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PunisherMAX, Vol. 1: Kingpin (2010)

by Jason Aaron(Favorite Author)

4.1 of 5 Votes: 4

ISBN

0785140719 (ISBN13: 9780785140719)

languge

English

genre

Graphic Novels & Comics

publisher

Marvel

series

PunisherMAX

review 1: I got into Garth Ennis' run on The Punisher a few years ago, mainly because the MAX line from Marvel let creators show Frank Castle in the type of story that would only work for him: no holds barred. Ennis has since departed the title, leaving the duties to Jason Aaron. Kingpin is the first storyline under Aaron's direction (along with Steve Dillon on art), and it's a doozy. Aaron wisely focuses the majority of his time on Wilson Fisk, but cares enough to draw the necessary parallels between Fisk and Castle, to bring their conflict full circle. The Punisher almost acts as a supporting character in this story, and that's a risky move that really pays off (Frank even spends most of his time fighting anyone but Kingpin here). The jury is still out on whether Aaron will be abl... moree to duplicate Ennis' success on this title, but I'll be checking out future volumes to find out.
review 2: Solid art job by Dillon. He's not my fav artist but I have to admit he's a wonderful storyteller. Keeping it simple but expressive. The story is an interesting premise (MAX Universe isn't in the same as the regular Marvel Universe), it shows the rise of the body guard Wilson Fisk to the Kingpin. I did enjoy the story (although it is a quick read) but there weren't that many "wow" moments that you couldn't see coming once the premise was laid out. The way the Kingpin takes down the other Mob heads stuck me as WAY too easy. And the way the Mennonite assassin finds Frank is absurd. Convenient coincidences like that always strike me as lazy story writing. Frank and Fisk arriving at the same house at the same time - another ridiculous coincidence. And that was my main problem - not enough clever moments, just a lot of over the top violence and the writer setting up a part of the plot using lazy writing. But that aside, I can see how people are excited about the series and I will admit it is fun escapism. Just not clever enough for me to rate it more than a 3/5. less

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