What do you think?
Rate this book
The Punisher (2004) (Collected Editions)
The Punisher, Vol. 5: The Slavers
On a pitch-black Brooklyn night, in a dead-end alley, Frank Castle brutally dispatches a crew of Albanian thugs menacing a young woman. Her name is Viorica, she's from Moldavia, and when she tells Frank her story, that's when the real killing starts!
Collects Punisher #25-30.
Collects Punisher #25-30.
144 pages, Paperback
First published May 17, 2006
7 people are currently reading
423 people want to read
About the author
Garth Ennis
2,624 books3,169 followersEnnis began his comic-writing career in 1989 with the series Troubled Souls. Appearing in the short-lived but critically-acclaimed British anthology Crisis and illustrated by McCrea, it told the story of a young, apolitical Protestant man caught up by fate in the violence of the Irish 'Troubles'. It spawned a sequel, For a Few Troubles More, a broad Belfast-based comedy featuring two supporting characters from Troubled Souls, Dougie and Ivor, who would later get their own American comics series, Dicks, from Caliber in 1997, and several follow-ups from Avatar.
Another series for Crisis was True Faith, a religious satire inspired by his schooldays, this time drawn by Warren Pleece. Ennis shortly after began to write for Crisis' parent publication, 2000 AD. He quickly graduated on to the title's flagship character, Judge Dredd, taking over from original creator John Wagner for a period of several years.
Ennis' first work on an American comic came in 1991 when he took over DC Comics's horror title Hellblazer, which he wrote until 1994, and for which he currently holds the title for most issues written. Steve Dillon became the regular artist during the second half of Ennis's run.
Ennis' landmark work to date is the 66-issue epic Preacher, which he co-created with artist Steve Dillon. Running from 1995 to 2000, it was a tale of a preacher with supernatural powers, searching (literally) for God who has abandoned his creation.
While Preacher was running, Ennis began a series set in the DC universe called Hitman. Despite being lower profile than Preacher, Hitman ran for 60 issues (plus specials) from 1996 to 2001, veering wildly from violent action to humour to an examination of male friendship under fire.
Other comic projects Ennis wrote during this time period include Goddess, Bloody Mary, Unknown Soldier, and Pride & Joy, all for DC/Vertigo, as well as origin stories for The Darkness for Image Comics and Shadowman for Valiant Comics.
After the end of Hitman, Ennis was lured to Marvel Comics with the promise from Editor-in-Chief Joe Quesada that he could write The Punisher as long as he cared to. Instead of largely comical tone of these issues, he decided to make a much more serious series, re-launched under Marvel's MAX imprint.
In 2001 he briefly returned to UK comics to write the epic Helter Skelter for Judge Dredd.
Other comics Ennis has written include War Story (with various artists) for DC; The Pro for Image Comics; The Authority for Wildstorm; Just a Pilgrim for Black Bull Press, and 303, Chronicles of Wormwood (a six issue mini-series about the Antichrist), and a western comic book, Streets of Glory for Avatar Press.
In 2008 Ennis ended his five-year run on Punisher MAX to debut a new Marvel title, War Is Hell: The First Flight of the Phantom Eagle.
In June 2008, at Wizard World, Philadelphia, Ennis announced several new projects, including a metaseries of war comics called Battlefields from Dynamite made up of mini-series including Night Witches, Dear Billy and Tankies, another Chronicles of Wormwood mini-series and Crossed both at Avatar, a six-issue miniseries about Butcher (from The Boys) and a Punisher project reuniting him with artist Steve Dillon (subsequently specified to be a weekly mini-series entitled Punisher: War Zone, to be released concurrently with the film of the same name).
Taken from: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Garth_Ennis
Another series for Crisis was True Faith, a religious satire inspired by his schooldays, this time drawn by Warren Pleece. Ennis shortly after began to write for Crisis' parent publication, 2000 AD. He quickly graduated on to the title's flagship character, Judge Dredd, taking over from original creator John Wagner for a period of several years.
Ennis' first work on an American comic came in 1991 when he took over DC Comics's horror title Hellblazer, which he wrote until 1994, and for which he currently holds the title for most issues written. Steve Dillon became the regular artist during the second half of Ennis's run.
Ennis' landmark work to date is the 66-issue epic Preacher, which he co-created with artist Steve Dillon. Running from 1995 to 2000, it was a tale of a preacher with supernatural powers, searching (literally) for God who has abandoned his creation.
While Preacher was running, Ennis began a series set in the DC universe called Hitman. Despite being lower profile than Preacher, Hitman ran for 60 issues (plus specials) from 1996 to 2001, veering wildly from violent action to humour to an examination of male friendship under fire.
Other comic projects Ennis wrote during this time period include Goddess, Bloody Mary, Unknown Soldier, and Pride & Joy, all for DC/Vertigo, as well as origin stories for The Darkness for Image Comics and Shadowman for Valiant Comics.
After the end of Hitman, Ennis was lured to Marvel Comics with the promise from Editor-in-Chief Joe Quesada that he could write The Punisher as long as he cared to. Instead of largely comical tone of these issues, he decided to make a much more serious series, re-launched under Marvel's MAX imprint.
In 2001 he briefly returned to UK comics to write the epic Helter Skelter for Judge Dredd.
Other comics Ennis has written include War Story (with various artists) for DC; The Pro for Image Comics; The Authority for Wildstorm; Just a Pilgrim for Black Bull Press, and 303, Chronicles of Wormwood (a six issue mini-series about the Antichrist), and a western comic book, Streets of Glory for Avatar Press.
In 2008 Ennis ended his five-year run on Punisher MAX to debut a new Marvel title, War Is Hell: The First Flight of the Phantom Eagle.
In June 2008, at Wizard World, Philadelphia, Ennis announced several new projects, including a metaseries of war comics called Battlefields from Dynamite made up of mini-series including Night Witches, Dear Billy and Tankies, another Chronicles of Wormwood mini-series and Crossed both at Avatar, a six-issue miniseries about Butcher (from The Boys) and a Punisher project reuniting him with artist Steve Dillon (subsequently specified to be a weekly mini-series entitled Punisher: War Zone, to be released concurrently with the film of the same name).
Taken from: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Garth_Ennis
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 97 reviews
August 16, 2025
"The unspeakable ****ing cruelty just keeps happening, and nothing gets done about it, and they keep getting away with it . . . and it makes me not want to be a social worker anymore. It makes me want to burn the world clean like an angel with a fiery sword! . . . But there are no angels, are there, Frank?" -- aggrieved counselor Jen Cooke, expressing her frustrations to our title character
Although it has a publication date of 2006, this fifth volume of the Marvel-MAX series featuring the vicious vigilante Frank 'The Punisher' Castle boasts and competently discusses a still-timely storyline featuring the plague of teenage sex trafficking. While on his usual rounds of stomping out organized crime in the New York City area, Castle inadvertently comes into contact with a young European lady named Viorica who is hell-bent on revenge towards her former captors. Castle soon learns of a brutal family of Romanian transplants - an elderly but incredibly savage father, his adult son, and the son's paramour - that are barbarically responsible for a steady influx of teen girls being efficiently forced into a reprehensible East Coast prostitution ring. Castle soon takes up that "fiery sword" (see the above quote) and strikes down this aforementioned trio in ferociously violent fashion - but would readers really expect any less? - and there is a sort of perverse but wholly acceptable elation to it, because monsters like the depicted Bulat family are sadly factual and at work in the real world.
Although it has a publication date of 2006, this fifth volume of the Marvel-MAX series featuring the vicious vigilante Frank 'The Punisher' Castle boasts and competently discusses a still-timely storyline featuring the plague of teenage sex trafficking. While on his usual rounds of stomping out organized crime in the New York City area, Castle inadvertently comes into contact with a young European lady named Viorica who is hell-bent on revenge towards her former captors. Castle soon learns of a brutal family of Romanian transplants - an elderly but incredibly savage father, his adult son, and the son's paramour - that are barbarically responsible for a steady influx of teen girls being efficiently forced into a reprehensible East Coast prostitution ring. Castle soon takes up that "fiery sword" (see the above quote) and strikes down this aforementioned trio in ferociously violent fashion - but would readers really expect any less? - and there is a sort of perverse but wholly acceptable elation to it, because monsters like the depicted Bulat family are sadly factual and at work in the real world.
December 5, 2020
It took a bit.. but with Vol. 5 I think Garth Ennis is finally using the punisher IP to its fullest potential. You have everything here: A “real world” hard hitting problem paired with an emotional story starring characters you root for on multiple sides. Great Art and a very good layout that moves the story forward with just the right pace.
You could criticize the portrayal of some stereotypical types like “hooker” and “slavic gangsters” but hey they are just a tool used in this well built structure. And yes you probably could have better dialogue but it was good enough to do the job. Asking for more is an added luxury at this point.
For me it checked all the important boxes, intense read with a gritty story perfectly befitting of the punisher. 5.0 out of 5.0 stars
You could criticize the portrayal of some stereotypical types like “hooker” and “slavic gangsters” but hey they are just a tool used in this well built structure. And yes you probably could have better dialogue but it was good enough to do the job. Asking for more is an added luxury at this point.
For me it checked all the important boxes, intense read with a gritty story perfectly befitting of the punisher. 5.0 out of 5.0 stars
February 28, 2019
Score: 4.00 out of 5
Grade: 80% (A-) | Great
The last thing I expected from a Punisher story was to reflect deeply on real-world problems. Mix that in with some fatal Punisher executions, we got ourselves a book! Although there were many high points, some of the pacing felt rather slow and some characters weren’t as strong as they should have been. Here is my review of The Punisher MAX Vol. 5: The Slavers:
The Good:
Frank’s brutal yet brilliant executions are the absolute highlight of this book. The best has to be his gruesome torturing strategy to get Cristu to talk! All I gotta say is I’m glad I ain’t Cristu… but for the most part, that’s the best of the bunch. The other executions were still great, but they never quite reached the same level, I mean, just look at that…ouch!
The buddy-cop duo of Parker and Miller were great! They both had no filters so the dialogue and banter between them was fantastic. Every time they popped up, it was a nice break from the dark and mature themes spread throughout this book. Although they may not be the "best of friends”, they’re partners, and partners look out for each other. I appreciate that. The two of them became my favourite characters in this book.
It’s always a pleasure to read a Punisher story that balances both his big, scary murdering side and his soft, protective, fatherly side. It makes for a great dynamic throughout this book. He can be both the scariest thing you have ever seen, like the Grim Reaper, or he can be a saviour in disguise, like a guardian angel. But, however good he may be, he’s still a murdering psychopath and I love him for it.
There’s a ton of social commentary in this. For the most part, it’s related to the lack of justice on modern-day slavery and prostitution. It was delivered well enough so that it never felt like we were being beaten over the head with these social issues. There was a nice balance of facts and a call to action that really got the reader thinking. It actually got me thinking in terms of how ignorant I can be when I’m given the cold-hard facts, yet do nothing about it. I wasn’t expecting to think deeply about social issues in a Punisher book! But kudos to Ennis on that one!
The Bad:
The story never really hits its stride until halfway through when Frank starts executing the baddies one-by-one. The first half, for the most part, was a large introduction to what the story was about and I feel like it was a little slow. However, Frank’s executions after the halfway point were brutal, creative and well worth the wait.
I was more of a fan of Tiberiu than his son Cristu. Cristu was a businessman, but kind of boring. Tiberiu was a crazy old f*** and entertaining as hell! Cristu’s partner Vera also didn’t do much for me. Sure she’s a horrible person, but every character in the Punisher universe are pretty bad people. I just had a lot more fun with Tiberiu and all the ridiculous shenanigans he was up to.
There’s a dumb moment where Frank jumps out of hiding and starts shooting at like 10 goons with absolutely no cover to protect him. I know the Punisher is supposed to be over-the-top testosterone fun, but come on, Frank is a lot smarter than that. Just a dumb moment that was still entertaining nonetheless. Another dumb moment was how fast Frank took down Tiberiu. You want to save the best for last, and the last tilt was just disappointing. I thought the old man would have put up more of a fight.
I didn’t really care for the detective and the captain conspiring to take down the Punisher. It was meh, whatever, nothing special. I also felt Viorica’s rant was a little long too. It felt more like a “here’s everything you need to know so that the plot can move forward”. It’s heartbreaking what happened to her baby Anna, but Viorica was basically a plot device so that Frank can kill a bunch of dudes and punish some really bad people. She was around for the beginning then was only mentioned later on; I felt like she was a wasted character.
Conclusion:
Ultimately, I really enjoyed this book. The second half is a lot stronger than the first half, but overall, this was a great read. All the villains got their just ends and it was a beautiful sight to behold. I’d recommend this book to just about any comic fan, but only if you’re old enough. This book doesn’t shy away from displaying some brutal executions with very mature themes. And in honour of Netflix’s Punisher being cancelled, I end this review with a farewell.
R.I.P. Punisher 2017-2019 – you will be missed.
Grade: 80% (A-) | Great
The last thing I expected from a Punisher story was to reflect deeply on real-world problems. Mix that in with some fatal Punisher executions, we got ourselves a book! Although there were many high points, some of the pacing felt rather slow and some characters weren’t as strong as they should have been. Here is my review of The Punisher MAX Vol. 5: The Slavers:
The Good:
Frank’s brutal yet brilliant executions are the absolute highlight of this book. The best has to be his gruesome torturing strategy to get Cristu to talk! All I gotta say is I’m glad I ain’t Cristu… but for the most part, that’s the best of the bunch. The other executions were still great, but they never quite reached the same level, I mean, just look at that…ouch!
The buddy-cop duo of Parker and Miller were great! They both had no filters so the dialogue and banter between them was fantastic. Every time they popped up, it was a nice break from the dark and mature themes spread throughout this book. Although they may not be the "best of friends”, they’re partners, and partners look out for each other. I appreciate that. The two of them became my favourite characters in this book.
It’s always a pleasure to read a Punisher story that balances both his big, scary murdering side and his soft, protective, fatherly side. It makes for a great dynamic throughout this book. He can be both the scariest thing you have ever seen, like the Grim Reaper, or he can be a saviour in disguise, like a guardian angel. But, however good he may be, he’s still a murdering psychopath and I love him for it.
There’s a ton of social commentary in this. For the most part, it’s related to the lack of justice on modern-day slavery and prostitution. It was delivered well enough so that it never felt like we were being beaten over the head with these social issues. There was a nice balance of facts and a call to action that really got the reader thinking. It actually got me thinking in terms of how ignorant I can be when I’m given the cold-hard facts, yet do nothing about it. I wasn’t expecting to think deeply about social issues in a Punisher book! But kudos to Ennis on that one!
The Bad:
The story never really hits its stride until halfway through when Frank starts executing the baddies one-by-one. The first half, for the most part, was a large introduction to what the story was about and I feel like it was a little slow. However, Frank’s executions after the halfway point were brutal, creative and well worth the wait.
I was more of a fan of Tiberiu than his son Cristu. Cristu was a businessman, but kind of boring. Tiberiu was a crazy old f*** and entertaining as hell! Cristu’s partner Vera also didn’t do much for me. Sure she’s a horrible person, but every character in the Punisher universe are pretty bad people. I just had a lot more fun with Tiberiu and all the ridiculous shenanigans he was up to.
There’s a dumb moment where Frank jumps out of hiding and starts shooting at like 10 goons with absolutely no cover to protect him. I know the Punisher is supposed to be over-the-top testosterone fun, but come on, Frank is a lot smarter than that. Just a dumb moment that was still entertaining nonetheless. Another dumb moment was how fast Frank took down Tiberiu. You want to save the best for last, and the last tilt was just disappointing. I thought the old man would have put up more of a fight.
I didn’t really care for the detective and the captain conspiring to take down the Punisher. It was meh, whatever, nothing special. I also felt Viorica’s rant was a little long too. It felt more like a “here’s everything you need to know so that the plot can move forward”. It’s heartbreaking what happened to her baby Anna, but Viorica was basically a plot device so that Frank can kill a bunch of dudes and punish some really bad people. She was around for the beginning then was only mentioned later on; I felt like she was a wasted character.
Conclusion:
Ultimately, I really enjoyed this book. The second half is a lot stronger than the first half, but overall, this was a great read. All the villains got their just ends and it was a beautiful sight to behold. I’d recommend this book to just about any comic fan, but only if you’re old enough. This book doesn’t shy away from displaying some brutal executions with very mature themes. And in honour of Netflix’s Punisher being cancelled, I end this review with a farewell.
R.I.P. Punisher 2017-2019 – you will be missed.
July 23, 2016
If I could give this 6 stars, I would.
Frank Castle, aka "The Punisher", rescues a girl from a band of Eastern European mobsters after she irrationally attacks them with a pistol. Turns out she's pining for revenge, because the girl was a sex slave for a ruthless human trafficking outfit. The more Frank learns, the more he knows he needs to destroy the outfit, but it won't be easy: far more than common thugs, these men are former Serbian mercenaries turned organized criminals, conducting their business in a ruthlessly efficient manner that all but leaves local law enforcement helpless.
Thankfully, the Punisher can be pretty ruthless and efficient himself.
This story disturbed me, on multiple levels, and it's not often a comic book does that. Human trafficking has always been a trigger point for me, and Garth Ennis clearly did his research on the subject. The cost to the victims is high for this crime and this story, and Castle makes it clear from the start that taking down one operation is going to do little to impact the greater problem. (This is the case with being a vigilante in the first place, of course, but the sheer inhumanity, brutality and despicable nature of sex slave trafficking really drives the point home here.) There's an air of tragedy to this story that isn't as present in the other Punisher storylines, a sense of hopelessness, an acknowledgment of the futility of the fight.
That being said, Frank is the kind of guy who's going to do what he can, and there's a certain guilty pleasure to be taken in witnessing the extremes he's forced to go to in order to take out the slavers.
This is grim stuff. Entertaining, exciting, at times even moving...but grim. The Punisher isn't the sort of character whose stories end with high-fives and hurrahs in the first place, but the somber atmosphere is thick in "The Slavers", and it makes for a poignant reading experience.
This may one of the best comic book story lines ever written. It's not for everyone, surely, but if you enjoy dark, gritty and violent tales that take on real-world issues, then I can't think of anything I'd recommend more.
Frank Castle, aka "The Punisher", rescues a girl from a band of Eastern European mobsters after she irrationally attacks them with a pistol. Turns out she's pining for revenge, because the girl was a sex slave for a ruthless human trafficking outfit. The more Frank learns, the more he knows he needs to destroy the outfit, but it won't be easy: far more than common thugs, these men are former Serbian mercenaries turned organized criminals, conducting their business in a ruthlessly efficient manner that all but leaves local law enforcement helpless.
Thankfully, the Punisher can be pretty ruthless and efficient himself.
This story disturbed me, on multiple levels, and it's not often a comic book does that. Human trafficking has always been a trigger point for me, and Garth Ennis clearly did his research on the subject. The cost to the victims is high for this crime and this story, and Castle makes it clear from the start that taking down one operation is going to do little to impact the greater problem. (This is the case with being a vigilante in the first place, of course, but the sheer inhumanity, brutality and despicable nature of sex slave trafficking really drives the point home here.) There's an air of tragedy to this story that isn't as present in the other Punisher storylines, a sense of hopelessness, an acknowledgment of the futility of the fight.
That being said, Frank is the kind of guy who's going to do what he can, and there's a certain guilty pleasure to be taken in witnessing the extremes he's forced to go to in order to take out the slavers.
This is grim stuff. Entertaining, exciting, at times even moving...but grim. The Punisher isn't the sort of character whose stories end with high-fives and hurrahs in the first place, but the somber atmosphere is thick in "The Slavers", and it makes for a poignant reading experience.
This may one of the best comic book story lines ever written. It's not for everyone, surely, but if you enjoy dark, gritty and violent tales that take on real-world issues, then I can't think of anything I'd recommend more.
July 8, 2011
The sad tale of women-trafficking (women! They're taken as children!) and these women being raped, beaten, and sold into a life of prostitution is told here with sympathetic characters. Why these tragedies can be tolerated in a mainstream comic book is because of the presence of Frank Castle - we know the horrors will be avenged and the monsters will be killed. It's cathartic in a way you wouldn't get from real life as there isn't anyone like the Punisher out there though most of us wish there was.
What makes Garth Ennis' stories work is the focus on the characters, not Frank Castle, not painting the baddies as 2-dimensional psychos, but telling a compelling, detailed, and well written story with believable characters. The story clicks along at a fast pace and the action is as sick as any of Punisher's best stuff. The artwork is tremendous as has been consistent throughout this series, full credit to Leo Fernandez for knocking it out of the park in every issue.
Another high point in this underrated character's series and another notch in Garth Ennis' belt for a tremendous ride of a book. Great stuff, highly recommended though very dark.
What makes Garth Ennis' stories work is the focus on the characters, not Frank Castle, not painting the baddies as 2-dimensional psychos, but telling a compelling, detailed, and well written story with believable characters. The story clicks along at a fast pace and the action is as sick as any of Punisher's best stuff. The artwork is tremendous as has been consistent throughout this series, full credit to Leo Fernandez for knocking it out of the park in every issue.
Another high point in this underrated character's series and another notch in Garth Ennis' belt for a tremendous ride of a book. Great stuff, highly recommended though very dark.
March 14, 2019
Hiç şüphesiz Marmara Çizgi'den çıkan serinin en sevdiğim cildi "Köle Tacirleri" oldu. Diyaloglardan kurguya, Punisher'ın aman vermez, kötülük vesilesiyle kimseye musama etmez, amansız şiddetine doyurdu. Bu kısımdaki kötüleri de beğendim misal. Sanırım komplike bir tat, lezzet verdi. Cast oldukça iyi. Öykü bağlayıcı. Önceki ciltlerin aksine bu sefer birilerinin işini yapan Punisher yok. Punisher'ı Punisher yapan ortaklıklar, ortak çıkarlar değil zaten. İnadına, tekil, şahsi hale getirilmiş net intikam, kökünü kurutma duygusu. Çatışma sahnelerini de övmeden geçmeyeyim. Son olarak birer övgü de Marmara Çizgi yayın ekibine, emeklerine sağlık. Ama özel teşekkür çevirmen Egemen Görçek'e. Diyaloglar, öykünün akışı diyorsak onun emeğinin yansıması. Punisher seviyorsanız bu cilt kütüphanede olmalı.
September 23, 2010
Oh man, I enjoyed this far more than such a bleak and heartbreaking subject warrants, even for a comic book. But if there is anything more cathartic than the Punisher methodically hunting down and slaughtering a ring of sex traffickers, it is probably illegal. I don't think I've ever been so thrilled by a solid gory wave of KILL 'EM ALL.
May 12, 2015
Nobody does The Punisher better than Garth Ennis.
November 28, 2018
Ολόκληρη η κριτική στο Smassing Culture
Ο Frank Castle «κανονίζει» το κύκλωμα των εμπόρων λευκής σαρκός
Οι Marvel σειρές του Netflix αποτελούν ό,τι καλύτερο έχει να επιδείξει το superhero είδος τηλεοπτικών σειρών (με εξαίρεση το φανταστικό Legion). Στον απόηχο του ντόρου που έχει κάνει αυτό τον καιρό η 3η σεζόν του Daredevil, οι εκδόσεις Οξύ επέλεξαν να γυρίσουν λίγο πίσω το χρόνο και να ξανασυστήσουν στο ελληνικό κοινό έναν παλιό γνώριμο, τον Punisher, έναν anti-hero που εντυπωσιάζει με τον ηθικό του κώδικα, είτε τον συμπαθεί, είτε τον αντιπαθεί κανείς. Τον Punisher (τηλεοπτικά) τον είχαμε δει παλιότερα στη 2η σεζόν του Daredevil, αλλά και πιο πρόσφατα στη δικιά του solo σειρά, η οποία γρήγορα κέρδισε τις εντυπώσεις.
Το comic, το οποίο επιλέγουν να μεταφράσουν στα ελληνικά οι εκδόσεις Οξύ ονομάζεται «Δουλέμποροι» και αποτελεί μέρος του πολύ δυνατού run του Garth Ennis, του σεναριογράφου του θρυλικού Preacher, αλλά και άλλων πολύ αξιόλογων comics, όπως τα The Boys και του Ghost Rider (απ’ τον κόσμο της Marvel). Συγκεκριμένα, ο τόμος «Δουλέμποροι» εμπεριέχει μία ολοκληρωμένη ιστορία, η οποία εκτυλίσσεται στα τεύχη 25-30 εκείνης της περιόδου του ήρωα της Marvel, η οποία μέτρησε συνολικά 60 τεύχη και έχει σημαδέψει την πορεία του χαρακτήρα. Πιο συγκεκριμένα το comic προέρχεται από μια περίοδο όπου ο Garth Ennis είχε ασχοληθεί συστηματικά με τον ήρωα της Marvel για 8 ολόκληρα χρόνια. Είχε ξεκινήσει το 2000 δημιουργώντας τον τίτλο «Marvel Knights: The Punisher», τον οποίο διαδέχτηκαν άλλοι τίτλοι όλα τα επόμενα χρόνια μέχρι και το 2008. Η σειρά απ’ την οποία προέρχεται το συγκεκριμένο comic είναι η «Punisher MAX», η οποία εκδιδόταν απ’ το 2004 έως το 2008. Μέσω αυτής ο Ennis αναδιαμόρφωσε τον Frank Castle δίνοντας πολλά νέα στοιχεία στον σκληροτράχηλο ήρωα, τα οποία τον χαρακτηρίζουν μέχρι και σήμερα.
Ο Punisher είναι μια ιδιαίτερη περίπτωση anti-hero. Ο Frank Castle έχοντας χάσει την οικογένειά του αποφασίζει να αντιμετωπίσει το άδικο αποτελεσματικότερα απ’ την αστυνομία και τους «νομοταγείς» superheroes. Βασισμένος στον προσωπικό του ηθικό κώδικα επιλέγει να πολεμήσει τη φωτιά με φωτιά και να αντιμετωπίσει με τον πιο σκληρό τρόπο την εγκληματικότητα. Έτσι, στο ηθικό δίλημμα που έχει ταλανίσει κατά καιρούς κάθε αξιοπρόσεκτο superhero, το οποίο είναι αν θα θέσει σαν όριο στη δράση του την αφαίρεση της ζωής του αντιπάλου τους, ο Castle απαντά αρνητικά. Ο Punisher προτίθεται να τιμωρήσει με τον πιο σκληρό τρόπο το έγκλημα.
Φυσικά, αυτή η απόφαση του Castle είναι τουλάχιστον αμφιλεγόμενη, τόσο στον πραγματικό κόσμο, όσο και στον φανταστικό κόσμο των superheroes. Δεν είναι τυχαίο ότι το ερώτημα αν οι superheroes μπορούν να σκοτώνουν έχει αποτελέσει τη βάση ιστοριών, ορισμένες απ’ τις οποίες θεωρούνται απ’ τα αριστουργήματα των comics, όπως το Injustice: Gods among us, στο οποίο ο Superman εγκαθιστά τη δικιά του τάξη πραγμάτων, στην οποία απειλεί τους εχθρούς του ακόμα και με θάνατο. Αντίστοιχα διλήμματα έχουν προβληματίσει κατά καιρούς και άλλους superheroes πρώτης γραμμής, όπως ο Batman, ο Arrow και ο Daredevil. Βέβαια υπάρχουν απ’ την άλλη και anti-heroes όπως ο Deadpool, αλλά και οι Kick-Ass και Hit Girl, οι οποίοι χρησιμοποιούν σκληρή βία στις περιπέτειές τους και γι’ αυτό τα comics τους απευθύνονται κυρίως στο ενήλικο κοινό. Ποιος μπορεί να ξεχάσει την αδιανόητη βία με την οποία ο Deadpool είχε εξαφανίσει ολόκληρο το Marvel Universe;
Οι «Δουλέμποροι» είναι μια χαρακτηριστική ιστορία ενήλικου comic. Είναι χαρακτηριστική του brandname «Max Comics», το οποίο συνοδεύει τον τίτλο και δόθηκε απ’ τους δημιουργούς για να τονίσει τη διαφορά σε σχέση με τη συνηθισμένη λογική των Marvel Comics. Με τα «Max Comics» η Marvel ήθελε να εγκαινιάσει μια ενήλικη comic σειρά με πολύ περισσότερη βία, αλλά και πιο κοινωνική θεματολογία. Ήταν μια αντίστοιχη προσπάθεια με εκείνη της DC που είχε ιδρύσει τα comics Vertigo, η οποία (πριν αυτονομηθεί) ήδη μας είχε χαρίσει φοβερές στιγμές, όπως το Preacher και το Transmetropolitan.
Το συγκεκριμένο comic αφορά ειδικότερα μια δραματική ιστορία εμπνευσμένη απ’ την πιο σκληρή πραγματικότητα του εγκληματικού κόσμου, απ’ το εμπόριο λευκής σαρκός. Θύματα της ιστορίας είναι νεαρές αλλοδαπές, προερχόμενες απ’ την Ευρώπη, τις οποίες δουλέμποροι τις εξαπατούν υποσχόμενοι ένα καλύτερο μέλλον στην Αμερική, στην οποία με το που φτάνουν τις παγιδεύουν σε σπίτια και τις αναγκάζουν με τις πιο βάναυσες μεθόδους να εκπορνευτούν. Οι εγκληματίες που διευθύνουν το συγκεκριμένο κύκλωμα έχουν επιρροή στα υψηλά κλιμάκια της αστυνομίας, η οποία την ίδια περίοδο ξεκινά να καταδιώκει τον Punisher σκηνοθετώντας δήθεν επιθέσεις του σε αστυνομικούς, προκειμένου να προστατευτούν οι μαφιόζοι. Πρόκειται για μια πολύ σκοτεινή υπόθεση, η οποία γίνεται ακόμα πιο θλιβερή αν σκεφτεί κανείς ότι όλα αυτά που συμβαίνουν στο comic λίγο μόνο απέχουν απ’ την πραγματικότητα του εγκληματικού κόσμου.
Σε αυτό το σημείο είναι αναγκαίο να σημειωθεί, ότι το χαρακτήρα της ενήλικης θεματολογίας ακολουθούν τόσο οι βίαιες σκηνές, όσο και η σκληρή γλώσσα του comic. Εδώ πάντα δημιουργείται ο κίνδυνος για τον μεταφραστή, ο οποίος καλείται να μεταφράσει στα ελληνικά την αμερικάνικη αργκό και αν δεν βρει τον κατάλληλο τρόπο να το κάνει κινδυνεύει πάντα να δημιουργήσει ένα παιδιάστικο αποτέλεσμα. Γνωρίζοντας, προφανώς αυτούς του κινδύνους ο Σάββας Αργυρού μας προσφέρει μια εξαιρετική απόδοση του ύφους του πρωτότυπου κειμένου, η οποία είναι εμφανώς δουλεμένη και προσεγμένη, όπως μας έχουν συνηθίσει με τα comics τους οι εκδόσεις Οξύ (και που δυστυχώς δεν είναι πάντα δεδομένο για ελληνικές μεταφράσεις comics, αφού όλοι έχουμε συναντήσει το φαινόμενο να μην δίνεται η απαραίτητη επιμέλεια και σημασία στο κείμενο ορισμένων comics από άλλους εκδοτικούς οίκους).
Επιστρέφοντας στο σχολιασμό του σεναρίου, αξίζει να παρατηρήσουμε ότι το σκηνικό που στήνει ο Garth Ennis είναι ιδανικό για να δοκιμαστούν και να νομιμοποιηθούν κοινωνικά οι αμφιλεγόμενες μέθοδοι που χρησιμοποιεί ο Punisher. Σίγουρα κανένας δεν θα κλάψει για τους αιμοσταγείς δουλέμπορους και αυτό δίνει το πλεονέκτημα στον Punisher να χρησιμοποιήσει κάθε μέσο, όσο βάρβαρο κι αν είναι, προκειμένου να εξοντώσει την συμμορία τους και να προστατέψει τα θύματά τους. Ο Garth Ennis χειρίζεται εξαιρετικά την ιστορία του, βυθίζοντάς μας στον σκοτεινό κόσμο της εγκληματικότητας, της διαπλοκής της αστυνομίας, αλλά και στην αιματηρή πορεία εκδίκησης του Frank Castle. Ο Ennis, ο οποίος έχει μακρά θητεία στα comics με ενήλικη και κοινωνική θεματολογία, μας διηγείται μια σκληρή ιστορία, βυθισμένη στο σκοτάδι των πιο βάρβαρων ενστίκτων της ανθρωπότητας, η οποία μάλιστα είναι απ’ τις κλασσικότερες ιστορίες του Punisher.
Βέβαια, αξίζει ένας περαιτέρω προβληματισμός στο συγκεκριμένο comic. Αν προσπαθήσουμε να εκλογικεύσουμε τον ηθικό κώδικα του Punisher και να τον εντάξουμε στις συνθήκες της πραγματικής ζωής, θέτοντας τον προβληματισμό για τα όρια των αντεγκληματικών μεθόδων (εν προκειμένω για τα όρια της δράσης των superheroes), μάλλον θα πρέπει να συμφωνήσουμε περισσότερο με τον Batman (ή τον Captain America) και όχι με τον Punisher. Ο Frank Castle, θυμίζει με τη δράση του διάφορους άλλους αυταρχικούς χαρακτήρες, οι οποίοι υπηρετούν συνήθως ολοκληρωτικά καθεστώτα, όπως είναι ο Judge Dredd ή ο Superman του Injustice. Πράγματι, μπορεί εύκολα να εξοργιζόμαστε όλοι και να επιζητούμε εκδίκηση από ειδεχθείς εγκληματίες, όπως οι δουλέμποροι του εμπορίου λευκής σαρκός. Όμως πώς θα κρίναμε τις σκληρές μεθόδους του Punisher απέναντι σε διαφορετικούς τύπους εγκλημάτων; Με βάση ποιανού το συμφέρον κρίνεται το πόσο σοβαρό είναι ένα έγκλημα; Λογικά του κράτους, το οποίο θέλει να επιβάλλει το νόμο (του) και την τάξη. Όμως, πώς θα έπρεπε να αντιμετωπίσει ο Punisher «εγκληματίες» για παράδειγμα σαν αυτούς του Casa de Papel, οι οποίοι θέλουν να στείλουν ένα κοινωνικό μήνυμα με το σχέδιό τους, που (κατά τα άλλα) χτυπά στην καρδιά του το κράτος; Ή αλλιώς η μηδενική ανοχή του Punisher θα ήταν εξίσου νομιμοποιημένη αν αντιμετώπιζε τη νεανική παραβατικότητα ή αν ενίσχυε την αστυνομία στις επιθέσεις της σε κινήματα, όπως το Black Lives Matter (που έχουν δημιουργηθεί εξαιτίας δολοφονικών επιθέσεων της ίδιας της αστυνομίας); Και τι γίνεται με τους πολέμους που εξαπολύουν ανά τον κόσμο οι ΗΠΑ (σε αυτό το ζήτημα μας έχει δώσει κάποιες απαντήσεις με άλλη ευκαιρία ο Venom);
Οι απαντήσεις σε αυτά δεν μπορούν να δοθούν με την ευκολία του άσπρου – μαύρου. Γι’ αυτό και ο Punisher είναι ένας πολύ ιδιαίτερος anti-hero. Οι «Δουλέμποροι» είναι μια ιστορία που έχει γραφτεί ακριβώς στα μέτρα του από τον Garth Ennis, ο οποίος αναδεικνύει τα δυνατά χαρτιά του ηθικού κώδικα που ακολουθεί ο Frank Castle. Όμως δεν είναι κάθε ιστορία του Punisher ιδανι��ή για να εφαρμοστούν οι πεποιθήσεις του. Σε άλλες συνθήκες (οι οποίες είναι και οι συνηθέστερες) δεν είναι τόσο απλά τα πράγματα και έτσι εξηγείται για παράδειγμα η στάση του Frank Castle στα γεγονότα του Secret Empire, όπου έγινε εύκολα εκτελεστικό όργανο του Captain America/Hydra και τότε αυτή η συστράτευση δεν είχε εκπλήξει κανέναν μας (όπως αντίστοιχα δεν μας είχε παραξενέψει και η -ότι να ‘ναι- λογική με την οποία διάλεξε στρατόπεδο ο έτερος αιμοσταγής ήρωας, ο Deadpool).
Βέβαια, αξίζει να σημειωθεί, ότι ο Garth Ennis, πρώτος ο ίδιος αναμετράται στα comics του, με πρωταγωνιστή τον Punisher, με αυτά τα ερωτήματα. Γι’ αυτό είναι δεδομένη η επιθυμία μας οι εκδόσεις Οξύ να συνεχίσουν με την έκδοση και της υπόλοιπης σειράς του Punisher, δια χειρός Garth Ennis, προκειμένου να αποκτήσουμε μια ολοκληρωμένη εικόνα ενός απ’ τα κλασσικότερα run του θρυλικού anti-hero της Marvel. Όμως, παρά τα όποια μελλοντικά σχέδια, είναι σαφές ότι οι «Δουλέμποροι» είναι μια εξαιρετική έκδοση ενός κλασσικού ενήλικου comic, το οποίο αποτελεί μια πολύ ψαγμένη και αξιέπαινη πρόταση απ’ τις εκδόσεις Οξύ.
Ο Frank Castle «κανονίζει» το κύκλωμα των εμπόρων λευκής σαρκός
Οι Marvel σειρές του Netflix αποτελούν ό,τι καλύτερο έχει να επιδείξει το superhero είδος τηλεοπτικών σειρών (με εξαίρεση το φανταστικό Legion). Στον απόηχο του ντόρου που έχει κάνει αυτό τον καιρό η 3η σεζόν του Daredevil, οι εκδόσεις Οξύ επέλεξαν να γυρίσουν λίγο πίσω το χρόνο και να ξανασυστήσουν στο ελληνικό κοινό έναν παλιό γνώριμο, τον Punisher, έναν anti-hero που εντυπωσιάζει με τον ηθικό του κώδικα, είτε τον συμπαθεί, είτε τον αντιπαθεί κανείς. Τον Punisher (τηλεοπτικά) τον είχαμε δει παλιότερα στη 2η σεζόν του Daredevil, αλλά και πιο πρόσφατα στη δικιά του solo σειρά, η οποία γρήγορα κέρδισε τις εντυπώσεις.
Το comic, το οποίο επιλέγουν να μεταφράσουν στα ελληνικά οι εκδόσεις Οξύ ονομάζεται «Δουλέμποροι» και αποτελεί μέρος του πολύ δυνατού run του Garth Ennis, του σεναριογράφου του θρυλικού Preacher, αλλά και άλλων πολύ αξιόλογων comics, όπως τα The Boys και του Ghost Rider (απ’ τον κόσμο της Marvel). Συγκεκριμένα, ο τόμος «Δουλέμποροι» εμπεριέχει μία ολοκληρωμένη ιστορία, η οποία εκτυλίσσεται στα τεύχη 25-30 εκείνης της περιόδου του ήρωα της Marvel, η οποία μέτρησε συνολικά 60 τεύχη και έχει σημαδέψει την πορεία του χαρακτήρα. Πιο συγκεκριμένα το comic προέρχεται από μια περίοδο όπου ο Garth Ennis είχε ασχοληθεί συστηματικά με τον ήρωα της Marvel για 8 ολόκληρα χρόνια. Είχε ξεκινήσει το 2000 δημιουργώντας τον τίτλο «Marvel Knights: The Punisher», τον οποίο διαδέχτηκαν άλλοι τίτλοι όλα τα επόμενα χρόνια μέχρι και το 2008. Η σειρά απ’ την οποία προέρχεται το συγκεκριμένο comic είναι η «Punisher MAX», η οποία εκδιδόταν απ’ το 2004 έως το 2008. Μέσω αυτής ο Ennis αναδιαμόρφωσε τον Frank Castle δίνοντας πολλά νέα στοιχεία στον σκληροτράχηλο ήρωα, τα οποία τον χαρακτηρίζουν μέχρι και σήμερα.
Ο Punisher είναι μια ιδιαίτερη περίπτωση anti-hero. Ο Frank Castle έχοντας χάσει την οικογένειά του αποφασίζει να αντιμετωπίσει το άδικο αποτελεσματικότερα απ’ την αστυνομία και τους «νομοταγείς» superheroes. Βασισμένος στον προσωπικό του ηθικό κώδικα επιλέγει να πολεμήσει τη φωτιά με φωτιά και να αντιμετωπίσει με τον πιο σκληρό τρόπο την εγκληματικότητα. Έτσι, στο ηθικό δίλημμα που έχει ταλανίσει κατά καιρούς κάθε αξιοπρόσεκτο superhero, το οποίο είναι αν θα θέσει σαν όριο στη δράση του την αφαίρεση της ζωής του αντιπάλου τους, ο Castle απαντά αρνητικά. Ο Punisher προτίθεται να τιμωρήσει με τον πιο σκληρό τρόπο το έγκλημα.
Φυσικά, αυτή η απόφαση του Castle είναι τουλάχιστον αμφιλεγόμενη, τόσο στον πραγματικό κόσμο, όσο και στον φανταστικό κόσμο των superheroes. Δεν είναι τυχαίο ότι το ερώτημα αν οι superheroes μπορούν να σκοτώνουν έχει αποτελέσει τη βάση ιστοριών, ορισμένες απ’ τις οποίες θεωρούνται απ’ τα αριστουργήματα των comics, όπως το Injustice: Gods among us, στο οποίο ο Superman εγκαθιστά τη δικιά του τάξη πραγμάτων, στην οποία απειλεί τους εχθρούς του ακόμα και με θάνατο. Αντίστοιχα διλήμματα έχουν προβληματίσει κατά καιρούς και άλλους superheroes πρώτης γραμμής, όπως ο Batman, ο Arrow και ο Daredevil. Βέβαια υπάρχουν απ’ την άλλη και anti-heroes όπως ο Deadpool, αλλά και οι Kick-Ass και Hit Girl, οι οποίοι χρησιμοποιούν σκληρή βία στις περιπέτειές τους και γι’ αυτό τα comics τους απευθύνονται κυρίως στο ενήλικο κοινό. Ποιος μπορεί να ξεχάσει την αδιανόητη βία με την οποία ο Deadpool είχε εξαφανίσει ολόκληρο το Marvel Universe;
Οι «Δουλέμποροι» είναι μια χαρακτηριστική ιστορία ενήλικου comic. Είναι χαρακτηριστική του brandname «Max Comics», το οποίο συνοδεύει τον τίτλο και δόθηκε απ’ τους δημιουργούς για να τονίσει τη διαφορά σε σχέση με τη συνηθισμένη λογική των Marvel Comics. Με τα «Max Comics» η Marvel ήθελε να εγκαινιάσει μια ενήλικη comic σειρά με πολύ περισσότερη βία, αλλά και πιο κοινωνική θεματολογία. Ήταν μια αντίστοιχη προσπάθεια με εκείνη της DC που είχε ιδρύσει τα comics Vertigo, η οποία (πριν αυτονομηθεί) ήδη μας είχε χαρίσει φοβερές στιγμές, όπως το Preacher και το Transmetropolitan.
Το συγκεκριμένο comic αφορά ειδικότερα μια δραματική ιστορία εμπνευσμένη απ’ την πιο σκληρή πραγματικότητα του εγκληματικού κόσμου, απ’ το εμπόριο λευκής σαρκός. Θύματα της ιστορίας είναι νεαρές αλλοδαπές, προερχόμενες απ’ την Ευρώπη, τις οποίες δουλέμποροι τις εξαπατούν υποσχόμενοι ένα καλύτερο μέλλον στην Αμερική, στην οποία με το που φτάνουν τις παγιδεύουν σε σπίτια και τις αναγκάζουν με τις πιο βάναυσες μεθόδους να εκπορνευτούν. Οι εγκληματίες που διευθύνουν το συγκεκριμένο κύκλωμα έχουν επιρροή στα υψηλά κλιμάκια της αστυνομίας, η οποία την ίδια περίοδο ξεκινά να καταδιώκει τον Punisher σκηνοθετώντας δήθεν επιθέσεις του σε αστυνομικούς, προκειμένου να προστατευτούν οι μαφιόζοι. Πρόκειται για μια πολύ σκοτεινή υπόθεση, η οποία γίνεται ακόμα πιο θλιβερή αν σκεφτεί κανείς ότι όλα αυτά που συμβαίνουν στο comic λίγο μόνο απέχουν απ’ την πραγματικότητα του εγκληματικού κόσμου.
Σε αυτό το σημείο είναι αναγκαίο να σημειωθεί, ότι το χαρακτήρα της ενήλικης θεματολογίας ακολουθούν τόσο οι βίαιες σκηνές, όσο και η σκληρή γλώσσα του comic. Εδώ πάντα δημιουργείται ο κίνδυνος για τον μεταφραστή, ο οποίος καλείται να μεταφράσει στα ελληνικά την αμερικάνικη αργκό και αν δεν βρει τον κατάλληλο τρόπο να το κάνει κινδυνεύει πάντα να δημιουργήσει ένα παιδιάστικο αποτέλεσμα. Γνωρίζοντας, προφανώς αυτούς του κινδύνους ο Σάββας Αργυρού μας προσφέρει μια εξαιρετική απόδοση του ύφους του πρωτότυπου κειμένου, η οποία είναι εμφανώς δουλεμένη και προσεγμένη, όπως μας έχουν συνηθίσει με τα comics τους οι εκδόσεις Οξύ (και που δυστυχώς δεν είναι πάντα δεδομένο για ελληνικές μεταφράσεις comics, αφού όλοι έχουμε συναντήσει το φαινόμενο να μην δίνεται η απαραίτητη επιμέλεια και σημασία στο κείμενο ορισμένων comics από άλλους εκδοτικούς οίκους).
Επιστρέφοντας στο σχολιασμό του σεναρίου, αξίζει να παρατηρήσουμε ότι το σκηνικό που στήνει ο Garth Ennis είναι ιδανικό για να δοκιμαστούν και να νομιμοποιηθούν κοινωνικά οι αμφιλεγόμενες μέθοδοι που χρησιμοποιεί ο Punisher. Σίγουρα κανένας δεν θα κλάψει για τους αιμοσταγείς δουλέμπορους και αυτό δίνει το πλεονέκτημα στον Punisher να χρησιμοποιήσει κάθε μέσο, όσο βάρβαρο κι αν είναι, προκειμένου να εξοντώσει την συμμορία τους και να προστατέψει τα θύματά τους. Ο Garth Ennis χειρίζεται εξαιρετικά την ιστορία του, βυθίζοντάς μας στον σκοτεινό κόσμο της εγκληματικότητας, της διαπλοκής της αστυνομίας, αλλά και στην αιματηρή πορεία εκδίκησης του Frank Castle. Ο Ennis, ο οποίος έχει μακρά θητεία στα comics με ενήλικη και κοινωνική θεματολογία, μας διηγείται μια σκληρή ιστορία, βυθισμένη στο σκοτάδι των πιο βάρβαρων ενστίκτων της ανθρωπότητας, η οποία μάλιστα είναι απ’ τις κλασσικότερες ιστορίες του Punisher.
Βέβαια, αξίζει ένας περαιτέρω προβληματισμός στο συγκεκριμένο comic. Αν προσπαθήσουμε να εκλογικεύσουμε τον ηθικό κώδικα του Punisher και να τον εντάξουμε στις συνθήκες της πραγματικής ζωής, θέτοντας τον προβληματισμό για τα όρια των αντεγκληματικών μεθόδων (εν προκειμένω για τα όρια της δράσης των superheroes), μάλλον θα πρέπει να συμφωνήσουμε περισσότερο με τον Batman (ή τον Captain America) και όχι με τον Punisher. Ο Frank Castle, θυμίζει με τη δράση του διάφορους άλλους αυταρχικούς χαρακτήρες, οι οποίοι υπηρετούν συνήθως ολοκληρωτικά καθεστώτα, όπως είναι ο Judge Dredd ή ο Superman του Injustice. Πράγματι, μπορεί εύκολα να εξοργιζόμαστε όλοι και να επιζητούμε εκδίκηση από ειδεχθείς εγκληματίες, όπως οι δουλέμποροι του εμπορίου λευκής σαρκός. Όμως πώς θα κρίναμε τις σκληρές μεθόδους του Punisher απέναντι σε διαφορετικούς τύπους εγκλημάτων; Με βάση ποιανού το συμφέρον κρίνεται το πόσο σοβαρό είναι ένα έγκλημα; Λογικά του κράτους, το οποίο θέλει να επιβάλλει το νόμο (του) και την τάξη. Όμως, πώς θα έπρεπε να αντιμετωπίσει ο Punisher «εγκληματίες» για παράδειγμα σαν αυτούς του Casa de Papel, οι οποίοι θέλουν να στείλουν ένα κοινωνικό μήνυμα με το σχέδιό τους, που (κατά τα άλλα) χτυπά στην καρδιά του το κράτος; Ή αλλιώς η μηδενική ανοχή του Punisher θα ήταν εξίσου νομιμοποιημένη αν αντιμετώπιζε τη νεανική παραβατικότητα ή αν ενίσχυε την αστυνομία στις επιθέσεις της σε κινήματα, όπως το Black Lives Matter (που έχουν δημιουργηθεί εξαιτίας δολοφονικών επιθέσεων της ίδιας της αστυνομίας); Και τι γίνεται με τους πολέμους που εξαπολύουν ανά τον κόσμο οι ΗΠΑ (σε αυτό το ζήτημα μας έχει δώσει κάποιες απαντήσεις με άλλη ευκαιρία ο Venom);
Οι απαντήσεις σε αυτά δεν μπορούν να δοθούν με την ευκολία του άσπρου – μαύρου. Γι’ αυτό και ο Punisher είναι ένας πολύ ιδιαίτερος anti-hero. Οι «Δουλέμποροι» είναι μια ιστορία που έχει γραφτεί ακριβώς στα μέτρα του από τον Garth Ennis, ο οποίος αναδεικνύει τα δυνατά χαρτιά του ηθικού κώδικα που ακολουθεί ο Frank Castle. Όμως δεν είναι κάθε ιστορία του Punisher ιδανι��ή για να εφαρμοστούν οι πεποιθήσεις του. Σε άλλες συνθήκες (οι οποίες είναι και οι συνηθέστερες) δεν είναι τόσο απλά τα πράγματα και έτσι εξηγείται για παράδειγμα η στάση του Frank Castle στα γεγονότα του Secret Empire, όπου έγινε εύκολα εκτελεστικό όργανο του Captain America/Hydra και τότε αυτή η συστράτευση δεν είχε εκπλήξει κανέναν μας (όπως αντίστοιχα δεν μας είχε παραξενέψει και η -ότι να ‘ναι- λογική με την οποία διάλεξε στρατόπεδο ο έτερος αιμοσταγής ήρωας, ο Deadpool).
Βέβαια, αξίζει να σημειωθεί, ότι ο Garth Ennis, πρώτος ο ίδιος αναμετράται στα comics του, με πρωταγωνιστή τον Punisher, με αυτά τα ερωτήματα. Γι’ αυτό είναι δεδομένη η επιθυμία μας οι εκδόσεις Οξύ να συνεχίσουν με την έκδοση και της υπόλοιπης σειράς του Punisher, δια χειρός Garth Ennis, προκειμένου να αποκτήσουμε μια ολοκληρωμένη εικόνα ενός απ’ τα κλασσικότερα run του θρυλικού anti-hero της Marvel. Όμως, παρά τα όποια μελλοντικά σχέδια, είναι σαφές ότι οι «Δουλέμποροι» είναι μια εξαιρετική έκδοση ενός κλασσικού ενήλικου comic, το οποίο αποτελεί μια πολύ ψαγμένη και αξιέπαινη πρόταση απ’ τις εκδόσεις Οξύ.
January 9, 2019
In the Beginning
Kitchen Irish
Mother Russia
Up is Down, Black is White
WARNING: The contents of this arc of the Punisher MAX series are dark and includes content which may be distressing to those of a softer disposition. This is not a trigger warning. This is not an attempt to police what you read. This is one grown adult speaking to you, the reader. If you cannot handle some of the minor spoilers contained in this review, turn around and move on to another arc, or another comic altogether. You'll get no judgement from me.
"Later on, she told me the whole story. About the day she left her village. About the old man, about Cristu and Vera. About the thing her father said. About her baby. When she was done, I knew a lot of men would have to die."
I don't think this arc of Punisher MAX needs much introduction. It's considered amongst the darkest stories in the Punisher mythos as well as one of the darkest stories Marvel has ever put out. I would actually consider it partially akin to a horror story given how horrifying the content contained inside is. And yet, I would also place it as one of the best stories ever put out there in the Punisher MAX line.
The art is some of Fernandez's finest. The use of lighting and shadow combined with vibrant colours makes some of the setpieces truly nasty in a aesthetically beautiful way. The character designs are all unique and interesting to look at with the three main villains running the gamut of ugly as fuck to attractive in an frigid ice queen way. Some of the most shocking scenes are contained in this book and they are handled in both a horrible but also respectful manner. This isn't a story that shows off some of its nastiest bits for shock value alone. This is a story that wants you to FEEL something.
And on that note....
It is a rare author who can actually make me feel something when I read. Enjoyment when I read is something that I'm used to. It's my hobby after all. But if an author can make me feel sadness at sad moments, laughter at funny moments or anger at horrible moments, then that for me puts them above a lot of other writers.
To this date, only Chuck Palahniuk has made me feel anger. Not because of bad writing but because of what the characters in one of his stories (Speaking Bitterness) have done. And now I can add Garth Ennis to that list. To put some of my personal views on the table, if I had to pigeonhole myself, I'd say I'm a humanist at least. I'm also not a violent person, although I understand the ugly necessity for it sometimes. However the first time I read The Slavers, I came away an anger so cool and focused that I had to put the book down for a second. I have never hated characters like Cristu, Vera and Tiberiu before. And the fact that Ennis drew a lot of what happens in this story from real life incidents makes me all the more angry. The writing is crisp and brutal with the horror combined with some very tender/sad moments that make the horror all the more shocking. Normally I'd also discuss here the intrusiveness of Ennis personal politics, but quite frankly, if you're the type who's going to complain about politics in comics and you want to argue for a nuanced objective analysis from both sides on the notion of human trafficking, then you can fuck right off.
Anyway getting back on track, the other characters in the story are a good mix of people who's lives are all affected by the slave racket. The two cops whom Frank encounters at the start of the arc are dragged into a smear campaign against him. Westin, a corrupt cop on the Slaver's payroll is a slimy little turd that twists the system to his benefit, knowing that his cop buddies will have his back. And the three of them make for a good judgement for how the system was fucked from the start. Jen Cooke is a social worker who deals with the victims of the slave trade and you can see that her life is often one disappointment after another. She provides a lot of the commentary on what slavers do, including raping the poor women until they break. And bear in mind, again, THIS SHIT HAPPENS IN REAL LIFE. Cooke is one of those characters you have to feel a lot of sympathy for. She's fighting a losing battle and you wish she could have one victory.
And Viorica.....oh my fucking god. If there was ever a time, when I wished I could reach through the pages and give someone a hug, it would be here. Her story and what happens to her baby.....
For a story like The Slavers, there is no happy ending. The ending shouldn't come as a surprise to anyone but the aftermath is something that will haunt you for a time after. Frank finishes what he started, but the slave trade continues on. The people who were affected by it are no better off, some are even worse off and some give up altogether. The final image of the arc pretty much says it all and while I won't spoil it, it serves as a perfect capstone to an arc that is one of the best stories in the Punisher MAX line.
And now, we move on to Barracuda.
Kitchen Irish
Mother Russia
Up is Down, Black is White
WARNING: The contents of this arc of the Punisher MAX series are dark and includes content which may be distressing to those of a softer disposition. This is not a trigger warning. This is not an attempt to police what you read. This is one grown adult speaking to you, the reader. If you cannot handle some of the minor spoilers contained in this review, turn around and move on to another arc, or another comic altogether. You'll get no judgement from me.
"Later on, she told me the whole story. About the day she left her village. About the old man, about Cristu and Vera. About the thing her father said. About her baby. When she was done, I knew a lot of men would have to die."
I don't think this arc of Punisher MAX needs much introduction. It's considered amongst the darkest stories in the Punisher mythos as well as one of the darkest stories Marvel has ever put out. I would actually consider it partially akin to a horror story given how horrifying the content contained inside is. And yet, I would also place it as one of the best stories ever put out there in the Punisher MAX line.
The art is some of Fernandez's finest. The use of lighting and shadow combined with vibrant colours makes some of the setpieces truly nasty in a aesthetically beautiful way. The character designs are all unique and interesting to look at with the three main villains running the gamut of ugly as fuck to attractive in an frigid ice queen way. Some of the most shocking scenes are contained in this book and they are handled in both a horrible but also respectful manner. This isn't a story that shows off some of its nastiest bits for shock value alone. This is a story that wants you to FEEL something.
And on that note....
It is a rare author who can actually make me feel something when I read. Enjoyment when I read is something that I'm used to. It's my hobby after all. But if an author can make me feel sadness at sad moments, laughter at funny moments or anger at horrible moments, then that for me puts them above a lot of other writers.
To this date, only Chuck Palahniuk has made me feel anger. Not because of bad writing but because of what the characters in one of his stories (Speaking Bitterness) have done. And now I can add Garth Ennis to that list. To put some of my personal views on the table, if I had to pigeonhole myself, I'd say I'm a humanist at least. I'm also not a violent person, although I understand the ugly necessity for it sometimes. However the first time I read The Slavers, I came away an anger so cool and focused that I had to put the book down for a second. I have never hated characters like Cristu, Vera and Tiberiu before. And the fact that Ennis drew a lot of what happens in this story from real life incidents makes me all the more angry. The writing is crisp and brutal with the horror combined with some very tender/sad moments that make the horror all the more shocking. Normally I'd also discuss here the intrusiveness of Ennis personal politics, but quite frankly, if you're the type who's going to complain about politics in comics and you want to argue for a nuanced objective analysis from both sides on the notion of human trafficking, then you can fuck right off.
Anyway getting back on track, the other characters in the story are a good mix of people who's lives are all affected by the slave racket. The two cops whom Frank encounters at the start of the arc are dragged into a smear campaign against him. Westin, a corrupt cop on the Slaver's payroll is a slimy little turd that twists the system to his benefit, knowing that his cop buddies will have his back. And the three of them make for a good judgement for how the system was fucked from the start. Jen Cooke is a social worker who deals with the victims of the slave trade and you can see that her life is often one disappointment after another. She provides a lot of the commentary on what slavers do, including raping the poor women until they break. And bear in mind, again, THIS SHIT HAPPENS IN REAL LIFE. Cooke is one of those characters you have to feel a lot of sympathy for. She's fighting a losing battle and you wish she could have one victory.
And Viorica.....oh my fucking god. If there was ever a time, when I wished I could reach through the pages and give someone a hug, it would be here. Her story and what happens to her baby.....
For a story like The Slavers, there is no happy ending. The ending shouldn't come as a surprise to anyone but the aftermath is something that will haunt you for a time after. Frank finishes what he started, but the slave trade continues on. The people who were affected by it are no better off, some are even worse off and some give up altogether. The final image of the arc pretty much says it all and while I won't spoil it, it serves as a perfect capstone to an arc that is one of the best stories in the Punisher MAX line.
And now, we move on to Barracuda.
December 27, 2017
En esta ocasión Ennis se adentra en un mundo que no solemos ver retratado en obras de ficción, el mundo de la trata de blancas y la esclavitud sexual es un tema del que se habla en muchos libros y películas, como algo que está ahí, pero pocas veces se trata en profundidad.
Mediante la historia de Viorica, una mujer moldava que fue secuestrada y vendida como esclava sexual a una organización criminal basada en estados unidos, Ennis profundiza en este deplorable mercadeo de seres humanos y en los métodos que emplean para atemorizar a las mujeres y mantenerlas subyugadas.
Una historia muy cruda y oscura, con una fuerte crítica al silencio de los medios y a la indefensión que sufren las víctimas, que no encuentran facilidades ni siquiera en el caso de que consigan escapar.
Mediante la historia de Viorica, una mujer moldava que fue secuestrada y vendida como esclava sexual a una organización criminal basada en estados unidos, Ennis profundiza en este deplorable mercadeo de seres humanos y en los métodos que emplean para atemorizar a las mujeres y mantenerlas subyugadas.
Una historia muy cruda y oscura, con una fuerte crítica al silencio de los medios y a la indefensión que sufren las víctimas, que no encuentran facilidades ni siquiera en el caso de que consigan escapar.
January 29, 2024
Cruda, brutal y violenta, fuertemente arraigada en la realidad. Ojalá todas las historias del personaje fueran así.
October 16, 2016
Whatever he was jabbering, it wasn't English. Pavla was Albanian--maybe he was too.
But I'd know the Lord's Prayer in any language.
Gave him a moment. To just before the line about forgiveness.
Originally read 5/25/16, reread today to refresh my memory for an actual review.
My first exposure to the Punisher was via the Netflix series and I ended up with a totally predictable Situation™ about Frank Castle as a result, so I sought out the books that are popularly regarded as his best. And lo, this one is great. I find him an especially fascinating character when he's like this: Frank as a big, quiet, protective man, standing up for those who can't fight for themselves, tearing his way through the bad guys because he's fuelled by anger and revenge for the underdog. I might continue with the MAX run in general, since it's well-regarded.
The Slavers strikes this nice balance of violence but also serious content. It's dark and grotesque; so much so that, thanks to the visual medium, I created an 'ultraviolence' shelf to warn people (I have a strong stomach! and some of the images really turned mine over!). But it's cathartic in that you really want to see these fuckers pay and are rooting for Frank throughout, and Ennis' writing and dialogue is good: It was in that moment that I realized something. A dull, blurred feeling that I'd had since this whole mess began, all of a sudden crystal clear. It had been a long, long time since I hated anyone the way I hated them.
Human slavery and sex trafficking is awful, a vicious cycle that can't be stopped, entire corrupt economies built on the backs of this suffering. The Slavers touches on that futility, and Frank knows it, but he'll still do his little part to make it a little bit better for the victims. Like a boy with his finger in the dam. The side characters are also good: ordinary citizens trying their best to do what they can, even if it's just two good-hearted cops taking a stand against corruption & homophobia & racism. (What great diversity here, too, with LGBT characters and women and people of colour backing up Frank's cast.)
Leandro Fernandez' art is great: moody and dark and realistic, and pairs well with Tim Bradstreet's covers (which are like... my favourite thing in comicdom). I'm an old fan of Garth Ennis' batshit nuts turns on Hellblazer, so I had a bit of an idea of what to expect here, and dipping into the Punisher series via his writing was a great way for me to begin. 4.5 stars.
April 27, 2017
This arc was the most emotional so far and tackled an issue that is hidden well, but growing more advanced with time: human traficking. Even victories in this field are short-lived as the men who organize these things never stop.
Frank rescues a young woman, Viorica, from a bunch of mobsters he takes out. He then escapes from two cops with the girl in tow. The police captain, at lieutenant Westin's recommendation, wants to start a media campaign against the Punisher based on those two cops while Frank targets the people who killed Viorica's baby.
Frank rescues a young woman, Viorica, from a bunch of mobsters he takes out. He then escapes from two cops with the girl in tow. The police captain, at lieutenant Westin's recommendation, wants to start a media campaign against the Punisher based on those two cops while Frank targets the people who killed Viorica's baby.
December 17, 2014
The Punisher MAX titles are always a bloody, horrific, and violent experience, but this is the first time that I have been cheering for the awful death scenes. Ennis takes the story away from the usual drug dealer/Mafia field and throws the Punisher against a human trafficking ring and it is a wonderful change of pace. Even Castle knows this is a special vengeance as he says, "It has been a long time since he hated anyone that much".
March 27, 2016
Garth Ennis and Fernendez delivers a classic punisher story that will haunt the reader forever.
Just like Steig Larsson did with the Girl With the Dragon Tattoo.
Just like Steig Larsson did with the Girl With the Dragon Tattoo.
September 14, 2025
When people describe why they love fictional stories or fictional characters (in any and all mediums, but comics especially so) some would point to “escapism” from the real world. But me personally I’ve never believed that, all my favourite stories and characters reflect the real world in some way or have something to say about it. The most prominent example is that of Garth Ennis’ entire Punisher MAX run which uses the character to tackle subjects like the american military and government and justice system, and toxic masculinity and religion. All featured very frequently throughout his run but this arc (The Slavers) focuses explicitly on human trafficking and how truly vile and evil it is - “Because the horror, the unspeakable fucking cruelty just keeps happening.”
Ennis’ stories that use The Punisher to tackle real world issues are hardly the epitome of joy but jesus if this isn’t the bleakest most depressing and nihilistic piece of art I have ever engaged with. Frank’s war on crime has lead him to the most vile group of people he’s come across, human traffickers. The comic very explicitly deals with what these people do in the real world, I won’t go into explicit detail like the comic does but they use human trafficking and sex slaves to turn a profit.
Love how this has Frank come up against his limit. He can’t JUST kill the traffickers, he needs to find more of a solution that will actually help the victims of these crimes. Killing isn’t enough this time, he needs to actually try and save lives. Causing him to work alongside Jen Cooke (a social worker) in trying to rehouse the sex slaves and try to give them a better life, after years of rape and sex trafficking.
Especially like the inclusion of tackling police corruption with the slavers having connections; yet again showcasing how state-sponsored facilities (government/military/police) will often choose profit over actually caring for the people it’s meant to protect. The initial refusal by the police to arrest The Punisher coming from them letting him go free because he makes their job easier, turning to them actively seeking to arrest him due to one of the captains having connections to a trafficking ring is bleak but unfortunately representive of how these facilities can oftentimes work.
The ways in which Frank kills those responsible are very reflective of him letting his hatred take control. It is cathartic yes but the comic does a great job of reminding us that these issues will continue to go on, and that nothing can truly be done to stop them. “It was in that moment that I realized something. A dull, blurred feeling that I’d had since this whole mess began, all of a sudden crystal clear. It had been a long, long time since I hated anyone the way I hated them.”
I would love to go into detail about how great this entire comic is but it’s just too difficult to put into words how gut-wrenching, heart-breaking, and bleak the entire thing is. This comic is very much my main example of how art can and should make you uncomfortable and shouldn’t just be there to back-up your pre-established views but can instead confront you as a person and your worldview.
“Cooke did tell me how the girls were doing. I rescued them, she said; she thought I’d want to know. Visas or not, their old life took it’s toll. One went back to hooking. One’s just gone. Two are definitely dead. The other three are doing well enough.
And Viorcia. The girl this started with, screaming into the Brooklyn rain. Some days are good. Some days aren’t. All she can do is live what life they left her.”
Ennis’ stories that use The Punisher to tackle real world issues are hardly the epitome of joy but jesus if this isn’t the bleakest most depressing and nihilistic piece of art I have ever engaged with. Frank’s war on crime has lead him to the most vile group of people he’s come across, human traffickers. The comic very explicitly deals with what these people do in the real world, I won’t go into explicit detail like the comic does but they use human trafficking and sex slaves to turn a profit.
Love how this has Frank come up against his limit. He can’t JUST kill the traffickers, he needs to find more of a solution that will actually help the victims of these crimes. Killing isn’t enough this time, he needs to actually try and save lives. Causing him to work alongside Jen Cooke (a social worker) in trying to rehouse the sex slaves and try to give them a better life, after years of rape and sex trafficking.
Especially like the inclusion of tackling police corruption with the slavers having connections; yet again showcasing how state-sponsored facilities (government/military/police) will often choose profit over actually caring for the people it’s meant to protect. The initial refusal by the police to arrest The Punisher coming from them letting him go free because he makes their job easier, turning to them actively seeking to arrest him due to one of the captains having connections to a trafficking ring is bleak but unfortunately representive of how these facilities can oftentimes work.
The ways in which Frank kills those responsible are very reflective of him letting his hatred take control. It is cathartic yes but the comic does a great job of reminding us that these issues will continue to go on, and that nothing can truly be done to stop them. “It was in that moment that I realized something. A dull, blurred feeling that I’d had since this whole mess began, all of a sudden crystal clear. It had been a long, long time since I hated anyone the way I hated them.”
I would love to go into detail about how great this entire comic is but it’s just too difficult to put into words how gut-wrenching, heart-breaking, and bleak the entire thing is. This comic is very much my main example of how art can and should make you uncomfortable and shouldn’t just be there to back-up your pre-established views but can instead confront you as a person and your worldview.
“Cooke did tell me how the girls were doing. I rescued them, she said; she thought I’d want to know. Visas or not, their old life took it’s toll. One went back to hooking. One’s just gone. Two are definitely dead. The other three are doing well enough.
And Viorcia. The girl this started with, screaming into the Brooklyn rain. Some days are good. Some days aren’t. All she can do is live what life they left her.”
November 28, 2018
Το σκηνικό που στήνει ο Garth Ennis είναι ιδανικό για να δοκιμαστούν και να νομιμοποιηθούν κοινωνικά οι αμφιλεγόμενες μέθοδοι που χρησιμοποιεί ο Punisher. Σίγουρα κανένας δεν θα κλάψει για τους αιμοσταγείς δουλέμπορους και αυτό δίνει το πλεονέκτημα στον Punisher να χρησιμοποιήσει κάθε μέσο, όσο βάρβαρο κι αν είναι, προκειμένου να εξοντώσει την συμμορία τους και να προστατέψει τα θύματά τους. Ο Garth Ennis χειρίζεται εξαιρετικά την ιστορία του, βυθίζοντάς μας στον σκοτεινό κόσμο της εγκληματικότητας, της διαπλοκής της αστυνομίας, αλλά και στην αιματηρή πορεία εκδίκησης του Frank Castle. Ο Ennis, ο οποίος έχει μακρά θητεία στα comics με ενήλικη και κοινωνική θεματολογία, μας διηγείται μια σκληρή ιστορία, βυθισμένη στο σκοτάδι των πιο βάρβαρων ενστίκτων της ανθρωπότητας, η οποία μάλιστα είναι απ’ τις κλασσικότερες ιστορίες του Punisher.
Βέβαια, αξίζει ένας περαιτέρω προβληματισμός στο συγκεκριμένο comic. Αν προσπαθήσουμε να εκλογικεύσουμε τον ηθικό κώδικα του Punisher και να τον εντάξουμε στις συνθήκες της πραγματικής ζωής, θέτοντας τον προβληματισμό για τα όρια των αντεγκληματικών μεθόδων (εν προκειμένω για τα όρια της δράσης των superheroes), μάλλον θα πρέπει να συμφωνήσουμε περισσότερο με τον Batman (ή τον Captain America) και όχι με τον Punisher. Ο Frank Castle, θυμίζει με τη δράση του διάφορους άλλους αυταρχικούς χαρακτήρες, οι οποίοι υπηρετούν συνήθως ολοκληρωτικά καθεστώτα, όπως είναι ο Judge Dredd ή ο Superman του Injustice.
Κριτική στο Smassing Culture
Βέβαια, αξίζει ένας περαιτέρω προβληματισμός στο συγκεκριμένο comic. Αν προσπαθήσουμε να εκλογικεύσουμε τον ηθικό κώδικα του Punisher και να τον εντάξουμε στις συνθήκες της πραγματικής ζωής, θέτοντας τον προβληματισμό για τα όρια των αντεγκληματικών μεθόδων (εν προκειμένω για τα όρια της δράσης των superheroes), μάλλον θα πρέπει να συμφωνήσουμε περισσότερο με τον Batman (ή τον Captain America) και όχι με τον Punisher. Ο Frank Castle, θυμίζει με τη δράση του διάφορους άλλους αυταρχικούς χαρακτήρες, οι οποίοι υπηρετούν συνήθως ολοκληρωτικά καθεστώτα, όπως είναι ο Judge Dredd ή ο Superman του Injustice.
Κριτική στο Smassing Culture
February 11, 2017
Que burrada más cojonuda. Necesito más!!!!
August 29, 2013
Re-read this for probably the third time,
and this is a gritty,
dark
and solid story
with superb art and writing!
and this is a gritty,
dark
and solid story
with superb art and writing!
June 7, 2025
Aunque es una obra muy violenta con un tema muy escabroso, curiosamente no me ha impactado tanto como me esperaba. Tiene una fama merecida, pero iba ya tan preparado y tan dispuesto a encontrarme barbaridades escandalosas, que al final me ha afectado poco. Expone una realidad muy sucia que suele ser tapada en los países desarrollados y el balance final que hace con las mujeres rescatadas no es halagüeño. Normalmente en las películas que sacan el trato de blancas o el esclavismo sexual, el héroe libera a esas pobres víctimas y todas reinician su vida, hay justicia, superan el trauma y colorín colorado este cuento se ha acabado. Aquí no pasa eso exactamente.
Ennis sabe que para crear un relato acertado tiene que enseñar cómo de normalizado y de enraizado están este tipo de explotaciones, como muchas veces funcionan de forma clandestina y las chicas son auténticas prisioneras que apenas pueden ver la luz del sol. Cómo la policía no hace nada y prefiere ocuparse de otros asuntos. Otro factor importante que el autor pone sobre la mesa, es el origen de estos negocios, es decir, cómo surgieron tras la caída del muro de Berlín con la inestabilidad de los estados satélites del comunismo y por supuesto, con las guerras yugoslavas. Sobre esto, quiero dedicar una mención especial al exsoldado viejo loco, posiblemente el tipejo más despreciable y temible dentro de la organización criminal a la que Punisher debe hacer frente. Por lo menos las venganzas que organiza nuestro antihéroe en este arco son muy satisfactorias, ya que no se limita a eliminar a los esclavistas con rapidez y son de esas acciones que llevan a pensar también en el nivel de sadismo al que puede llegar El Castigador cuando se involucra de lleno en su tarea.
ENGLISH
Although it's a very violent work with very gruesome subject matter, oddly enough, it didn't have as much of an impact on me as I expected. It's well-deservedly famous, but I was so prepared and so willing to encounter shocking atrocities that, in the end, it didn't affect me much. It exposes a very grim reality that's often hidden in developed countries, and the final assessment of the rescued women isn't satisfactory. Typically, in films that portray white slavery or sexual slavery, the hero frees these poor victims, and they all restart their lives. Justice is served, they overcome the trauma, and that's the end of it. That's not exactly the case here.
Ennis knows that to create a successful story, he has to show how normalized and entrenched this type of exploitation is, how it often operates clandestinely, and the girls are real prisoners who barely see the light of day. How the police do nothing and prefer to deal with other matters. Another important factor the author brings to the table is the origin of these businesses, that is, how they emerged after the fall of the Berlin Wall, the instability of communist satellite states, and, of course, the Yugoslav Wars. Regarding this, I want to give special mention to the crazy old ex-soldier, possibly the most despicable and fearsome figure within the criminal organization the Punisher must confront. At least the revenge plots our anti-hero orchestrates in this arc are very satisfying, as he doesn't limit himself to quickly eliminating the slavers, and they're actions that also make us think about the level of sadism The Punisher can reach when he gets fully involved in his task.
Ennis sabe que para crear un relato acertado tiene que enseñar cómo de normalizado y de enraizado están este tipo de explotaciones, como muchas veces funcionan de forma clandestina y las chicas son auténticas prisioneras que apenas pueden ver la luz del sol. Cómo la policía no hace nada y prefiere ocuparse de otros asuntos. Otro factor importante que el autor pone sobre la mesa, es el origen de estos negocios, es decir, cómo surgieron tras la caída del muro de Berlín con la inestabilidad de los estados satélites del comunismo y por supuesto, con las guerras yugoslavas. Sobre esto, quiero dedicar una mención especial al exsoldado viejo loco, posiblemente el tipejo más despreciable y temible dentro de la organización criminal a la que Punisher debe hacer frente. Por lo menos las venganzas que organiza nuestro antihéroe en este arco son muy satisfactorias, ya que no se limita a eliminar a los esclavistas con rapidez y son de esas acciones que llevan a pensar también en el nivel de sadismo al que puede llegar El Castigador cuando se involucra de lleno en su tarea.
ENGLISH
Although it's a very violent work with very gruesome subject matter, oddly enough, it didn't have as much of an impact on me as I expected. It's well-deservedly famous, but I was so prepared and so willing to encounter shocking atrocities that, in the end, it didn't affect me much. It exposes a very grim reality that's often hidden in developed countries, and the final assessment of the rescued women isn't satisfactory. Typically, in films that portray white slavery or sexual slavery, the hero frees these poor victims, and they all restart their lives. Justice is served, they overcome the trauma, and that's the end of it. That's not exactly the case here.
Ennis knows that to create a successful story, he has to show how normalized and entrenched this type of exploitation is, how it often operates clandestinely, and the girls are real prisoners who barely see the light of day. How the police do nothing and prefer to deal with other matters. Another important factor the author brings to the table is the origin of these businesses, that is, how they emerged after the fall of the Berlin Wall, the instability of communist satellite states, and, of course, the Yugoslav Wars. Regarding this, I want to give special mention to the crazy old ex-soldier, possibly the most despicable and fearsome figure within the criminal organization the Punisher must confront. At least the revenge plots our anti-hero orchestrates in this arc are very satisfying, as he doesn't limit himself to quickly eliminating the slavers, and they're actions that also make us think about the level of sadism The Punisher can reach when he gets fully involved in his task.
April 12, 2020
Chryste, Panie Ennis... Jestem cały twój. Naprawdę. Nie odłożyłem tego zbioru zanim nie doszedłem do ostatniej strony i to jest ostrzeżenie dla Was. To ten typ opowieść, który do Ciebie trafi, albo nie. Sądząc po średniej ocen Castle trafia tutaj z zatrważającą precyzją i częstotliwością...
Frank podczas rutynowej "robótki" napotyka pewną młodą damę, która sama chciała ukatrupić cel na jaki samotny mściciel się zasadził. Opowieść kobiety jest okropna i zarysowuje Frankowi dość spory problem, z jakim trzeba będzie sobie poradzić. Bo o ile były żołnierz wcześniej nie zajmował się takimi sprawami, to już śmierci dziecka żadnemu "sku..." nie odpuści. Porządny z Franka chłop, taki prosty, ale uparty i lubujący się w dosadnej sprawiedliwości.
Tyle, że naprzeciw niemu stają teraz inni przeciwnicy. To nie ten rodzaj śmiecia, który bierze nogi za pas, gdy widzi jak szatkują kolegę obok. To żołnierze z góry południowo-wschodniej Europy, którzy przeżyli i sami robi rzeczy, które przyprawiają zwykłych ludzi o gęsią skórkę i mdłości. Cristu, jego dziewczyna Vera, czy postrzelony ojciec Tiberiu to bardzo "krwiste" postacie. Tak samo jak postacie dwójki policjantów, którzy są tutaj wykorzystywani do medialnej nagonki na Franka, za domniemaną przemoc, jaką stosuje on wobec policjantów. Ktoś tu rozgrywa własną grę, ale zwycięzca może być tylko jeden...
Ennis czaruje. Kartka znika za kartką, gdzie obserwujemy trochę długie wprowadzenie do całości, eksponujące nam wspomniane postacie i mam troszkę żal, bowiem Ennis szybciutko "pozbywa" się wprowadzonych czarnych, jak i tych lepszych charakterów. Trochę zbędna wydała mi się postać tej opiekunki socjalnej, która jest tutaj tylko od rozdziawiania oczu i łapania się za głowę, co ona najlepszego zrobiła, dając prawie wszystko na tacy Punisherowi. A Frank, jak to Frank, jest brutalny i diablo skuteczny... Choć musi być bardziej makabryczny, tylko taki przekaz trafi do przeciwnika.
Ostatnie starcie z "postrzelonym" ojcem i załatwienie jednocześnie sprawy z kretem w policji jest mistrzostwem świata. Autor ma dar do tworzenia postaci, którym sam strzeliłbym w łeb za to co robią, a jednocześnie sam rozprawia się z nimi rękami Punishera tak, że czuję satysfakcję.
Tu nie ma zbędnych przestojów, wszystko czemuś służy, nawet jeżeli zerkniemy na pewien kadr z "flaczkami" z pewnym obrzydzeniem. Ale to w końcu seria MAX. Przemoc ma być tutaj dosadna. A Punisher to istna maszyna do zabijania, choć czuć, że Frank jest już tutaj stary. Zgorzkniały. Dawno się zatracił w tym co robi. Szkoda mi wątku policjantów, bo polubiłem oboje. Mieli jaja, mieszać się w cały konflikt po tej właściwej stronie. Ale tu jak w prawdziwym świecie. Nie oczekujcie, że za dobre uczynki ktoś Was pogłaszcze po główce. Przeciwnie.
Fernández ma specyficzne rysunki, bardzo dosadne. Czasami przesadza z zarysami twarzy, ale końcu przestępca wygląda od razu jak ktoś mający sporo za uszami, a Ci biedni są odpowiednio bezbronni nawet z wyglądu. Jest tutaj masa krwi i szczegółów. Jeżeli lubicie mięso średnio wypieczone - pozycja jak znalazł dla Was. Mi wypada tylko polecić. To już piąty, znakomity tom, a końca nie widać. Polecam, całym magazynkiem 9mm.
Frank podczas rutynowej "robótki" napotyka pewną młodą damę, która sama chciała ukatrupić cel na jaki samotny mściciel się zasadził. Opowieść kobiety jest okropna i zarysowuje Frankowi dość spory problem, z jakim trzeba będzie sobie poradzić. Bo o ile były żołnierz wcześniej nie zajmował się takimi sprawami, to już śmierci dziecka żadnemu "sku..." nie odpuści. Porządny z Franka chłop, taki prosty, ale uparty i lubujący się w dosadnej sprawiedliwości.
Tyle, że naprzeciw niemu stają teraz inni przeciwnicy. To nie ten rodzaj śmiecia, który bierze nogi za pas, gdy widzi jak szatkują kolegę obok. To żołnierze z góry południowo-wschodniej Europy, którzy przeżyli i sami robi rzeczy, które przyprawiają zwykłych ludzi o gęsią skórkę i mdłości. Cristu, jego dziewczyna Vera, czy postrzelony ojciec Tiberiu to bardzo "krwiste" postacie. Tak samo jak postacie dwójki policjantów, którzy są tutaj wykorzystywani do medialnej nagonki na Franka, za domniemaną przemoc, jaką stosuje on wobec policjantów. Ktoś tu rozgrywa własną grę, ale zwycięzca może być tylko jeden...
Ennis czaruje. Kartka znika za kartką, gdzie obserwujemy trochę długie wprowadzenie do całości, eksponujące nam wspomniane postacie i mam troszkę żal, bowiem Ennis szybciutko "pozbywa" się wprowadzonych czarnych, jak i tych lepszych charakterów. Trochę zbędna wydała mi się postać tej opiekunki socjalnej, która jest tutaj tylko od rozdziawiania oczu i łapania się za głowę, co ona najlepszego zrobiła, dając prawie wszystko na tacy Punisherowi. A Frank, jak to Frank, jest brutalny i diablo skuteczny... Choć musi być bardziej makabryczny, tylko taki przekaz trafi do przeciwnika.
Ostatnie starcie z "postrzelonym" ojcem i załatwienie jednocześnie sprawy z kretem w policji jest mistrzostwem świata. Autor ma dar do tworzenia postaci, którym sam strzeliłbym w łeb za to co robią, a jednocześnie sam rozprawia się z nimi rękami Punishera tak, że czuję satysfakcję.
Tu nie ma zbędnych przestojów, wszystko czemuś służy, nawet jeżeli zerkniemy na pewien kadr z "flaczkami" z pewnym obrzydzeniem. Ale to w końcu seria MAX. Przemoc ma być tutaj dosadna. A Punisher to istna maszyna do zabijania, choć czuć, że Frank jest już tutaj stary. Zgorzkniały. Dawno się zatracił w tym co robi. Szkoda mi wątku policjantów, bo polubiłem oboje. Mieli jaja, mieszać się w cały konflikt po tej właściwej stronie. Ale tu jak w prawdziwym świecie. Nie oczekujcie, że za dobre uczynki ktoś Was pogłaszcze po główce. Przeciwnie.
Fernández ma specyficzne rysunki, bardzo dosadne. Czasami przesadza z zarysami twarzy, ale końcu przestępca wygląda od razu jak ktoś mający sporo za uszami, a Ci biedni są odpowiednio bezbronni nawet z wyglądu. Jest tutaj masa krwi i szczegółów. Jeżeli lubicie mięso średnio wypieczone - pozycja jak znalazł dla Was. Mi wypada tylko polecić. To już piąty, znakomity tom, a końca nie widać. Polecam, całym magazynkiem 9mm.
January 21, 2019
This is my first time reading a comic from Marvel's MAX imprint. I bought this one at a convention around the time the first season of the Netflix series came out, after looking at a list of best-ever Punisher runs and finding myself intrigued--I'm a pretty big fan of the first Taken movie and found it compelling that this particular Punisher storyline tackles the real-world issue of human trafficking.
My feelings after finishing this are torn. Yes, I knew the MAX imprint was created specifically so that the writers and artists who worked on its titles could pretty much do whatever they wanted content-wise, without worrying about appealing to all ages (unlike, say, most of the films in the MCU, which are obviously intended for a more mainstream audience).
That being said, I think this would have been just as powerful a story--more so, honestly--if the language had been toned down. There really wasn't any need to fill the dialogue with as many f-bombs, profanities, slurs, and graphic references to male and female anatomy as there are here.
The violence, of course, is disturbing, but that's to be expected with a character like the Punisher. The whole point is that he crosses lines that others like Daredevil and Captain America are unwilling to cross. I think a character like this is fascinating because he forces us to ask questions about the corruption and the limits of the justice system. Don't we wish, at least a little, in some of our darker moments, that a guy like this was running around out there taking out the vilest of the vile?
"The Slavers" shines a light on one of the most horrific human rights issues out there. I have yet to do my own research on the facts presented here, but the information on how the "industry" works is pretty believable. Thankfully, there aren't any graphic sex or rape scenes; despite the MAX label, the trafficking issue is handled tastefully and realistically without us having to SEE what we're being told about. Words, hints, and other forms of indirect storytelling are quite enough to make us feel the horror.
I guess if pushed I'd give this a 3.5 out of 5 for the sheer force of the plot and the importance of its message about human trafficking. But man, I wish they'd found a way to tell this story without all the colorful metaphors (as Spock might have termed it). That really makes it hard to recommend it to most of my friends.
My feelings after finishing this are torn. Yes, I knew the MAX imprint was created specifically so that the writers and artists who worked on its titles could pretty much do whatever they wanted content-wise, without worrying about appealing to all ages (unlike, say, most of the films in the MCU, which are obviously intended for a more mainstream audience).
That being said, I think this would have been just as powerful a story--more so, honestly--if the language had been toned down. There really wasn't any need to fill the dialogue with as many f-bombs, profanities, slurs, and graphic references to male and female anatomy as there are here.
The violence, of course, is disturbing, but that's to be expected with a character like the Punisher. The whole point is that he crosses lines that others like Daredevil and Captain America are unwilling to cross. I think a character like this is fascinating because he forces us to ask questions about the corruption and the limits of the justice system. Don't we wish, at least a little, in some of our darker moments, that a guy like this was running around out there taking out the vilest of the vile?
"The Slavers" shines a light on one of the most horrific human rights issues out there. I have yet to do my own research on the facts presented here, but the information on how the "industry" works is pretty believable. Thankfully, there aren't any graphic sex or rape scenes; despite the MAX label, the trafficking issue is handled tastefully and realistically without us having to SEE what we're being told about. Words, hints, and other forms of indirect storytelling are quite enough to make us feel the horror.
I guess if pushed I'd give this a 3.5 out of 5 for the sheer force of the plot and the importance of its message about human trafficking. But man, I wish they'd found a way to tell this story without all the colorful metaphors (as Spock might have termed it). That really makes it hard to recommend it to most of my friends.
May 19, 2024
The Punisher Vol. 5 The Slavers
Author Garth Ennis
Marvel MAX Collects issues 25 -30
Frank saves a woman from four thugs in a Brooklyn alley. There was no one to save the thugs.
Two police officers, Russ and Marcie, arrive. Too late. More on them later.
The intended victim, Viorica, tells the Punisher her story. At the age of fifteen, she had been beaten, raped, and prostituted. “When she was done, I knew a lot of men would have to die.”
Meanwhile, the before-mentioned cops are coerced by their superiors, Detective Westin and Captain Price, to say the Punisher brutally assaulted them. Untrue but the cops wear various braces and casts to sell the lie at a press conference. The result – Open season on the Punisher.
Frank meets social worker, Jen Cooke, who knows Viorica and the real-life horror of the trafficking industry. Frank contacts Jen regarding four trafficked women who need help. The traffickers did not survive. Surprise! Here come the Cops, Russ and Marcie to help.
Frank encounters Cristu, a slaver, and tells him what he needs. Frank is convincing. Exit Cristu.
Cristu’s father, Tiberiu, reacts to his son’s demise. Violently. It’s a shoot-out. They both survive.
Frank meets with Jen, Russ and Marcie. They come to an agreement.
Frank visits Vera Konstantin, an important cog in the slaver operation. It does not go well for Vera.
“Cristu was the businessman. The old man’s a soldier. But you’re the one that makes it work.”
One of the more brutal sequences in the Punisher’s brutal history. So long Vera. It’s a long way down.
Frank has an epiphany. “It had been a long, long time since I hated anyone the way I hated them.”
The Punisher goads Tiberiu into a physical altercation, calling him a coward. Frank triumphs and burns the old man alive as Detective Westin watches. Westin is to deliver a recording of the burning to the European end of the trafficking operation. Frank notes Westin was never seen again.
Miller quit the police force and works with Jen. Viorica has good days and not so good. Like most of us.
Issue 28. Great Cover. An anatomy book and Frank with a carving knife.
This might be the most disturbing Punisher story I’ve read and I’ve read a few.
Author Garth Ennis
Marvel MAX Collects issues 25 -30
Frank saves a woman from four thugs in a Brooklyn alley. There was no one to save the thugs.
Two police officers, Russ and Marcie, arrive. Too late. More on them later.
The intended victim, Viorica, tells the Punisher her story. At the age of fifteen, she had been beaten, raped, and prostituted. “When she was done, I knew a lot of men would have to die.”
Meanwhile, the before-mentioned cops are coerced by their superiors, Detective Westin and Captain Price, to say the Punisher brutally assaulted them. Untrue but the cops wear various braces and casts to sell the lie at a press conference. The result – Open season on the Punisher.
Frank meets social worker, Jen Cooke, who knows Viorica and the real-life horror of the trafficking industry. Frank contacts Jen regarding four trafficked women who need help. The traffickers did not survive. Surprise! Here come the Cops, Russ and Marcie to help.
Frank encounters Cristu, a slaver, and tells him what he needs. Frank is convincing. Exit Cristu.
Cristu’s father, Tiberiu, reacts to his son’s demise. Violently. It’s a shoot-out. They both survive.
Frank meets with Jen, Russ and Marcie. They come to an agreement.
Frank visits Vera Konstantin, an important cog in the slaver operation. It does not go well for Vera.
“Cristu was the businessman. The old man’s a soldier. But you’re the one that makes it work.”
One of the more brutal sequences in the Punisher’s brutal history. So long Vera. It’s a long way down.
Frank has an epiphany. “It had been a long, long time since I hated anyone the way I hated them.”
The Punisher goads Tiberiu into a physical altercation, calling him a coward. Frank triumphs and burns the old man alive as Detective Westin watches. Westin is to deliver a recording of the burning to the European end of the trafficking operation. Frank notes Westin was never seen again.
Miller quit the police force and works with Jen. Viorica has good days and not so good. Like most of us.
Issue 28. Great Cover. An anatomy book and Frank with a carving knife.
This might be the most disturbing Punisher story I’ve read and I’ve read a few.
September 1, 2019
Probably my favorite of Ennis' Punisher run so far. At this stage, Ennis has set up The Punisher as a kind of strange mass murderer . A serial killer specifically obsessed with killing criminals of all types, from petty street thugs to corrupt bureaucrats. He doesn't discriminate, or rank criminals. He simple kills any he encounters, particularly the most putrid.
As such a dark pathological character, we don't always agree with him, while having some sympathy for his work. As a pathological character, there's generally only so much you can actually relate to the characters inner dialogue, but this particular tale really makes you question your morals, and relation to the character.
By going after slavers, we already begin to sympathize as it's the kind of issue most of us are aware of and repelled by. However, it's the other characters in the story grappling with their morality in a very real way, that makes us question how we feel of The Punishers work.
A social worker is doing her upmost best to combat human trafficking, and is getting blocked in all kinds of bureaucracy. This is an excellent choice on Ennis' part. It is often these people doing the most moral work, and getting very little awards, or thanks for their tireless efforts. The true heroes without capes.
Through her eyes we gain some sympathy for The Punisher's work. There is a blind moral simplicity to his work. Those of us who have observed the justice systems in contemporary democracy know very well how obtuse, prone to bias, and open to chicanery the legal system can be. This collection makes one of the strongest moral cases for The Punishers crude and vile methods.
As such a dark pathological character, we don't always agree with him, while having some sympathy for his work. As a pathological character, there's generally only so much you can actually relate to the characters inner dialogue, but this particular tale really makes you question your morals, and relation to the character.
By going after slavers, we already begin to sympathize as it's the kind of issue most of us are aware of and repelled by. However, it's the other characters in the story grappling with their morality in a very real way, that makes us question how we feel of The Punishers work.
A social worker is doing her upmost best to combat human trafficking, and is getting blocked in all kinds of bureaucracy. This is an excellent choice on Ennis' part. It is often these people doing the most moral work, and getting very little awards, or thanks for their tireless efforts. The true heroes without capes.
Through her eyes we gain some sympathy for The Punisher's work. There is a blind moral simplicity to his work. Those of us who have observed the justice systems in contemporary democracy know very well how obtuse, prone to bias, and open to chicanery the legal system can be. This collection makes one of the strongest moral cases for The Punishers crude and vile methods.
September 11, 2022
Tak tenhle Punisher je naprosto boží! Začíná to za deště a má to fajnovou noirovou atmosféru, která mi dala vzpomenou na Sin City. Otrokáři mají perfektní a velmi emotivní příběh. Dokonale vás to vtáhne do děje a vy jste spolu s Punisherem nasraní mocným spravedlivým hněvem. Tak moc, že máte chuť Frankovi nabíjet zbraně. Velký podíl na tom mají povedení záporáci. Z jejich krutosti a bezcitnosti se vám bude vařit krev. Ale můžete si být jistí, že Frank Castle vás nezklame a dokonale naplní vaší touhu po jejich brutálním potrestání. Tento příběh je skvělý také proto, že nesleduje jenom Punishera a jeho protivníky, ale také policisty, kteří se k tomu na začátku připletli. K tomu si přidejte dokonalou kresbu Leandra Fernandeze a barvy Dana Browna a můžete si být jistí, že tohle je jeden z nejlepších punisherovských komiksů.
"A když skončila, věděl jsem, že fůra lidí bude muset umřít."
"A když skončila, věděl jsem, že fůra lidí bude muset umřít."
May 28, 2024
I listened to a podcast about Deadwood once, where one of the hosts described it as going beyond what television was able to do, or portray, like a dog running into an electric fence and then having to shamble backwards and shake itself off.
This feels like the comic equivalent of that. Ennis is at the absolute height of his powers here, the action, the dialogue, the unbelievably vile antagonists. Sadly, jamming the Punisher (even this more realistic version of him) into this real-world storyline, and under the watchful eye of Marvel -even pre-Disneyfication- was just never going to work fully. The whole thing ends up feeling like a queasy mixture of rape-revenge fantasy and PSA that just leaves you feeling miserable. Somehow even more so today than in 2005, when we all thought there was a possibility of things getting better.
This feels like the comic equivalent of that. Ennis is at the absolute height of his powers here, the action, the dialogue, the unbelievably vile antagonists. Sadly, jamming the Punisher (even this more realistic version of him) into this real-world storyline, and under the watchful eye of Marvel -even pre-Disneyfication- was just never going to work fully. The whole thing ends up feeling like a queasy mixture of rape-revenge fantasy and PSA that just leaves you feeling miserable. Somehow even more so today than in 2005, when we all thought there was a possibility of things getting better.
November 7, 2017
Holy...friggin’...crap! If there’s any evidence that Marvel markets exclusively to kids, anyone who pushes that belief is an idiot. Marvel’s MAX imprint removes the kid-friendly vibe of its library to make a hardcore, violent take with their characters. What better vehicle than none other than the Man Without Mercy himself: Frank Castle, aka The Punisher. This super dark, super violent and super well told story has him destroying a sex slave ring in NYC run by an Eastern European mob. Frank rightfully destroys the bad guys in ways that will make people cringe. It’s unreal but it’s a damn solid read that will eradicate any perception that Marvel is just for kids.
February 16, 2024
This is the best volume of the Punisher so far, but also the most disturbing as it touches on some hard-hitting realities.
Frank comes across a woman who has escaped an Eastern European gang who kidnap women and sell them into a life of prostitution. These criminals are horrible. They abduct girls as children and then horribly abuse them before using them as sex slaves.
While Frank knows he can't really make a difference against sex trafficking as a whole, he decides to at least take out this gang. With the gang being as cruel and sadistic as they are, it's kind of cathartic to have the Punisher unleashed on them, and Frank doesn't disappoint.
Frank comes across a woman who has escaped an Eastern European gang who kidnap women and sell them into a life of prostitution. These criminals are horrible. They abduct girls as children and then horribly abuse them before using them as sex slaves.
While Frank knows he can't really make a difference against sex trafficking as a whole, he decides to at least take out this gang. With the gang being as cruel and sadistic as they are, it's kind of cathartic to have the Punisher unleashed on them, and Frank doesn't disappoint.
December 25, 2018
Cómics como este demuestran que Frank Castle no necesita al resto del Universo Marvel, ponlo a perseguir a matones y criminales y será un antihéroe feliz.
En este cómic el Castigador se enfrenta a serios problemas de la realidad que desgraciadamente aún no han desaparecido: la esclavitud y la prostitución. Y lo tratan con la seriedad que el tema se merece.
Ha sido una grata sorpresa que este cómic no haya sido solo violencia gratuita. Hay violencia, pero también hablan con madurez de estos problemas, recordándole al lector que es algo que nuestra sociedad aún debe de tratar.
En este cómic el Castigador se enfrenta a serios problemas de la realidad que desgraciadamente aún no han desaparecido: la esclavitud y la prostitución. Y lo tratan con la seriedad que el tema se merece.
Ha sido una grata sorpresa que este cómic no haya sido solo violencia gratuita. Hay violencia, pero también hablan con madurez de estos problemas, recordándole al lector que es algo que nuestra sociedad aún debe de tratar.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 97 reviews