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Post by Deleted on May 14, 2014 19:20:52 GMT -5
What he said.  For a period there, it seemed like you could not pick a Marvel book that did not have Punisher and Wolverine guest-starring in it (besides the three Punisher core books, plus one-shots and minis seemingly every month). And, like Wolverine, all subtlety and nuances of characterisation were stripped away from the character, as Marvel catered for the lowest denominator. The Punisher became 'badass with big guns who kills lots of people'. And, quite frankly, dull. I've never felt any need to return to the character after this. What was your favourite rendition of Punisher then, which, to borrow from your quote, did not strip him of all subtlety and nuances of characterisation? Punisher: Born might change your mind... |
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Post by fanboystranger on May 14, 2014 20:55:36 GMT -5
I'm one of the few that liked it.
It wasn't particularly good, but it wasn't terrible, either. At the very least, it had art from Bernie Wrightson.
The follow-up mini with Wolverine, though? Practically unreadable.
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Post by fanboystranger on May 14, 2014 20:58:27 GMT -5
I'm one of the few that liked it.
It wasn't particularly good, but it wasn't terrible, either. At the very least, it had art from Bernie Wrightson.
The follow-up mini with Wolverine, though? Practically unreadable.
I'm not much of a Punisher fan, though. I like Ennis' MAX series, and some of the work that Steven Grant and Mike Baron did with the character. (And Blood on the Moors because Cam Kennedy's one of my favorite artists.) Even John Ostrander couldn't sell me on the character.
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Post by hondobrode on May 14, 2014 23:13:58 GMT -5
I'm one of the few that liked it.
It wasn't particularly good, but it wasn't terrible, either. At the very least, it had art from Bernie Wrightson.
The follow-up mini with Wolverine, though? Practically unreadable.
Pretty sure I never got the mini with Wolverine. |
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Post by foxley on May 15, 2014 2:21:19 GMT -5
What he said. For a period there, it seemed like you could not pick a Marvel book that did not have Punisher and Wolverine guest-starring in it (besides the three Punisher core books, plus one-shots and minis seemingly every month). And, like Wolverine, all subtlety and nuances of characterisation were stripped away from the character, as Marvel catered for the lowest denominator. The Punisher became 'badass with big guns who kills lots of people'. And, quite frankly, dull. I've never felt any need to return to the character after this. What was your favourite rendition of Punisher then, which, to borrow from your quote, did not strip him of all subtlety and nuances of characterisation? Punisher: Born might change your mind... I quite enjoyed the the 1986 mini-series by Stephen Grant and Mike Zeck, although it's been a long time since I read so my nostalgia filter might be kicking in. The b&w stories from Marvel Preview and Marvel Super Action collected in Classic Punisher were also pretty good. I also enjoyed Spectacular Spider-Man #81 - 83, but that's really more of a Cloak and Dagger story, with the drugged and trigger-happy Punisher as the villain. What's Punisher: Born like? It would take a lot for me to overcome my antipathy towards Garth Ennis' writing. |
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Post by crazyoldhermit on May 15, 2014 8:49:15 GMT -5
What was your favourite rendition of Punisher then, which, to borrow from your quote, did not strip him of all subtlety and nuances of characterisation? Punisher: Born might change your mind... I quite enjoyed the the 1986 mini-series by Stephen Grant and Mike Zeck, although it's been a long time since I read so my nostalgia filter might be kicking in. The b&w stories from Marvel Preview and Marvel Super Action collected in Classic Punisher were also pretty good. I also enjoyed Spectacular Spider-Man #81 - 83, but that's really more of a Cloak and Dagger story, with the drugged and trigger-happy Punisher as the villain. What's Punisher: Born like? It would take a lot for me to overcome my antipathy towards Garth Ennis' writing. Born is a very intense look at Frank Castle's last few months in Vietnam. There is action but the story is an introspective psychological drama told from the POV of a young Marine that serves under him.  Ever seen Platoon? It's like that. |
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Post by DubipR on May 15, 2014 9:06:17 GMT -5
Any thoughts on Punisher: The End?  I thought it was a decent story; definitely not Ennis' best but it's always great seeing Corben artwork. |
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Post by thebeastofyuccaflats on May 15, 2014 9:25:34 GMT -5
It is a well-done thing, but the best P-MAX one-shot was The Tyger, which he did with the equally estimable John Severin.
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Post by crazyoldhermit on May 15, 2014 10:59:31 GMT -5
The End and The Tyger are both fantastic, but my favorite one-shot is The Cell. It really shows the strategic side of Frank as he works his way through the prison towards his goal.
I am very much looking forward to Ennis and Parlov's upcoming prequel to Born.
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Post by impulse on May 15, 2014 11:01:38 GMT -5
Punsher: The End was all right. It was a bit over the top, more reminiscent of Ennis sillier works whereas the thing I like most about his MAX work was that is was gritty, grounded and realistic. It was enjoyable, though. You guys are making me want to dig out the entire run (I have the entire run, one-shots and all) and re-read. The Barracuda arc alone is worth the effort.
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Post by crazyoldhermit on May 15, 2014 16:41:06 GMT -5
Punsher: The End was all right. It was a bit over the top, more reminiscent of Ennis sillier works whereas the thing I like most about his MAX work was that is was gritty, grounded and realistic. It was enjoyable, though. You guys are making me want to dig out the entire run (I have the entire run, one-shots and all) and re-read. The Barracuda arc alone is worth the effort. Barracuda is great but I see the ending as being hugely out of character for Frank. |
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Post by Deleted on May 15, 2014 17:55:55 GMT -5
Born is a very intense look at Frank Castle's last few months in Vietnam. There is action but the story is an introspective psychological drama told from the POV of a young Marine that serves under him. Ever seen Platoon? It's like that. ^ What Hermit says. Written by Garth Ennis, Born introduces Frank Castle on his third and final tour of the Vietnam War. The war's winding down, the USA will shortly be out of Vietnam, and Frank is second in command of Valley Forge, a fire base on the edge of Viet Cong territory. Yet the war gives Frank purpose, makes him feel whole so to speak and it's as though he'll do anything to keep it going. Told through the eyes of G.I. Stevie Goodwin, we see events that foreshadow Frank’s war on crime, that will begin when his tour ends. We get to see the dark and gritty mindset that Frank employs after his family is murdered, cuz he doesn't stop with the mobsters... |
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Post by crazyoldhermit on May 15, 2014 20:43:02 GMT -5
And of course it goes without saying that Born is not a comic for anyone with a weak stomach. Graphic violence, drug use, rape and serious darkness.
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Post by foxley on May 17, 2014 18:48:00 GMT -5
Sounds like typical Garth Ennis stuff.
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Post by Slam_Bradley on May 17, 2014 20:14:26 GMT -5
Ennis is the single best writer of war comics since Kurtzman.
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