My rather superficial understanding of the guy was that he was a meaner, grittier and deadlier Batman; a pissed-off vigilante that suffered a terrible tragedy in his personal life and therefore has dedicated himself to eradicating criminals. Based on this introductory issue, I don’t think I’m that far from off with this assessment.

After reading so many Batman comics in my life, I assumed I would be rather nonplussed with Castle’s merciless vendetta against criminal activity. But this was like Batman with the breaks off. Upon initial reading, I was too busy being confused as to what was going on to really appreciate the plot and characterization. Furthermore, I was surprised by the graphic violence; it drawn by Checchetto in a very realistic manner by comic book standards. It wasn’t until I finished the comic that I realized how very different Castle is from Batman and also how very grim this series will be.