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Punisher (2022)
Punisher, Vol. 2: The King of Killers, Book Two
The epic showdown is the God of War vs. the Fist of the Beast! As Frank Castle, subsumed by the evil of the Hand, wrestles with devils within and without, the resurrected Maria Castle finds more and more of her memories returning - including the fateful days when her husband first returned from war. Or did he? The all-powerful Ares is coming for Frank with an army of heavily armed Apostles at his back, looking to turn him back into his old self - by murdering his family all over again! But even if the Punisher somehow survives Ares, other forces are gathering to bring him down once and for all. Tainted by demonic evil, can he withstand the onslaught of Daredevil, Doctor Strange and the whole Marvel Universe? Or will Frank Castle be Punisher…no more? Collects Punisher (2022) #7-12.
192 pages, Paperback
Published August 29, 2023
10 people are currently reading
76 people want to read
About the author
Jason Aaron
2,353 books1,680 followersJason Aaron grew up in a small town in Alabama. His cousin, Gustav Hasford, who wrote the semi-autobiographical novel The Short-Timers, on which the feature film Full Metal Jacket was based, was a large influence on Aaron. Aaron decided he wanted to write comics as a child, and though his father was skeptical when Aaron informed him of this aspiration, his mother took Aaron to drug stores, where he would purchase books from spinner racks, some of which he still owns today.
Aaron's career in comics began in 2001 when he won a Marvel Comics talent search contest with an eight-page Wolverine back-up story script. The story, which was published in Wolverine #175 (June 2002), gave him the opportunity to pitch subsequent ideas to editors.
In 2006, Aaron made a blind submission to DC/Vertigo, who published his first major work, the Vietnam War story The Other Side which was nominated for an Eisner Award for Best Miniseries, and which Aaron regards as the "second time" he broke into the industry.
Following this, Vertigo asked him to pitch other ideas, which led to the series Scalped, a creator-owned series set on the fictional Prairie Rose Indian Reservation and published by DC/Vertigo.
In 2007, Aaron wrote Ripclaw: Pilot Season for Top Cow Productions. Later that year, Marvel editor Axel Alonso, who was impressed by The Other Side and Scalped, hired Aaron to write issues of Wolverine, Black Panther and eventually, an extended run on Ghost Rider that began in April 2008. His continued work on Black Panther also included a tie-in to the company-wide crossover storyline along with a "Secret Invasion" with David Lapham in 2009.
In January 2008, he signed an exclusive contract with Marvel, though it would not affect his work on Scalped. Later that July, he wrote the Penguin issue of The Joker's Asylum.
After a 4-issue stint on Wolverine in 2007, Aaron returned to the character with the ongoing series Wolverine: Weapon X, launched to coincide with the feature film X-Men Origins: Wolverine. Aaron commented, "With Wolverine: Weapon X we'll be trying to mix things up like that from arc to arc, so the first arc is a typical sort of black ops story but the second arc will jump right into the middle of a completely different genre," In 2010, the series was relaunched once again as simply Wolverine. He followed this with his current run on Thor: God of Thunder.
Aaron's career in comics began in 2001 when he won a Marvel Comics talent search contest with an eight-page Wolverine back-up story script. The story, which was published in Wolverine #175 (June 2002), gave him the opportunity to pitch subsequent ideas to editors.
In 2006, Aaron made a blind submission to DC/Vertigo, who published his first major work, the Vietnam War story The Other Side which was nominated for an Eisner Award for Best Miniseries, and which Aaron regards as the "second time" he broke into the industry.
Following this, Vertigo asked him to pitch other ideas, which led to the series Scalped, a creator-owned series set on the fictional Prairie Rose Indian Reservation and published by DC/Vertigo.
In 2007, Aaron wrote Ripclaw: Pilot Season for Top Cow Productions. Later that year, Marvel editor Axel Alonso, who was impressed by The Other Side and Scalped, hired Aaron to write issues of Wolverine, Black Panther and eventually, an extended run on Ghost Rider that began in April 2008. His continued work on Black Panther also included a tie-in to the company-wide crossover storyline along with a "Secret Invasion" with David Lapham in 2009.
In January 2008, he signed an exclusive contract with Marvel, though it would not affect his work on Scalped. Later that July, he wrote the Penguin issue of The Joker's Asylum.
After a 4-issue stint on Wolverine in 2007, Aaron returned to the character with the ongoing series Wolverine: Weapon X, launched to coincide with the feature film X-Men Origins: Wolverine. Aaron commented, "With Wolverine: Weapon X we'll be trying to mix things up like that from arc to arc, so the first arc is a typical sort of black ops story but the second arc will jump right into the middle of a completely different genre," In 2010, the series was relaunched once again as simply Wolverine. He followed this with his current run on Thor: God of Thunder.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 51 reviews
December 14, 2024
A fitting end for this limited series but overall it doesn’t seem like a Punisher story. Sure there is over the top violence and bloodshed but the character is no longer rooted in the real world. Too much magic and mysticism and the fact that his origin has been completely rewritten.
November 8, 2023
A great book. The book is brutal and action-packed. It's also an amazing story. It is not hard to think of Frank Castle / The Punisher as a tragedy, but the layers added to the character in this book are amazing. This quote sums the book perfectly
"Frank is a simple man. Frank is the most complicated man alive. "
The contradiction of the quote makes for a great story and great character development or character discovery.
Beast has its high slayer. What will a superpowers Punisher unleash on the guilty. It also asks gge moral question to me as a reader should the Punisher be stopped? If so, who has what it takes to stop him? I am surprised at a couple of members as their methods are as brutal as the Punisher's. The book also the book explores the early life of Frank and in between his time of returning from the war to the birth of the Punisher.
This is the most interesting the Punisher have been (possibly ever). The book finishes with an epilogue possibility of new things to come, and a thumbnail varient covers gallery. The end word from Jason Aaron states how proud he is of the book and what he hoped to accomplish with it. I think he should be proud as for me, he accomplished what he set out to do.
"Frank is a simple man. Frank is the most complicated man alive. "
The contradiction of the quote makes for a great story and great character development or character discovery.
Beast has its high slayer. What will a superpowers Punisher unleash on the guilty. It also asks gge moral question to me as a reader should the Punisher be stopped? If so, who has what it takes to stop him? I am surprised at a couple of members as their methods are as brutal as the Punisher's. The book also the book explores the early life of Frank and in between his time of returning from the war to the birth of the Punisher.
This is the most interesting the Punisher have been (possibly ever). The book finishes with an epilogue possibility of new things to come, and a thumbnail varient covers gallery. The end word from Jason Aaron states how proud he is of the book and what he hoped to accomplish with it. I think he should be proud as for me, he accomplished what he set out to do.
July 19, 2023
The conclusion of Jason Aaron's limited series. I had no clue this was a limited series until I finished issue 12!
I recall people were "upset" about the costume change... which just makes me think Marvel readers absolutely hate change. Aaron can't even change the costume for a run without controversy? Or maybe I'm reading into this too much, and it was just fake-controversy stirred up to create interest in the book.
I loved the two very different art styles used in this book. One sketchy/loose style to tell Frank Castle's origin story as a boy and the other a painted realistic look for the modern story of Frank becoming leader of the Hand and going on an annihilation mission to rid the world of evil men.
I recall people were "upset" about the costume change... which just makes me think Marvel readers absolutely hate change. Aaron can't even change the costume for a run without controversy? Or maybe I'm reading into this too much, and it was just fake-controversy stirred up to create interest in the book.
I loved the two very different art styles used in this book. One sketchy/loose style to tell Frank Castle's origin story as a boy and the other a painted realistic look for the modern story of Frank becoming leader of the Hand and going on an annihilation mission to rid the world of evil men.
October 20, 2023
This was one of the most emotionally charged and epically violent graphic novels I have ever read. LOVED IT!
Jason Aaron takes the story he began in the previous Volume and puts Frank Castle through literal and figurative hell. We see how the story of he continued to rise in power as the War Leader of the Hand, see him kill a god, and become to most brutal being to have ever lived.... only to be taken down when he tries to give it all up for love.
Read this. Can't wait to see what "Frank" does next.
High Recommend.
Jason Aaron takes the story he began in the previous Volume and puts Frank Castle through literal and figurative hell. We see how the story of he continued to rise in power as the War Leader of the Hand, see him kill a god, and become to most brutal being to have ever lived.... only to be taken down when he tries to give it all up for love.
Read this. Can't wait to see what "Frank" does next.
High Recommend.
October 19, 2023
Never been a great fan of this character.
Unless a gifted writer gets their hands on it..it all seems violent & one dimensional.
However this limited/2 volume series really pulls Frank Castle apart....switching from his motivations to his current actions.
It might be fitting if this is the last we ever see of this character.
But it's Marvel...so it probably isn't
Unless a gifted writer gets their hands on it..it all seems violent & one dimensional.
However this limited/2 volume series really pulls Frank Castle apart....switching from his motivations to his current actions.
It might be fitting if this is the last we ever see of this character.
But it's Marvel...so it probably isn't
September 2, 2023
I haven’t read a lot of Punisher. Aaron’s series is actually the only Punisher I’ve ever read and I don’t think that’s a good thing for me because it’s going to be TOUGH to follow this up. This run was incredible overall and this volume specifically dealing with Frank’s tragedy and Frank as a tragedy was beautiful. The art was absolutely gorgeous and the writing, especially the narration by Maria made this one an easy 5/5 for me.
September 4, 2023
5
Wow. The last issue really drove home what the entire series is about. It becomes both a testament and judgement of the whole notion of the Punisher, what he has been and done in the comics and what he has come to mean and represent in the real world to different groups of people. This is both celebration and condemnation. He's not a perennial, avenging angel doing the good work others aren't willing to do. He's a murderer because he loves killing people. He doesn't do it because of some BS inciting event. The event is his convenient rationale he tells himself to justify who he is and who he's always been. Brilliant. Violent. Brutal. Gory. Beautiful.
Wow. The last issue really drove home what the entire series is about. It becomes both a testament and judgement of the whole notion of the Punisher, what he has been and done in the comics and what he has come to mean and represent in the real world to different groups of people. This is both celebration and condemnation. He's not a perennial, avenging angel doing the good work others aren't willing to do. He's a murderer because he loves killing people. He doesn't do it because of some BS inciting event. The event is his convenient rationale he tells himself to justify who he is and who he's always been. Brilliant. Violent. Brutal. Gory. Beautiful.
June 9, 2023
The changes that Aaron made with the character of Punisher/Frank Castle did not go over well with many fans, from minor gripes about the new logo and new base of operations to major complaints about tampering with background/history and violating sacred continuity. However, there’s still a good number of readers who like what is happening here, and count me among them.
This is quite different from your standard Punisher tale, but similar in many ways. For best appreciation, Ive been reading this as if it’s a Marvel What If? tale, such as - - what if Frank Castle obtained godlike/superhero powers and had an army of ninjas at his command, abandoning the armaments for a powerful sword, levitating abilities, and flames from his eyes and hands? I fully expected things to return to normal once Aaron completed the storyline.
Comics chatroom speculators are wondering if Marvel is tired of (or embarrassed by) The Punisher, have decided to retire the character, and gave Aaron the assignment of writing his last story. Really? Not a chance, says I. Besides, Frank is still alive following the epilogue in Issue #12, but maybe no longer interested in being the Punisher. More likely, this is Aaron last run with the character. Not a bad way to bow out. I like this as much as his PUNISHER:MAX series, which I recommend you pick up (especially if you like the brutal, punishing stuff).
Synopsis: Frank Castle continues to operate under the deal with The Hand and the influence of their avatar, The Beast. Maria Castle was resurrected from the dead in exchange for Frank leading The Hand, and he takes them on a global mission against criminals of all stripes and persuasions. Ares, the God of War, who considered himself mentor and Frank his student is angered by the new status and goes to war, only to be killed (but probably only for a little while, isn’t he an immortal god?) by the Punisher, the Fist of the Beast.
The backstory is where Aaron makes even more changes to Frank Castle. He didn’t develop these vengeful/fatal justice tendencies only after his family was gunned down in organized crime crossfire, but the roots go all the way back to his childhood (he was a violent badass at a very young age). He’s not motivated by love and loss of family. He’s motivated by love of war. When Maria Castle learns the truth about what lies beneath the shell of Frank she leaves him. That seems to disrupt his motivation and drive, and after he’s dispatched all the baddies on his list he succumbs to the combined efforts of Daredevil, Doctor Strange, Wolverine, Captain America, Black Widow and Moon Knight who break him down.
Summary This is thoughtful, carefully orchestrated introspection by Aaron (as attested by his final words in Issue #12). If you hate the story, you may still appreciate what he was trying to do. If nothing else, the art is amazing and quite a contrast. Jesus Saiz depicts the current activities of Punisher and The Hand in vivid, action-packed images. Paul Azaceta tackles the backstory/history of Frank in a minimalist but intriguing style reminding me of many Vertigo series.
This is quite different from your standard Punisher tale, but similar in many ways. For best appreciation, Ive been reading this as if it’s a Marvel What If? tale, such as - - what if Frank Castle obtained godlike/superhero powers and had an army of ninjas at his command, abandoning the armaments for a powerful sword, levitating abilities, and flames from his eyes and hands? I fully expected things to return to normal once Aaron completed the storyline.
Comics chatroom speculators are wondering if Marvel is tired of (or embarrassed by) The Punisher, have decided to retire the character, and gave Aaron the assignment of writing his last story. Really? Not a chance, says I. Besides, Frank is still alive following the epilogue in Issue #12, but maybe no longer interested in being the Punisher. More likely, this is Aaron last run with the character. Not a bad way to bow out. I like this as much as his PUNISHER:MAX series, which I recommend you pick up (especially if you like the brutal, punishing stuff).
Synopsis: Frank Castle continues to operate under the deal with The Hand and the influence of their avatar, The Beast. Maria Castle was resurrected from the dead in exchange for Frank leading The Hand, and he takes them on a global mission against criminals of all stripes and persuasions. Ares, the God of War, who considered himself mentor and Frank his student is angered by the new status and goes to war, only to be killed (but probably only for a little while, isn’t he an immortal god?) by the Punisher, the Fist of the Beast.
The backstory is where Aaron makes even more changes to Frank Castle. He didn’t develop these vengeful/fatal justice tendencies only after his family was gunned down in organized crime crossfire, but the roots go all the way back to his childhood (he was a violent badass at a very young age). He’s not motivated by love and loss of family. He’s motivated by love of war. When Maria Castle learns the truth about what lies beneath the shell of Frank she leaves him. That seems to disrupt his motivation and drive, and after he’s dispatched all the baddies on his list he succumbs to the combined efforts of Daredevil, Doctor Strange, Wolverine, Captain America, Black Widow and Moon Knight who break him down.
Summary This is thoughtful, carefully orchestrated introspection by Aaron (as attested by his final words in Issue #12). If you hate the story, you may still appreciate what he was trying to do. If nothing else, the art is amazing and quite a contrast. Jesus Saiz depicts the current activities of Punisher and The Hand in vivid, action-packed images. Paul Azaceta tackles the backstory/history of Frank in a minimalist but intriguing style reminding me of many Vertigo series.
January 16, 2024
A fitting conclusion to The King of Killers saga, though I was surprised to see that it barely ties into what's going on over in Daredevil right now. A rare instance where Marvel didn't make the executive decision to mess up a good thing by forcing a tie-in. That alone sells The King of Killers to me!
Of course, there's much more here, including Punisher's final descent into Hand madness, his ultimate battle with the Avengers, and the shocking conclusion . Basically, if you liked the first volume, the second volume won't let you down. As a bonus, it includes more from Maria's perspective! A welcome dose of the feminine perspective in this super masculine Marvel world.
Of course, there's much more here, including Punisher's final descent into Hand madness, his ultimate battle with the Avengers, and the shocking conclusion . Basically, if you liked the first volume, the second volume won't let you down. As a bonus, it includes more from Maria's perspective! A welcome dose of the feminine perspective in this super masculine Marvel world.
March 23, 2024
More of the same quality as volume 1, except with some added "anti-Punisher task force" stuff. It's a lot of fun while also making some deep commentary on Frank's mental collapse as a man.
It gets 4 stars instead of 5 because I think the end (for Frank) is very janky.
It gets 4 stars instead of 5 because I think the end (for Frank) is very janky.
April 15, 2025
okay so here’s my dilemma - if i read too fast and write a review, it forces me to be honest ab how i feel and i won’t forget the story and its nuances BUT
in this case, w more reflection time, i’ve got mixed feelings ab this magic stuff 😞 sorry b.o.b and rivers cuomo, i DON’T got the magic in ME
the change between the art styles was jarring and i wouldn’t mind reading a punisher book w js the older art style tbh
that being said, story-wise i loved how maria (frank’s wife) commentated the most of it - it gives their relationship a lot of depth and explores another part of frank’s tragedy in a way that may not have been possible w/o the magic (in me). i also got shiver me timbers w the process of selecting a “new beast” by the archpriestess
some other characters being there to intervene was ok like strange, cap (being frank’s “hero”), daredevil, wolverine. who didn’t make sense to me? natasha, moon knight
i think for a one-time limited series, aaron and team presented punishers in a never before seen way. esp. for my first punisher comic it gave me lots of insight on the character — gotta give reading punisher in the real world a test drive tho 🙅♂️🪄
3.75/5.
in this case, w more reflection time, i’ve got mixed feelings ab this magic stuff 😞 sorry b.o.b and rivers cuomo, i DON’T got the magic in ME
the change between the art styles was jarring and i wouldn’t mind reading a punisher book w js the older art style tbh
that being said, story-wise i loved how maria (frank’s wife) commentated the most of it - it gives their relationship a lot of depth and explores another part of frank’s tragedy in a way that may not have been possible w/o the magic (in me). i also got shiver me timbers w the process of selecting a “new beast” by the archpriestess
some other characters being there to intervene was ok like strange, cap (being frank’s “hero”), daredevil, wolverine. who didn’t make sense to me? natasha, moon knight
i think for a one-time limited series, aaron and team presented punishers in a never before seen way. esp. for my first punisher comic it gave me lots of insight on the character — gotta give reading punisher in the real world a test drive tho 🙅♂️🪄
3.75/5.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 2, 2023
After reading the first volume and giving it 2-stars for all its terrible dialogue and over-the-top nonsense, this volume surprised the hell out of me with its smartly written, deeply tragic, and propulsive story. This was outstanding, and a return to form from Jason Aaron who had recently seemed to lose touch with his earlier storytelling skills that made him such a sought after writer. A terrific read.
October 28, 2024
Craziest Punisher story I’ve ever read and it’s just so crazy it’s good. Connects to Daredevil facing the hand along with also the rest of the Marvel universe at the time.
December 19, 2023
The Punisher is a complex character. I've never been a huge fan and a lot of the Punisher fanboys really miss the point of the stories. Jason Aaron (writer) does a fantastic job of building a complex story with multiple layers. We go deep into the true motivations of who essentially is a mass murder without the glorification of the character.
Highly recommend picking up these two volumes.
Highly recommend picking up these two volumes.
February 2, 2024
Frank Castle continues on his murderous journey to become leader of The Hand. This journey involves killing as many criminals as possible, but this does not sit well with Captain America, Wolverine, Dr Strange, Moon Knight, and Black Widow who intend to put a stop to a Punisher who now has superpowers and that makes him much more dangerous than he already was. Frank fights for one thing: to end the war he has been fighting all these years in order to finally become the family man he never managed to be. However, as the body count goes up, he will discover a truth he has been hiding from himself since that day in the park, and that will change everything we thought we knew about him.
Overall, this second volume was to me, much more satisfying than the first one. The truth about his relationship with Maria and the exploration of how she sees him were great elements of the story. I would probably have given it 4 stars had it not been for the choices made in terms of giving him superpowers and making him interact with other superheroes. Personally, I always liked Punisher stories better when they were set in a realistic world without heroes in capes, and seeing this well-established character fight around like a ninja with fire coming up his eyes were not appealing to me. Much more interesting were the flashbacks about his past before the death of his family and right after, which got us to understand better what his relationship to his family was and who he was as a husband and father. We also get to know what Maria truly thinks about what the Punisher did over the years, and that leads to the most tragic piece of the Punisher's story, which is tragic in itself.
The end might make it seem like Frank Castle's story is over, but I don't think it is the case since [SPOILER] Frank does not die. There seems to be a promise of a successor, but regardless, I am not too concerned. The Punisher already died in a past series, and that did not prevent Marvel from bringing him back. In addition, the fact that they resurrected Maria is proof that any character is fair game. Let's just hope that we'll keep having many Punisher stories to read in the future.
Overall, this second volume was to me, much more satisfying than the first one. The truth about his relationship with Maria and the exploration of how she sees him were great elements of the story. I would probably have given it 4 stars had it not been for the choices made in terms of giving him superpowers and making him interact with other superheroes. Personally, I always liked Punisher stories better when they were set in a realistic world without heroes in capes, and seeing this well-established character fight around like a ninja with fire coming up his eyes were not appealing to me. Much more interesting were the flashbacks about his past before the death of his family and right after, which got us to understand better what his relationship to his family was and who he was as a husband and father. We also get to know what Maria truly thinks about what the Punisher did over the years, and that leads to the most tragic piece of the Punisher's story, which is tragic in itself.
The end might make it seem like Frank Castle's story is over, but I don't think it is the case since [SPOILER] Frank does not die. There seems to be a promise of a successor, but regardless, I am not too concerned. The Punisher already died in a past series, and that did not prevent Marvel from bringing him back. In addition, the fact that they resurrected Maria is proof that any character is fair game. Let's just hope that we'll keep having many Punisher stories to read in the future.
March 23, 2025
The first half of this run (volume one, which you can check out my review on my profile) was frustrating for me. I felt that Maria Castle lacked a character, I thought that the whole thing was a facade. I had a lot of opinions surrounding the Flashbacks of Frank. While I still don’t really like some of the decisions made (once again I don’t really care about the logo change), I think this second volume — taken in account with the first volume — fulfills upon the promise of the narrative.
The art stayed pretty much the same, I think the main art is a bit glossy but otherwise I had gotten used to it and even appreciate it for what it was doing.
This story plays with this depiction of Castle, the one that’s been a murderer since childhood, and tries to ask the question: is it possible for someone like this to actually love?
Issues 7-12 shifts focus away from the archpriestess to Maria Castle, who stands as this human backbone, a woman murdered, was the central part of one man’s war on crime, and is now alive again.
Genuinely, I think doing this gives us a human voice to the entire narrative.
As Aaron describes at the end of this book, Punisher’s story is a tragedy. It’s not supposed to have a happy ending. By recontextualizing the final days with his family to not being positive at all, Aaron shifts Frank not from the gritty man constantly seeking revenge out of a love for his wife, but a child, trapped in an adult’s body. A child that has seen and done horrors, but a child nonetheless. One of those stubborn kids that won’t speak to anyone about anything — that’s Frank Castle by the end of this.
I think, too, having other voices from members of the Avengers (particularly the ones with quite dodgy pasts as well) is pretty helpful in really giving this character his due diligence.
However, now we have a semi-powered Frank Castle out in some pocket dimension, and this is the last we’ve seen of Frank in the main canon. Will we ever see him again?
I think we probably will, especially with his return in “Daredevil: Born Again.” It makes no sense to leave him behind. I have a few ideas, Marvel. Contact me.
The art stayed pretty much the same, I think the main art is a bit glossy but otherwise I had gotten used to it and even appreciate it for what it was doing.
This story plays with this depiction of Castle, the one that’s been a murderer since childhood, and tries to ask the question: is it possible for someone like this to actually love?
Issues 7-12 shifts focus away from the archpriestess to Maria Castle, who stands as this human backbone, a woman murdered, was the central part of one man’s war on crime, and is now alive again.
Genuinely, I think doing this gives us a human voice to the entire narrative.
As Aaron describes at the end of this book, Punisher’s story is a tragedy. It’s not supposed to have a happy ending. By recontextualizing the final days with his family to not being positive at all, Aaron shifts Frank not from the gritty man constantly seeking revenge out of a love for his wife, but a child, trapped in an adult’s body. A child that has seen and done horrors, but a child nonetheless. One of those stubborn kids that won’t speak to anyone about anything — that’s Frank Castle by the end of this.
I think, too, having other voices from members of the Avengers (particularly the ones with quite dodgy pasts as well) is pretty helpful in really giving this character his due diligence.
However, now we have a semi-powered Frank Castle out in some pocket dimension, and this is the last we’ve seen of Frank in the main canon. Will we ever see him again?
I think we probably will, especially with his return in “Daredevil: Born Again.” It makes no sense to leave him behind. I have a few ideas, Marvel. Contact me.
June 21, 2023
Yes, I am doing another review of a series as whole when read as digital floppies. I should pretty much avoid spoilers, but beware in case I foul up.
I had mixed feelings at the start of this. I think some serious questions have been raised about the character, and the beginning of the series did not go very far as in a new take on Frank Castle, or the basic theme of whom The Punisher is.
But, wow the second half does address some the issues about The Punisher (that could be extended to Batman, and the whole vigilante paperback boom of the 1970s into the 1980s).
When is enough, enough?
Should be a simple enough question and answer, but here it is raised very well. When has The Punisher, or Mack Bolan killed enough people in revenge for what was done to their family? When has Batman done enough and should retire and put his fortune to better use for the community (see The Nightwing storyline where Dick Grayson does most of that).
Now, most of these companies are not going to kill off their profit makers, and rightfully or wrongfully I'll defend a good Batman story and stand by those who have said he should use his fortune differently.
But, in many ways this should be the last Punisher story.
I had mixed feelings at the start of this. I think some serious questions have been raised about the character, and the beginning of the series did not go very far as in a new take on Frank Castle, or the basic theme of whom The Punisher is.
But, wow the second half does address some the issues about The Punisher (that could be extended to Batman, and the whole vigilante paperback boom of the 1970s into the 1980s).
When is enough, enough?
Should be a simple enough question and answer, but here it is raised very well. When has The Punisher, or Mack Bolan killed enough people in revenge for what was done to their family? When has Batman done enough and should retire and put his fortune to better use for the community (see The Nightwing storyline where Dick Grayson does most of that).
Now, most of these companies are not going to kill off their profit makers, and rightfully or wrongfully I'll defend a good Batman story and stand by those who have said he should use his fortune differently.
But, in many ways this should be the last Punisher story.
August 27, 2023
While the back half of Aaron's second Punisher run isn't quite as strong, I overall enjoyed the creative take on the character. This basically works as an alternate take on Punisher: The End, and if this is a coda for the character of Frank Castle, it works pretty well. Though it seems like Marvel is moving on to a new version of the Punisher, I'm hoping that the events from this run continue to drive the characterization of Frank Castle.
Jesus Saiz's artwork originally didn't really work for me, but as the run progressed I definiely bought into what he was doing. There is a bit of a Heavy Metal flair to Saiz's painted look that adds heft to the weighty Aaron script, making for some fairly epic moments throughout. I often felt myself being reminded by Aaron's and Ribic's Thor: God of Thunder run here. Paul Azaceta does a great job with the flashback artwork as well. Overall, this was a solid maxiseries and definitely one of the more memorable titles in Marvel's more recent lackluster offerings.
Jesus Saiz's artwork originally didn't really work for me, but as the run progressed I definiely bought into what he was doing. There is a bit of a Heavy Metal flair to Saiz's painted look that adds heft to the weighty Aaron script, making for some fairly epic moments throughout. I often felt myself being reminded by Aaron's and Ribic's Thor: God of Thunder run here. Paul Azaceta does a great job with the flashback artwork as well. Overall, this was a solid maxiseries and definitely one of the more memorable titles in Marvel's more recent lackluster offerings.
June 3, 2023
This was a good story, but it wasn't really a Punisher story to me. If you can look at it as a What If story, then it's cool. But as canon, I don't like the retconning going on. I'm not really into the Punisher with superpowers, flying around and such. And I don't really like the new background on his family life before he became the Punisher, even though I will admit it's not at all far fetched. I did like seeing the different heroes showing up and interacting, including Daredevil Dr. Strange, Moon Knight, Wolverine, Captain America and the Black Widow.
The ending was interesting, to say the least. Overall, I did enjoy this, particularly as Jason Aaron did try to add a new dimension to a character accused of being one dimensional. To me, however, the Punisher seems to work best when the stories are kept simple. I am interested to see where the character goes from here.
The ending was interesting, to say the least. Overall, I did enjoy this, particularly as Jason Aaron did try to add a new dimension to a character accused of being one dimensional. To me, however, the Punisher seems to work best when the stories are kept simple. I am interested to see where the character goes from here.
June 29, 2024
Dynamic art, a satisfying ending and some fun cameos - part two of 'The King of Killers' delivers on everything that the first book built up. I really found the Punisher to be an interesting character and I really want to see more work featuring him now. The mystical elements of the story somehow felt so natural and blended well with what Frank was going through.
I sometimes really don't like when random heroes appear in each other's stories in Marvel comics because it often feels random. While some of the characters that showed up here did feel that way, I liked the inclusion of three of them. I won't say who shows up because it could be considered a spoiler but two of them made sense for the story and another fits naturally into the Punisher's world.
Would definitely read more comics by this writer and illustrator team.
I sometimes really don't like when random heroes appear in each other's stories in Marvel comics because it often feels random. While some of the characters that showed up here did feel that way, I liked the inclusion of three of them. I won't say who shows up because it could be considered a spoiler but two of them made sense for the story and another fits naturally into the Punisher's world.
Would definitely read more comics by this writer and illustrator team.
June 20, 2023
Same comments as my review for the first volume (iffy on Frank’s backstory, like the psych aspect). I think the issue here is just how much the lore contradicts itself? If the Hand isn’t worshipping Frank, he shouldn’t have powers. Also, where does that giant Hand-Fist fight happen in this timeline before Frank goes reality hopping? And again, why are the Avengers against both Matt and Frank when Matt’s goals align with the avengers to take down Frank? Hell, Natasha and Logan were informed by Matt about this situation, and both Logan and Moon knight were apart of the last Hand-take down squad and know how this all works. I dunno, I read this to understand Daredevil and I think I may just be more confused.
Storytelling is fine. Small contradictions at times, but fine otherwise.
Storytelling is fine. Small contradictions at times, but fine otherwise.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 1, 2024
I never really “got” the Punisher as a solo character. Phenomenal guest character or team-up character, but as a solo? Just couldn’t buy in. Until this book. This book captures Frank in a way that, to me, both perfects the character and explains why I can’t really get behind him as a protagonist. Whether you enjoy this book or not depends entirely on the emphasis you put on Punisher. Street level Punisher? Probably not going to like this book. But when it comes to Punishing? Well, this Punisher is on a level that has never been seen before.
Doubt I could have enjoyed this book. It explained Punisher as a character in a way I have never seen so well defined. And explained succinctly why I cannot support the character as a lead. Interesting.
Doubt I could have enjoyed this book. It explained Punisher as a character in a way I have never seen so well defined. And explained succinctly why I cannot support the character as a lead. Interesting.
September 11, 2023
I love the Punisher. I love Jason Aaron. I was excited to see where they would go together. I have to say this was a let down for me. I’m not a fan of how Frank Castle was depicted pre-Punisher and how that influenced his motivation change from grieving to an excuse to kill.
I still love the character and writer and know nothing is permanent in comics so I’ll wait for a future story to enjoy and until then focus on past stories from them both.
I personally can’t recommend this story to fans but someone totally new to the character might enjoy it without knowledge of the characters backstory.
I still love the character and writer and know nothing is permanent in comics so I’ll wait for a future story to enjoy and until then focus on past stories from them both.
I personally can’t recommend this story to fans but someone totally new to the character might enjoy it without knowledge of the characters backstory.
December 22, 2024
I haven’t read them all, but this has definitely gotta be the best Punisher story ever (don’t get me wrong, I loved Rucka’s run a lot too, I didn’t think anyone was likely to top that, but this is definitely my fav now). Really dug into the character in a very deep way. Love they told the story of him and his family from the start and how real and believable it all was. Love they brought his wife back, love the twisty way it ended between them too, the clashing perspectives. That moment between him and Wolvie towards the end, that was just completely perfect too. Really do wish this author would do another run w Frank after reading this.
June 3, 2023
So, you think you know how things are going to turn out?
You have it figured out?
Guess again.
This is an amazing end to the series with Punisher as 'The Beast' avatar. It takes everything we've known about Frank Castle and flips it on its head. His childhood? Wow. His married life? Dear Lord. His time as 'The Punisher'? Holy hell.
It all leads to an epic conclusion that you won't see coming. (Cliche, I know)
---
Bonus: Meatsuits. Every. Single. One.
Bonus Bonus: Home?
You have it figured out?
Guess again.
This is an amazing end to the series with Punisher as 'The Beast' avatar. It takes everything we've known about Frank Castle and flips it on its head. His childhood? Wow. His married life? Dear Lord. His time as 'The Punisher'? Holy hell.
It all leads to an epic conclusion that you won't see coming. (Cliche, I know)
---
Bonus: Meatsuits. Every. Single. One.
Bonus Bonus: Home?
November 13, 2023
Artwork is great. But the retconning of Frank always being an unhinged psychopath and his wife hating and wanting to divorce him, his wife coming back from the dead, and having this evil cult interested in Frank from even before his family died, just doesn’t seem right to me. Thankfully it’s an Elseworlds book (I hope). Overall it just seems disrespectful to the character and I therefore do not recommend the book.
April 7, 2024
Frank Castle is a man of tragedy.
While this back half maybe gets a little too lost in its dynamics to fully satisfy, I admire the creative effort behind it, especially the art teams. I liked a lot of what's in this story as a whole, especially in a vacuum and as someone who never really grew up with the punisher.
A lot of old heads didn't care for this, but it's weird and it's very Jason Aaron at its core. Good series for the most part, even if the more marvel universe like parts took me out.
While this back half maybe gets a little too lost in its dynamics to fully satisfy, I admire the creative effort behind it, especially the art teams. I liked a lot of what's in this story as a whole, especially in a vacuum and as someone who never really grew up with the punisher.
A lot of old heads didn't care for this, but it's weird and it's very Jason Aaron at its core. Good series for the most part, even if the more marvel universe like parts took me out.
June 1, 2023
Jason Aaron has provided The Punisher with the best ending for the character, even better than Garth Ennis’s Punisher: The End. This series will read great in collections. I do think the coda/epilogue was a real misstep. It felt like it cheapened the series a bit, and it felt a little like a publisher mandate.
October 24, 2023
3 stars for the story, 4 for the art. I liked this overall, but what did it all amount to in the end, really? Did anything change for Frank? Sure, the epilogue suggests such, but I'm not so sure about that. If this was really the end of the road for the Punisher that would be something (and this story would be more meaningful perhaps), but I kind of doubt that it is...
March 11, 2024
This was definitely a very risky story to tell. Yet, it was eloquently told for sure. I have so many things running through my mind about it that it doesn’t seem to help possible to just put into words. It’s not for everyone, but it’s definitely something you wouldn’t have expected from a Punisher story.
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