Punisher Max #1
Reviewed by David O' Leary
Story by: Jason Aaron
Art by: Steve Dillon
Colours by: Matt Hollingsowrth
Letters by: Cory Petit
Cover by: Steve Dillon
Publisher: Marvel Comics
Cover Price: $3.99
Reviewed By: David O' Leary
Book Summery: Wilson Fisk is a bodyguard for mob boss Don Rigoletto, but he has his eyes on a much bigger prize, and he's gonna use Frank Castle to help him realize his dreams. The biggest story in MAX history begins here, as we witness the birth of the greatest villain the Punisher has ever faced.
"Kingpin Part 1"
This is going to be a short review. Aaron, Dillon, Punisher Max. ';Nuff said. Goodnight everybody!
In all seriousness though, this has classic written all over it. Take a legendary artist with the hottest writer of the day and throw them in on the best MAX title there is and let them loose. Garth Ennis set the tone for this title with his great run and Aaron has managed to wonderfully convey the same twisted sense of justice that Frank is known for. Combined with the pencils of Dillon who needs no introduction and his longtime colour collaborator Hollingsworth and there is no where you could go worng.
Jason Aaron is no stranger to writing an adult story as his time on Scalped has shown time and again. With the introduction issue of his run here, we are about to be shown in detail the rise of one of the most feared men in the Marvel U., Wilson Fisk. Fisk is a body guard for mob boss Don Rigoletto and uses his time in his position to quietly pull the strings on his boss who self confesses to only being in the position because of Frank killing everyone before him, as in, he is there through attrition. The mob bosses are meeting to conjure their next course of action while they are all concious of the impact The Punisher has on them when Frank launches a counter offensive on the meeting. Fisk and Rigoletto escape and this escape shows us for the first time the immense power that Wilson has in him-self as a young man. The story of Fisk's evoloving into the character that we all know looks like a keeper.
Aaron has a great ability to write a violent but darkly humerous story as the scene with the mob enforcer finds out when his eye balls are popped out of his head. The look on his face when he puts them back in is priceless. He is able to balance the violence with plot and story with ease as he moves the book forward and by issues end, the reader can feel that he certainly got his books worth here.
Steve Dillon is a genius. His style is so clean and simple while being detailed and complex at the same time. He manages to infuse a great since of movement in his work and none of his panels seem stiff. There are plenty of examples of his great work in this issue; the aforementioned eye popping sequence would not look half as good were it not for Dillon for instance. This is the perfect mesh for a creative team and is a book that comes highly recommended.
This is about as near a perfect first issue that you could come to expect with the talent on show. Marvel has given these guys a great platform to work on and it is us, the readers, who will benefit the most. Great stuff.
Rating the Book
| Story: Overall 9 Concept - 9 out of 10 Plot - 9 out of 10 Dialogue - 9 out of 10 |
Art: Overall 9 Style - 9 out of 10 Storytelling - 9 out of 10 Colour/Tones - 9 out of 10 |
Importance: Overall 9 To the Title - 9 out of 10 To the Company - 9 out of 10 To the Medium - 9 out of 10 |
Take A Look Inside
Reviewer Bio
Name: David O' Leary
email: idwfan@yahoo.co.uk
Been reading comics: for about 12 years now.
Review Bio: I am a 26-year-old Hotel Manager from the west coast of the Republic of Ireland and think this is a great way to talk to others about this cool medium. I am a husband to one wife and father to one girl (so far).
Favorites: ONI's Whiteout, Vertigo's Scalped and Garth Ennis Preacher and Punisher in Trades. In comic form I am reading a lot of Marvel and a bit of IDW, Dark Horse & WildStorm among others.
Website: Sorry, I don't have one!
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