- Written by: David Pepose
- Art by: Dave Wachter
- Colors by: Dan Brown
- Letters by: VC’s Cory Petit
- Cover art by: Rod Reis (cover A)
- Cover price: $4.99
- Release date:
Punisher #2 sets his sights on a high-level deal maker of the criminal underworld to find out who is responsible for his family’s death.
Is Punisher #2 Good?
Punisher #2 is fine. It’s nothing special, it won’t blow your socks off, but it serves as a tried and true Punisher comic. Given the weird way issue #1 simply retold Frank Castle’s origin story with a new character, this issue is at least consistent with the original Punisher.
When last we left Joe Garrison, aka the “new” Punisher, his life as a retired SHIELD Agent got turned upside down when he was targeted for assassination. His family was killed in a bomb blast in their home, and Joe took up a mission to hunt down anyone involved, which led him to the Sokovian. Joe laid waste to a small army of criminals and at least one Mr. Hyde before being forced to kill the Sokovian before he could learn who hired him.
Now, Joe infiltrates the high-rise headquarters of The Offer, a businessman skilled in brokering deals for an assortment of criminal enterprises. Before he can get to the top man, Joe has to put down the Night Shift – a group of supervillains hired to keep The Offer out of Punisher’s hands.
Pepose’s latest entry on Marvel’s recast Punisher appears to have two purposes. One, Punisher #2 shows how well Joe Garrison can handle himself against multiple supervillains with an array of abilities. Second, Pepose introduces a new supervillain team comprised of a mix of new and old characters. Did you need to know Punisher can handle himself? No, it goes with the territory. Did you need a new supervillain team for hire? No, but sure, let’s go for it.
What’s great about Punisher #2? Again, if you came looking for tried and true Punisher action as he fights his way through a gauntlet of armed guards and supervillains, you got it. This is as standard a Punisher comic as it gets.
What’s not so great about Punisher #2? There’s nothing special, unique, or different about Joe Garrison as the Punisher. Pepose does nothing to set the new bearer of the mantle apart from his predecessor. Even his manner of speech and personality are the same, so the switch from Frank Castle to Joe Garrison increasingly feels pointless.
How’s the art? It’s great. Dave Wachter, of course, gives you strong character moments, hard-hitting action, and dramatic panels.
About The Reviewer: Gabriel Hernandez is the Publisher & EIC of ComicalOpinions.com, a comics review site dedicated to indie, small, and mid-sized publishers.
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Bits and Pieces
Punisher #2 delivers a tried and true Punisher story, which is both positive and negative. On the positive side, the scenario, the art, and the character work feel like an authentic Punisher comic. On the negative side, Joe Garrison may as well be a Frank Castle clone because nothing about this version of Punisher sets him apart, including the plot.
Weird Science Marvel Comics 