THE PUNISHER #4 (MARVEL COMICS)
The Punisher is back and just in time to clean up a big mess. The power vacuum that Tombstone left behind is being clogged by Jigsaw. Now that Jigsaw is amassing more power, it’s going to take a coalition of unlikely allies to bring him down.
The Punisher: #4 - Written By Benjamin Percy - Pencils By José Luis Soares & Sergio Fernández Dávila – Inks By Oren Junior & Jonas Trindade - Colors By Frank D’Armata-Edited By Devin Lewis - Published By Marvel Comics
Credit: Marvel Comics
*** POSSIBLE SPOILER WARNING ***
STORY OVERVIEW:
Frank dangles Micro over a roof before dropping him, the fact that he lived is enough of a reason for Frank to trust him more. Now that he has his trusty tool in Micro, the Punisher can resume the hunt for Jigsaw. Meanwhile, Jigsaw continues to try and take all of the power left behind after the fall of Kingpin and incarceration of Tombstone. However, Jigsaw made one mistake as Marlow Skinner survived the gangland murder and has gone and helped Tombstone to escape. As the world closes in on Jigsaw, the powder keg is set to explode.
WRITING:
This issue brings us that familiar Punisher story, well ramping it up a few notches. Ben Percy has really tapped into the character and knows exactly what makes Frank Castle tick. The gratuitous violence coupled with the gray area that the Punisher walks regarding morality shine through on every page of the story. Percy paints the Punisher as less of an antihero and more of a flawed crusader. You understand that his methods, although barbaric and against the law, are sometimes highly necessary and effective. This gray area puts the reader in a position of questioning their own morality. This constant inciteful pondering is the biggest draw for Percy’s writing on this series.
ARTWORK:
The artwork hits just as hard as the story. José Luis Soares and Sergio Fernández Dávila bring the issue’s brutality and chaos to life with striking precision. Every grisly detail is right there on the page, leaving nothing to the imagination. This is a book for mature readers and absolutely not for the faint of heart. This is quintessential Punisher and this run has already been epic from not just the story but also the art standpoint.
Check Out My Review of THE PUNISHER #3
Final Thoughts:
The Punisher #4 continues this action filled vigilante adventure. The violence and gore are on point and live up to what we expect from The Punisher. But what sets this arc apart from arcs from the past is the psychological element that permeates in this story. The constant questioning of if the ends justify the means, and what would you be okay with as a human being, keep readers thoroughly engaged. This series is a must have and should be on everyone’s Pull List!
FINAL GRADE: 9.2/10
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