PC POST #376: [SPOILERS] Secret Empire Omega #1 shows The Punisher path of redemption.

Watch out!! SPOILERS below!

Secret Empire is over. Thankfully. It did more damage than good to many characters like Captain America and the Punisher.

This book was a good reading. Without a doubt the best of the series. Especially for the great discussion between the real Steve Rogers and his alternate self "Hydra" Rogers.

Now let's talk about what is important... The Punisher. 

The Punisher got a few pages in this book when we see him hunting down Hydra operatives on a way of redemption himself. 

Frank is tracking down all the cells and operations of Hydra and put them down. Something that from my point of view he should've done since the beginning of this event.

Frank says that "This might be the worst of them.." he was talking about his mistakes in his life and siding with Hydra the worst of them all. 

He also adds: "I was tricked... Manipulated by one man I thought I could trust". 

While he's destroying Hydra operations he's been tracking down by Nick Fury Jr. 

Fury also says that "He's ready". I don't have doubts that this will serve as a bridge to Punisher #218 that will start in November with Frank using the War Machine suit.

The Punisher will be one of the few characters that will not have a one-shot before this new series, maybe because of his own current run that it's still ongoing until one month before the release of the Punisher #218.

I'm glad this event is over. Worst than sided with a "good" mafia family, being transformed into an angel or be a Frankenstein rip-off, was betraying what he believed since his very own foundations. 

He sided with a terrorist organization. Because he blindly followed a false messiah with broken promises to get his family back. If there is a writer who believes that Frank wants his family back, well... he should quit his job due to his own lack of knowledge about the character.
Frank wouldn't want his family back and let them see what he has become. Because of them and his addiction to destroying crime.

Now let's enjoy the upcoming issues 16 and 17 from Becky Cloonan's run.

Issue #16 (September)

Issue #17 (October)

And welcoming this new Punisher run with Matthew Rosenberg and Guiu Vilanova.

The Punisher #218: Frank Castle - War Machine (November)

posted by Ivo Santos ( FB / Twitter)

PC POST #365: [Spoilers SE#7] Why the Punisher joined HYDRA explained with SCANS.

[This article contains spoilers for Secret Empire #7]

"WHY"? 

This was the question many Punisher fans did when they saw the Punisher saying "Hail Hydra" for the first time.

Today that question was answered in the most "dumbest" way possible.

When Black Widow was ready to assassinate Steve Rogers, the Punisher intercepted her and both started fighting each other. For those who are going to read it's a great set of panels with both characters changing fists, kicks among other things. Great action.

Here comes the trouble, I don't believe for a moment that the Punisher would want his family back and see him in what he's become. And I wouldn't believe that after the Cube setting things up, Frank Castle would settle down, put the skull in the closet and living happily with his family for the rest of their lives.

No.

I would've preferred on seeing Frank brainwashed (again!), or this being an impostor, then seeing such bad writing. 

The Punisher wouldn't have joined HYDRA and betray what he represents to all crime, especially this super powered criminal organization.

Even if it was asked by Steve Rogers.

posted by Ivo Santos (FB/Twitter)

PC POST #355: Worst than being Franken-Castle or an avenging Angel is being a Hydra Punisher Agent.

(This article contain spoilers from Secret Empire #3)

Yesterday, once again Marvel shocked most of the comic book readers and non-readers. The Punisher appeared in the last page as a Hydra agent. Apparently he picked up the side of Steve Rogers instead of being part of the resistance.

There are many things that might still happened to Frank to explain such behavior. He might be a double agent, he might be acting solo with the purpose to destroy Hydra from the inside and kill Cap or the Cosmic Cube might also be responsible for this Hydra Punisher, the same treatment they gave to Captain America.

One thing is clear, we still have to read it to understand what happened. Marvel is playing it "right" for them, as long there is people mad like me writing about it, the more they will sell and promote their comics. But at what cost? At the cost of betraying everything that each character represents to himself and to the Marvel Universe and then erase it all and start all over. It's been this way Marvel does and deals with bad decisions in the last couple of years.

I'm going to be honest, this is worst than Franken-Castle, Angel Punisher or black Punisher. This i have no doubt. Franken-Castle or Angel Punisher were bad decisions that lead to awful writing but at least he was always himself, going after bad guys and kill them. This is what he is.

Working for a terrorist organization like Hydra is another example of lack of creativity and a way to play with the fandom. 

And no. The Punisher isn't Captain America's fanboy. He sided with him in Civil War because Stark was recruiting villains to his team, and joining Rogers side would be a good way to fight them. Of course he respects Captain America, he is a symbol. But that's it. 

If ever any hero crosses the line, he will be there to punish. Don't know how many times i read something like this in Punisher comics.

We have no other way than to read it and understand his reasons to side with HYDRA. 

I remember that not too long ago he wanted the Omega Drive to destroy these terrorist organizations. HYDRA, A.I.M., etc...

Let's hope Marvel explains this really well and stop making the fandom angry about their decisions. At least take a good example of DC... Oh wait... They are selling better than you, right?

Posted by Ivo Santos (@ivomgs)