Weekly Comic Book Review

Garth Ennis (writer), Steve Dillon (pencils), Matt Hollingsworth (colors)

The Story: The Punisher takes a drugged Charlie Schitti around town, as he searches for the truth about Ma Gnucci

What’s Good: Issue three threw me for a bit of a loop. Not that I’d expect a Punisher story to be completely grounded in reality, but parts are getting a little far-fetched. Elite taking on the mission of his father makes sense, but the nine times more elaborate “Plan B” was a bit much. It’s believable that he’d use Ma as a way to get to Frank. But are we really to believe that Elite has the ability to build ultra-realistic “Ma-bots?” Thankfully, things have shifted away from that and back to the more realistic side of things. Since Frank spends most of the comic driving, I think the best scene shows Molly trapped in the mob-bathroom. Her day-dream about what they’re saying is pretty funny, and that’s topped only by what’s actually happening.

What’s Not So Good: There isn’t as much story progression as I’d like. Frank spends most of the issue in the car driving from place to place, and whenever he gets to his destination he’s only there for a few panels. It’s not that any of it was bad, it’s just a situation where I feel this part of the story could’ve been told in a few tight pages. It’s more disappointing because last week’s issue was overflowing with good stuff. With two issues left, I’m just hoping this was a momentary slip and not a sign of things to come.

Conclusion: It’s a slow one for the Punisher this week. I’m not sure this issue was entirely necessary, but we’ll know in a few weeks at the arc’s conclusion.  The content is good, but you’re not missing too much if you skip this issue.

Grade: B-

-Ben Berger

Filed under: Marvel Comics, Reviews | Tagged: Garth Ennis, Marvel Comics, Marvel Knights, Matt Hollingsworth, Punisher War Zone 4, Steve Dillon, The Punisher