From Publishers Weekly
A comic book adapted from a movie adapted from a comic book, The Punisher has changed considerably in translation, and the two older comics reprinted along with the film adaptation in this collection show just how much. In the Punisher's first appearance, a 1974 issue of Amazing Spider-Man, he's an ex-Marine, blinded by rage against the criminal underworld to whose destruction he's devoted his life. By the time of the 2000 story reprinted here (by Garth Ennis and Steve Dillon, the team behind Preacher), it has been established that he was Frank Castle, who began his war against criminals when his family was killed by Mob crossfire. The point of Ennis's darkly funny story is that he so loves avenging the innocent—as violently as possible—that he even turned down Heaven for it. So the forthcoming film starring Thomas Jane as the Punisher finds the premise inverted as Castle, out for personal revenge, is only too happy to slaughter innocents to make his enemies suffer the same agony he did when his family died in a deliberate attack. Under the circumstances, Milligan and artists Olliffe and Koblish do well—their version of the complicated plot moves swiftly and smoothly—but the story itself is a dismal betrayal of the reasons the Punisher is popular in the first place. Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
Punisher: Official Movie Adaptation FROM THE PUBLISHER
Presenting the official comic book adaptation of Marvel's 2004 blockbuster motion picture ﾽ starring John Travolta, Thomas Jane and Rebecca Romjin-Stamos. Frank Castle is an undercover government special agent pushed over the edge when his family is executed. Left for dead, Castle is reborn with one all-consuming mission ﾽ to PUNISH the murderers! Also collected in this volume: the VERY FIRST appearance of the Punisher, and writer Garth Ennisﾽ first Punisher story! Collects PUNISHER: THE MOVIE ADAPTATION #1-3, AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #129, PUNISHER Vol. 3, #1!
FROM THE CRITICS
Publishers Weekly
A comic book adapted from a movie adapted from a comic book, The Punisher has changed considerably in translation, and the two older comics reprinted along with the film adaptation in this collection show just how much. In the Punisher's first appearance, a 1974 issue of Amazing Spider-Man, he's an ex-Marine, blinded by rage against the criminal underworld to whose destruction he's devoted his life. By the time of the 2000 story reprinted here (by Garth Ennis and Steve Dillon, the team behind Preacher), it has been established that he was Frank Castle, who began his war against criminals when his family was killed by Mob crossfire. The point of Ennis's darkly funny story is that he so loves avenging the innocent-as violently as possible-that he even turned down Heaven for it. So the forthcoming film starring Thomas Jane as the Punisher finds the premise inverted as Castle, out for personal revenge, is only too happy to slaughter innocents to make his enemies suffer the same agony he did when his family died in a deliberate attack. Under the circumstances, Milligan and artists Olliffe and Koblish do well-their version of the complicated plot moves swiftly and smoothly-but the story itself is a dismal betrayal of the reasons the Punisher is popular in the first place. (Apr.) Copyright 2004 Reed Business Information.
Art & Photography
Book Info
