Punisher: The Trial of the Punisher #2 Review

Writer: Marc Guggenheim
Artist: Mico Suayan

I really enjoyed the first issue of this series as it was nice to see Punisher back in a solo series, and the news since that issue that Punisher will be getting his own ongoing series again made me very happy. Till then however I have been looking forward to seeing the end of this short story.

Plot

The trial of the Punisher continues with Daredevil (Matt Murdock) getting pulled in to help determine whether the Punisher is mentally sane or not.

Review

This was a brilliant issue, as although not quite as good as the first it was still very enjoyable. Marc Guggenheim did a fantastic job with the trial sequences in this issue, once again using his past experiences as a lawyer to great advantage. I did however feel that this issue didn't have quite the same level of tone, as although the trial had a very realistic nature to it, I would have loved the dark, sombre tone that we got in the first issue. Another thing that hindered this issue was the fact that the story should have been at least one issue longer, as although it's a good thing that Guggenheim is keeping it fairly short, the ending felt a bit too sudden to me, whereas one extra issue would have fixed that.

The artwork on this issue was also amazing, as although it wasn't quite as good as Leinil Francis Yu's art from the first issue, it was still outstanding, and Mico Suayan did a fantastic job. What I liked most about Suayan taking over in this issue was the fact that he has a very similar style to Yu, as although it's easy to tell the two apart, it makes it more natural flowing between both issues. Sunny Gho's colours would also help with this as well, keeping the same tone that made the first issue so intense. I also really enjoyed the amazing layouts from Suayan, as although the characters facial expressions were slightly awkward at times, the layouts would add a lot of depth to the issue, making it more dramatic.

The main argument during the trial would be whether or not the Punisher crazy or sane. Now although I personally feel that Punisher knows exactly what he's doing, it's a good idea to question whether he's mentally healthy or not, as although he may know exactly what he is doing, has he deluded himself into thinking that this is acceptable? Again I personally doubt that, but it is a good arguing point, and I enjoyed how Guggenheim utilised this in this story, with the defence for and against Punisher being sane or not being very interesting.

This issue would also see Matt Murdock make an appearance. Now I said during my review for the first issue that I was happy that Guggenheim didn't make Murdock Punisher's lawyer, as that would be rather obvious. I did however enjoy his appearance in this issue, as although it wasn't necessary it was handled in a very interesting way, showing some of amazing flashback sequences involving Daredevil and Punisher. I also enjoyed seeing a battle of lawyer wit when it came to whether Murdock would be testifying or not, and although I still feel that this story could have happened without old horn head, it was still a nice appearance.

The main question that I have been asking throughout this short story has been what is Punisher's real motives, as it's obvious that he has a plan, with this issue showing that even more. Now I won't go into any details as to avoid spoilers, but we would get to see Punisher's modus operandi during this issue, and although it wasn't quite as intriguing as I hoped it would be, it would add some excitement to the end of the issue. I do however feel that it would have been better to have made this reveal at the end of the issue, with an extra issue showing how the Punisher capitalised on this.

Final Verdict

This was a fantastic issue, as although it didn't quite live up to the opening issue, it would be a very entertaining issue, having some interesting monologue and dialogue, also having an exciting conclusion. I do however feel that the story could have done with an extra issue, as despite the exciting nature of the ending it was rather sudden. I would however highly recommend this issue as well as the first and can't wait for the new ongoing series from Nathan Edmondson to come out.

Rating: 8/10

Punisher: The Trial of the Punisher #1 Review

Writer: Marc Guggenheim
Artist: Leinil Francis Yu

When I first heard about this two part story I was very happy as I've been hoping for a Punisher solo story for some time now. Added to that the fact that Leinil Francis Yu is doing the artwork raised my expectations more and I hope I'm not disappointed.

Plot

After accidentally killing an assistant district attorney the Punisher (Frank Castle) hands himself into the police, and so begins the Trial of the Punisher.

Review

This was an amazing issue, and a brilliant start two this two part mini-story. Marc Guggenheim did a fantastic job of bringing Frank back to a solo story, as he's always much better working on his own. In this issue however Guggenheim managed to get the tone perfect, with the monologue being simply amazing. The fact that Guggenheim himself used to be a lawyer also helps though, and it's nice to see him use his past experiences to create a fantastic story. Guggenheim also got the characteristic of the Punisher perfect, as although I personally love seeing him taking down mobsters in a shower of blood, the deeper, more character driven stories are also brilliant, especially when you get it right, which Guggenheim has.

The artwork on this issue was simply outstanding, and Leinil Francis Yu didn't disappoint. I have loved Yu's work over the years, and although his more extravagant sequences are overall nicer, it was nice to see him tackle the Punisher, and he did it perfectly. The emotion, or lack of emotion from the Punisher was simply amazing, giving of the perfect vibe and atmosphere. The bits of action were also handled brilliantly, being extremely exciting, and the layouts added great tone as well, and I loved the odd panel that was all white background, as it added some uniqueness to the issue. I also really enjoyed his cover, and especially due to the symbolic nature of it.

This issue would start with Punisher handing himself in for killing the district attorney. Now lets be fair if Punisher was every going to get caught it be on his own terms, as even the Avengers couldn't take him down. I also loved that despite the fact that this may have been a plan for the Punisher, it shows his moral code, as although he kills, he hates to kill innocent people, and especially cops, so I'd imagine that a district attorney would fall into that category. I also loved the way that Guggenheim handled the confession, and this sequences actually made me smile at one point, despite it's serious nature.

Whilst in jail Frank would get a visit from Alberto Benedetti, the capo of the five families, and two goons who look to rough him up. I won't go into much detail about this sequence bar to say that there was a bit of action. I will however also add that the tone of this sequence was also brilliant, as it was very brooding and intense, showing the calculating side of Frank perfectly. I also loved how it kept the great atmosphere that was being built up prior to this, whilst being able to add some excitement on top.

Frank would also be appointed a lawyer named Lisa Santos in this issue, with her being sent from the public defenders office to defend Frank. Now I was half glad that Daredevil (Matt Murdock) wasn't his lawyer, as although that would be cool, with Frank and Matt having brilliant interactions in the past, I could never see Matt representing the Punisher, and would have felt that he'd have stolen some of the attention. I did however really like this new character that was introduced in this issue, as although like most Punisher supporting characters I don't expect to see her again after this story, I loved that she wasn't intimidated by Frank, and that she did her job to her best, even with all that Frank has done as the Punisher.

Final Verdict

This was a fantastic issue, and just what I'd expect to see if Punisher ever went on trial. The issue managed to be suspenseful as well as exciting, also having a couple of mysterious parts as well. On top of this the art was phenomenal, and although it may not appeal to the Punisher fans that only like seeing Punisher killing people, it will appeal to anyone who loves his characteristics, and I'd highly recommend it to them, and anyone else wanting to try Punisher for the first time.

Rating: 9/10

Wolverine: Civil War Review

Writer: Marc Guggenheim
Artist: Humberto Ramos

I read the crossover story Civil War, and planned on reading, and reviewing the tie-in novels that I had, and although I read them I never got round to reviewing them. I am however hoping to do that now, and am continuing with the this Wolverine tie-in volume, with this being my seventh review on Wolverine.

Plot

After the deaths of innocent people in Stamford, CT causes the start of the superhero Civil War Wolverine decides to track down the man responsible, Nitro.

Review

This was yet another brilliant tie-in story to Civil War, also being a great Wolverine story. Marc Guggenheim did a great job of putting Wolverine into this event, as with the X-Men staying out of the Civil War, I was wondering how Wolverine could have a tie-in story, and this story showed perfectly how there could, and should have been one. The drama, and excitement in this story was simply outstanding, as it had a great atmosphere, with brilliant tone. It also had some amazing action that was fitting of a Wolverine story, being explosive, and exciting, whilst also being gritty, and slightly graphic. The emotion in this story was also great, as although Wolverine doesn't produce your normal sad, or happy emotion often, there's a lot that he cares about, and this is shown through his rage, which Guggenheim handled perfectly, adding depth to his character throughout this story.

I was in two minds whether I liked the art in this story, as although I usually love Humberto Ramos' art, I wasn't entirely sure whether it suits Wolverine. Now I loved how he drew Wolverine in costume, as he looked amazing, but the problem I had was that outside of costume Ramos went a little over the top, as the hair was a little too jarring, and the distinguishing features of Wolverine were enhanced too much. The action however was handled perfectly, being very graphic, and explosive, and if Ramos either kept Wolverine in costume all the time, or improved his look outside of the costume he'd be perfect for this series. Ramos' layouts were also brilliant, adding depth, and tone to the story, also giving a brilliant atmosphere to the story. The colours from Edgar Delgado was also brilliant, making Ramos' art more vibrant, also adding more texture, and tone to the finished artwork.

With the X-Men staying out of the Civil War, Wolverine would have a dilemma, as although he sided with his team, he wanted to do what he felt was right, and that was track down Nitro. I loved the interaction that Wolverine had with both Cyclops, and Emma Frost, as although he was friends with them at the time, he didn't always see eye to eye with them, and this is obvious during this interaction. I also enjoyed seeing how he interacted with members from his other team, the New Avengers, who were mainly involved in Civil War, and I especially enjoyed his interaction with Iron Man, and Luke Cage.

What I liked most about this story was that it actually showed something getting done about Nitro, as although he was only the catalyst to start the Civil War nothing happened about him in that story, which isn't necessarily a bad thing. I am however happy that there is a series that is dealing with it, and what better series than this one. Besides Wolverine's personality the fact that he isn't on either side of this war makes him the perfect candidate to track down this killer. I also loved seeing Nitro himself, and the fights he had with Wolverine throughout this story was amazing.

This story would also see the involvement of Atlanteans, and with the Atlanteans come their ruler, Namor, who wants justice for his cousin, Namorita, who was killed by Nitro. The inclusion of Namor usually adds excitement, and this time was no different. I found his appearance to be very interesting, and the interaction between him, and Wolverine was brilliant, only being beaten by the small fight that they had, which was simply outstanding. I also loved how this would develop from another part of Civil War that got forgotten, and it was very appropriate that it was developed in this story..

Following the main story there was an issue that would showed what happened to Wolverine during his healing process. Now you may say that this was a cheap additional issue, as a fair chunk of it was the reprint of events from the main story, with new thought boxes added, as well as some additional sequences in between the events. I did however like it, and felt it was a very unique addition, and a nice extra. I also loved how there was thought put into it, and although it wasn't a necessary addition, it was a nice addition.

Final Verdict

This was a great tie-in story, and it was great to see some development from the actual Stamford incident. The story itself was also very gritty, and dramatic, having the perfect tone for a Wolverine story, also having great action sequences, as well as a great addition cast. Due to all this I'd easily recommend this story, as it's a great accompaniment to the Civil War event itself, and although it's not necessary to get Civil War as well to enjoy this I'd highly recommend doing so, as that is a tremendous story itself.

Rating: 9/10

The next Wolverine book I'll be reviewing will be Wolverine Origins: Born in Blood.