Marvel Noise

The team that ushered in a new era of Frank Castle goodness is back! Garth Ennis and Steve Dillon return for Punisher: War Zone, a six part weekly mini. This mini ties into Ennis and Dillon’s “Welcome Back Frank” arc, which I’m very sad to say I have yet to read (but hope to soon remedy). The story starts off with Frank saving the life of a small time mafia thug named Charlie Schitti. Charlie was a driver and body guard for crime boss Pete Alceno’s son, Joey, until an unfortunate run in with a monkey left Joey unable to contribute to the family tree and poor Charlie with a mark on his head. Now Frank wants Charlie to go undercover back into the mob to fish out some info on a reported Italian branch of the Gnucci family that Frank took out in “Welcome Back Frank” and their connection to Pete Alceno. Plus, a second generation Punisher villain looks to make his debut!

In my comic reading, I have only had a small exposure to Garth Ennis’ work, but I kinda knew what to expect when going into this. Let me say, Ennis definitely delivers the goods here! I really liked his development of the character of Charlie. I loved the way that Charlie is so matter-of-fact about the fact that he did something wrong and knows he must pay the price for it. Even after the Punisher saves him, he knows Frank is probably going to kill him and just seems to wonder what is taking him so long to do it. Ennis makes Charlie an extremely likable character, and left me truly feeling concerned about the state he’s going to be in by the time this story is finished. The story itself moves along at a decent pace setting up for the next few issues. There wasn’t very much action in this issue, but the story set up really has me looking forward to what happens next. This issue is a Marvel Knights tale and it doesn’t get too graphic with the violence but the scene with the fore mentioned monkey was excellent classic Ennis material!

I don’t really know how to describe Steve Dillon’s art other than it’s a perfect fit for this book. Going back to the scene with the monkey again, he shows you just enough to get the scene across and then leaves the rest to the imagination. I think he does an excellent job with facial expressions, which really conveys what the characters are saying without having to read the dialog.

In conclusion, I really enjoyed this first issue. This issue has really set up what looks like is going to be a very good mini. I’m keeping my fingers crossed that Charlie makes it out ok, but from what I know about Ennis, anything can happen! Luckily, with it’s weekly format, I won’t have to wait long to find out.

COVER BY: STEVE DILLON
WRITER: GARTH ENNIS
PENCILS: STEVE DILLON
INKS: STEVE DILLON
COLORED BY: MATT HOLLINGSWORTH
LETTERED BY: VC – RUS WOOTON
Parental Advisory …$3.99

Even if this was an issue of The Punisher with Frank Castle going up against a wise guy, a drug dealer, or a pimp; our hero would probably not solve the problem over tea and crumpets. Can you imagine the outcome when he faces Barracuda? To say it’s a good thing this is a MAX title is an understatement.

This is the fifth and final part of Long Cold Dark. In the last four issues Frank has found out that it takes more than some sharks to get rid of Barracuda. Frank also found out that he has a child. Problem is, Barracuda knows this as well. So we’ve had some cat and mouse and along the way there has been a lot of bandages used. It all comes to a head this issue.

It’s been a wild ride these past few issues. It’s always interesting to see how Frank Castle will punish his enemies. This time, the stakes are a little higher. There’s a child to worry about. And you have to wonder if Barracuda is stopped or not, will the baby be safe?

Garth Ennis continues to write The Punisher in a way that makes you care about the character. That might not be easy to pull off after seven years. There was a little bit of a twist with this arc, but still, Ennis is the reason I want to buy this title every month. Goran Parlov’s art never misses a beat. There are scenes in this issue that were a little hard to take. And I mean that as a compliment. These two creators work very, very well together and Long Cold Dark is a testament to that.

This was a fantastic issue and puts a hell of a cap on an amazing arc.

Recommended (for mature readers only*)

Writer: Garth Ennis
Artist: Goran Parlov
Colorist: Lee Loughridge
Letters: Cory Petit
Editor: Axel Alonso
Cover: Tim Bradstreet

* MAX titles contain EXPLICIT CONTENT and are intended for MATURE READERS