Punisher War Journal #1 (Marvel Comics)

• Writer: Matt Fraction
• Artist: Ariel Olivetti
• Colorist: Dean White
• Letterer: Joe Caramagna
• Cover Artist: Ariel Olivetti

Breakdown

The Punisher makes his grand entrance back to the Marvel Universe.  He has a chip on his shoulder and SHIELD on his back, somebody has to pay!

Story:  Matt Fraction does a decent job on this first issue bringing Frank Castle back into the Marvel Universe.  But I do have some problems with Fraction’s characterization of the Punisher, to me he came off to much as a dumb tank is this issue.  I grew up in the era where I remember reading his first appearance in the Amazing Spider-Man.  I always did think that Frank is a shoot first ask questions later type of guy, but I also thought he was somewhat tech savy.  I’m not saying he has to be Tony Stark or Batman but enough to handle some of the higher end weapons and to develop strategies.  Considering essentially that he is a one man army and he doesn’t have any back up or support so you would want to see more well rounded modern character.  At times he seemed to be stuck in the 70’s or came off like he was lost in time.  The character narrative seems a little off for the Punisher with pop references and the wise cracks.  I’m a fan of Matt Fraction so I’m onboard for at least two more issues.

Artwork

Ariel Olivetti artwork is nice, the water color effect style works for me on this title.

Ratings (Out of 10)
Story – 5.5
Art – 6.5
Cover – 6.5
Overall Score – 6.2

Bottom Line

Not a top of the stack book by any means, but has some potential.  I can’t recommend to everyone, mainly for hardcore Punisher fans.