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The Punisher Kills The Marvel Universe (1995)

by Garth Ennis(Favorite Author)

3.64 of 5 Votes: 3

languge

English

genre

Graphic Novels & Comics

publisher

Marvel Comics

review 1: One of those things that you can imagine arising sometime in the wee small hours as the creators imbibe illegal or very strong things towards the end of a long assignment. Very silly stuff, great fun, ultimately nothing to write home about, but you know you'll keep it for giggles. That said, it is a welcome first inchoate glimpse into the thinking behind the wonderful The Boys... doesn't go nearly as far, of course (how could it?) but that same gleeful sense of pushing the apple cart (and its owner) under a bus shines through. Damn silly, but fun.
review 2: When compared to some of Ennis's better-known works, this is far more restrained and structured. It takes place in an alternate Marvel Universe, where instead of being murdered by mobsters, Frank Castle'... mores family are incidental victims of a superhero battle against alien invaders. Blaming superhumans for their deaths, The Punisher sets out on a war against villains and heroes alike.The story is surprisingly effective, providing insight and a nuanced look into the character of The Punisher. Particularly impressive is the book's multifaceted examination of Frank's mission, which is sadly lacking from much of Ennis's other work on the character.As The Punisher faces heroes such as the X-Men, Captain America, and Doctor Doom, Ennis finds innovative ways for him to fight and defeat these adversaries. Each battle is written and illustrated in a manner reflecting that the diverse tones and rules from different corners of the Marvel Universe. In almost every case, the resolution is believable.There is, however, one major exception. The Punisher's five-page showdown with Wolverine strains believability, and those familiar with Marvel may feel a little cheated. Particularly given Frank's method of handling the rest of the X-Men, which, although abrupt, is convincing and consistent with the team's strengths and weaknesses, the time spent on Wolverine feels drawn out, not to mention illogical.Likewise, many deaths occur off panel, including some of Marvel's most powerful characters, such as the Fantastic Four and most of the Avengers. I suspect that fans of such characters will feel they were robbed of any explanation. However, for the most part, the book works better than you might expect, and while several characters are glossed over, the pacing is well set.Overall, this is one of Ennis's best. His blunt humor and crude jokes are mostly absent here, while his character work remains strong. It tells a good story that longtime fans of Marvel should enjoy. less

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