REVIEW: 'Punisher' #1 by David Pepose, Dave Wachter, and Dan Brown

 

PUNISHER #1

Writer: David Pepose

Artist: Dave Wachter

Colors by Dan Brown

Letters by Cory Petit

Publisher: Marvel Comics

Release Date: November 8, 2023

Cover Price: $5.99

Is this the return of Frank Castle - or the start of something else? Frank Castle has disappeared, but evil will always need to be punished. With all-new threats rising to claim innocent victims, criminals will need to beware of a dangerous vigilante hunting them from the shadows. Who is the new Punisher? What put him on his path of vengeance? And when the smoke clears, will he even make it out alive? It's John Wick meets The Fugitive in this action-packed new saga from Ringo Award-winning writer David Pepose (SAVAGE AVENGERS, MOON KNIGHT: CITY OF THE DEAD) and Eisner and Harvey Award-nominated artist Dave Wachter (PLANET OF THE APES, X-MEN LEGENDS), as the Marvel Universe meets the next generation of punishment!

Rated T+

Score:

★★★1/2 (3.5/5)

QUICK REVIEW: Meet the new Punisher, same as the old Punisher. Well, not quite. David Pepose, Dave Wachter, and Dan Brown usher in a new era of punishment without Frank Castle in the comic simply titled 'Punisher.' It's not a complete reinvention of the deadly vigilante as Pepose offers some new wrinkles in the form of Joe Garrison whose backstory isn't too far off from Frank's and his focus on tearing through the criminal underworld hits that sweet spot for longtime fans who've seen this before. Joe does have some backup so he's not a loner and as ex-S.H.I.E.L.D., he can handle himself even against some surprising opponents. Pepose's story construction makes Joe's introduction easy and quick to follow while establishing everything we need to know. The action and requisite violence are all handled with deft execution by Wachter's precise and energetic fight scenes that provide the type of chaotic verve you'd want from a Punisher book. Brown's mix of dark and bright colors adds some dynamic touches to this gritty setting while highlighting the contrasting old-school action with the newer use of technology in the story. 'Punisher' doesn't revolutionize the character's mythos but relishes in the comfort of basic primal ass-kicking. Perhaps, a tad too familiar and well-traveled but it's too early to write off the 'Punisher' just yet. If you're a fan who misses the old Punisher, then let the new 'Punisher' remind you what made him so great to begin with.