There’s a new status quo when it comes to the Punisher. Now the “High Slayer” for the Hand, the Punisher has teamed up with criminals to wage his war against other criminals. In exchange his wife has been resurrected. It’s an interesting direction and one I’m not totally onboard with. But, it’s still interesting and entertaining storytelling. With it brings back the traditional companion “War Journal” series, kicking off with Punisher War Journal: Blitz. The series will give us stories not told in the main series, a series of tales that expands Frank Castle’s latest war.
Torunn Grønbekk delivers a tale of Castle versus the Hate Monger. Told during two time periods, we see two men who deal in absolutes and nihilation. If they don’t succeed then their death is the only acceptable alternative. It’s an interesting exploration of two men who are willing to sacrifice others so easily to also gain so little overall. But, it’s Frank’s decisions as to who is worthy to sacrifice and who is not that’s the interesting part. There’s a clear logic to his decisions and it shows there’s still humanity within.
Grønbekk piles on the action with good surprises and solid moments though the over the top death and gore is kept tamped down in some ways. There’s also satisfaction of seeing the Punisher hunt down a racist to murder them. It’s the direction I think the character should have taken on in the relaunch, so to at least see a little of it is nice. It’s satisfying in vengeance sort of way.
The art by Lan Medina is nice. There’s a bit of a throwback feel to it, which feels rather appropriate for the return of “War Journal”. The violence is there, death, dismemberment, swords through chests, heads blown apart, but it’s not quite as over the top as other recent depictions of the character and even the main series. Medina is joined by Antonio Fabela on color and lettering by Cory Petit.
Punisher War Journal: Blitz is a nice return of the side-series and hopefully it continues to deliver one and done stories and not drag things out. It gives a little bit better idea of what’s going through Frank’s mind currently and shows there’s some humanity in him, there’s a lot of potential here to explore the current iteration of The Punisher further in the coming issues.
Story: Torunn Grønbekk Art: Lan Medina
Color: Antonio Fabela Letterer: Cory Petit
Story: 8.25 Art: 8.0 Overall: 8.2 Recommendation: Buy
Marvel provided Graphic Policy with a FREE copy for review
Purchase: comiXology/Kindle – Zeus Comics
Source: Graphic Policy
