PC POST #176: -DOUBLE REVIEW- Punisher: The Trial #02

PUNISHER: THE TRIAL OF THE PUNISHER #02

-REVIEW-

(W) Marc Guggenheim (A) Mico Suayan (C) Sunny Gho

Review #1 @ivomgs

OPINION: Sadly the Punisher's trial is over! In the end of the last issue Frank showed some "formula" to his lawyer Santos and finally in this issue we will see what Frank was cooking, what were his real objectives in this trial...

Marc Guggenheim gives us a Frank that is a real mastermind, he played with every character in this book... yes, everyone. Frank isn't about just shooting mobsters and Guggenheim just prove it. He caught the character's psych brilliantly at least like i imagine. And i thought for sometime that writers forgot how to handle Frank without portraying him like nutcase.

This book gives us some good action panels behind testimonials like a Punisher book must have, even on this one that is based in a courtroom.

The pages with Punisher and Daredevil fighting are really cool.

Sadly i hoped to see more 5 pages, the conclusion was great but i hoped that lasted a few more, you probably know why when you read it.

About the art, Mico Suayan is in the same level as Leinil Yu, both are great artists and they did a great job on this miniseries, in fact i haven't seen this type of quality since Checchetto's leave the Punisher from Rucka's. I really want to see more of these guys in a Punisher book.

To be honest this wasn't my type of story at first, but Marc really conquered my attention and in the end i really like it, i haven't seen this kind of storytelling since Rucka's and it's really good to have The Punisher i care back in business. 

I really wanted to see more Punisher from Guggenheim. A huge thanks to all the staff that make this book possible and for giving us this wonderful ride on the most dangerous antihero of the Marvel universe.

PLOT: 4.5 / 5

ART: 4 / 5
COVER: 4.5 / 5

OVERALL EVALUATION: 4.5 / 5

Review #2 by @neil4LOST

The Trial of the Punisher mini-series was bittersweet. It had a little bit of everything for comic fans. Great art, awesome characters, an intriguing story-line and a twist. This definitely wasn't the typical Punisher story and it is interesting to see that this book didn't hit the shelves much earlier than it did. Guggenheim crafts an intelligent Frank Castle that is tactical and procedural in how he executes (no pun-intended) his plans.

I personally felt that the second issue fell just short of the earlier issue. The characters and storyline that was introduced in the first part of this two issue series was full of fast-paced mystery. This issue however felt more drawn out and ultimately was building up to the last two pages of the story. There were some interesting moments like Matt Murdoch going to the witness stand to testify and the reveal as to why Frank Castle would ever consider turning himself into the authorities.

I have to say that the one let-down for me was that the major clue to the twist revealed at the end could have been given in the first issue and I would have personally felt that it would have fit more appropriately. Instead the clue is given at the beginning of this issue and it seemed a little obvious to me when the twist was revealed. I did however feel that the twist was a good one and it made sense in the Punisher universe. 

Overall this was a solid entry by Marc Guggenheim. If he was willing to revisit the character in the future I think it would be worth it for Marvel to consider some type of procedural Punisher title for him to head up. Right now there isn't enough Frank Castle on comic book store shelves and there could be a lot more done with the character.

Overall Rating: 3.9 out of 5