Punisher MAX #2 review

The Punisher hasn’t been the most consistent franchise in the Marvel Universe. Still reeling from the recent Franken-Castle debacle in his self-titled series, Punisher fans deserve a good read. Author Jason Aaron delivers a fistful of Punisher delights and starts this series off with a frickin’ bang. Aaron’s Kingpin is pure genius; he gives the iconic Wilson Fisk a new origin story that establishes his sadistic nature very clearly. Sometimes, too clearly, but hey this is a MAX title. The scene with his father is particularly disturbing to read… and the prison shower…and, well you get the point.

Under the direction of his mobster employer, Fisk is luring Frank Castle into a trap by creating a phantom “kingpin” of the underworld. The issue beautifully parallels the steps of Fisk and Castle as the play cat and mouse. It’s nice silent commentary on the subjective use of violence to achieve a goal, be it virtuous or evil. How thin is the line between vigilante and crime lord? Aaron’s storytelling is crisp and commanding without any filler or wandering.

Veteran artist Steve Dillon is a good fit for this book. He depicts the violence well, nuanced with a ‘less is more’ approach. We certainly see a sufficient share of point blank range mobster executions to last a month, but he captures the horror of what we don’t see. Through facial expressions and smart paneling, Dillion matches the talents of Aaron in conveying story. His lines are too heavy in some faces which drives me nuts, but overall it’s a sharp book.

The last pages are masterfully crafted. This is a polished work that I think is only going to get better.

4.5 out of 5

Ed Brubaker continues his legendary run on Daredevil in this great issue.  Like grandma’s homemade pasta sauce, this arc has a bunch of elements that have been slowly simmering and mingling with each other.  Brubaker’s story is solid, layered, and methodically building to a boiling point.

What impresses me most is the cast of DD.  The Kingpin’s return to Hell’s Kitchen is a blast to read as he brutally takes out his competition.  Lady Bullseye and her gang of villains are pulling strings and bringing her plan to fruition.  Foggy is pissed off and trying to deal with his nutty blind super hero friend (who he recently fired from his law firm).  Leland Owlsley is trying to fit into a criminal underworld that may not have room for a B-Lister.  Dakota is searching for clues that might just get her killed.  Matt Murdock has entered un uneasy alliance with the Kingpin to takedown Lady Bullseye..or so he thinks.  All this in one comic!

Brubaker’s rich characters spring to life with Lark and Gaudiano’s art.  His classis noir style gives DD that gritty street feel.

Daredevil is one of the most consistently satisfying book each month.

4 out of 5

Ed Brubaker’s Daredevil run continues to rock!  The pacing of this book makes it a joy to read.  Brubaker knows the story he wants to tell and executes it without filler and fluff.  He continues to hide pleasant surprises in a storyline I think I have figured out.  Without revealing anything, Daredevil takes it on the chin from a dear friend.  On top of that, Kingpin continues to reclaim the Hell Kitchen’s underworld.  Brubaker has successfully given the Kingpin a heart and soul.  He’s still a ruthless psychopath, but you almost start to feel for him.  Almost.  Meanwhile, Matt Murdock is dealing with his ever-muddied personal life as he plans to take down Lady Bullseye and the Hand.

Brubaker skillfully makes Matt Muddock and the other DD cast real people.  Their lives are messy and difficult.  The DD universe is very real and the people seem to breathe the same air we do.  This is a tribute to Ed Brubaker’s ability to write real characters.

DD’s multiple artists create a unique atmosphere that is making this title iconic.  I am now referring to some other books as “Daredevilish” in style.  Rivaling Brukaer’s writing skill is the work of colorist Matt Hollingsworth.  Daredevil has a classic, crisp, noir art and Hollingsworth’s skill vaults these pages close to perfection.  The panels have a muted, dark quality with burst of appropriate colors.  The finished product is a stunning book that is worthy of a few extra reads, just to admire the pages.

While Daredevil is a consistently great read, this arc is particularly fantastic.  While I am enjoying Marvel’s Dark Reign mega-event, it sure is nice to read a book without Norman Osborn.  Matt Murdock has enough to deal with.

4 out of 5