hail to the king

drive-by readings

Marvel Universe vs The Punisher #3 (Marvel) "Partner in Crime" Jonathan Maberry Goran Parlov Lee Loughridge Cory Petit

what we learned: Patient Zero, Spider-Man himself, makes a deal with Frank, to leave him alone and every uninfected human like him, as long Frank dispatches the "King of Death" that's taking out his tribe and recovers his mate (MJ who else?). leading a ragtag group of warriors including Deadpool, Frank learns the job is a bigger crap sandwich than he thought.
oh shit moment: four issues are not enough to deal with each and every death in the Marvel U. and with Frank doing scorched earth, this should be shock and awe at its finest.
what's next: what's the deal with the Kingpin?


uh oh ... so that's what Brand New Day means.

snaps: Punisher MAX #4

... where "The Mennonite" (uber-cool handle, brah) meets up with Frank and trades tips on crippling moves. also, Wilson Fisk's diabolical plan to take control of the New York underworld is coming to fruition. if the Tea Party hires this guy, its all over.

"no, i am going to use a spade. happy now?"


and then there was that time when Donald Blake ran into Frank Castle.


and there goes the next generation of hardcore Mennonite farmer-killers.


hey, hey, hey!! don't you know competent Asian manicurists are an endangered species??


the Mafia's ignorance of technology puts them at par with the Mennonites then?

closing circle

drive-by readings

Punisher Max #3 (Marvel) "Kingpin Part Three" Jason Aaron Steve Dillon Matt Hollingsworth Cory Petit Dave Johnson (cover) here we get our first encounter between Wilson and Frank, and it ends inconclusively, as they end up killing Mamma Cesare, mother hen to the East Coast mafia. its mildly surprising that they didn't shoot themselves after seeing her in the buff - gaaaah. we also have a mysterious assassin in the mix, a Mennonite who's reluctant to go back to his murderous roots, but a family tragedy may give him no choice. though we have an idea somewhat where all of these is headed, Jason Aaron makes it a thrilling slowburn ride.

king of the mountain

drive-by readings

Punisher Max #2 (Marvel) "Kingpin Part Two" Jason Aaron Steve Dillon Matt Hollingsworth Cory Petit Dave Johnson (cover)

after my initial misgivings, this is a better read than i thought. and no, its not because of the sex and violence allowed in a Max title. and no, its not the edgy scary tinkering of the mind of Jason Aaron. nor is it the simple yet powerful etchings of artist Steve Dillon (who could draw Frank in his sleep). no, it must be ... wait, yeah, you're right.

i think there might have been one or two superb Kingpin origin stories in the past, but this version by Aaron takes a backseat to no one. a master schemer and manipulator, the once-bullied fat boy takes his lumps, bides his time, leaves no loose ends, and is poised to take over current mob boss Rigoletto's empire. which leaves him obviously on a collision course with the Punisher, whom Rigoletto aims to herd into their crosshairs.

its amazing that the non-superpowered Fisk is considered a 'supervillain' in Marvel canon and has gone toe to toe with everybody including the likes of the Red Skull and Hydra and still manages to survive, time and time again. he'll probably still escape a direct confrontation with the Sentry. ok, that's a stretch.

Jason Aaron is impressing me, as usual.