THE PUNISHER #2 – Puzzle Pieces

Creative Team – Benjamin Percy, José Luis Soares, Oren Junior, Frank D’Armata, VC’s Cory Petit, David Marquez, Guru-eFX

Published by Marvel Comics

Catch up with Punisher #1!

The Story

The Punisher #1 is review by Nerd Initiative’s Megan and Shawn!

Shawn – It’s great to see Benjamin Percy reunite Micro and Frank. One of my favorite parts of the Punisher’s story has always been his beneficial, albeit volatile, relationship with Micro. Percy’s writing captures their dynamic perfectly. With the Punisher, you get the changes in art and what’s allowed between a normal story and a red band, but Percy’s still giving Frank’s story the grit and roughness of a typical red band series.

As good as it is to see Micro, Percy does a phenomenal job bringing Jigsaw to the front and center. Without needing to give the reader a long backstory or spend time recounting how we got to this point, he quickly gives the reader some panels that help them understand how far and wide Jigsaw’s reach is.

Megan – Frank Castle is experiencing blackouts and discomfort after being a mind-controlled assassin and needs immediate help. He has Micro as a hostage and is now forcing him to help him fix his mind. Unfortunately, that’s easier said than done. In hopes of helping fix Frank, Micro looks for the dirtiest neurosurgeon that can be blackmailed into helping Frank.

Meanwhile, Jigsaw is back and more unhinged than ever! He’s looking to take over the villainous underworld and has already started by taking Tombstone prisoner. Now that one of his biggest enemies is back, Frank will have to deal with Jigsaw while having his mind in a complete mess.

Benjamin Percy continues the dark story of Frank experiencing the repercussions of being used as an assassin while having his mind controlled. While Frank is going through hell with his mind, there’s an entire villainous story happening that he has no idea about. Jigsaw isn’t to be messed with and proves that with what he’s doing with Tombstone. The story is getting exciting, and there’s no way to know where Percy is taking this, but I’m excited to find out.

The Art

Shawn – Jose Luis Soares, Oren Junior, and Frank D’Armata really put the character in characters this issue. Every character we encounter, whether it’s Frank, Micro, or Jigsaw, feels like they’re at their best (or worst, depending on your perspective). The art is dark, gritty, and visceral without sacrificing any quality.

Soares and Junior’s attention to detail is spectacular, whether it’s giving the reader a clear, shocking image of Jigsaw or the veins bulging out of a shirtless Frank; every character’s details are crisp and clean while also somehow still feeling rough enough to match the narrative. D’Armata makes the colors pop by choosing the perfect hues and saturations for the scene. He allows Frank to blend in when it fits the narrative and stand out when that is the best path forward.

Megan – The artwork excellently matches the dark tone of the story, and that’s all thanks to José Luis Soares, Oren Junior, Frank D’Armata, and Cory Petit. There’s a fantastic amount of grittiness to the art that really captures the tone of a Frank Castle story, thanks to Soares and Junior. The detailing that went into each panel is nothing short of stunning and makes it hard to look away. D’Armata handles the coloring and makes it easy to feel the emotions of the page, such as using a deep red background when Punisher threatens the life of the neurosurgeon. Cory Petit drives the narrative home, portraying the emotions of the story through the dialogue.

Final Thoughts

Shawn – 10/10. If you loved Punisher: Red Band, you’re going to love this series. Issue 2 proves that it wasn’t just beginner’s luck. This is a creative team that just gets Frank Castle and the world he inhabits. If you’re someone who didn’t want the violence of the Red Band but loves the Punisher, this series is for you, too. The violence tamps down a bit from the Red Band levels, but the story is still dark, gritty, and everything you have come to know and love from solid Punisher stories.

Megan – 9/10. I’m not sure where Benjamin Percy is going with this story, but I am very excited to see!

Overall Grade – 9.5/10

Let us know in the comments below what you thought of The Punisher #2!