Ennis, Garth: The Punisher
The Punisher: Welcome Back, Frank
Writer: Garth Ennis
Illustrator: Steve Dillon and Jimmy Palmiotti
Genre: Comics/Graphic Novel
Issues: 12
Publisher: Marvel Knights
The premise: Frank Castle is back (don't ask where's he's been, just know he's been gone/lying low/etc) and is kicking criminal ass. He's after Ma Gnucci and her boys, and she isn't happy about it. The Punisher's violent and bloody sprees are gathering more and more attention on the news, and now there's others who are picking up his mantle, and taking the law into their own hands.
I've pretty much told Greg to give me whatever he wants in terms of graphic novels. Unfortunately, he handed me this one. Now, to be fair, I've seen The Punisher movie (one of the rare movies where the TRAILER was better than the actual FILM), and I'm no stranger to Garth Ennis's work. After all, I have read Preacher and enjoyed it immensely. I'm also reading Ennis's on-going series, The Boys and am enjoying that as well. Ennis takes no prisoners when it comes to anything sacred, and his humor is horrible. And I mean that in a wonderfully, sadistic way.
So Greg thought I would enjoy this particular graphic novel. And I'll be honest, it's not BAD. It's got the Ennis touch of humor that I enjoy (loved how The Russian was killed--I laughed out loud!), and the story was quick, fast, easy, and to the point. And, as Ennis as a way of doing, there is some depth to what's going on. Rather, I should say commentary. Frank Castle might be a bad-ass, serial-killing vigilante, but even he's got standards, and if you read this book, you'll know what I mean.
But for my buck, the character just doesn't interest me, and therefore, neither does the level of violence. So I can't say I enjoyed this particular book, though it's done well and has some serious historical impact in terms of the character of The Punisher himself. I'm just not interested. I warned Greg this would be the case, but of course, he didn't listen to me. Silly boy.
Though I will say it's a CRIME that the movie took so much damn material from this particular mini-series without giving Ennis an ounce of credit. FOR SHAME!! Trust me, if you've seen the movie, read the book and you'll be surprised at how much they borrowed (and at how much BETTER Ennis does it).
My Rating
Worth the Cash: just because it's not up MY alley doesn't mean others won't enjoy it. It's a good book, and anyone who calls him/herself a Punisher fan is sorely lacking if they don't have this mini-series. Plus, if you enjoy Ennis's humor, you probably won't go wrong with this book.
Next up:
Book: Shadowbridge by Gregory Frost
Graphic Novel: Hellboy Library Edition Volume 1: Seed of Destruction and Wake the Devil by Mike Mignola