Punisher: The End (one-shot)

[The 'Nam]

Punisher the End

Garth Ennis- Writer
Richard Corben -pencils

note- this comic was released last week, April 7

Being a huge Punisher fan, and an even bigger Garth Ennis fan, I was ready for this one. But honestly, I didn't know what to expect. This could have been anything. Could have been MK Punisher-esque, Preacher-esque, anything. I was pleasantly surprised to find a thoughtful, political book.

While not necasarily agreeing with Ennis' views on the war in Iraq, its good to see such a thoughtful look at it, and human nature as well. He sets up the beginning very well, telling how Frank got loose and then fast-forwarding a year later to find Frank on his last mission. And the ending- perfectly fitting, especially next to his new MAX series.

And Corben's artwork......this is where I'm a bit torn. It's so ugly (in a good way), it really fits the tone of the script. There is one beautiful 2 page spread of New York- I literally looked at it for 5 minutes. And here's where I'm a bit torn- towards the end, when we see more people, the characters look small. I don't mean the 'camera' is too zoomed out; I mean the last victims look like midgets. It really takes away from the climatic ending. This is what keeps this book from getting an A

Overall, A-.

Buy it. Completely accessible, very mature, and good all-around.

[MudshovelForYou]

I agree. This was such a great comic, which I ended up reading late as I past on it last Wednesday, but managed to grab on the weekend.

It's definitely worth the read and a fitting the end for the Punisher.

[Randy A]

I felt like it was lacking somewhere. I'm not even sure quite where it was lacking, but i was hoping for.. more somehow. Overall a very good story however, and like the above poster said a very fitting end for The Punisher. I loved how the clouds were burning. Very powerful imagery (sp?)

[MayorBigRig]

This was pretty outstanding stuff, as is the standard for Ennis' Punisher... But man, if this isn't the most depressing comic book I have EVER READ, I don't know what is.

I give it an A, but I also want to put a gun in my mouth afterwards.

[gOgIver]

I give this an A!

[LoveForFire]

I think this deserves an A.

[YDLM]

The most depressing thing I have read or seen since William Hung,but still a good solid issue. I give it a B.

[mc (_(\/)_)achete]

i'm glad i wasn't the only one that felt depressed after reading it. the last of the human race wiped out by punisher?

and i also agree about corben's little people.

i give it a B.



i personally would have liked to have seen him gunned down by the surviving children of his victims. kinda like he's on a hunt for some mafia dude, he's already up in the years, but not very old. we follow frank track his last victim, but every once in a while we ctach an extra shadow or a silhouete in the background. halfway through he acknowledges that he knows he's being followed. and that he's been tracked for weeks. desn't say why he let it happen, just says that it is as it should be. at the end, AFTER he kills his mark, he walks into a trap, even though he knows it's a trap, and he leaves his weapons at the door. it was the least he could do, since they let him finish.

[Woody]

Originally posted by mc (_(\/)_)achete
i personally would have liked to have seen him gunned down by the surviving children of his victims. kinda like he's on a hunt for some mafia dude, he's already up in the years, but not very old. we follow frank track his last victim, but every once in a while we ctach an extra shadow or a silhouete in the background. halfway through he acknowledges that he knows he's being followed. and that he's been tracked for weeks. desn't say why he let it happen, just says that it is as it should be. at the end, AFTER he kills his mark, he walks into a trap, even though he knows it's a trap, and he leaves his weapons at the door. it was the least he could do, since they let him finish. I dunno, i kinda like that he killed the last of the people, because when he's strangling that guy he says something along the lines of "Everyone has evil in them"

I just think his psycosis wouldnt allow him to let anyone escape punishment.

I mean lets say he killed all the "criminals" in the world at some point, do you think he'd stop? no, then he'd move onto all the people who commit traffic infractions.

[JK Parkin]

Originally posted by Woody
I mean lets say he killed all the "criminals" in the world at some point, do you think he'd stop? no, then he'd move onto all the people who commit traffic infractions.

Yeah, I agree ... I think the point was that he'll never be happy until everyone but him is dead.

[rjjb7]

Brilliant!

A solid A.

So dark I'm suprised Marvel published it, but kudos to Marvel for continuing to push the envelope on quality books.

(Definitely not one for the kids.)

[GhettoRebel]

Absolutely a must read. A must reread for everyone. If you haven't gotten it yet. Get it hile you can.

My favorite part was that guy trying to "sell" himon survival of the human race and then Frank opens fire on the whole room. Then kills the guy that came in with him and walks out.

Good Stuff.

This book actually felt like an End.

A+A+A+

[Nerby727]

It was interesting. I must say a tad depressing. Granted one never expects a parade when Castle is concerned. It definitely and end story worth telling.