Punisher… no more! Punisher #12 wraps up the latest volume of the series as Frank must pay for his crimes as he confronts the Archpriestess as well as the heroes knocking on the Hands’ door.
Written by Jason Aaron, Punisher #12 finishes off Frank’s run as the tool of the Hand and the Beast. I’ve read the run off and on, generally disagreeing with Aaron’s story and take on the character. To me, there’s some contradictions to the character that creates some issues with the foundation of him.
The revelation that Frank’s issues went far back before his family’s death or his military service, the return of his wife, and the disclosure that she was going to divorce him really shakes the motivations of the character. Some of it contradicts the Punisher’s past (his being ok with his wife’s return), and it changes the character’s motivations going forward. In other words, this arc has some pretty big ramifications.
Where Aaron does really well is the Punisher’s “trial.” The various heroes, Doctor Strange, Wolverine, Black Widow, and Moon Knight each have their moment with Frank. But, Frank throws their experiences back at them. His point is clear and makes sense, to condemn him makes them hypocrites and just as guilty as he is. The nail though is Maria and how she throws all of Frank’s motivations into the trash. It takes out a driver of the character for decades, the wind from the character in some ways. It’s a moment that the next creative team will have to figure out.
The art by Jesús Saiz and Paul Azaceta with color by Matt Hollingsworth and lettering by Cory Petit is pretty solid. The two styles are very different and on their own would be great but together are a bit too different and it’s a bit jarring. Again, it looks fantastic on their own but overall the combo of these styles don’t quite work side by side.
What you think about Punisher #12 will really hinge on your thoughts about this current take on the character. It adds some interesting aspects to the character but overall it’s a big change for the character that could lay the groundwork for what’s to come.
Story: Jason Aaron Art: Jesús Saiz, Paul Azaceta
Color: Matt Hollingsworth Letterer: Cory Petit
Story: 7.75 Art: 7.75 Overall: 7.75 Recommendation: Read
Marvel provided Graphic Policy with a FREE copy for review
Purchase: TFAW – Zeus Comics – Kindle
