Episode 99 - The Punisher [Discussion]

[conorkilpatrick]

Punisher: War Zone is the newest film version of Frank Castle, but he's got a long and varied history in comics. This week, it's everything you've ever wanted to know about the Punisher.

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What is it about Frank Castle and his violent ways that has kept fans reading the adventures of the Punisher for over thirty years? This week, iFanboy takes a look at the many stories Punisher has appeared in over the years, and how he fits into the Marvel Universe. Frank Castle has come a long way from being a throw-away vigilante in the pages of Amazing Spider-Man, to being the star of 3 different feature films, including the upcoming version, Punisher: War Zone.

This show looks at the notable comics from Punisher's varied history from his creation by Gerry Conway to the recent epic runs scripted by Garth Ennis, and many artists in between. He even had a crossover with Archie. You want to know more? Make sure your weapons are oiled up and loaded, and take aim at this episode of iFanboy.

[gobo]

Sweet, I got a Special Thanks!

Also I'll second the awesomeness of the Punisher meets Archie book, totally great.

[folktastic]

What I like about The Punisher is he does not have an ounce of humanity. What I don't like about The Punisher is he does not have an ounce of humanity.

I pretty much agree that Castle is a pretty one dimensional character that's good for a fix, but after a while he gets old. I think it'd be better if sometimes he appears in other comics, sometimes he has short arcs of his own, and oh here's a cool back story on him, but doesn't really merit a whole series dedicated to him.

I did laugh pretty hard when he asked Elektra out though.

[jumpingjupiter]

If I'd write Punisher I'd have him deal with things like gay marriage, religious discrimination. Throw some stuff at him that don't fit with the character. In the sense that he needs to get shoved into situation where his violence will be regrettable and inefficient. He would then return to his status quo, but for a while he'd have ponder social issues.

Another idea is to send him in a third world country and work him into an unwanted position of political clout.

I think the contrast of serial killer and social issues would be fun to write.

Prob'ly a really dumb idea.

[labor_days]

Really enjoyed Ron's rationale for dropping Punisher Max.

"Ugh. This guy without the face."

[optimus187prime]

Great ep, very glad you mentioned Born as it is one of my favorite mini-series. Also its is good to not Dillon and Ennis are revisiting the Gnucci's soon in a mini.


By the way the credits said, Episode #66 'Understanding Comics'.

[j4k3]

It makes me sad that the current volume of WAR JOURNAL has not received the credit it deserves for being home to the most humanly relatable Frank Castle ever (it often gets forgotten because Ennis's name isn't on it). In this series, the Punisher's origin is actually important (yet not overdone), and really brings out Frank's human side. Really. The Punisher has rarely, if ever, had a moment more moving than the one in which he realizes that in spite of having waged this never-ending ware on crime to avenge his family, he can't even remember his wife's face. That sadness, that feeling of suddenly being lost, was a great moment in comics. Matt Fraction has made the Punisher a character you can care about, which is more than I can say for Ennis's Punisher (post-origin).

It is also worthy to mention that, in spite of the various arcs, when the volume ends with #26 it will have all been one long (and even important) Punisher story set in the Marvel Universe, which adds a sense of the classic shared universe and an unpredictability rarely possessed by the MAX series.

Now, it makes me happy to know that it won't really end. It'll become PUNISHER in 2009 with a new #1, making it THE Punisher series, and I can't wait.

Good times.