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Punisher: Soviet #1-6
Punisher: Soviet
Garth Ennis returns to the world of the Punisher! A dozen Russian mobsters lie dead at Frank Castle's feet...but he wasn't the one who pulled the trigger. You'd think that the Punisher would celebrate - but if you know Frank, you'll know that this unexpected turn of events just stirs up more questions. Who is Valery Stepanovich? Why did he mow down a room full of mobsters? These are questions Frank is going to answer - and then decide if Valery deserves his own punishment. But what will happen when these two criminal hunters come face-to-face? Seeds planted decades ago in Moscow and Afghanistan are about to bloom bloody in New York City in an all-new tale by the writer who gets Frank Castle like no other! COLLECTING: PUNISHER: SOVIET (2019) 1-6
136 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 9, 2020
11 people are currently reading
302 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
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 81 reviews
August 27, 2020
Frank Castle meets Valery Stepanovich, his soviet counterpart and joins him on his path of vengeance against russian gang-leader Pronchenko, responsable for gory death of Valery's brothers in arms while they were fighting Mujahideen during Soviet–Afghan War.
Storyline is a simple one, with maybe too many shootings, exploding helichopters, but it gets better (and gorier...) issue after issue until its brutal conclusion, not as sick as what Ennis and Burrows previously done on Crossed gruesome horror series, but probably still the most disturbing ever seen in a Marvel comic.
I could nearly imagine Garth Ennis and Jacen Burrows laughing while drinking beer in some pub for convincing the House of Ideas to publish this gore-fest.
Not for faint of heart readers, but this ultra-violent tale about horrors of war and beyond was a five bloody stars for me.
Dasvidania
October 20, 2020
Someone’s taking out Russian mobsters in New York City - and for once it’s not the Punisher! So who’s doing it and why? Frank Castle’s on the case.
Garth Ennis returns once more to The Punisher: MAX and I’m delighted to say Soviet isn’t just his best book in years but one of his best for this title - and he’s written a lot of amazing books in this series!
The story takes a number of twists and turns but it’s never difficult to follow or illogical. The scenes are always interesting and it was nice to see Frank having a capable partner joining him for a change. The new characters are both really well-written. Valery is immediately likeable and sympathetic and it’s not hard to see why Frank chooses to help him. The two have chemistry, which is really unexpected in a Punisher comic - Frank almost smiles once! Even the Russian oligarch’s wife, Zinaida, was fleshed out in a compelling way that she didn’t really need to be but I’m glad she was more than just another disposable pawn.
Joining Ennis is Jacen Burrows, a fantastic artist who never disappoints. For the longest time he drew exclusively for Avatar, a publisher that specialises in explicit violence/gore in its comics, so he brings that experience to Soviet to really earn that MAX label. Not only should kids definitely not be reading this but I’d suggest any adult readers who don’t like seeing extremely graphic violence think twice about this one - I’m thinking especially of the flashbacks to Afghanistan and what the Mujahideen did to Valery’s comrades, which is nightmare fuel.
Though you can always tell that Frank will be ok at the end, I didn’t know what would happen to the others and what the overall resolution will be. And, like the master storyteller he is, Ennis kept me guessing and gripped to the very end. It’s a brutal, unpredictable and satisfying finale.
I’ve got no criticisms to make for this one - Punisher: Soviet is bloody class from bloody start to bloody finish and I bloody loved it! Garth Ennis shows once again why he’s the definitive Punisher writer. Soviet is a highly entertaining read from two mega-talented creators - come back to Punisher again soon, Ennis!
Garth Ennis returns once more to The Punisher: MAX and I’m delighted to say Soviet isn’t just his best book in years but one of his best for this title - and he’s written a lot of amazing books in this series!
The story takes a number of twists and turns but it’s never difficult to follow or illogical. The scenes are always interesting and it was nice to see Frank having a capable partner joining him for a change. The new characters are both really well-written. Valery is immediately likeable and sympathetic and it’s not hard to see why Frank chooses to help him. The two have chemistry, which is really unexpected in a Punisher comic - Frank almost smiles once! Even the Russian oligarch’s wife, Zinaida, was fleshed out in a compelling way that she didn’t really need to be but I’m glad she was more than just another disposable pawn.
Joining Ennis is Jacen Burrows, a fantastic artist who never disappoints. For the longest time he drew exclusively for Avatar, a publisher that specialises in explicit violence/gore in its comics, so he brings that experience to Soviet to really earn that MAX label. Not only should kids definitely not be reading this but I’d suggest any adult readers who don’t like seeing extremely graphic violence think twice about this one - I’m thinking especially of the flashbacks to Afghanistan and what the Mujahideen did to Valery’s comrades, which is nightmare fuel.
Though you can always tell that Frank will be ok at the end, I didn’t know what would happen to the others and what the overall resolution will be. And, like the master storyteller he is, Ennis kept me guessing and gripped to the very end. It’s a brutal, unpredictable and satisfying finale.
I’ve got no criticisms to make for this one - Punisher: Soviet is bloody class from bloody start to bloody finish and I bloody loved it! Garth Ennis shows once again why he’s the definitive Punisher writer. Soviet is a highly entertaining read from two mega-talented creators - come back to Punisher again soon, Ennis!
August 24, 2020
Ennis gets Punisher like few others, understanding how to deploy his revenge wish fulfillment for maximum impact. What makes this tale especially affecting is the horrifically chilling punishment Frank inflicts on the weak-willed bureaucratic villain at the center of the story, who is the very embodiment of Hannah Arendt’s banality of evil.
Burrows’s art is as hyper violent and graphic as the story calls for, though you’re not going to want to read this on a full stomach. Or an empty stomach. Maybe just take your stomach out before you read it.
Also, it’s amazing how not drinking keeps you young: the Punisher says he hasn’t had a drink since 1976 (that’s 44 years ago for those of you who, like me, can’t count to 21 unless you’re naked), right after he fought in the Vietnam War, which must put Frank Castle at least in his mid-60s. Here, however, he doesn’t look a day older than I do. Guess I need to stop drinking.
Burrows’s art is as hyper violent and graphic as the story calls for, though you’re not going to want to read this on a full stomach. Or an empty stomach. Maybe just take your stomach out before you read it.
Also, it’s amazing how not drinking keeps you young: the Punisher says he hasn’t had a drink since 1976 (that’s 44 years ago for those of you who, like me, can’t count to 21 unless you’re naked), right after he fought in the Vietnam War, which must put Frank Castle at least in his mid-60s. Here, however, he doesn’t look a day older than I do. Guess I need to stop drinking.
June 24, 2023
Violent, uncompromisingly brutal the true to form. The Punisher meets his Russian counterpart. A man on his own road of vengeance but now needs to finish it in the Punisher's backyard.
Usually, I don't like swearing, but in this case, it fits as I have no doubt this is how the characters would talk. Is the world read for two Punishers?
The only thing I did not like about this comic was that in some cases, it felt like there was a page missing. Example, I one panel I see a bomb, next I see the aftermath of the explosion but not the explosion. These things seemed to happen all through this mini series. If not, this would have been an easy 5 stars.
It's a very good mini series. Every seemed true to characters and violent through and through. It's pretty much what I expected from the character.
Usually, I don't like swearing, but in this case, it fits as I have no doubt this is how the characters would talk. Is the world read for two Punishers?
The only thing I did not like about this comic was that in some cases, it felt like there was a page missing. Example, I one panel I see a bomb, next I see the aftermath of the explosion but not the explosion. These things seemed to happen all through this mini series. If not, this would have been an easy 5 stars.
It's a very good mini series. Every seemed true to characters and violent through and through. It's pretty much what I expected from the character.
May 18, 2020
Garth Ennis Punisher stories are some of the best Punisher stories I've ever read. He doesn't fail to disappoint with this violent tale.
The Punisher is being blamed for several hits against the Russian mob. The problem is, he did not do the hits. His investigation takes him face to face with a former Russian soldier that brings back certain memories. Valery's unit was wiped out in Afghanistan and the Movb boss was the former CO. Frank and this former Soviet soldier team up to bring down the Russian mob.
The story is fun, the art is quite decent and the violence is always a plus. A great Punisher story, though it helps to understand Castle's military past to explain the connection he had with Valery.
As usual with Ennis, we get a very good rendition of Punisher. Violent, grim and one of the coolest heroes around.
The Punisher is being blamed for several hits against the Russian mob. The problem is, he did not do the hits. His investigation takes him face to face with a former Russian soldier that brings back certain memories. Valery's unit was wiped out in Afghanistan and the Movb boss was the former CO. Frank and this former Soviet soldier team up to bring down the Russian mob.
The story is fun, the art is quite decent and the violence is always a plus. A great Punisher story, though it helps to understand Castle's military past to explain the connection he had with Valery.
As usual with Ennis, we get a very good rendition of Punisher. Violent, grim and one of the coolest heroes around.
May 1, 2021
Garth Ennis returns to the Punisher for another brutal adventure packed with violence and gore. Frank Castle finds himself looking into a mirror as he discovers a veteran of the Soviet-Afghan War using the Punisher reputation to cloud his own bloody trail of vengeance against the leader of a Russian crime family. I would've said stoicism and brotherhood carry the day if a woman hadn't shown up in the middle and stolen the show.
August 2, 2020
A fun Punisher story but nothing amazing. So I will admit I only read one volume of Garth Ennis's Punisher Max series, didn't really like it that much. I always enjoyed his Preacher series, as I enjoyed the characters and writing more. But since this is a new Punisher mini-series from Ennis, I'd thought I'd give it a try.
The story has Frank investigate someone who's hitting a Russian mob family really hard, to which they think is his doing. The issues range from action scenes to long flashbacks and exposition and I mean a lot, to the point where some issues are mostly just that. The story just didn't really resonate with me as much, and while it was still fun to read, I was a bit let down by it. The book definitely earns the Max label though, as in the early issues it wasn't that bad, but later it gets really violent with some panels that made me raise my eyes in how gory they were.
The story has Frank investigate someone who's hitting a Russian mob family really hard, to which they think is his doing. The issues range from action scenes to long flashbacks and exposition and I mean a lot, to the point where some issues are mostly just that. The story just didn't really resonate with me as much, and while it was still fun to read, I was a bit let down by it. The book definitely earns the Max label though, as in the early issues it wasn't that bad, but later it gets really violent with some panels that made me raise my eyes in how gory they were.
March 26, 2020
For what ever reason, issue 6 is not listed on here so I’ll just give my thoughts on the entire 1-6 arc. Pretty nice run. Started off hot and heavy then slowed down for issues 2-3. This however paid off in the end as we learned a lot about Valery which allowed you to connect to his character. One thing is for certain as I’ve said in one of the single issue reviews, this series most definitely earns the Max Comic imprint. Violent and brutal as hell. What Frank did to Pronchenko in the end was crazy. If you’re a Punisher fan, this one is a must read.
January 27, 2024
Not an easy read at times but hot damn one of the best Punisher stories I’ve consumed in a long time.
September 1, 2021
9/10 stars
Garth Ennis is the definitive Punisher writer for me. It's curious how nobody else can as accurately as him use Frank Castle to portray the horrors of war, give them their own nightmarish logic, and even some bloody poetic justice. In case of Soviet, Ennis is also prescient; he seems to be talking about one Afghanistan war, but in reality he talks about them all - especially the newest one. Some of the pages are really freaking spot on today. Hats off, Mr. Ennis. Wish it weren't so.
It's gory, bloody, slick and tense throughout; there's no unnecessary embellishment and no fat to trim. I wish it were a bit longer, and the ending is inexplicably at once a totally over the top and an absolutely fitting nightmare-inducing horror in line with the story, the villain, and Frank's character.
This story also showcases the Punisher as exactly this: a punishing Fury incarnated, infused with knowledge and cold logic, and inescapable. Frank is indestructible because he already resides in the realm of myth. Urban myth, Marvel myth, but myth nonetheless.
...one small minus is for drinking vodka in whiskey glasses. Man, that's just not done. Not even the Punisher can get away with it.
Garth Ennis is the definitive Punisher writer for me. It's curious how nobody else can as accurately as him use Frank Castle to portray the horrors of war, give them their own nightmarish logic, and even some bloody poetic justice. In case of Soviet, Ennis is also prescient; he seems to be talking about one Afghanistan war, but in reality he talks about them all - especially the newest one. Some of the pages are really freaking spot on today. Hats off, Mr. Ennis. Wish it weren't so.
It's gory, bloody, slick and tense throughout; there's no unnecessary embellishment and no fat to trim. I wish it were a bit longer, and the ending is inexplicably at once a totally over the top and an absolutely fitting nightmare-inducing horror in line with the story, the villain, and Frank's character.
This story also showcases the Punisher as exactly this: a punishing Fury incarnated, infused with knowledge and cold logic, and inescapable. Frank is indestructible because he already resides in the realm of myth. Urban myth, Marvel myth, but myth nonetheless.
...one small minus is for drinking vodka in whiskey glasses. Man, that's just not done. Not even the Punisher can get away with it.
March 15, 2021
Let’s make this clear to start with: I’m not Ennis’ biggest fan. Too often too over-the-top, too much gore for shock value and I guess I’m not that much a fan of ultra-violence and gore for its own sake.
But I’m not a hater either, mind you. When the guy’s good-and has restrained himself a bit-, he’s good. He did some brilliant runs on Hellblazer and Preacher has some very good moments for example. But if there is one character he was born to work on it’s probably the Punisher. Tailor-made just for him. I really did enjoy his previous runs and this one might be one of his best.
Frank co-stars with Valery, a former russian soldier on his own path of revenge. Ennis does an excellent job with this character, confronted to atrocious memories- the fate of fifth Coy is the stuff nightmares are made of. He outshines Frank and if you don’t root for him that’s cuz you’re dead.
It’s Ennis and it’s the Punisher so of course it’s violent. Hardcore violent. Mean bloody and gory stuff all over the place. But it serves the plot instead of being the plot. Not for the faints of heart though.
Pacing and storytelling are excellent, lean and clean with some great end of chapters.
As for the art, I’ll freely admit I’ve never been a huge fan of Jacen Burrows. Before this book I mean. Because here I’ll say he outdid himself and produced his best job ever imo. Maybe because he didn’t ink himself and used Guillermo Ortego? I don’t know for sure but his style looks slicker, less stiff and over-detailed than usual though this same sense of details does wonders to illustrate the raw violence involved. Nice colors by Nolan Woodard too.
But I’m not a hater either, mind you. When the guy’s good-and has restrained himself a bit-, he’s good. He did some brilliant runs on Hellblazer and Preacher has some very good moments for example. But if there is one character he was born to work on it’s probably the Punisher. Tailor-made just for him. I really did enjoy his previous runs and this one might be one of his best.
Frank co-stars with Valery, a former russian soldier on his own path of revenge. Ennis does an excellent job with this character, confronted to atrocious memories- the fate of fifth Coy is the stuff nightmares are made of. He outshines Frank and if you don’t root for him that’s cuz you’re dead.
It’s Ennis and it’s the Punisher so of course it’s violent. Hardcore violent. Mean bloody and gory stuff all over the place. But it serves the plot instead of being the plot. Not for the faints of heart though.
Pacing and storytelling are excellent, lean and clean with some great end of chapters.
As for the art, I’ll freely admit I’ve never been a huge fan of Jacen Burrows. Before this book I mean. Because here I’ll say he outdid himself and produced his best job ever imo. Maybe because he didn’t ink himself and used Guillermo Ortego? I don’t know for sure but his style looks slicker, less stiff and over-detailed than usual though this same sense of details does wonders to illustrate the raw violence involved. Nice colors by Nolan Woodard too.
March 29, 2020
3.5 stars. Punisher Soviet is highlighted by issue 3 & 6, where the brutality is most amped up and the lessons are getting doled out. In between, there’s a lot of hemming and hawing about who they’re after and it sometimes grows a little stale. I thought Valery was very well realized and served as a strong compliment to Frank as well. Stuffed with a few gut wrenching moments, Punisher Soviet is a solid quick action fix.
April 11, 2020
We meet a soviet counterpart for the Punisher on a mission of vengeance against a russian mobster who sold out his military unit in the war with Afghanistan. The Punisher gets put in the middle of things and the war is on. Garth Ennis again showed himself to be possibly the best Punisher writer ever. The art was top notch, but the violence level was off the charts, even for a Punisher comic. Not for the squeamish, especially since some of the comic deals with brutality of real wars and not just the usual "Punisher violence." A must for Punisher fans.
November 30, 2020
4.5🌟 I've been reading Garth Ennis Punnisher stories for about 20 years. This was fairly standard. Ultra violent ex/paramilitary characters and gangsters being killed in all sorts of inventive ways. Kind of middle of the road outing but I know I can't help but pick one of these up whenever I see them.
January 24, 2022
Siguiendo la pista de un asesino que acosa a la mafia rusa y que confunden con él, Frank Castle conoce a un veterano del ejército ruso que busca vengar la muerte de sus compañeros de pelotón durante la guerra de afganistán. Inevitablemente surgen afinidades entre ambos que les impulsan a colaborar contra un jefe de la mafia rusa que cuya organización está en proceso de convertirse en negocios legales.
Como siempre que Ennis nos ofrece una aventura del castigador, se trata de una historia cruda y bien contada, destacan los relatos de la guerra de afganistán y un final bastante duro, no es para todos los públicos.
Como siempre que Ennis nos ofrece una aventura del castigador, se trata de una historia cruda y bien contada, destacan los relatos de la guerra de afganistán y un final bastante duro, no es para todos los públicos.
March 21, 2021
#207-#212 PUNISHER: SOVIET #1-6 (Marvel Max, January-May 2020) Explicit Content. If there is a Marvel character that is best suited to tell stories in the adult Max format you could make a good case for The Punisher, the one-man vigilante hero who takes it to the worst of the mobsters.
Some of my favorite Punisher stories (but not all) have been Max titles. For my money nobody does this better than Garth Ennis. PUNISHER:SOVIET makes the short list of some of his most memorable work with this character. The gritty expressive art of Jacen Burrows is a perfect compliment in this hard-hitting brutal story.
Frank Castle/Punisher has been tracking the activities of Russian gangster Konstantin Pronchenko in New York City. He learns that many of the well-planned, methodical, precise, and ruthless hits on that organization bear his mark - - only he didn’t make the attacks. Soon, he’s partnered with Valery Stepanovich, a former Russian soldier and veteran of the Afghan Wars who has a similar reason for wanting to bring havoc to Pronchenko.
The two devise a plan to whittle the Procenko organization down until they can both humiliate and expose the Russian’s plans to pretend legitimacy and earn his credentials by corrupting a U.S. Congressman with campaign funds/influence.
Plenty of mayhem and cruelty. The bodies pile up. However, there’s more to this than grindhouse fare. There’s a message about war profiteers, the brutality of war and terrorism, and a respectful ending that sheds light on the core of Castle’s character. Well done. Definitely not for the younger readers or the squeamish. FOUR AND ONE-HALF STARS.
April 1, 2020
Couldnt find #6 issue on here
June 2, 2025
Ennis always rides the line between grim gore and meaningless super violence. Soviet falls just on the right side, making the excess matter.
January 7, 2022
Garth Ennis writes a mean, gritty little war story/revenge story that's not strictly a Punisher story. Which is maybe for the best? I'm not too familiar with Punisher, aside from the fact that he reflects the ethos of a lot of Proud Boys etc., so maybe we shouldn't be too excited about him as a hero.
Punisher doesn't go down that path here - in Soviet, he's working to take down a Russian crime lord when he discovers that the bad guy is already being assaulted by a third party. Eventually, Punisher and the third party team up in grim, efficient fashion. It's pretty clear throughout Soviet that Punisher and Co. will get their man, it's just a matter of when. And how, I guess. The "how" is, uh, Holy Shit levels of disturbing, but I guess that's Punisher for ya.
I like Punisher here, I'll admit. He's smart and no nonsense. Not the traditional anti-hero, though he's definitely darker than any other Marvel hero. Jacen Burrows's artwork is impressively precise - it reminds me of a less cartoony Joe Sacco. The mid-book jaunt to an Afghanistan flashback seems like an excuse for seasoned war story writer Garth Ennis to crank out a more modern tale of war - it could have easily been its own book. But the flashback works within the larger tale - all of Soviet, really, is a well-oiled machine. Worth a read for Punisher fans and foes alike.
Punisher doesn't go down that path here - in Soviet, he's working to take down a Russian crime lord when he discovers that the bad guy is already being assaulted by a third party. Eventually, Punisher and the third party team up in grim, efficient fashion. It's pretty clear throughout Soviet that Punisher and Co. will get their man, it's just a matter of when. And how, I guess. The "how" is, uh, Holy Shit levels of disturbing, but I guess that's Punisher for ya.
I like Punisher here, I'll admit. He's smart and no nonsense. Not the traditional anti-hero, though he's definitely darker than any other Marvel hero. Jacen Burrows's artwork is impressively precise - it reminds me of a less cartoony Joe Sacco. The mid-book jaunt to an Afghanistan flashback seems like an excuse for seasoned war story writer Garth Ennis to crank out a more modern tale of war - it could have easily been its own book. But the flashback works within the larger tale - all of Soviet, really, is a well-oiled machine. Worth a read for Punisher fans and foes alike.
Read
June 29, 2020"Pronchenko made his money from his comrades' blood. Left the army, did the same thing in civilian life. And, you know, there is worse than him running Russia now. My country was stolen by a bunch of motherfuckers who never shed a single drop of blood for it."
Well, not their own, anyway, or by their own hand.
Someone is killing Russian mobsters, torching their drugs and cash along with the bodies. Naturally, the assumption is that Frank Castle is responsible, but it's not like he's the only dangerous man criminals ever pissed off. Turns out he has a Russian counterpart, and soon the two of them are merrily offing scum together. Well, I say 'merrily'; Frank isn't exactly beaming, but part of the fun is seeing Frank reluctantly accept that he's found a kindred spirit, like when Ron Swanson first met the other Ron. Obviously part of the appeal for Ennis was being able to dig in to the backstory, tell a mainstream superhero comics audience a story of the Soviet experience in Afghanistan, with particular reference to how it parallels the American experience in Vietnam (and indeed, the subsequent American experience in, yes, Afghanistan). But beyond that, he gets to write the Punisher again, something nobody else has done a shade so well, before or since. And especially now Burrows is getting decent colouring, he's the best artistic partner for that since Dillon went to the great pub in the sky. Another brilliant piece of work from perhaps the most consistently impressive writer in comics.
Well, not their own, anyway, or by their own hand.
Someone is killing Russian mobsters, torching their drugs and cash along with the bodies. Naturally, the assumption is that Frank Castle is responsible, but it's not like he's the only dangerous man criminals ever pissed off. Turns out he has a Russian counterpart, and soon the two of them are merrily offing scum together. Well, I say 'merrily'; Frank isn't exactly beaming, but part of the fun is seeing Frank reluctantly accept that he's found a kindred spirit, like when Ron Swanson first met the other Ron. Obviously part of the appeal for Ennis was being able to dig in to the backstory, tell a mainstream superhero comics audience a story of the Soviet experience in Afghanistan, with particular reference to how it parallels the American experience in Vietnam (and indeed, the subsequent American experience in, yes, Afghanistan). But beyond that, he gets to write the Punisher again, something nobody else has done a shade so well, before or since. And especially now Burrows is getting decent colouring, he's the best artistic partner for that since Dillon went to the great pub in the sky. Another brilliant piece of work from perhaps the most consistently impressive writer in comics.
August 29, 2020
I really missed Garth Ennis on Punisher MAX.
Thankfully, this was very much in the same vein. In fact, this is probably the most fucked Punisher MAX story yet.
This is ruthless, brutal, cold hearted shit, through and through. It’s everything that ever made you uncomfortable about Punisher MAX, but with a god damned vengeance. I was legit disturbed by this story.
Man, I fucking love this shit. I hope Ennis never stops writing Punisher. Nobody understands the character like he does.
This is a must read for people who already know what this title by this author means. To everyone else, big fucking trigger warning and tread carefully.
Thankfully, this was very much in the same vein. In fact, this is probably the most fucked Punisher MAX story yet.
This is ruthless, brutal, cold hearted shit, through and through. It’s everything that ever made you uncomfortable about Punisher MAX, but with a god damned vengeance. I was legit disturbed by this story.
Man, I fucking love this shit. I hope Ennis never stops writing Punisher. Nobody understands the character like he does.
This is a must read for people who already know what this title by this author means. To everyone else, big fucking trigger warning and tread carefully.
March 8, 2021
Inizia sembrando un po’ un divertito ritorno di Ennis alle atmosfere più caciarone delle sue prime storie del Punitore, poi prende la via senza sconti delle sue migliori storie di guerra.
Nessuna redenzione, nessuna consolazione.
Ennis continua a dimostrare che nessuno sano di mente dovrebbe volersi immedesimare in Frank Castle e nel suo inferno personale, nel quale è allo stesso tempo dannato e torturatore.
Burrows non si perde un dettaglio, soprattutto nelle parti più estreme.
Nessuna redenzione, nessuna consolazione.
Ennis continua a dimostrare che nessuno sano di mente dovrebbe volersi immedesimare in Frank Castle e nel suo inferno personale, nel quale è allo stesso tempo dannato e torturatore.
Burrows non si perde un dettaglio, soprattutto nelle parti più estreme.
December 1, 2020
Classic Ennis Max stuff. Gruesome, vengeful, and satisfying.
The artist does a good job of channeling shades of Steve Dillon while letting his own style shine.
The artist does a good job of channeling shades of Steve Dillon while letting his own style shine.
February 20, 2021
Pretty good.
October 16, 2021
Harley Quinn Vol. 1: Harley vs. Apokolips
April 26, 2020
3.5 stars. I’ve been reading a lot of Max titles by Garth Ennis lately, and this one stuck out. The amazing art by Jacen Burrows helped with that, but the story was different and interesting enough for a Punisher miniseries, too. Basically the setup is Punisher meets his Soviet equivalent— which sounds kind of blah, but somehow isn’t. It was cool to see Burrows do art for a Marvel book, it’s the first I’ve seen. Him and Ennis are always a good team. Oh and this book was super graphic and brutal.
March 28, 2020
Just guys being dudes. This is my first Punisher comic, picked it up cause the Ennis/Burrows pairing sounded great. A bit disappointed because I though it was literally about a soviet Punisher à la Red Son. It has some Michael Mann vibes at the start and would work perfectly as a movie. Loved the color work which gave the city/street panels a moody, noirish ambiance. Very bloody and violent as expected from Ennis, even though I haven't read his work I'm aware of his style from Preacher and The Boys. Absolutely love the art from Burrows, reminded me of Moebius, especially in the Afghanistan parts. Couldn't get behind the political commentary of the book, felt like it was dealt with very superficially. Valery's backstory story is very common in the war genre (sans specifics) and this book doesn't add much to the topic. The unfair contrast between soldiers and clerks, the suffering of civilians is true of any war and the idea of corruption in the army is true of the police and goverment as well. Then again, I don't think most people will come into it expecting nuanced political arguments. As an action piece it works just fine.
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August 16, 2021A new Ennis Punisher book is always welcome, and with Platoon and this, it seems he can’t stay away from the character (or Nick Fury for that matter). Sadly, this is one of his weaker efforts. I was intrigued after the first issue, with Frank on the trail of a Russian mobster going legit only to cross paths with another guy who wants the latter dead. It’s the middle issues where I was let down: there’s lots of exposition, including, in issue four, one of the most obvious plot device characters I’ve ever seen. But issue three, where we learn about why this new guy wants it in for the mob boss, contains a harrowing scene that won’t soon leave me. Ennis and Jacen Burrows hold nothing back here. The last issue revisits this scene and wraps up the story in similarly brutal fashion. Overall though, I came away from Soviet feeling disappointed by how the story was told, at least by Ennis standards (this is still better than most Punisher comics). Soviet is worth reading for Punisher MAX fans, but I'm not sure it has the staying power of the earlier stories.
June 19, 2021
The Punisher has seen his share of mature stories, but this one takes the cake. I believe it's not just one of the goriest Punisher stories, but one of the most gruesome I've ever read. While the story features the Punisher, a great deal of time is dedicated to another character's back story. It's a brutally bloody, emotional and tragic tale that put him in a vengeful mood not unlike the Punisher's. Fans of the Punisher comics are likely going to enjoy this story, but I'm uncertain who else I can recommend it to - certainly only to readers with a solid stomach.
Konstantin Pronchenko is a Russian mafia boss who has decided to go fully legit. This doesn't sit well with authorities who haven't caught him for past crimes. The Punisher is brought in for probably the last chance to catch Pronchenko in the act. He finds he isn't the only one targetting the mob. There is another, just as skilled and deadly as he is.
Konstantin Pronchenko is a Russian mafia boss who has decided to go fully legit. This doesn't sit well with authorities who haven't caught him for past crimes. The Punisher is brought in for probably the last chance to catch Pronchenko in the act. He finds he isn't the only one targetting the mob. There is another, just as skilled and deadly as he is.
March 18, 2025
Desde luego Garth Ennis está estrechamente relacionado con el Castigador. No por nada, ha sido el autor clave que ha reinsertado de emblemática forma al personaje con el cambio de siglo en las cabeceras Marvel Knights/MAX, para posteriormente volver a guionizar la eterna cruzada antiheroíca de Frank Castle de forma intermitente como en el caso de esta miniserie (o hace poco en otra que enfrenta al Castigador y al viejo Nick Furia en contexto bélico).
SOVIÉTICO parte de una premisa interesante. Una serie de masacres a una organización criminal rusa que busca pasarse a la legalidad se asignan, como puede ser habitual en ese mundo, al Castigador. Pero estas muertes no forman parte de las muescas en la culata del viejo Frank Castle. Lo que bien podría significar un enfrentamiento entre el Castigador "100% auténtico" y un aspirante que podría tener métodos aún más crueles y que necesiten "castigo", pronto se muestra como un "team up" entre dos individuos realmente más parecidos de lo que se creen. Ya solo partiendo de un pasado bélico donde ya atestiguaron lo peor del ser humano y la injusticia global dominada por unos pocos. Pero en este ámbito en el que Ennis parece querer hacer que Frank reexamine su existencia, SOVIÉTICO no hará nada más que sí que dejar una resolución que pueda ofrecer un leve atisbo de humanidad en el Castigador. Pero por lo demás todo supone una arquitrama bastante reconocible del personaje de acabar con una red criminal pero con ayuda extra que pueda ofrecer algo de "variedad" al ya conocido trasfondo personal y bélico de Frank con este otro personaje que parece que era un argumento perdido de alguna de las tantas obras bélicas que maneja Ennis y que podía excusar una miniserie del Castigador sin romperse mucho la cabeza.
Jacen Burrow, quien acompañó el dibujo de las obras de Garth Ennis como el arranque de la enfermiza CROSSED. Engrasa muy bien la miniserie con esas dosis de violencia forzando estándares Marvelitas aún en sus obras más independientes del canon superheroíco. Pero sobre todo me gusta como trata de dotar de gran expresión facial a los personajes. Aunque en esta obra, Ennis desecha mucho de lo que podría hacer memorable este aspecto. También me extraña que dejando claro en la obra que Frank es más viejo que este nuevo anti héroe soviético, este último se vea más avejentado. Supongo que pueden alegar que ha vivido un "infierno" que le ha afectado hasta físicamente para hacer más distinguible a Frank Castle. Pero como tantas cosas en este cómic se ignoran por completo en favor de tener lo máximo posible los cargadores y explosivos bien preparados.
SOVIÉTICO parte de una premisa interesante. Una serie de masacres a una organización criminal rusa que busca pasarse a la legalidad se asignan, como puede ser habitual en ese mundo, al Castigador. Pero estas muertes no forman parte de las muescas en la culata del viejo Frank Castle. Lo que bien podría significar un enfrentamiento entre el Castigador "100% auténtico" y un aspirante que podría tener métodos aún más crueles y que necesiten "castigo", pronto se muestra como un "team up" entre dos individuos realmente más parecidos de lo que se creen. Ya solo partiendo de un pasado bélico donde ya atestiguaron lo peor del ser humano y la injusticia global dominada por unos pocos. Pero en este ámbito en el que Ennis parece querer hacer que Frank reexamine su existencia, SOVIÉTICO no hará nada más que sí que dejar una resolución que pueda ofrecer un leve atisbo de humanidad en el Castigador. Pero por lo demás todo supone una arquitrama bastante reconocible del personaje de acabar con una red criminal pero con ayuda extra que pueda ofrecer algo de "variedad" al ya conocido trasfondo personal y bélico de Frank con este otro personaje que parece que era un argumento perdido de alguna de las tantas obras bélicas que maneja Ennis y que podía excusar una miniserie del Castigador sin romperse mucho la cabeza.
Jacen Burrow, quien acompañó el dibujo de las obras de Garth Ennis como el arranque de la enfermiza CROSSED. Engrasa muy bien la miniserie con esas dosis de violencia forzando estándares Marvelitas aún en sus obras más independientes del canon superheroíco. Pero sobre todo me gusta como trata de dotar de gran expresión facial a los personajes. Aunque en esta obra, Ennis desecha mucho de lo que podría hacer memorable este aspecto. También me extraña que dejando claro en la obra que Frank es más viejo que este nuevo anti héroe soviético, este último se vea más avejentado. Supongo que pueden alegar que ha vivido un "infierno" que le ha afectado hasta físicamente para hacer más distinguible a Frank Castle. Pero como tantas cosas en este cómic se ignoran por completo en favor de tener lo máximo posible los cargadores y explosivos bien preparados.
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