The new direction of the Punisher shows him a slightly different light yet he is still determined to do whatever it takes to get the job done. With gorgeous art and a chilling vibe, this series is off to a great start.
The Good
Normally I can take or leave the Punisher. He's a fun character to read with his different approach in dealing with crime. Some prefer a Punisher set in a more realistic (no superheroes) world. I did enjoy Rick Remender's last run (including the Franken-Castle issues) but this Punisher feels like a different character.
Greg Rucka is showing the Punisher isn't playing around. His mission is to put an end to the criminal element. The fact that an issue can be written with the main character not saying a word is brilliant. We are seeing the use and development of supporting characters and the villains. I appreciated reading the Punisher War Journal entries in the past but there's something almost chilling about a Punisher story where he doesn't talk. The Punisher shows up and does what he does best.
Depicting a silent Punisher relies heavily on the art. Marco Checchetto does a superb job on the visuals. The new smeared Punisher emblem Frank wears gives more a sense of a man doing things in a simple way. We've seen Punisher gain access to high tech weaponry but the action scenes in this and the first issue show he doesn't need them. The violence isn't toned down either. A comic based on a cold-hearted vigilante killer needs to have blood. It's not over the top or in your face but the subtle use of blood along with the penciling effects does an amazing job creating the mood that Rucka's scripts set out to convey.
The Bad
I'm really sure where I stand on the super-villain versus criminal thugs stance. Depending on who Frank goes up against, it makes a big difference in the type of story we'd get. Even though it's a comic book about an armed vigilante with a skull on his chest, there is a sense of realism when facing non-powered opponents. Yet seeing Frank fight someone more powerful results in him stepping up and adapting to the enemy.
The bad guy we see here isn't one that I'm particularly crazy about. I wasn't impressed by his first appearances even though he was shown as being a deadly opponent. The way he carries himself almost makes him a perfect match for this Punisher we're reading. I don't like that he's being used but I am curious to see the continuation of their encounter.
The Verdict
The Punisher isn't usually high on my reading list. He's a guy that kills bad guys with guns. I have enjoyed many many Punisher issues over the years but he isn't someone I'd choose to read about right away. Greg Rucka is doing a great job in making the Punisher interesting. It might be in part that we don't hear Frank talk. He is completely focused and doesn't have a need to say anything. Checchetto's art sets up a chilling mood that fits perfectly with Rucka scripts. This Punisher isn't someone you'd want to mess around with. He's being set up to face a villain that appeared in another character's book and he's not the first villain I'd think of to be paired with the Punisher. That does make it more interesting and gives another reason to check out the next issue. But with Rucka and Checchetto on board, another reason to read this book isn't needed.