Punisher Max #1
Written by Jason Aaron
Art by Steve Dillon
The Punisher has been one of Marvel’s most popular characters for more than 20 years, with countless ongoing series; miniseries; one-shots; and not one
As past solicits and the cover of this issue reveal, this opening arc to the Punisher MAX relaunch will pit Frank Castle against Wilson Fisk, a.k.a. the Kingpin. But this is not the Wilson Fisk we know from the regular 616 universe. In the MAX version, Fisk is a hired thug being prepped by the mob as a figurehead to draw Frank out so that the criminals can finally get their revenge on the man who has killed so many of them. While the mob hatches their scheme, the Punisher gets some info from a captured stoolie and invades their hideout. Fisk and his boss Rigoletto get away after Frank ices many of the mobsters who opposed their idea, and we get a brief glimpse of Wilson’s wife and son before he receives a call from Rigoletto that their plan is a go.
As expected, there is plenty of gruesome violence and strong language, but the plot is so interesting that it refuses to be overshadowed by all the blood and guts. This is one of the few Punisher issues that I’ve read in which the focus is more on the villains than on Frank Castle himself, which I found to be quite a refreshing change. Writer Jason Aaron and seminal Punisher artist Steve Dillon are shaping up a story that is sure to please longtime fans of the character and may also appeal to readers who were never interested in the Punisher before. This debut issue of the Punisher MAX relaunch gets 4.5 out of 5 Empty Eye Sockets.
I loved this issue and am looking forward to the series, but I would argue that most of Ennis’s MAX book focused on the villains just as much as this did. Between Cavella, Cooley and Baracudda (who got his own mini, no less), Garth crafted some damn fine villains.
I’ve only read the first arc of Ennis’ MAX series…I need to hunt down the trades of the rest of his run.
Yes. Yes you do. It’s damn good. It’s some of my favorite comics ever.
I like how this series has started. The old saying is that a hero is only as good as his villain.