@thanosrules

Space: Punisher #4 (of 4)

Recommendation: For sure. It was amusingly odd and thorough.

Let it Burn.

The last issue in this fun 4-issue mini-series is here. I realize that it is getting mixed reviews. Well it takes a mixed kind of person to really appreciate what Frank and Mark have created here.

It is a good thing that I am such a person. Because I have to say, after I finished looking at the last page, I sat back and though, “how delightful.”

Now, that is not the reaction that everyone will give. Hardly, I am sure. But I think we need comics like this. Comics that find the line, cross it, and then pile a bunch of dead bodies on it.

This issue brings the story full circle.

You will likely want to read #1 - #3 to make sure you didn’t miss anything. There is a lot of subtlety in this mini-series. I look forward to reading this issue to issue again.

The cover has been enjoyed by many people, even people who don’t necessarily like the story. It wonderfully sets the tone for the book. That said, the art is great, and as I have mentioned throughout my reviews for this series, it fits the book, the universe and the mood of the story perfectly.

So, if you are in the mood for a odd yet fun book about one of Marvel’s most vicious characters, in an impossible situation, pick this mini-series up.

Or, you can just buy it so Frank doesn’t shoot that planet.

You choose. :)

——

Here are my reviews of this entire mini-series!

——

Follow @thanosrules on Twitter for more thanosrules Quick Reviews (#trqr) and listen to Stacks of Comics (@stacksofcomics) for all (okay, some of) your Comic Podcast needs!

Space: Punisher #3 (of 4)

Recommendation: “YES!”

You Rang?

This is another fun installment of the awesome mini-series where we see a different side of the Marvel Multiverse… a weird violent side… the side where you really don’t know what to expect - well except death. And lots of it.

This may even be more violent than Deadpool Kills the Marvel Universe. It is certainly in the same category. Entertaining. Fun. Gratuitously Unapologetic. I loved it.

Though we are far from the 616, Frank Castle is on his same quest. Punishment. This time the people being held accountable are members of a murderous group known as the “Six-Fingered Hand”. The last page of the last issue revealed who was behind this group, and this issue was all about taking care of everyone between Frank and this ominous collection of foes.

To be clear, the “Inigo Montoya” reference parity is not lost on me. It is very clever. Well done. In fact, everyone Frank is aiming for, should in fact, “…prepare to die.”

I have said this previously, but the art on this book matches the tone, mood, and feel of the story perfectly. I like the realism and the non-traditional style. It certainly makes this feel like a different universe.

The pacing of the series so far has been great. Each issue, we get a lot more than we bargained for - this issue is no exception. I thought for sure the issue was going to end after the second battle, leaving the final confrontation to the last issue in this mini-series - but no! We get a taste, a tease, a pretty good look at the final confrontation… a confrontation that may be as final as they get!

But that is for you to read, not for me to spoil. And while it is a great part of the story, the most fun part of the story happens in the middle… where Frank and Chip run up against very unlikely opposition. Who would have known stealing something from Assemble City would have been so difficult? And all just to get something so small… ;)

This issue is certainly worth picking up. And while it is not a great jumping on point for the overall story, if you have to, you will be able to get your bearings straight away. And if you are looking for some other reason to buy it - it has a punctured Galactus helmet on the cover. Nuff Said! Besides, I am willing to bet your local comic shop has issues #1 and #2, so why not splurge and get all three (the other covers aren’t too shabby, either)!

Only one more until the end… and it promises to be one hell of an ultimate experience!

——

Follow @thanosrules on Twitter for more thanosrules Quick Reviews (#trqr) and listen to Stacks of Comics (@stacksofcomics) for all (okay, some of) your Comic Podcast needs!

Space: Punisher #2 (of 4)

Recommendation: “YES!”

I was eagerly looking forward to this issue. I don’t know what it is about these highly violent, “lots of main characters are dying” issues that I am drawn to lately. Between this series and Deadpool Kills the Marvel Universe, we are getting more deaths per comic dollar than we have in a long time. I obviously love the gratuitous violence. You never know who is going to die when, that is one of the main reasons I like these omniverse issues…

The art (by Mark Texeira) fits this mini-series perfectly. It is different than the mainstream “cartoony” styles, which works wonders for this non-616 universe.

We start out immersed in death - the Fantastic Four of this universe are all but snuffed out… not by the Punisher, but by the Hulk. It is a very different Hulk than we know (and possibly love). It is a monster of a Hulk - 4 arms. Yeah. 4 arms, why not? Who says gamma radiation can’t multiply and extend? :| As a side note though - the poor Fantastic Four lately, they cannot catch a break in these “other universe” stories!

The Hulk side-story really sets the tone for the issue - death, death and more death. Awesome.

Oh, and one thing I noted, the General Ross of this universe - I am not sure if it was intentional or not - but from panel to panel, his face kept getting more and more red… coincidence? Hmm…

We Now Return to Our Regular Programming, Already in Progress … Punisher, dealing with Barracuda, Sabertooth and Deadpool. I thought the usage of Sabertooth and Deadpool were great. While they bring up great points about their healing factor, what happens next is not something they could have expected…

Needless to say, the “battle” ends quickly and comes off as very “smart” - the Hulk in this universe doesn’t mess around! In fact, this is the point in the issue where it starts feeling like the “Deadpool Kills…” series, a mini-version anyway.

Overall, this mini-series has proven to be an excellent example of “Punisher character”. He has the correct attitude when dealing with his targets, the imagery depicts his torment perfectly, and so far the pacing has been dead on target for a 4-issue mini.

I am very much looking forward to the next issue, as we are left with a very interesting cliffhanger/reveal… and a teaser that shouldn’t be missed!

Next Issue: Galactic Remains!

——

Follow @thanosrules on Twitter for more thanosrules Quick Reviews (#trqr) and listen to Stacks of Comics (@stacksofcomics) for all (okay, some of) your Comic Podcast needs!

Space: Punisher #1 (of 4)

Recommended!

To be honest, I thought this was going to be some kind of “World War Hulk”-esque story, where Frank Castle is exiled from Earth and left to fend for himself in the vastness of space…

Instead, I was pleasantly surprised.

It is WAY different than that.

It is an entirely different universe - the character names are the same, their MOs are basically the same, and The Punisher is still doing what he does best.

If the first installment is any indication, this is a four-issue mini-series worth reading. I recommend it for Punisher fans AND “Space Cowboy” fans, alike. It is not exactly “Marvel Cosmic”, but it is definitely worth a read - and who knows, it may be collected if enough people pick up the single issues…