PC POST #379: -REVIEW- THE PUNISHER #16

Penultimate issue is out and puts together old foes. The Punisher and Face... With many updates to his own skillset!

Sadly Becky Cloonan's Punisher run is coming to an end. One more issue to go right when she found the perfect formula for her to portray the character. But she will not tap out until she wrapped up an old settle between Frank and Face. 

This issue is fast paced and the Punisher was conveniently placed in the right spot of the action meaning in the hospital that Face was recovering.

Most of this issue is about the Punisher vs Face and what an upgrade Face had. His face is now shaped like a skull and his body assimilated the overdose of EMC that will make him stronger and faster by default.

These two had a great fight in several pages being Face physically superior but Frank tactically smart to overcome that lack of strength.

The dialogue was good and the bit of humor was on point, without turning this issue into a comedy. I have to give credit to Cloonan for making Face a more interesting character than it was for 12 issues and my only regret is that she could make all these changes way back and make the first two arcs way more interesting than it was in the first place.

On the other hand, I'm glad she could catch up with good quality issues and now we will wrap up this story with a bang, next issue.

Matt Horak's art was really good. Since the last issue, the artwork seems to improved a lot. The battle between Frank and Face was graphically on top with great colors and especially the fight that occurred in the flames.

Now, I will give credits to Horak to make Face one of the most creepy Punisher villains I've ever seen. He remembered me a lot of another Punisher villain called Deke Wainscroft back into the graphic novel P.O.V.

Derrick Wainscroft

Face

The cover was once again superb with Declan Shalvey and Jordie Bellaire delivering a creepy tooth of Face. With of course a skull in between the front teeth. It's curious, in every Punisher cover they draw always a skull. Sometimes it's not so visible but it's always there. Great touch by these two writers!

Overall Rate: 8.5 / 10

Review by Ivo Santos ( FB / Twitter )

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