For a long time, the Punisher seems to be popular. Not because he has any fancy powers or a fancy costume, don’t be silly. It’s simply based on the fact that he shoots people for a living. Until the 12-issue mini that Ennis did, I didn’t see a decent interesting thing about a guy that shoots people… I mean, come on! What’s so special about a guy who shoots stuff?… However, Punisher must have been good enough for him to have another shot at an ongoing title. Then we came to number 16, which begins a small 2-parter about sawed-off legs and Wolverine having his umpteenth bar fight. (Oh yeah, this book was released earlier in the month as a result of a bi-weekly thing, so I cover the next issue when I get the chance.)
If it wasn’t for the cover, you would have had me believe that these was another issue of that MAX Comic stuff that I don’t particularly care for… after all, these guys did do FURY (it’s okay if you don’t know what FURY is). That said, Ennis does what he usually does best; a good story-arc with its macabre moments that doesn’t include Punisher shooting everyone, although at least he fires a couple of shots. In fact, in one particular scene, ol’ Punisher blows off Wolverine’s face with a shotgun. Crap, man. I thought this was Marvel Knights, not MAX Comics! I didn’t expect to flying body parts or faces being blown away. What’s going on here?… Um, oh yeah, Darrick Robertson’s art is very good. The artstyle is rather befitting of this kind of dark, gritty environment with plenty of blood and flesh to pass around. The cover art is nice and simple – nuff said.
Okay, I realize that this is a Marvel Knights title, so there is some violent content expected, but there has to be some line crossed. I mean, count all the body parts on the floor or flying around in the book. I counted up to around twenty-three body parts, including nineteen legs and four fingers. Look, a guy’s face got blown off, for crying out loud! Such mindless depictions of violence and gore is befitting a MAX Comic, not Marvel Knights… Maybe I’m over exaggerating, especially since this is the same line where in the final issue of Punisher’s 12-issue mini, he kicks a cripple back into a burning house. That’s seems a little kiddy compared to this, though.
Punisher #16, if you can look past the loose body parts and the blown-off face, is a pretty good read. Rarely do you see a Punisher book where Punisher isn’t shooting or killing anyone (besides, you have the guy with the claws doing all that), so if you’re expect a massive gunfight, sorry. However, if you are interested in a decent Punisher story or just plain enjoy mindless violence, this book is for you.
dtm666 