Writer - Garth Ennis
Artist - Howard Chaykin
Publisher - Marvel Comics
Price - $3.99
50 issues of blood, mayhem and violence, often doled out generously to those who deserve it by one Frank Castle. What Ennis has understood with the Punisher is that for the character to work he has to be better than his adversaries. Given that Castle executes his enemies, they have to be utterly irredeemable pieces of work; and they have been. From Irish and Italian gangsters to Russian generals, Castle has taken on everyone and if anyone is left alive, they likely get theirs in a later tale – few are the characters left alive. This starting issue falls into the latter category as Barracuda begins his revenge.
Unlike most of his enemies who tend to match him in either strength or cunning, Barracuda possesses both of these and so is Castle’s match. This also marks the 50th issue, all the ingredients are here for a great opener, add in Howard Chaykin who is one of the best known artists in comics, and what could possibly go wrong? The art, it just doesn’t really fit the comic. Other work I’ve seen from Chaykin on the recently cancelled Blade title, which is another dark title, seemed to fit well, but the transfer here just doesn’t work that well.
The MAX version of Punisher was very different to other right Marvel titles from the start, it was dark in both story, mood and style. Chaykin’s art is therefore a bit too bright, it would probably work much better with say Punisher War Journal than the MAX version as War Journal is closer in tone to a standard superhero comic. Whilst I recognised Castle, I didn’t recognise Yorkie, and I’d put that down to the difference in styles. That I ended up thinking how Goran Pavlov, who previously drew Barracuda, would have done it says the art was mismatched, that it’s too big a jump from what has been established. Sometimes a change of style can work, but I don’t think that’s true here and I’d suspect the next issue, which has Pavlov on art will only emphasise the error.
Still, if that’s where the issue goes wrong, what does it do right? The answer is a great deal. Ennis has maintained a high quality of writing on this series from the start. It’s arguably his best work and this issue is no exception. It starts with Barracuda interrogating and then killing Yorkie, after which we move to Castle talking about a dream he has from time to time of how his life might have gone if not for that firefight in the park; if his family and wife had not been killed. Interspersed with this is him practicing with various weaponry on a range, with him commenting on their merits. It’s a quiet opening in the main, but mayhem is set to follow.
A gathering of gangsters gets Castle’s attention, as he surveys the group from a hidden position, the conversation turns to who threw the party? No one knows then Barracuda turns up with a 60-calibre machine gun. Castle’s about to kill him when he notices the roof is rigged with timed claymores! The entire gathering was a trap, set and baited for Castle – which he isn’t able to get out of. Later Barracuda starts explaining what he’s going to do, he knows torture will only have so much effect so he mentions O’Brien who Castle was involved with, had a sister who was looking after a kid. The clear implication being that Castle’s the father, Barracuda then dangles the kid in front of him!
Even with the abrupt shift in art style, this is still a great issue. Ennis’ writing makes it quite clear there is no danger of the title running out of steam, plus with Barracuda apparently working for someone – there’s potentially a new enemy in the works. Not that Barracuda’s likely to see it as Castle’s likely to make sure he’s dead this time around. Could someone jump onboard with this issue? I think so, they’d get a lot of references to stories past but it remains utterly accessible, however, it may be a bit more brutal than what they are used to!
Ben Crofts is resident in Essex, works in London and has found comics and philosophy mix surprisingly well.