What do you think?
Rate this book
Marvel Universe vs. The Punisher #1-4
The Punisher vs. The Marvel Universe
Collects Punisher Kills the Marvel Universe, Amazing Spider-Man (1963) #161-162, Heroes For Hire (1997) #9, Punisher (2001) #33-37, Punisher War Zone (2012) #1-5, Marvel Universe vs. Punisher #1-4.
The Punisher literally kills the Marvel Universe in a classic tale by one of Frank Castle's signature writers, Garth Ennis! But don't worry, the MU is back for round two — kind of — in a post-apocalyptic war zone filled with cannibalistic super types. Plus: Bullets fly in some of Frank's best clashes with the costumes and capes! He'll come between old pals Luke Cage and Iron Fist, and gatecrash Spider-Man's volatile first meeting with Nightcrawler — this ain't no team-up! Watch him make Spidey, Daredevil and Wolverine look like a Confederacy of Dunces, and prepare to be amazed when the Punisher takes on the Avengers! Yes, even Thor!
The Punisher literally kills the Marvel Universe in a classic tale by one of Frank Castle's signature writers, Garth Ennis! But don't worry, the MU is back for round two — kind of — in a post-apocalyptic war zone filled with cannibalistic super types. Plus: Bullets fly in some of Frank's best clashes with the costumes and capes! He'll come between old pals Luke Cage and Iron Fist, and gatecrash Spider-Man's volatile first meeting with Nightcrawler — this ain't no team-up! Watch him make Spidey, Daredevil and Wolverine look like a Confederacy of Dunces, and prepare to be amazed when the Punisher takes on the Avengers! Yes, even Thor!
458 pages, Kindle Edition
First published February 16, 2016
15 people are currently reading
132 people want to read
About the author
Garth Ennis
2,622 books3,173 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 - 26 of 26 reviews
June 27, 2022
Punisher Kills the Marvel Universe by Garth Ennis & Doug Braithwaite - 3.5 stars
In this version of the Punisher origin, Frank's family is killed during a super battle in Central Park. He declares war on all costumed people and is aided by a group of people who were hurt during super hero battles.
Amazing Spider-Man #161-#162 by Len Wein & Ross Andru - 3.0 stars
Spider-Man's first meeting with Nightcrawler. The Punisher shows up later on and teams up with Spider-Man. Jigsaw's first appearance (in a garish yellow and lavender costume to boot).
Heroes for Hire #9 by John Ostrander & Pasquel Ferry - 3.5 stars
The Punisher has amnesia. A kid hires Luke Cage to save Frank Castle while the government hires Iron Fist to capture the Punisher. Features some pretty terrible Pasquel Ferry artwork from the early 90's when everyone was copying the Image artists.
Punisher #33-#37 by Garth Ennis & John McCrea - 4.5 stars
Part of Garth Ennis's fantastic Punisher run. The heroes that Punisher meets most frequently (Spider-Man, Daredevil, and Wolverine) decide to finally bring him down. He pretty much always has their number and makes them look like chumps. My only complaint is how John McCrea draws Wolverine. He looks ridiculous.
Punisher War Journal #1-#5 by Greg Rucka & Carmine di Giandomenico - 5 stars
This story is pretty much perfect. Great story, fantastic art and coloring. Spider-Man has had enough and sics the Avengers on the Punisher. One by one they go after him and he embarrasses them until the end.
Marvel Universe Vs. the Punisher #1 - #4 by Jonathan Maberry & Goran Parlov - 4 stars
Most of the world contracts a disease that turns them into cannibalistic savages. The Punisher is immune and declares war on all costumed individuals. Goran Parlov's art is just OK but the story is a lot of fun.
In this version of the Punisher origin, Frank's family is killed during a super battle in Central Park. He declares war on all costumed people and is aided by a group of people who were hurt during super hero battles.
Amazing Spider-Man #161-#162 by Len Wein & Ross Andru - 3.0 stars
Spider-Man's first meeting with Nightcrawler. The Punisher shows up later on and teams up with Spider-Man. Jigsaw's first appearance (in a garish yellow and lavender costume to boot).
Heroes for Hire #9 by John Ostrander & Pasquel Ferry - 3.5 stars
The Punisher has amnesia. A kid hires Luke Cage to save Frank Castle while the government hires Iron Fist to capture the Punisher. Features some pretty terrible Pasquel Ferry artwork from the early 90's when everyone was copying the Image artists.
Punisher #33-#37 by Garth Ennis & John McCrea - 4.5 stars
Part of Garth Ennis's fantastic Punisher run. The heroes that Punisher meets most frequently (Spider-Man, Daredevil, and Wolverine) decide to finally bring him down. He pretty much always has their number and makes them look like chumps. My only complaint is how John McCrea draws Wolverine. He looks ridiculous.
Punisher War Journal #1-#5 by Greg Rucka & Carmine di Giandomenico - 5 stars
This story is pretty much perfect. Great story, fantastic art and coloring. Spider-Man has had enough and sics the Avengers on the Punisher. One by one they go after him and he embarrasses them until the end.
Marvel Universe Vs. the Punisher #1 - #4 by Jonathan Maberry & Goran Parlov - 4 stars
Most of the world contracts a disease that turns them into cannibalistic savages. The Punisher is immune and declares war on all costumed individuals. Goran Parlov's art is just OK but the story is a lot of fun.
December 29, 2017
This had the potential to be bad. Surprisingly it isn't. The entire theme of this volume is stated in the title.
The first story "Punisher Kills the Marvel Universe" is at best a 2 star. A silly premise and a silly story.
Then we are treated to a reprint of an old Amazing Spiderman story where he fights Nightcrawler and the Punisher. Another 2 star "blast from the past", not a compliment, with the outmoded art and stupid blurbs where the hero/villain has to explain what they are doing in a running dialogue. It's old and tiresome.
Then there is a definite upswing with the Heroes for Hire storyline with Punisher going up against Iron Fist and Luke Cage. Not the best out there-but passable.
Then there is the excellent Marvel Knights issues- where Spiderman, Logan and Daredevil try to take down the Punisher. Good story and excellent art. The other stories from the Punisher War Zone and Punisher series all follow the same theme- Punisher vs an array of different heroes. Well done-good story and good art.
It's those last few stories which rescued this volume from a 2 star rating. All in all a good read for any Punisher fan.
The first story "Punisher Kills the Marvel Universe" is at best a 2 star. A silly premise and a silly story.
Then we are treated to a reprint of an old Amazing Spiderman story where he fights Nightcrawler and the Punisher. Another 2 star "blast from the past", not a compliment, with the outmoded art and stupid blurbs where the hero/villain has to explain what they are doing in a running dialogue. It's old and tiresome.
Then there is a definite upswing with the Heroes for Hire storyline with Punisher going up against Iron Fist and Luke Cage. Not the best out there-but passable.
Then there is the excellent Marvel Knights issues- where Spiderman, Logan and Daredevil try to take down the Punisher. Good story and excellent art. The other stories from the Punisher War Zone and Punisher series all follow the same theme- Punisher vs an array of different heroes. Well done-good story and good art.
It's those last few stories which rescued this volume from a 2 star rating. All in all a good read for any Punisher fan.
February 10, 2022
There are quite a few different stories in this book so it's quite difficult to rate it accurately so I'll rate them in this review separately:
Punisher kills the Marvel Universe - 3* - It was a nice story but it didn't really explain how he was able to kill all the characters, especially only really using bullets.
Amazing Spider-Man - 4* - Really enjoyable team-up with a slightly underwhelming end fight.
Punisher War Zone - 5* - An absolutely fantastic series exploring the rules the punisher follows and the fight scenes between him and some of the avengers are incredibly well crafted and thought out. He never wins for any illogical reason which makes it even better.
Marvel Universe Vs Punisher - 5* - Another fantastic series that pits the punisher against 'zombie' superheros and supervillains with explosive fight scenes and twists all the way through.
Punisher kills the Marvel Universe - 3* - It was a nice story but it didn't really explain how he was able to kill all the characters, especially only really using bullets.
Amazing Spider-Man - 4* - Really enjoyable team-up with a slightly underwhelming end fight.
Punisher War Zone - 5* - An absolutely fantastic series exploring the rules the punisher follows and the fight scenes between him and some of the avengers are incredibly well crafted and thought out. He never wins for any illogical reason which makes it even better.
Marvel Universe Vs Punisher - 5* - Another fantastic series that pits the punisher against 'zombie' superheros and supervillains with explosive fight scenes and twists all the way through.
April 3, 2016
A compilation of some of Frank's most notorious kills. A fascinating read! Mr.Castle is one bad-ass motherfucker!! Oh yeah, and it is texted by Garth Ennis, who is also one.........
July 23, 2019
The only did here is the Heroes for Hire, which I got stuck on for several months before pushing through it to the rest of the book, which went pretty quickly. I think my favorite was the final story--the alternate universe one where there's some kind of cannibal virus. Though the Marvel Knights arc was pretty entertaining, too. Ennis writes wolverine like such a dope. I've never been a fan of how violent Ennis can be, but damn he consistently tells good stories that go to unexpected places. He's the only Punisher writer whose stories I'll seek out. I've never been a big fan of the Punisher, either, but in this collection you get a sense of how he might be the most idealistic of all the Heroes in that he was willing to sacrifice his own humanity, his own soul, for the sake of his mission--and now, after all this time without a soul, the mission exists without real purpose anymore because of that missing humanity. It's a bit of an enigma, innit?
August 25, 2016
This book is exactly what the name implies. Frank Castle takes on the various Marvel heroes, and it's usually not pretty. The stories span from the earlier (and cheesier) Marvel days to the more recent Greg Rucka run. My favorite is still the Rucka run. The artwork steals my heart. I love it. Castle is scaled down to hard edges and determination and his partner Rachel Cole-Alves has that same edge of determination in her eyes.
The first story is a what if, the question being that the marvel heroes (the Avengers) unwittingly caused the death of Castle's family, and as such, Castle becomes a one-man kill squad who sets out to eliminate every super-powered person on earth. That was not fun reading. While Castle is always an antihero, I don't like when he's the out and out bad guy. Having him systematically kill all the Marvel heroes was damaging to my psyche and my perception of the Punisher.
There's a few stories my feelings are in-between about. I don't mind when Castle comes into opposition with the Marvel heroes when they don't end in lethal confrontation. There is one story arc where he's very, very mean to Wolverine. Understandable that Wolverine more or less can't be killed, but Castle was downright cruel in the way he incapacitated Logan.
In the last story, it's a post-apocalyptic scenario in which Castle is one of the few remaining humans who hasn't been infected by a plague that has made people into carnivorous monsters, if not zombies. The remaining folks have split up into tribes run by ruthless leaders. Castle's mission is to eliminate the monsters and protect the innocent, and the mission is everything.
Punisher is always single-minded. His psychology is very simple. See criminals punished and deal with bad guys with finality. Typically, he doesn't kill innocents or even good guys, but in the first story, he crosses that line. I didn't like seeing him that way. Anyone who reads this book has to realize that Punisher is definitely not the hero, if he ever is.
Definitely worth reading for Punisher fans.
The first story is a what if, the question being that the marvel heroes (the Avengers) unwittingly caused the death of Castle's family, and as such, Castle becomes a one-man kill squad who sets out to eliminate every super-powered person on earth. That was not fun reading. While Castle is always an antihero, I don't like when he's the out and out bad guy. Having him systematically kill all the Marvel heroes was damaging to my psyche and my perception of the Punisher.
There's a few stories my feelings are in-between about. I don't mind when Castle comes into opposition with the Marvel heroes when they don't end in lethal confrontation. There is one story arc where he's very, very mean to Wolverine. Understandable that Wolverine more or less can't be killed, but Castle was downright cruel in the way he incapacitated Logan.
In the last story, it's a post-apocalyptic scenario in which Castle is one of the few remaining humans who hasn't been infected by a plague that has made people into carnivorous monsters, if not zombies. The remaining folks have split up into tribes run by ruthless leaders. Castle's mission is to eliminate the monsters and protect the innocent, and the mission is everything.
Punisher is always single-minded. His psychology is very simple. See criminals punished and deal with bad guys with finality. Typically, he doesn't kill innocents or even good guys, but in the first story, he crosses that line. I didn't like seeing him that way. Anyone who reads this book has to realize that Punisher is definitely not the hero, if he ever is.
Definitely worth reading for Punisher fans.
April 2, 2017
Marvelicide! If you like Punisher, this is it, too.
October 5, 2021
That was such a fun book. I really picked this up for the first story of Punisher killing everyone. It was good but it could have been longer. I had thought it was a mini series but it felt like a single issue. Still great because I love Garth Ennis.
The end of the book was the other highlight. The marvel universe vs the punisher series seed like it could have been a reboot of the Marvel Zombies books from a few years ago. It was so good and capitivating.
The punisher War Zone story was surprisingly good. I've never read much punisher before this, only relying on my knowledge from the TV shows and ill-fated movies for my knowledge. But holy damn, those were some action packed 5 issues. I would read more books like that all day long.
Gobread this. You won't be disappointed.
The end of the book was the other highlight. The marvel universe vs the punisher series seed like it could have been a reboot of the Marvel Zombies books from a few years ago. It was so good and capitivating.
The punisher War Zone story was surprisingly good. I've never read much punisher before this, only relying on my knowledge from the TV shows and ill-fated movies for my knowledge. But holy damn, those were some action packed 5 issues. I would read more books like that all day long.
Gobread this. You won't be disappointed.
October 28, 2020
I liked this one a lot. It’s got a wide variety of styles and stories. Five different stories all basically about the Punisher going to war against other heroes. There should be at least one story in the lot any Punisher fan would love. I enjoyed them all except for the second book in the collection. It dealt with Luke Cage and the Iron Fist.
September 7, 2017
A huge turnoff for anything superhero.
November 13, 2017
Jesus Christ. The best of Cyclops being a prick, I guess.
January 7, 2018
Great story line except for the last story which i didn't enjoy much overall love the spider man comics in the middle and Garth Ennis bit.
March 6, 2021
Most of these stories are badass. Fun to see so many classic marvel characters in one book.
February 22, 2022
Great collection
November 9, 2022
Cute idea, nothing special though
January 9, 2023
The Rucka and Ennis stories are incredible. The older spidey stories are silly but good stuff for the time they were released. The Heroes for Hire issue was filler.
July 22, 2024
Anything Garth Ennis and the Punisher is just amazing.
The second half of the book is the better half in my opinion.
The second half of the book is the better half in my opinion.
December 23, 2025
A fun read for all Punisher fans
May 15, 2016
The Punisher is an archetype of absolutist justice. Within this anthology of crossover appearances, the reader is treated to various interpretations of what absolutist justice means within competing contexts and realities. The Punisher Kills the Marvel Universe, for example, places this archetype within a perpetual cycle that ultimately undermines itself. If the Punisher punishes those who break the law, what becomes of the Punisher who punishes those lawbreakers outside the parameters of the legal system? This question is addressed throughout the entires with multiple responses, but the bookend to the anthology, The Marvel Universe vs. The Punisher, provides the ultimate response to this question. Is the Punisher who punishes those who break the law outside of the legal system truly a hero, or do people only perceive him to be a hero because the ethically questionable means he executes "justice" through produces ends that benefit their social situation? Is he really a villain we have been misled into thinking he has been a hero all this time?
August 10, 2016
Public library copy.
Another mixed bag of reprinted stories from different eras in comics by different folks. Most of the stories contained inside I'd read before. Some stories I'd rank higher and others lower so the 3 star rating is an average. For any Punisher fan there's probably an interpretation they like in one of the tales.
Another mixed bag of reprinted stories from different eras in comics by different folks. Most of the stories contained inside I'd read before. Some stories I'd rank higher and others lower so the 3 star rating is an average. For any Punisher fan there's probably an interpretation they like in one of the tales.
January 19, 2025
Easy enough to jump into stories and feel current and not confused about how the characters got to that point. Entertaining storylines, but not very complicated. Reveals were pretty expected for me, except for one in particular.
April 20, 2016
I really enjoyed this book. I felt the writers understood the character well and told the type of stories that portray him as an unrelenting vigilante who ironically has a code of conduct.
May 24, 2016
Nothing but complete Punisher awesomeness!
August 21, 2016
Some of the stories in this book were hit and miss, but on the whole it was a nice collection, especially the War Zone entries by Garth Ennis
July 23, 2016
mad guilty fun !!!!
April 21, 2017
It's The Punisher. It's dark, moody, violent, & fun. This book has a few arcs, as about Frank fighting established Marvel characters.
Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews