NO! (Don't shoot me in the face! The Punisher Topic)

[Diabolical]

The Max annual sucked ass.
If that fucktard gets to write it, then I'm out.

The guy that write the MK X-Mas special last year did a great job, IMO. I forget his name, but the tone of the story felt like a cross between an MK title and a Max title.

[RoIIo Tomassi]

I just went on eBay and bid on an almost complete run of the Marvel Knights series. If I win it, I'll have pretty much every Punisher book ever, aside from a few of that lame-ass "ponytail Mafia" series from the mid 90's and the "I'm an undead demon killer" series. Which I can probably find for a dollar if I ever want a COMPLETE complete run.

[RoIIo Tomassi]

The final story arc started last week. I love how all the storylines come back around and connect at the end. It even works in the Born mini series. It makes the entire MAX run that much more enjoyable.


Also, I didn't realize the "Welcome Back Frank" was a 12 issue Maxi Series. I need to find that at some point.

[anarky]

I think "Welcome Back Frank" was one of the several that are OOP.

I also just noticed you said "pretty much every Punisher ever." Are you including the B&W magazine from the 70s, all his bazillion guest appearances (including his two mini-series in The 'Nam), and, of course, Amazing #129?

If so, I bow to you, sir. If not, still quite impressive.

So, who should take this over? I'm actually thinking Morrison could be interesting, or could be shit. He can write edgy, he can write insane, and he can write funny, so it could work. Then again, maybe not. I'm not touching his Batman with a 10-foot pole simply because of the shit with a fifth Robin who's Bruce's kid with Talia and his statement about every past story being canon, including all the horribly bad sci-fi shit from the 50s.

[RoIIo Tomassi]

No, just every Punisher title

The original 5 issue mini.
Punisher,
Punisher War Journal,
Punisher War Zone,
the anciliary titles like Punisher Armory by Eliot Brown( those are fucking awesome)
a few issue of the "ponytail" series.
None of the Demon Hell Hunter series.
None of the Welcome issues ( I would want the actual issues, not the TPB)
All but two of the MK series
And the whole MAX series.

There have been several one shots and Prestige Format books. I would have to rifle through a copy of Overstreet to see what I actually had. I know I missed out on the Punisher/Daredevil and Punisher/Bullseye series from a few years ago. And I skipped Tyger when it came out and probably a couple of the X-mas specials. I have some, but I'm sure I missed a couple.

Now you make me want to research so i actually DO have every Punisher issue. And while I'm at it, i'm gonna fill my Alpha Flight run out too!

So there!

[Diabolical]

Garth Ennis' successors have been announced:

With the climactic "Valley Forge, Valley Forge" arc being literally drawn to a rapid close, fans are quite understandably asking who could possibly dare to follow such an illustrious tenure on the now-classic title?

Marvel has an answer: no one. Try three.

Gregg Hurwitz, Duane Swierczynski and Victor Gischler are three writers known to Marvel fans for their work across the publisher's line -- and to even larger audiences as crime novelists, each with their own unique spin on the genre - and series editor Axel Alonso's betting they're more than capable of administering the proper dosage of Frank Castle vengeance to Punisher's loyal fans.

"I had so many good candidates, I figured why pick one?" Alonso told CBR News. "Gregg, Duane and Victor are original voices in crime fiction -- in the case of Duane and Victor, their books straddle genres. And while none of them have Garth's profile in the comics market, each of these writers is a damned good and came up with a killer hook for their story. That's what matters most."

Beginning in August's issue #60 and continuing for fifteen months, these three writers will in turn assume command of the MAX flagship, producing three self-contained five-issue story arcs. "These three stories maintain the overall flavor of Ennis's run -- fast-paced, ultra-violent, and gritty," Alonso said. "Frank Castle is still your best option in a compassionless world - but each story also displays the unique skills of each writer."

Can't say I've read any of their work, with the exception of the "Forces of Nature" One-shot (which wasn't bad, but didn't have much Punisher in it), so I can't say whether I'm happy about this or not.

[anarky]

They appear to be slowly working toward rotating creative teams on all books. A response to the rampant lateness of the recent years, maybe?

[Rollo Tomassi]

Punisher ain't been late! In this particular case, it's because Ennis has done 100+ issues of Punisher and he's said all he needs to say about Frank. Our loss, sadly.

[jjreason]

They'd honestly be better off wrapping the book somehow, for now, and letting the other guys start with limited series to see how each is received. The best 4 issue "resume" scores the gig, and they start again with another #1 allowing Ennis' run to be complete in and of itself. That would send Ennis out with the proper respect, in my opinion.

Edited: I need to have a look through and see what i have for Ennis punisher. I'm sure I have at least the first 12 issue "maxi" series and about 12 issues of the main ongoing series.

[anarky]

I didn't mean Punisher itself was late. I meant every other book by a celebrity writer was late. Ennis leaving Punisher means it could now be late, if they don't do rotating teams.

[Diabolical]

In the nerd orgy that was Comic-Con, I just discovered this news:
More Punisher from Ennis!

And while fans are all lamenting Ennis' departure, there is one ray of light on the horizon. Ennis may be leaving Punisher MAX, but he hasn't quite delivered his last hurrah with the character. At SDCC today, Marvel revealed a new mini-series called Punisher: War Zone. This book will be a true return to Ennis' roots, as it serves as a direct sequel to Welcome Back, Frank. Luckily, frequent partner Steve Dillon is also returning to the characters he helped make famous.

Naturally, we had many questions swirling in our minds when we heard about the announcement. We were lucky enough to catch a few minutes of Ennis' time so he could reveal some juicy tidbits about the project.

First things first – Punisher: War Zone will be a six-issue mini-series under the Marvel Knights imprint, with the first issue due to hip in November. Surprisingly, the series will ship weekly. If you're wondering how Ennis and Dillon can mange to keep up with such a tight schedule, the truth is they don't need to. Ennis said, "I wrote this story about three years ago. The scripts have been finished for some time." Ennis was also quick to point out that the placement of the series after the conclusion of his MAX run was " nothing more than coincidence." To date, Punisher MAX #60 will still be his final Punisher story.

Readers will wonder just where this interpretation of Frank Castle falls. Is this a return to the over-the-top, almost cartoonish violence of the older Marvel Knights stories, or is this Frank more in line with the MAX version? Ennis said that this is very much "The Marvel Knights version, if slightly darker in tone." He indicated that, by the nature of the Marvel Knights imprint, this version has to be a little less dark and gory than his MAX stories.

Another major question is just how and why Ma Gnucci is making her return. She wasn't looking too well when last we saw her. Ennis remained mum on that topic, saying, "I can't tell you taht without giving away a big chunk of the plot." He revealed that Gnucci's return was largely Joe Quesada's idea. "Joe thought people would like to see her. I wasn't that keen at first, but my brain has a habit of serving me stories regardless."

As for other characters from Welcome Back, Frank that might appear, Ennis was more forthcoming. "You'll see Elite back again - he was one of the would-be vigilantes operating during the original Ma Gnucci affair- as well as Molly Von Richtofen, NYPD detective, ex-partner of the wretched Soap." No word on an appearance by The Russian, but we're keeping our finger crossed.

This project allows Ennis the opportunity to reunite with his frequent collaborator, Steve Dillon, whose energy has mainly been devoted to books like Wolverine: Origins in recent years. Ennis remarked, "We're a good fit. There's a certain odd creative telepathy at work, the comic book equivalent of finishing each other's sentences."

OYES!!!

[Rollo Tomassi]

Good news. Not great, because it's six issues WEEKLY. But good.

[Diabolical]

Good news. Not great, because it's six issues WEEKLY. But good.

But more Ennis MK Punisher for six straight weeks is like multiple geek orgasms.

[Diabolical]

The Frank Castle: The Punisher is ending with issue #75 and relaunching with the old title Punisher Max (why?) with writer Jason Aaron & Steve Dillon.
Not sure I like Dillion on the Max title.
His style worked well with the Marvel Knights Punisher, but Max is too dark for his style. Also, they'll be introducing Bullseye and Kingpin into the realistic Max universe. Throwing Jigsaw in was bad enough (without a Max backstory). Wait and see.

On the 616 side, even though the Frank vs The Hood storyline has been going on a bit long, Rick Remender has been doing a great job at making me almost forget Fraction's run. But after seeing this promo image I'm worried...

[anarky]

This promo doesn't look much better. Worse, even. And, if it's an actual cover for a 616 book, it might go a little too far: