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