Writer: Garth Ennis / Penciller: Jacen Burrows / Inker: Guillermo Ortego / Colour Artist: Nolan Woodward / Letterer: Rob Steen / Designer: Anthony Gambino / Logo Design: Jay Bowen / Editors: Nick Lowe & Kathleen Wisneski / Collects Punisher: Soviet #1 - #6 / TP / Marvel Comics
5th August 2020
The Pitch: A dozen Russian mobsters lie dead at the Punisher's feet and he didn't pull the trigger. Anyone who knows Frank knows this doesn't set his mind at ease. Who is in New York city decimating the Russian mob and how long can it be before they come into conflict with The Punisher?
There's a complex moral debate that must go in the mind of a lot of Punisher readers whenever they pick up an Ennis-authored tale of Frank Castle: On one hand, you find yourself siding with the one-man slaughterhouse known as The Punisher. His crusade, a just war. Taking out the garbage, the Mob, the scum and the filth. People who make a living from others' slow decay and death. From the drug trade, the sex trade, robbery, violence... But then there's the fact that as observers, we must be complicit. We too are supporting violence. Letting Frank go about his war, even rooting for him on occasion. Are we sickened by what he does? Or secretly, way deep down... so we want to be like him? Join him?
ENNIS DOES SO MUCH RESEARCH INTO HIS PUNISHER STORIES THAT YOU KNOW THE WORST PARTS... MUST BE TRUE.
I know which side of that coin I fall on. And I ain’t telling you nothin’, copper! But what I will tell you is this: It's fascinating to see Frank run into a mirror of his own actions in this mini-series from Ennis and Burrows. The story is as above: Frank finds out someone is decimating the Russian mob in a distinct, signature Punisher style. Only it ain't Frank. And so he sets himself a task... find out who. You know how this normally ends, right? Frank's had 'help' before and he hates it. Usually, those who join his crusade end up meeting the sharp end of it. But this time, Frank is told a story that makes him sympathetic to his prospective partner. But there's something that disturbed me after I put the issue down in which Frank is told just who has done what to whom in order to justify the double threat of The Punisher and his Russian counterpart. It's the fact that Ennis does so much research into his Punisher stories that you know the worst parts... must be true.
VALERY ADMITS HIS WEAKNESSES, KNOWS HOW FAR HE'LL GO…
You genuinely feel the building tension and menace in Ennis' Punisher books. After you've read this one, you'll probably be amazed at how much of the book is actually just people talking about the things they know and have seen. That's not to say you miss out on any action. Ennis writes himself and Frank into corners, usually letting a hail of bullets do the typing. Only a hand grenade or self-sacrifice will get Frank and us out of those corners. But here, there's another card to play. Valery Stepanovich, Frank's new buddy also has a cause. One he takes as personal as Frank does. Only you get the sense that Valery is willing to sacrifice everything for it. He doesn't have the unstoppable killing machine vibe about him that Castle does. It's an interesting dynamic to see unfold. Valery admits his weaknesses and knows how far he'll go. And more importantly, he has a goal. An end in mind. If Frank is fighting the war without end, Valery is the man with a mission. Better that you find out for yourself what that mission is. Suffice it to say that Valery’s reasons might be more relevant than Frank’s in today’s world.
The book is a tight 6 issues, expertly essayed by Ennis. Burrows’ art etches the lines in Frank's face perfectly and keeps the action crystal clear and the geography of the violence perfectly framed. Ortego's inks highlight Burrows' lines with precision and Woodard's colours aim for realistic lighting and heightened mood, whilst Steen's letters make the voices sound like boots on gravel – exactly as they should in a Punisher book. As always, there's the lingering sense that right and wrong largely depends on which end of the gun you find yourself on and that Frank's war will never be over and he'll never find peace. But you do get from this story that Valery might. And that makes the bloodshed worthwhile.
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