THE PUNISHER v.4 #3
"American Ugly"
Mildly Recommended (6/10)
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Marvel Comics/Marvel Knights
Writer: Garth Ennis
Pencils: Steve Dillon
Inks: Jimmy Palmiotti
Colors: Chris Sotomayor
Letters: Comicraft
Editors: Nanci Dakesian & Stuart Moore
Price: $2.99 US/$4.50 CAN |
The latest issue of The Punisher has just about everything a reader could want. There's an interesting new plot direction, Dillon and Palmiotti's sharp art and Ennis's trademark bizarre humor. So why didn't I enjoy this more? I don't know... maybe it's because I felt I've read this Ennis story before, or because it seems like the book is almost spinning its wheels, moving forward but not really going anywhere.
The Punisher learns that the man who resurrected the Russian and allowed him to come after the vigilante was none other than General Kriegkopf, a one-time U.S. Army killing machine turned infamous mercenary leader. Frank Castle wrangles up some transport to the general's lawless island hideout. Meanwhile, Kriegkopf's scientists have set to the task of rebuilding the Russian yet again, but this time, the powerful oaf has a couple of special requests.
What can you say about Dillon's art that hasn't been said before? Not much. His simple yet realistic style suits the graphic, intense and occasionally surreal tone of Ennis's scripts perfectly. That comes as little surprise, given how long they've been collaborating. Sotomayor's colors continue to add a strong element of texture and grit to the art.
I'm pleased to see a change of setting. The Punisher's trek to the tropical mercenary hideaway marks a significant shift from the concrete jungle of New York. The comic relief in the form of the Punisher's eternally lucky pilot was fun as well. But...
I don't know. This just didn't connect with me, the same way the first issue didn't. Last month, Ennis delivered a fantastic send-up of Silver Age super-heroics, but that level of clever writing just doesn't seem to be here. Don't get me wrong... I plan to follow The Punisher throughout Ennis's run and probably beyond that. This is still entertaining, but somehow, it didn't feel special.
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