“Fanboy alert.
I really like when things in comics change. When characters change and things happen. I’m not big on status quo. I may, MAY be the only fan of Kyle Rayner who ever existed.
But this Punisher…it just doesn’t do it for me.
It’s not that there’s anything wrong with the writing. I just don’t like a Punisher who says things like, “Tonight’s gonna suck” and “Hey, weapon. Bonus.”
It has to be sort of boring to write the stoic, angry killing machine. Christ, you get the impression sometimes that you could do the whole series free of dialogue altogether.
And I really do like funny characters. You know, the ones who take their work seriously and don’t take themselves seriously. Your quipsters like Spider-Man, lovable slackers like Scott Pilgrim.
I think I really just enjoyed the Punisher as the scary bogeyman.
This book has strong moments. In particular, when the Punisher is embroiled in a fight between two ridiculously-powered villains, a fire guy and a guy who controls bees, and comments on how much he hates super powers. It’s funny, and it’s also part of the crux of that character that makes him interesting, I think. The Punisher could exist in the real world. But he doesn’t. He exists in a world of Captain America and Beta Ray Bill. But that’s what makes it interesting, right? They can throw in a Daredevil if they want to.
Ultimately, though, I like that Punisher exists in that world, but not when he participates in it. When you put the Venom symbiote on Punisher, he’s not the Punisher anymore. He’s not my Punisher, anyway. With the added yuks, he’s not really the Punisher anymore either. Not for me.
I’m not saying there’s no room in the world for this Punisher. I’m sure people dig it. It’s just not for me. This fanboy has to reconcile the fact that what he wants isn’t always what’s right, and what’s right isn’t so just because it’s the way it’s always been. Sounds like a no-brainer, but ask any comics nerd, this is hard-won thinking at work here.”