PC POST #262: -RETROSPECTIVE- Punisher Vol. 9 (2014-2015)

So as promised ( almost one week later) here i am to make a slightly restrospective of this run. The up's and down's of this take by Nathan Edmondson and Mitch Gerads.

This run began really well, first issue was action packed, we got a very solid writing and the Punisher seemed really focused in his mission.
Edmondson show us a more "social" Frank that we haven't seen in awhile with the add of an interesting cast in this story. It remembered me a lot the old stories of Mike Baron by far one of my favorite takes on the character.

I liked a lot this change of "tone" of the Punisher, Edmondson's casted away the "psycho killing machine" or the "dead man walking" elements. Despite these versions being good, i welcomed this one slightly better.
It's not like Frank go to the cinema and hanging out but it's nice seeing some humanity in him... at least the rest of it.

Agent Stone -  Seemed at first at the side of the Punisher, she didn't know that Frank was the Punisher and sometimes their chat was irrelevant.

Tuggs - Weapons Supplier and somewhat the conscience of Frank, he wasn't any Microchip or Henry, far from it. I wouldn't consider their relationship as friendship but definetely an associate that Frank could trust.

Loot - If Edmondson nailed it in the choice of these supporting cast, was Loot. Whoever thought of making a coyote a domestic animal? Only Frank. Only him can make the mother nature upside down and make Loot almost as a dog. Who didn't like this coyote?

 

About the gear, overall i like it. Mitch Gerads used "real" gear due to his experience in other titles... He revamped somewhat the skull in the suit but sometimes it looks like it is cut. Not a big problem to me.
The mask, it was difficult to accept at first but it grow on me. Due to Frank way of fighting crime i believe he wouldn't use the mask just for show or to canceal his identity, he really wants the bad guys knows who he is. But on the other side the intimidation factor had a slightly boost and i think the fans can relate a bit more with the character if they see a "faceless" Punisher. But i still prefer the Punisher without mask.

Characters

Nathan Edmondson had a great set of characters from Marvel Universe but not always take advantage of it, at least not what i expect.


Electro, this character was really relevant in the first arc and the fights with the Punisher were very good. The best thing was the way the Punisher took him out... Or better, take some leverage in the battlefield over Electro.

Domino -  Appears as soon as she disappear. She appears to put Frank down by surprise and saving Electro from being killed. I was expecting some more story or future appearences, even a confrontation between the Punisher and her. But no.

Howling Commandos - These guys are quintessecial of badassery that i didn't care most of this run. They were more than overpowered by Edmondson. Well... looking at this... They were overpowered or Frank was depowered? Unfortunately it was the latter. But i would be lying if i said that they weren't important in this run.

Crossbones - Another disappointment, everyone, i really mean EVERYONE, were expecting a more engaging fight between the Punisher and Crossbones... A battle of the skulls. But no.

Rachel Cole Alves - Do you remember her from Rucka's run? She did make an appearence and it was a good aid to Frank put his head in the game again. Unfortunately she only did that and gave him a ride back to L.A. when he escaped from a South American prison. Again, EVERYONE was expecting that she could help him takeover the streets while everything was in chaos by Dos Soles but no, she drop him and we never heard about her. Another huge disappointment.

Overall Opinion

I bet that Edmondson and Gerads did their best to tell their stories in 18 issues (excluding issues 19 and 20 these issues are tie-ins from Secret Wars) and they had to compact the stories as much as they could but there are things like i explained above that could be better.

I'm not a fan of stories for the "long term". I still think it isn't too appealing for fans that expect this character solve problems with bangs, explosions and body count in a very fast paced way.

Seeing the Punisher having constant "break-downs" over his mission wasn't very good to see, we all know that Frank is a very straight forward focus regarding what he has to do. And his mission are unquestionable.

I have seen him turning black, being an angel and turning into a Frankenstein but he never questioned what he has to do.

This run had good stuff like the crossover with Black Widow and the fight with Captain "Falcon" America.

Letting the main big bad ( Secretary) gets a free pass was a bad decision by the creative team.

And near the end the former "Agent" Sam Stone stabs Frank let him bleed almost to death and kills Loot. No fight back and no punishment for Sam Stone, just walked free.

Another thing to regret was the lack of scenes of the massacre of the villains bar, during issue #19, it would be nice to see Frank wasting some big bad villains before the end of the world.



GOOD:

- A more social Frank Castle;
- A very decent supporting cast ( Tuggs and Loot);
- Good fight between Electro and Captain America;
- Great artwork and covers by Mitch Gerads;
- Excelent issues #7. #8, #9, #17, #19 and #20.

BAD:


- A depowered Punisher regarding the threats of this run;
- Some inconsistent portrayal of the character;
- Excessively overpowered of Howling Commandos;
- Loose ends ( Secretary and Sam Stone);
- Lack of use of some characters from Marvel Universe that were featured in this run.

OVERAL RATE: 7 / 10

PC POST #261: -REVIEW- PUNISHER #20 (Last Issue)

 

The last issue of this series is out and the creative team end it with a bang!

This is the conclusion of the "Last Days" of the Punisher during the End of the World. For the people who don't know the Ultimate Universe (1610) and the Marvel Universe (616) will collide and destroying each other.

The Punisher will spent his last days punishing bad guys, last issue he wasted some villains from Marvel Universe and declared war to a terrorist cell named Black Dawn that are executing american hostages and one of them was Tom ( check out issue 7 & 8) a former associate of Frank's. 

After some kick ass action from last issue, the pace of this one is still action packed.

We see Frank get rid of dozens of Black Dawn members in many ways possible.
Edmondson show us a compressed story 2 part story that what only matters is the punishment he inflicts to the enemy and Frank does it flawlessly.

Make no mistake this was a senseless mission that what only matter was punishment.
 

Frank knew what was expecting him when tried to put down this organization and things went smoothly as he planned as his last mission in the Universe 616.

Mitch Gerads visuals are very impressive as always, i fear that i have nothing more to add about his astonishing visuals and "storytelling" in the way he makes his artwork tell the story for us. Even if one of us couldn't read, we couldn't understand perfectly what is happening. His artwork tells the story for itself.

My only complaint is some loose ends Frank didn't punished. If you have read this run you will know what i'm talking about... But on the other side, the world will go to kingdom come, they will get what they deserved.

OVERALL RATE : 7 out of 10

*Next week: A restrospective of this run! 

posted by @Ivo Santos

PC POST #260: -PREVIEW- PUNISHER #20

So this is it... Last issue of the Punisher by Nathan Edmondson and Mitch Gerads to be released next wednesday on 20th of July.

As the preview shows, we will keep seeing an action packed Punisher story, can't wait to read it.

Text by @ivomgs

PC POST #257: -REVIEW- PUNISHER #19

The penultimate issue of Nathan Edmondson and Mitch Gerads it's nothing less than a wonderful issue!
 

The pace of the story is perfect. Very straightforward issue, no internal conflicts and we have a Punisher very focused on his new mission.

He is like a terminator, executing terrorists at sight with a massive body count and playing with some toys the Howling Commandos lent.

 
The only let down was the fact that we couldn't see a bit more how he killed all those villains in the "Bar with no Name", they leave it to the readers imagination how that happened.

Mitch Gerads artwork in this issue was flawless! I can risk to say that this is his best work in this run.
I really liked how he balanced the background colors with the action scenes, it's definitely a masterpiece.

This IS the Punisher. I recommend this issue for every Punisher fan, Can't wait for the final issue.

 

OVERALL RATE: 9 out of 10

PC POST #256: -PREVIEW- PUNISHER #19

THE END IS NIGH!
• One of the Punisher’s allies falls. Someone’s picked the wrong fight.
• The Punisher steps back into a War Zone.
• Frank Castle is out for punishment, but the clock is ticking…

This issue will be released next week, 24th of June.

So what do we have here, one of Frank's ally is going to be executed... My guess is that it's Tom ( from Punisher #7 and #8). The guy was still active in the marines and make every sense that he gets captured and make a reference to the Punisher.

I would love to see the Punisher wasting all those villains in detail instead of a single panel with the "Bar with no Name" in flames. It would only take a page or so nothing more. I hope we can still see this.

posted by @ivomgs

PC POST #251: -PREVIEW- Punisher #19 "Last Days"

Nathan Edmondson (W), Mitch Gerads (A/C)

* One of the Punisher's allies falls. Someone's picked the wrong fight.

* The Punisher steps back into a War Zone.

* Frank Castle is out for punishment, but the clock is ticking...

This issue will be out in June, and from what we see from it, the story between Punisher and the Howling Commandos is far from over, going to the Middle East in mission with them for his "Last Days" makes sense to me.

Let's see if the writing are at the same level as the artwork which seems really great.

posted by @ivomgs

PC POST #247: -REVIEW- PUNISHER #18 + Secret Wars #1 (Punisher Cameo)

-REVIEW- 

PUNISHER #18  (SPOILERS)

In this issue Edmondson present us a Frank with his motives very sharp and very focused in his mission and what he has to do to keep going the war.

This issue began really good with fast pacing issue and a nice touch by Mitch Gerads and Brent Schoonover on the plate of the SUV that Frank was driving (ASM-129).This issue marks one of the best issues of Mitch Gerads artwork, very clean and sharp. Personally i think he can do better work portraying daylight scenes than night time.

Seeing Frank executing Hector Dos Soles in public was kind of awkward but it didn't shock me but it was a shame it was "censored" when in the last pages he was shooting bad guys in the head. Either way, i like it, it was one of the few cool things in this issue.

One of the things we learned in this last issue was the mask Frank used, wasn't to conceal his identity but it was just part of a cool gear he uses. The mask was growing on me and it was very cool, but in the end it doesn't make any sense, since he takes off the mask in front of cameras. 

One thing that turned out to be funny was seeing how the media changed opinion when Frank executed Hector in public. Seconds before he was public enemy #1 and after shooting Hector he was almost national hero. Don't know if shooting a ganglord in front of national tv would help Frank get his image clean. I was always expected that Falcon America would give the recorder to the press of something but no, it wasn't needed he just shoot Hector in the head and he was clean as water. I don't buy this but i can live with it.

It was cool seeing the Howling Commandos again while seeing Frank executing Hector on tv and Thomas (his weapons supplier) too.

What ruined this issue was the last pages. The former officer Stone appears and she seems not knowing that Frank is now a hero ( for killing a gang lord in front of the world) and she blames him for everything that happened in L.A. suddently she stabs him Loot, Frank didn't fight back not even for the honor of his friend. Frank is losing too much blood and Loot i doubt he will survive this and both characters are together most likely in the last moments of Loot.

Didn't like what Edmondson done in here. Once again, he lost in his own comic. Once again he was owned by a nobody. And i don't remember in 20 years of reading Punisher comics that a stab could stop Frank. Specially after his companion was injured by Sam Stone that calls herself now "Memento".

Don't know if there is somewhat a tie-in in issue #19 because of Memento's actions but i'm expecting some payback, it would be really bad if it doesn't happen anything.

Pros:

• The Punisher executing Hector dos Soles;

• And cool fighting/shooting sequences with some criminals in the last pages;

• I loved the tribute of ASM 129;

• Great artwork by Mitch Gerads and Brent Schoonover, these two make quite a team.   

Cons:

• Once again Frank lost in his own comic and didn't fight back to help his friend Loot. 

OVERALL RATE : 5 / 10

Secret Wars #1 ( Punisher Cameo)

There isn't too much to talk here, because there is only two panels with the Punisher but it was quite worth it.

It seems that Frank intercept an email sent by Kingpin to some supervillains to watching live to the downfall of the heroes while they fail to save the world.

When everyone is celebrating, Frank appears with an automatic weapon lock and load to fill everyone a new set of holes in their bodies.

Here goes the two panels:

Jonathan Hickman did something really good that some writers forget, the Punisher punishes. And it's obvious that in his last minutes of life he would do what he does best, killing criminals. Great touch and i didn't expect for seeing the character in this comic, specially in Secret Wars the main book of this event. Glad he did it.

posted by @ivomgs

PC POST #246: -PREVIEW- PUNISHER #18

(W) Nathan Edmondson / (A) Mitch Gerads & Brent Schoonover

Frank’s long quest for vengeance over the massacre of a small Mexican village reaches its end.

What will happen to those Frank has left in his wake? 

On sale next Wednesday 6th of May.

PC POST #245: Punisher solicitation July 2015 - PUNISHER #20

NATHAN EDMONDSON (w)
MITCH GERADS (a/C)
THE LAST DAY
• With a bang, not with a whimper

Last issue by Nathan Edmondson and Mitch Gerads, can´t wait to see how they will wrap up this series...

posted by @ivomgs

PC POST #243:-REVIEW- Punisher #17

Finally we have some payoff and it took several issues for us to see Frank getting in the right direction!

First things first, this issue got a great attraction... The duel between the Punisher and Captain "Falcon" America.

Wilson was more aggressive in this fight and he clearly wanted to put Frank down. Falcon got a slightly advantage because of his wings and soon Frank realize that and took out his wings with a blast of a grenade. Frank could've finished the job but he doesn't kill heroes, Frank main objective was giving the recorder to Falcon with his little chat with the Secretary to frame him.

Edmondson did a great job in this issue, when i had lost all hope for this run it seems that the Frank i care, is still in there. 

Edmondson didn't fall in the "trap" of making Falcon overcome the Punisher regarding combat skills, just because he is the current Captain America and an Avenger. In my opinion both characters have been respected and the final result was flawless. 

We got a good fight, Frank was slightly superior and he could prove his innocence.

Edmodson gave Frank his sense of direction and purpose back, after so many issues getting beaten and arrested without some payoff, Frank is back in the game.

Gerads did a wonderful job with the fight choreography and with the background scenes. Credits for Brent Schoonover with his artwork too.

The only con I can remember was the word "outmatched", I still got some problems with this lack of trust in himself, specially regarding Falcon.

Great job of this creative team, we are getting close to the " Last Days" and i'm expecting some kick ass Frank before Marvel Universe goes to kingdom come.

Overall Rate: 8.5 out of 10.

Posted by @ivomgs

PC POST #242: -PREVIEW- PUNISHER #17

PREVIEW

PUNISHER #17

THE PUNISHER VERSUS CAPTAIN AMERICA IN THE NATION'S CAPITAL!

• The Punisher sees justice done, but his vigilantism won't be ignored anymore.
• Has Frank finally come up against a force he can't match?

It's on sale next week, Wednesday 1st of April.

posted by @ivomgs

PC POST #241 -REVIEW- PUNISHER #16

-REVIEW-

PUNISHER #16

Another issue out, and unfortunately another disappointment.

This issue could marked a turn of events regarding the Punisher and all this conspiracy but it turned out to be otherwise he didn't accomplish nothing.

Overall Edmondson built a good plot, personally i like some conspiracy stories but the execution of the main character was very poor through most of this series.

The other problem are the supporting cast, last issue Frank get on Sidewinder's mind and out of the blue he make him believe in him. Sidewinder's was the most strong minded and the leader of the Howling Commandos, by far he would be the most difficult to convince. 

And now in this issue we have Sam Stone, she was supporting the Punisher actions since day 1, now she's on the loose and heard news that the Punisher is responsible from the actual riots in L.A. She change her opinion about him? She wants to get him? 

It's not the first time that Edmondson presents us a Punisher with dillemmas and some inability to found out by himself what is his mission. And this time there is no Rachel Alves to pull him out of it.
And worst than this, Frank is unable to do what he does best... punish the wicked. When he get his hand on the "Secretary" he let him go, after all the lifes his actions cost in Mexico and in the current riots in L.A. 

I know what Edmondson is trying to built here and it's interesting but it's not the Punisher. The Punisher doesn't have moral code dillemas, he just do what needs to be done, plain and simple.
He might ask himself about some actions, i get it, but at least he should be able to execute them like he always does. But as it seems not in this run.

Mitch Gerads presents us a great graphic quality, very clean and detailed. The colors suit very well in every panel.

His covers are amazing and so far it was the most consistent item on this series. Next cover will be another fine piece by this great artist. 

Pros:

• Great cover and great artwork by Mitch Gerads.

Cons:

• The Punisher is out of character;
•  Unconsistent supporting cast ( Sam Stone).

Final note: I tried to defend this series but it's getting more and more difficult to justify some actions. Reading this issue in trade is better but it won't give me the Punisher i want. This Punisher is unable to win or accomplish anything. If he will accomplish something in the upcoming issues, i don't know but it's a bit late for that when it's been already 16 issues.

OVERALL RATE: 6 out of 10

posted by @ivomgs

PC POST #240: -PREVIEW- PUNISHER #16

posted by @ivomgs

MR. CASTLE GOES TO WASHINGTON!

• Frank follows the trail of corruption all the way to the nation’s capital!

• With the Punisher on a government hit list, has Frank walked into the lion’s den?

• Can the Punisher find the man pulling the strings?

On sale tomorrow!