PC POST #341: -REVIEW- PUNISHER #9 (2016)

Punisher #8 is out, with less Punisher but more Agent Ortiz... And it doesn't have to be all that bad.

For those waiting to see a kick ass action scenes with the Punisher, might be disappointed, because there is only one page with him.

But overall it's far from being a boring comic, specially with the art of Matt Horak that gave a great dynamic to the comic with the storytelling of Becky Cloonan.

Becky Cloonan gave a chance to Ortiz to develop a bit more in this comic. It was important, in the past issues Ortiz seemed kind of obsessed with the Punisher instead of putting down the guy responsible for the death of his partner Henderson.

Ortiz is a kick ass character and we can see that in this issue specially in the scenes with Face.

We could have a bit more of the Punisher, sadly we got only one page with a few panels, as a Punisher fan i didn't like it but his lack of appearance was sacrificed with some characters development like Ortiz and Face.

I really liked the artwork, Matt Horak seems the right man to this book, i'm still on the fence about the details of his characters in a distance, but his "close ups" are really amazing and very detailed.

I have to give a special credit to the "crash scene" and the explosion in the Olaf's house. 

Frank Martin, the guy from the "background" is part of the success of Horak's work, like he did with Dillon's. Great coloring and very adequate to the tone of this series.

Decent cover by Declan Shalvey and Jordie Bellaire, this time i'm not surprised with this cover. In fact it's my least favorite of this series, but hey, it's still a very decent artwork. But to me, not at the same level as for example last issue.

Overall i didn't felt so engaged like the previous issues, in terms of plot, but i liked that Cloonan could develop a bit more of Ortiz and Face. I was very surprised how the house of Olaf exploded, didn't saw that coming... i was expecting a simpler trap but nothing so extreme, specially to put his wife and kid in great danger. 

Let's hope we have more "Punisher" in the upcoming issue.

The Good:

-Good development of Ortiz and Face; 

-Great artwork and coloring.

Not so Good:

- Lack of appearence of the main character in this issue;

-Face is still around, barely, but still is.

Overall Rate: 7.0 out of 10

Posted by Ivo Santos (FB/Twitter)

PC POST #337: -REVIEW- THE PUNISHER #7

Punisher #7 marks the last pages of Steve Dillon, unfortunately he didn't finish this issue but Matt Horak stepped in to end this issue and will replace Dillon's as the main artist of this run.

Becky Cloonan didn't dropped the quality of this issue. But when i was reading it felt like a "filler". There was no huge improvements in the plot or any important events for upcoming issues.

On the other side, Becky Cloonan and Matt Horak built an amazing brawl fight between the Punisher and a few members of the Condor, gritty violence, pure fun and entertainment, almost like a western but with a significant amount of gore.

I think its about time that Face can meet his end and about time to see more action from Olaf (which i believe we will see next issue).

The artwork of this comic was divided by Steve Dillon and Matt Horak. There are five pages of Dillon's in this comic and it really gave that nostalgic feeling that he was born to make this comic. Nothing really fancy but it was really enjoyable to see his last work on this.

Matt Horak did a very good job, the first time i read this comic it didn't felt somewhat "off" but after two more reads it looks good.

It seems that Horak tried to adapt his style to Dillon's, it was expectable and understandable, because of the few pages of Dillon's art in this comic but i prefer that he can make his own design in the upcoming issues. I didn't like the look of Frank's face in some panels.

The bar fight was amazing and very well constructed, without a doubt my favorite bar fight i ever read.

The cover from Declan Shalvey and Jordie Bellaire is a masterpiece like they used to do in this current run. Pretty much in context if it was released last issue but in terms of art it's amazing.

Frank Martin as the colorist did a good artwork, in the brawl fight scenes the splash pages are simply amazing.

The editor Jake Thomas did a great tribute to Steve Dillon in the letters page to a great artist with his own style and great storyteller. He will be missed.

Overall Rate: 7 / 10

posted by @ivomgs

PC POST #332: "Back to 'Nam", Ennis and Parlov are back with a sketch of the "Platoon".

Yes!! The project is still alive. The long promised miniseries featuring Frank Castle in his first tour in 'Nam is in production.

Goran Parlov shared this morning a sketch of this long awaited series.

For those who don't know Parlov and Ennis will join forces again to take on the character, a great creative team to give us once again the Frank Castle we love, the original, the Vietnam bad ass.

Click on the link to see the news back in 2013.

Three long years of waiting and it's finally happening. Can't wait!

Ivo Santos | @ivomgs

PC POST #330: -REVIEW- Doctor Strange / The Punisher: Magic Bullets #2

Last week it was released issue two of this miniseries that belongs to a new wave of Punisher "Infinite Comics" ( Only digital, for now).

(W) John Barber / (A) Andrea Broccardo / (C) Andrew Crossley

Last issue Frank search for Doctor Strange help on dealing with demonic monsters that were in the mafia restaurant he attacked.

Most of this issue Frank tries to persuade Doctor Strange ( who wants to help) but in some odd way shows some resistance to Frank's invitation.

While in the Fusilli's restaurant looks like some sort of "hotspot" for demonic monsters, a new character appears, Mangrove aka Doctor Hurt. He is the man who will leech the powers of those demonic beasts and transfer it to the Fusilli's brothers.

The Punisher in this story is clearly out of the picture, dealing with demonic beasts is more Strange's department. But i'm curious to see what will happen.

John Barber took the time to explore a bit more of the story, while the cliffhanger we see in the end of the comic give us a hint, that issue #3 will give us the expected fight between the Sorcerer Supreme and the One Man Army against those supernatural beasts.

The art of Andrea Broccardo still has the same quality (great) has we seen in the past issue. My only complaint is the colorful issue but that's the department of Andrew Crossley.

I think this comic should be darker, specially because of the theme.

Barber and Broccardo continue to give us a good ride. The pace of the story did slow down a bit but it was necessary for exploring a bit more of the story.

And despite that this isn't Frank's business, i'm looking forward to see what John Barber will do with character while facing these supernatural threats.

Overall Rate: 7.0 / 10

posted by Ivo Santos | @ivomgs

PC POST #329: -REVIEW- Doctor Strange / The Punisher: Magic Bullets #1

Another initiative featuring the Punisher in Infinite Comics. Last time it featured Daredevil and Punisher fighting about their beliefs.

This time it features Doctor Strange and Punisher written by John Barber ( Optimus Prime, Ultimate Spider-Man infinite comics, etc...) and as artist, Andrea Broccardo.

(W) John Barber / (A) Andrea Broccardo / (A) Andres Mossa / (Cover) Michael Walsh

This team up between Doctor Strange and the Punisher happened a few times before and most of the times it worked despite all the differences among the characters.

-Contain some spoilers-

The first issue was some sort of introduction of both characters. The Punisher part is full of action when we see him taking down the Fusilli's mob.

Great dynamic in every action scene and Frank was perfectly portrayed on how he took care of the goons.

During this attack. Frank take notice that the mob members are defending a "door" but he doesn't know what it is behind it. He breaks it down and we do not see what comes next. After this we see Doctor Strange introduction until the last pages we see Frank asking for Strange's help.

This was a very entertaining issue with a many action and it was a great experience using this"infinite comics" format.

The panels were very dynamic and so far, due to the action of this comic, it was better experience than Daredevil / The Punisher issue #1.

John Barber told a very simplistic plot with the Punisher (more is to be revealed next issue). But it was entertained enough to keep me hooked for the next issue. There wasn't nothing more to tell about the Punisher in this issue aside from the bullets and corpses all over the issue.

John Barber and Andrea Broccardo did a great job in constructing this issue. Both storytelling and artwork were perfectly sync. 

Andrea's art was very decent in this issue, despite all the colorful issue. I like the Punisher comics to be as dark as possible, but it didn't waste all the fun. Andrea's is a good artist i think that we haven't seen anything yet. We haven't seen all his capacities.

OVERALL RATE: 7 / 10

 posted by Ivo Santos | @ivomgs

PC POST #328: -REVIEW- THE PUNISHER ANNUAL #1 (2016)

Twenty-five years has passed since Gerry Conway ( The Punisher co-creator) wrote a Punisher comic (Punisher One-Shot: Bloodlines) and now he is back.. and with a blast!

(W) Gerry Conway / (A) Felix Ruiz / (CoverA) Rahzzaa (C) Lee Loughridge

This story was a delight. Gerry Conway belongs to a very strict group of people that can tells a point of view story about the Punisher with the Punisher as the main character without being overshadowed by secondary characters.

Gerry Conway built a great story that is about the "justice system". 

Mamdouh is a police officer seeking for revenge and he is totally split by using the legal system and what the Punisher does. 

These stories are always good to read when the writer knows the character to his foundations and who's better than Gerry Conway? Maybe two or three writers in the comic book industry.

This was one of my favorite Punisher story of the past years and Conway just answered for my expectations.

The artwork by Felix Ruiz wasn't "eye catchy" and sometimes too "sketchy" at the beginning but during the reading it looked better than the initial pages. On the other side i liked how the action scenes were portrayed thanks to Lee Loughridge for the tone and colors to this annual.

Just another complain is that i didn't like at all how Ruiz make Frank shoot with gun sideways when he deliver the final blow to Nicky.

Conclusion: I really like to see Gerry Conway back in a Punisher book after so many years. I even would like to see him writing a Punisher ongoing after this successful annual.

Looking forward to see Conway back. 

OVERALL RATE: 9 / 10

posted by Ivo Santos | @ivomgs

PC POST #326: Five new actors added to Marvel's Punisher cast

Another bit of news were released today by Marvel announcing five new actors that will be part of Netflix original series "Marvel's The Punisher".

Daniel Webber (“11.22.63”) has been cast as Lewis Walcott, a young veteran who has had a difficult time re-assimilating into Civilian Society.

Jaime Ray Newman (“Bates Motel”) plays Sarah Lieberman, Micro’s wife (played by Ebon Moss-Bachrach) whose marriage has made her life far more complicated.

Jason R. Moore (“A Lonely Place for Dying”) joins as Curtis Hoyle, a friend of Frank Castle’s and one of the few people who knows he is alive.

Michael Nathanson (“The Knick,” “Wolf of Wall Street”) has been cast as Sam Stein, a Homeland agent who is challenged by his partnership with Dinah (Amber Rose  Revah).

Paul Schulze (“Nurse Jackie”) will play Rawlins, a high-ranking member of the CIA whose operations in Afghanistan intersect with Frank Castle.  

"We couldn't have asked for a more talented group of actors to round out the cast of Marvel's The Punisher," said Executive Producer and showrunner Steve Lightfoot. "It's a thrill to watch them each bring their characters to life with such layered, nuanced performances.”

"Marvel TV is very proud of the cast of The Punisher," said Executive Producer Jeph Loeb, "Each actors brings a special promise who surround Jon Bernthal's exceptional performance."

Deborah An Woll will reprise her role as Karen Page from Marvel’s Daredevil for Marvel’s The Punisher, alongside star Jon Bernthal as the Punisher himself, Frank Castle. Bernthal debuted in the role in Marvel’s Daredevil Season 2.

Steve Lightfoot (Hannibal) is writing the first two episodes of Marvel’s The Punisher for Netflix and will serve as series showrunner and Executive Producer. Jim Chory and Jeph Loeb are also executive producers.

Marvel’s The Punisher is produced by Marvel Television, in association with ABC Studios and Netflix. Marvel’s The Punisher will debut on Netflix in 2017.

- by Marvel

So far, i am liking the right balance between known characters from comics with totally unknown exclusively created for the show.

Known characters:

Billy Russo;
Microchip;
Rawlins;
Curtis Hoyle;
Karen Page.

Unknown characters:

Dinah Madani;
Sam Stein;
Sarah Lieberman;
Lewis Walcott.

PC POST #319: -FIRST LOOK- PUNISHER ANNUAL #1

After 25 years of waiting, the creator of the Punisher is back to write this annual to be released in October 26th. 

Last time he wrote a Punisher comic, was in the one shot called "Bloodlines".

In this annual we are going to see Frank hunting down a killer in Halloween... Looks fun to me!

THE PUNISHER ANNUAL #1

GERRY CONWAY (W) • FELIX RUIZ (A)

COVER BY RAHZZAH

OUR TREAT: FRANK’S UP TO HIS OLD TRICKS!

• There are ghouls everywhere on Halloween night, but real monsters don’t wear costumes!

• The Punisher is searching for a killer, but he’s also being watched…

• Let’s hope Frank’s quarry doesn’t put costumed civvies in the line of fire!

40 PGS./Parental Advisory …$4.99

Cover by Lim

Cover by Olivetti

Ivo Santos | @ivomgs

PC POST #316: -REVIEW- THE PUNISHER #5 (2016)

Finally issue #5 was released. It took awhile but the wait was well worth it. Behold, to the best Punisher issue from  Becky Cloonan and Steve Dillon's run!

(W) Becky Cloonan / (A) Steve Dillon / (Cover) Declan Shalvey & Jordie Bellaire / (C) Frank Martin

It's been awhile since i had so much fun with a Punisher comic, Becky Cloonan and Dillon provided me non-stop action with the over the top violence to satisfy my inner fanboy waiting for a issue like this.

The odds are against Frank. Frank continues to track down the remnants of the Condor who is producing the EMC. He ends in an asylum with Ortiz who wants to find his partner that was captured by Face and the cherry on top is that this asylum is full of over powered crazies drugged by the EMC.

Becky Cloonan did once again an amazing job. She is a writer who doesn't complicate things, the Punisher is not a character to be complicated. 

I really like how Frank and Ortiz team up, she puts aside her feelings towards the Punisher and focused in his own mission, rescue agent Henderson.

The Punisher is not much of a talker and honestly he doesn't need, he is a man of actions, not words. 

Cloonan's achieve one thing amazing. When i did miss Punisher's inner dialog in the first issues, currently, i was entertained enough not even to remember it or miss it. 

People compare much of her run to Ennis or Aaron, i think in some elements are similar but she is leaving her own mark in the character, the most straight forward action-wise story i have ever seen.

Dillon continues to improve too and this time the requirements were higher regarding passed issues due to the action itself. We can see amazing panels beautifully executed. Dillon is perfect when he executes violent scenes, he can do it perfectly and gory. For moments i thought i was reading a Punisher MAX instead of story from the current Marvel Universe.

Frank Martin did a great job too for the coloring of this issue and once again he keep the high standards with a great balance of colors and during the splash scenes he adds a very vivid colors.

Declan Shalvey and Jordie Bellaire created a good cover. Graphically perfect. It's not accurate of what happens in the comic but it's still great. I really like this partnership.

Conclusion: It's been awhile since i had so much fun reading a Punisher comic. Thanks to this great creative team that is working perfectly.

Can not wait to see more developments about the relation with Olaf and Frank ( next issue!) and obviously more about Frank/Ortiz. Ortiz is mentally broke after some events of this comic. Let's wait and see the aftermath of it.

It's been a blast and i highly recommend for every Punisher fan.

Overall rate: 8.5 out of 10  

Ivo Santos | @ivomgs

PC POST #315: -Rumor- The Punisher might appear sooner than we think & Punisher's appearance in Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.?

So far the production of the Marvel's Punisher has been a classified subject by Marvel, specially, when we talk about the release dates.

But in this recent tweet by NYCC, it opened once more the discussion about the release date that might be sooner than i initially thought.

Due to his Netflix production schedule, @jonnybernthal will only be at #NYCC on Saturday and Sunday. More info: https://t.co/uMrzkxxJWM pic.twitter.com/Ro6nMfqvry

— New York Comic Con (@NY_Comic_Con) 21 de setembro de 2016

"Due to his Netflix production schedule", it's catchy enough to make fans speculate about the release date. This might means that Jon Bernthal is filming for the appearance in Marvel's Defenders or he is already filming the Punisher series.

Officially, the executives have already said in SDCC (San Diego Comic Con) that the Punisher series would premiere in 2018.

Marvel studios has been very busy casting talents for the series. In the passed weeks there was news about the cast of David Linus Lieberman "Microchip" (Punisher's hacker and weapons dealer) and in the last week the cast of Ben Barnes for the role of a "big" villain that many rumored that he will portray Bobby Saint.

Check the following link when i discussed this questionable cast for this specific role.

In the passed week, during the red carpet premiere of Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D, Jeph Loeb invited a significant number of guests, one of them was Gerry Conway ( co-creator of the Punisher) who was also a former writer of Ghost Rider. And Filipe Smith, creator of Robbie Reyes(Ghost Rider).

Loeb announced Conway as "the creator of the Punisher" and he said right away: "You will understand why i bought all these people here later in the season, and why it makes sense".

CBM, asks his readers if this might be a possible hint that both characters will be eventually facing one another.

Personally, i don't believe the Punisher will appear in AoS.

It was just a coincidence that Gerry Conway was a writer of both characters and Loeb announcing him as the "creator" of the Punisher was just a way to introduce him for those who don't know his work.
The Punisher is without a doubt the biggest character Conway ever created in Marvel Universe.

Personally i don't think the Punisher fits in the AoS. The Punisher belongs to a channel who can create a dark enviornment for the character and Netflix is perfect for that.

Ivo Santos | @ivomgs

PC POST #314: PUNISHER Solicitations for December 2016

Here goes solicitations for December! And it looks like we will have many Punisher comics to read! 

DOCTOR STRANGE/PUNISHER: MAGIC BULLETS #1 (of 4)

• JOHN BARBER (W) • ANDREA BROCCARDO & JASON MUHR (A)
• Cover by MICHAEL WALSH
• Variant Cover by TBA
• The team-up to end all team-ups is here, as two of the most different Marvel characters worlds’ collide! What new mafia threat is so great that the Punisher needs Doctor Strange’s help? Find out as the Sorcerer Supreme teams with the One Man War on Crime!
• 40 PGS./Rated T+ …$4.99

THE PUNISHER #8

• BECKY CLOONAN (W) • STEVE DILLON (A)
• Cover by DECLAN SHALVEY
• OVER THE RIVER AND THROUGH THE WOODS…
• Frank gets help from an unlikely source.
• But trouble’s not far behind!
• If you go out in the woods today, you’re sure for a big surprise…
• 32 PGS./Parental Advisory …$3.99

A YEAR OF MARVELS: THE UNCANNY #1

• JEREMY WHITLEY, TODD CASEY & ELLIOTT CASEY (W)
• LAURA BRAGA & PAUL DAVIDSON (A)
• Cover by JAMAL CAMPBELL
• It’s Halloween in the Marvel U! What does that mean for KATE BISHOP, A.K.A. HAWKEYE? Well, I can’t tell you here but I CAN guarantee it involves a haunted house, some witty one-liners, and a bad guy shot full of arrows…
• Then it’s time to give thanks for…THE PUNISHER?! When an op goes south, Frank Castle finds himself in a subterranean game of cat and mouse! It’s a life or death tale that’ll satisfy more than any turkey dinner!
• 40 PGS./Rated T+ …$4.99

Gwenpool Holiday Special: Merry Mix-up

• CHRISTOPHER HASTINGS, RYAN NORTH, NICK KOCHER,
• KARLA PACHECO, CHYNNA CLUGSTON-FLORES (W)
• CHYNNA CLUGSTON-FLORES, Myisha Haynes, Nathan Stockman & More (A)
• Cover by SALVA ESPIN
• Variant Cover by Ron Lim
• Variant cover by Chip Zdarsky
• Variant by Erica Henderson
• It’s the holidays yet again, and that means it’s time to join EVERYONE’S FAVORITE GWEN (take that, Stacy!) and celebrate good times, come on! Only problem is…somehow this year’s festive traditions seem to be a little…off…and Gwen’s the only one who notices. FEATURING: Gwenpool (duh), Spider-Man, Red Skull, Punisher and even Deadpool! This is one present you know you gotta buy yourself!
• 64 PGS./Rated T+ …$5.99

Ivo Santos | @ivomgs

PC POST #313: -Preview- THE PUNISHER #5

PUNISHER #5

Written by Becky Cloonan 

Art by Steve Dillon and Frank Martin

Published by Marvel Comics

Release Date: September 21, 2016

ENTER ASYLUM: FIND NO SANCTUARY. 

• The Punisher tracks Condor’s EMC operation to its source…a deserted psychiatric hospital. 
• Can Frank take down an asylum full of drug-enhanced killers, or will he become an inmate himself!?
• Agent Ortiz is close behind. She’s rescuing her partner, and she’s done with following protocol.

PC POST #310: Marvel's Punisher catch up news!

In the past several weeks there have been some news related to the upcoming Punisher series produced by Netflix/Marvel.

For many this isn't exactly "news" but it's a way to catch up with everything.

This screen grab wasn't officially confirmed by Netflix at this moment and despite the initial reports stated that Marvel's Punisher wouldn't come out until 2018.

But the fact is, no matter if this a rumor or even a mistake the fact is Netflix only posts these landing pages when the shows is about year out.

If Netflix is going to follow this pattern we will sure the Marvel's Punisher in 2017.

Current landing page on Netflix app.

Of course there are some aspects that can hold back that certainty. The schedule. 

Next year, we will have Iron Fist and Defenders. If Netflix will continue with the usual half year gap between series will clearly difficult the release the Punisher series unless they cut the episodes of Defenders or speed up the production of Marvel's Punisher.

We should to keep our feet on the ground, the landing page might be a positive sign that we will have the Punisher series sooner than we think.

There has been some news about the casting of "Micro". David Linus "Microchip" Lieberman also known in the Marvel Universe as Micro or Microchip. 
We don't know yet who will be the actor to represent this role. What we know is that the studio who will produce Marvel's Punisher is looking for someone for the role.
Microchip first appeared in the first Punisher ongoing series (1987) and it was created by Mike Baron.

Microchip is the Punisher's personal hacker and creator of gadgets. He also was many times the only link to mankind that Frank ever had. He is a faithful sidekick who suffered similar fate as Frank. His son was killed by criminals while both were working for the Punisher.
He was a very important character for the Punisher for everything i mentioned above and specially has someone who supplied intel for certain missions. He even worked as undercover.

Along the way some writers make him a villain and Frank had to finish him off.

Let's hope this doesn't happen again. 

Ivo Santos | @ivomgs