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

Ultimate Comics: Cataclysm #0.1 Review

Writer: Joshua Hale Fialkov
Artists: Mico Suayan, Mirco Pierfederici & Leonard Kirk

I have been a huge fan of the Ultimate Universe since it started, and am slight saddened at the thought of it ending. It is however a thing that I felt was inevitable as Ultimate Comics: Spider-Man has been the only series to remain good, with Ultimate Comics: Ultimates and Ultimate Comics: X-Men both being rather inconsistent. I am however looking forward to seeing how it ends.

Plot

As Vision realises that Galactus is not dead she goes off to face him, but warns Falcon and the other heroes to be prepared in case she fails.

Review

This was a brilliant issue, and a nice prequel to the Cataclysm event, as although not really essential, it was still a fantastic issue. Joshua Hale Fialkov did an outstanding job of giving us a nice emotional set-up for Cataclysm, as although it didn't do a great lot for the events itself, it was still a brilliantly written issue, and to be fair do we really want a prequel that prevents the first issue from being new reader friendly. Fialkov would also do a terrific job of adding a lot of tone to this issue, as bar the amazing drama and suspense there would also be a brilliant atmosphere to the issue. There'd also be a bit of excitement in this issue as well, which was handled perfectly, but overall the issue was more emotionally driven.

The artwork on this issue was also outstanding and Mico Suayan, Mirco Pierfederici and Leonard Kirk all did an amazing job. Now usually I dislike multiple artists on the same issue, but this time not so much, as although the differences in their artwork was noticeable, due to their styles being fairly similar it wasn't quite as noticeable as some of the multiple artists issues you see, flowing very smoothly between each other. I also loved the high level of detail that all the artists produced on this issue, with some amazing layouts that added a lot of depth to the issue. On top of that the artists showed the character emotions perfectly, and especially on Vision which wouldn't have been easy due to her being a robot.

Now I have never read an Ultimate Comic that has featured the Vision, and only know the odd thing that I have read about her. Due to this I was sceptical whether I'd enjoy this issue as much due to this being my introduction to the character, but it would turn out to be the best thing about the comic, as it would be were the emotion and depth was focused. I especially enjoyed seeing her relationship with Falcon, and how throughout the issue she'd question just how humanised she has become. I also felt that Fialkov and the artists did a good job of showing Visions emotions, as showing emotion in a robot isn't an easy task, as it could easily seem a bit fake, whereas this felt very natural, adding a lot of depth to the issue.

We'd also get to see the world eater himself Galactus in this issue. Now I enjoyed seeing Galactus in the Hunger mini-series, and I also enjoyed his addition in this issue, and especially due to the fact that the focus was still mainly on Vision. I say this as with Galactus being the main threat in the event it is better to give a foreboding tone to him, creating more suspense and mystery. I also loved the interaction between Galactus and the Vision in this issue, as well as Vision's reaction to realising that this Galactus is much different than the Gah Lak Tus swarm that she's used to.

The issue would also do a great job of tying the two universes in as the Vision would see the differences between the heroes of the Ultimate Universe and the heroes of the 616 Universe. I personally really enjoyed this addition to the issue, as although overall it wouldn't do a great lot for the future of the story, it was nice to see the issue link both universes, especially considering this is a story that came out of a 616 story (Age of Ultron). I also enjoyed yet again seeing the differences between the characters of the two universes, and the reaction from Vision was once again very interesting.

Final Verdict

Although this wasn't a necessary prequel, it would still be a fantastic issue, having some brilliant emotion, and overall it sets up the main event perfectly. It would also have some amazing interactions, and would see the return of Ultimate Comics favourite Vision. Due to all this I'd highly recommend giving this issue a shot, but if your strapped for cash and want to get the main event it's not essential to get this.

Rating: 8/10