Quickfire Combo-Reviews: "The Punisher" #5 / "Justice League" #5 / "Deadpool v Gambit" #5

"The Punisher" #5: This is one big slaughter-fest, and it absolutely convinces with its pacing, grit and dialogue. Even Dillon's execution of blood and gore is more spot-on than in earlier issues. The best one so far!?

9/10

"Justice League" #5: That's it? A story that never felt comfortable with itself and never could produce a convincing premise, story, or set of antagonists, ends as you'd imagine: uninspired and overhasty. It's all not doom and gloom though, as the members of the Justice League have generally been portrayed very well by Hitch and Daniel throughout.

5/10

"Deadpool v Gambit" #5: It's over. Finally. This last issue perfectly exemplified what was wrong with the series all along: story, characters and references that constantly think themselves more clever than they really are. Ugh!

4/10

Quickfire Combo-Reviews: "Detective Comics" #938 / "Superman" #4 / "The Punisher" #4

"Detective Comics" #938: We see more and more classic Batman themes and moves in "Detective Comics" recently, and it is all the better for it. The dynamic between Batman and his team has also notably improved, making this a solid read throughout. 

7/10

"Superman" #4: The series seems to have finally found its rhythm and footing, while Jon's significance to it grows with every issue.

7/10

"The Punisher" #4: It's a pure joy how pissed off and angry everyone here just is. Not as violent as you might have hoped for, but still really, really good.

8/10

Keepin' It 360: "The Punisher" #3

It's fast, relentless and absolutely captivating, as writer Becky Cloonan manages to portrait a softer side of The Punisher without ever compromising his brutal and ruthless determination. In line with that is artist Steve Dillon's more human approach to Frank Castle, although his depiction of violence and gore remains unfortunately sub-par.


8/10

Further Links:

The Punisher #1
The Punisher #2

Review: "The Punisher" #2

The Punisher #2 picks up exactly where it left off, for better or for worse. Becky Cloonan still delivers an enthralling story full of grit and grind where the baddies are really bad and the heroes only slightly better. It's not black and white here, but rather black and dark gray. 

However, it seems for every single thing Becky Cloonan gets right on the narrative side, artist Steve Dillon gets one wrong. Characters look weirdly alien and waxy, not being able to add some extra depth to the comic's story. Similarly problematic is his depiction of action scenes and its inherent violence. Blood looks like it was just blotted onto the page and fights seem strangely clumsy and uncoordinated. If Dillon is intentionally going for a b-movie style in his art approach it is, however, by no means supported by the comic's narrative. 

Overall, it is still a highly recommendable comic, despite some major shortcomings in the art department, which keep it from achieving an even higher quality. 

7/10

Further Links:

The Punisher #1

Daredevil/The Punisher #1

Comic of the Day 9/5: "The Punisher" #1

The Punisher, so it seems, is omnipresent right now. Jon Bernthal made him the outstanding character in Netflix' second season of Daredevil and an upcoming standalone series is in production. So it's no surprise that Marvel is going for a "Punisher" comic reboot right now.

And for fans of hard-boiled urban police thrillers with all the classic ingredients (drugs, weapons, brutes, dirty jokes, a sadistically creepy henchman, the mysterious boss), this may be right up their street. Unfortunately, though, Becky Cloonan's solid and highly entertaining story is somewhat diminished by Steve Dillon's largely disappointing art. Faces are unnaturally waxy and motionless, Frank Castle looks like a complete moron, action scenes feel sterile and static and the blood and gore elements have a worrying B movie splatter aesthetic.

There is not much hope Steve Dillon drastically changes his approach in ensuing issues, but as long as Becky Cloonan pens a story that cleverly ticks so many boxes, it should remain a worthwhile read.

7/10