Punisher #42

Released: December 21, 2006

Publisher: MAX (Marvel)

Writer: Garth Ennis

Pencils: Leandro Fernandez

Colors: Dan Brown

Letters: VC’s Randy Gentile

Cover: Tim Bradstreet

 

Don’t worry, this won’t take too long. Read the Punisher. It’s fantastic, it’s art, it’s one of the best crime/noir/war stories told in any medium.

 

Oh you want more? Well, Ennis has brought closure to a long string of sub-plots revolving around Rawlins and O’Brien (ex-CIA, once spouses, now arch-enemies), and I mean closure as in they will no longer be making appearances in this comic, if you catch my drift. There are still side-characters floating around but those two were able to bring a level of emotion to the table that raised the bar on what this comic could do. Did anyone imagine Frank Castle could have a love interest?

 

Yeah, the whole ‘relationship’ thing couldn’t last between Castle and O’Brien, but it sure felt good to see him find something close to happiness again. And Rawlins was the type of villain you loved to hate. But if there is anything I have trust in, it’s in Ennis to make more characters I love to hate.

 

My favorite art team on the book is without a doubt Fernandez and Brown. The combination of impressionistic, not quite in the lines, and ‘mood over realism’ coloring on top of Fernandez’s amazing layouts and breath taking pencils is the perfect compliment to Ennis’ gritty stories. Fernandez has the ability to make some moments a work of art unto themselves where you could frame that single panel and have something worth mounting on the wall. And yet, within the story it rises to new heights because of the emotions of the characters and plot. It works both ways though, with Fernandez’s art, Ennis’ stories rise to an epic level of significance and emotional impact.

 

I know, I’m gushing, but I really do mean it all. The book is consistent, artistic, tasteful despite its gory content, exciting, dramatic, and at times, sensual. It isn’t the best comic on the shelf every month but it’s pretty damn close.

 

Rating - 9