THE PUNISHER #4
"Dirty Work"
Recommended (8/10)
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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 |
Now this is more like it. Ennis has portrayed the title character as vengeful and singularly minded in his mission against crime, but this month, we see a different side of the character: his intellect. Along with Dillon's crisp art and a refreshingly accessible script, it makes for a solid read.
The Punisher is alone in a haven for the most bloodthirsty mercenaries in the world -- Grand Nixon Island -- and he's being hunted. His pursuers quickly find that he's not such easy prey. As the Punisher extracts some much-needed answers from the leader of the hunting party, Kriegkopf makes his move against the European Union, which has had enough of his illegal operations.
The Punisher stands out easily among these seemingly ordinary mercenaries that play key roles in this story, but Dillon's designs for those extra characters are sharp, expressive and clear. There's no chance for confusing one with the other. Each has a distinct personality, and some of them, despite their corrupt actions, are even likeable, given the visual characteristics the artist has given them.
The title character also stands out thanks to how much smarter he is than the other characters. He often overcomes adversity through sheer luck, his enemies' underestimation or sheer determination. Here, it's his cunning and observational skills that keep him alive and one step ahead of everyone else. It made for a nice change of pace.
Once again, there's an element in one of this week's new comic book releases that reminds one of the New York and Washington attacks. The Punisher learns that Kriegkopf plans to eliminate the European leaders by flying a 747 into their meeting place in Brussels. An eerie coincidence, to be sure, but it's still a clever bit of writing on Ennis's part.
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