The Punisher #1 – What Exactly is Frank Castle’s Mission?

The Punisher #1

Before we get started, does anyone want to get out? I know it’s the wrong character for that line, but with this being a RED BAND comic marked for explicit content, we figured why not give you a chance to walk away in case this become too violent. No? We thought so, let’s proceed!

The Punisher #1 is so crazy that this is a “TRIPLE THREAT” review, with Matt from Hops Geek News and Megan from Vigilant Vibes teaming up with Michael Rothman to bring you the extensive look at this thriller.

The Punisher #1 by Benjamin Percy, Julius Ohta, Yen Nitro, & Cory Petit takes us inside the head of this Punisher, a man lost in his own head? Let’s find out!

HOW ABOUT THE STORY?

MICHAEL: This Punisher starts off perfectly, “He sees Red,” not only alluding to the explicit content and who this character is deep to his core, but there’s actual red, blood from his wounds and those of his enemies.

The difference is that after being shot, this anti-hero has no idea where he is, who is he, all he knows is he has to fight to survive.

In a drug bust gone wrong, what mission was he on, who is he fighting and will his instinct get him out alive??

Only time will tell what the return of Frank Castle means for the Marvel Universe and for New York City.

MEGAN: If there’s anyone that can bring a whole new depth to Frank Castle, it’s Benjamin Percy. We start off with Frank on a mission, but it’s unlike any other mission we’ve seen. He is working without a clue in the world who he is or why he’s even there. Frank is a man who sees out a mission until the very end, even if he doesn’t understand why or who he is.

After the incredibly messy mission, he wakes up on a beach after washing to shore. Waking to a dog licking his face, he comes face to face with an elderly woman that he commands to help him. Fixing his wounds, as he has done so many times in the past, raises more questions than answers when he’s told that his head has already been stitched up after being shot. How? How is this possible? Who is actually running the show here?

Alongside Frank, we also get some powerhouse villains that go hand in hand with a Punisher story, Kingpin and Tombstone. Tombstone is on his own mission of revenge after someone killed his entire team, while Kingpin is motivated by his need to put a stop to the corruptness of New York.

MATT: Ben Percy could rewrite the bible and I would be firmly seated and ready to read it front to back. Benjamin sets us off on a journey that at first has us thinking that it is a classic case of amnesia again for old Frank. Things get turned upside down by the end of the issue when more is revealed. Another aspect to this story is that we are seeing for the first time in a long time that Kingpin is getting his hands dirty himself, which you know is never going to end well.

The playbook is fully opened up. There is another villain that often goes underutilized in Tombstone, who makes his introduction in a demonic manner. This is not going to be a light-hearted story, and people will die. I am fully invested after this opening issue.

READ MORE – Punisher #4 – A Gritty John Wick Style Thriller from David Pepose

LET’S TALK ART AND LETTERING!

MICHAEL: There’s a series of events on page 9 that sum up the feeling of this book and the art as well. This Punisher is sinking, possibly drowning, lost in amnesia, not sure what’s happening and this frenetic art really sums up the storyline in a dynamc series of art panels, expertly crafter by Ohta.

You feel the confusion, the rage and the action surrounding our favorite Marvel soldier.

Moving on to the true villains in this book, that’s where the art REALLY shines. When Tombstone is introduced, he’s a version that is darker, scarier and bolder … if that’s possible.

The art is incredible and levels up to meet this impeccable storyline.

MEGAN: When the creative team was handed a red band stamp, they took it all the way home. The artwork is incredibly well done by Julius Ohta, who brings a whole new level of depth to the story of Frank Castle. With powerful explosive panels, and even full page looks, we see artwork that feels so authentic to the Punisher. Alongside Ohta, Yen Nitro handles the colors, and without any surprise, absolutely nails it. With the bright and vibrant oranges and reds to contrast the black of the night, Nitro makes each page worth stopping and staring at.

Cory Petit, the letterer of The Punisher #1, does a fantastic job at makes the flow of the comic move perfectly, while adding force in each sentence uttered by the characters.

MATT: Nothing is being held back from the team of Ohta and Nitro. They are running full sprint with the red band title to the point I half expected my screen to ooze blood from Frank himself. The details and amount of grotesque destruction left in Frank’s wake are a testament that this team is showcasing that they will hold nothing back to tell the story here. I will add that it is refreshing to be met with the old school look of The Punisher once again and I don’t think New York is ready.

OVERALL GRADE: 9.7/10

MICHAEL 9.5/10: Frank is back!! Kicking off a new series in this style, there’s a lot going on, but the dialogue, art and voice-over all add to a thrilling first issue for a beloved character that has evolved over the years. This is a series you can’t miss if you are a Punisher fan!

MEGAN: 10/10. This is the Punisher we all love. All action, working completely by impulse and motivation, but with a twist as we go down this journey with Frank to understand who’s pulling the strings behind the curtain.

MATT: 10/10. Only Frank Castle can make an introduction like this, and Marvel pulls no punches reintroducing him to the world. This book will have you feeling as though you are in the fray alongside Punisher and your heart pounding out of your chest!