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Posted in: Comics, Marvel Comics, Review | Tagged: avengers, baron zemo, black widow, fantasy, frank castle, ghost, Guiu Vilanova, hydra, iron man, james rhodes, Lee Loughridge, Marvel Comics, Matthew Rosenberg, nick fury, punisher, sci-fi, superheroes, war machine, winter soldier
The Punisher #228 Review: Undercutting the Satisfaction
Iron Man has arrived at the prison, and he is not happy about Frank Castle using Rhodey's War Machine armor. Before a fight can ensue, the Punisher traps Iron Man in the prison and chases the prison transport carrying the Hydra Supreme Commander, the evil Steve Rogers. Baron Zemo and Ghost are protecting the transport, and Punisher will need to get through them to kill the evil Steve (Stevil?). Plus, Iron Man won't stay occupied for long.
This is the last Punisher issue before the book relaunches at #1, and it's another knock down-drag out with Frank Castle against the forces of Hydra and every superhero in New York.
It's not quite as cathartic as recent issues, as Frank doesn't go very far without Ghost and/or Iron Man holding him down. Frank dressing down both Stark and, later, Nick Fury is some good fun, but it doesn't match the snark Frank threw at Bucky last issue.
How this conflict ends will likely feel less than satisfying for many readers too, as it's someone with little connection to Frank Castle talking him down. They have similar backgrounds, but it's not quite the same as someone who knows Frank personally.
Also, it is a big what-the-hell moment if you haven't been keeping up with one specific other title.
Guiu Vilanova returns to the title and delivers some solid artwork. The detailing is extensive once again, and the power armor battle between Frank and Tony looks especially good. Vilanova also makes great use of shadow, and that adds a lot of atmosphere to the book. Lee Loughridge makes use of paler and darker shades to give the book due grittiness.
The Punisher #228 looks great, and it's not a bad ending. It's a little stifling for Frank, but it leaves a nice cliffhanger for the rebooted title. Plus, we do get to see Frank bust some Hydra heads, and that's nice. I can recommend this one to the Punisher devotee, but it's not must-read.
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