WRITERS: Greg Rucka
ARTIST: Mico Suayan
COLOR ARTIST: Matt Hollingsworth
LETTERS: VC’s Joe Caramagna
COVER: Marco Checchetto
ASSISTANT EDITOR: Ellie Pyle
EDITOR: Stephen Wacker
EDITOR IN CHIEF: Axel Alonso
CHIEF CREATIVE OFFICER: Joe Quesada
PUBLISHER: Dan Buckley
EXEC. PRODUCER: Alan Fine
Release Date: July 4thth, 2012
Published
monthly by Marvel Worldwide, INC.
ADDITIONAL DETAILS:
Price – $2.99
(23 Pages,
single-issue, color)
INTRODUCTION: (From page 1)
For months,
The Punisher has been preparing to destroy the criminal organization known as
the Exchange, a group comprised of former henchmen from a variety of
super-villain groups, led by ex-AIM scientist Stefanie Gerard and her
second-in-command Christian Poulsen.
At the same
time, Marine Sergeant Rachel Cole-Alves has likewise pursued the Exchange,
attempting to exact her bloody revenge for the injustice the organization has
done her, the murder of her husband, her friends, and her family on her wedding
day. It is a quest that has brought her into Frank Castle’s sights, and now an
uneasy alliance has been formed – for now, they work together to make the
Exchange pay.
Meanwhile,
Detectives Walter Bolt and Ozzy Clemons have the unenviable task of trying to
track the Punisher’s actions while they too, attempt to build a case against
the Exchange. A job made all the harder by the number of bodies that keep
turning up, bodies dropped by Cole and Castle. Making matters worse for Walter
Bolt, his encounters with the Punisher have made him into the NYPD’s newest
poster boy, a local media celebrity, and “super-cop.”
Thus far,
the Exchange has survived by keeping its profile low, and by never underestimating
the Punisher. Unfortunately, that hasn’t been enough, and the question isn’t whether
the Punisher is gunning for them, but rather when.
The answer
is now.
WRITING:
Rucka
follows up his Rachel and Frank confrontation issue last month with an issue
that has the two of them working together towards a common purpose. Rucka
expertly sets up a heist-like story where Frank and Rachel impersonate other
people to get onto a yacht that is hosting an auction. This yacht also seems to
contain something very important to Frank and Rachel, that they will eventually
use in their fight against the Exchange.
Interestingly
enough however, Rucka doesn’t quite reveal what it is exactly that they are
after. He instead keeps the reader on the edge of their seat by creating an
interesting story of Rachel and Frank working towards a common purpose in an
environment that is really out of their normal element.
Rucka
clearly works hard in this issue to show just how far Rachel has come in her
skills and in her understanding of how to be tactical. Rachel steals the show
while Punisher creates a distraction. Rucka even makes Frank interesting while
he is taken out of the picture for most of the issue.
Rating – “A”
ARTWORK:
Mico Suayan
comes on board as another guest artist in the series to give Marco Checchetto a
break from his duties. Chechhetto does however put forth the effort to create
the cover of this issue, which is one of my favorites so far in the series.
Suayan
brings a grittier, more traditional styled take on Punisher. Shadows and
line-work are a heavy focus and some of the familiar darker tones that
Checchetto usually brings are missing. This doesn’t take away from the story
however, because Suayan does a very good job at keeping the visuals interesting
and fun.
The one
downside to the art in this issue are many of the facial expressions. It seems
like Suayan over-exaggerated many of the characters even when it was not
necessary.
Rating – “B”
STORY:
(WARNING –
THIS SECTION MAY CONTAIN SPOILERS)
This issue
is actually very simple with it’s storyline. Punisher and Rachel infiltrate a
yacht that is hosting an auction that Exchange members are at. Punisher and
Rachel both go dressed up in their best outfits with Rachel wearing a red dress
and Punisher in a suit with shades on to cover up his eye injury that he
suffered months ago at the hands of the vulture.
It isn’t very
clear exactly just what they are after on the boat but it is clear that the
plan is to create a diversion and then to steal an item that is being displayed
at the auction. This item is something that previously was used by Doc Ock.
This could be the first clue to the upcoming mini-series that Rucka mentioned
in a recent interview called “Punisher:War Zone” where Frank will be going to
battle with the Avengers. It is very intriguing and what is the most
interesting is that Rachel still hasn’t been able to exact her revenge on the
Exchange.
Rating – “B”
ENTERTAINMENT VALUE:
The story is
incredibly entertaining. From Frank and Rachel becoming imposters in formal
wear to Frank allowing himself to be captured and interrogated to allow Rachel
to rig the yacht to explode, there’s lots to have fun with.
Rucka is
creating one-heck of a run with his take on the Punisher. It is unfortunate
that it will be coming to a close in just a few months…
Rating – “A+”
OVERAL RATING OF ISSUE: “A-”
