“Yesterday’s” Comic> The Punisher #2

I’m afraid it will be some time before someone writes anything close to the Punisher vs. post-apocalyptic mutant punks.

The Punisher #2

Marvel Comics (February, 1986)

Castle goes after the Kingpin, but finds a body in his place and a building full of explosives. He’s saved thanks to a woman who wants to be Frank’s nurse because of her own family being lost to the mob. Also willing to help him is a group called the Trust and…let’s just say Frank isn’t the only one Angela is in bed with…literally. Deducing that Fisk faked his own death, the Punisher takes credit, leading to the mobs fighting for control and when one mobster tries to forge a truce between the factions, Frank looks to stop it, only to fight a hit man who did the job for him and lose his van, forcing him to turn to the Trust. Also, some guy wants revenge on Frank for killing his father.

What they got right: There’s a part near the end where Frank start questioning how he conducts his war on the mob after civilians are hurt. It shows that he can see through his obsession at times. Plus flashbacks show his history (not ones we see but he monologues about his nightmare). I think this miniseries was his first appearance but I’m not up on the character’s history. The artwork is well done and I do wonder what Fisk was doing in the Marvel Universe around this time.

What they got wrong: This isn’t my genre so your perspective may be different, but “frank”ly I have nothing I can point at from a critical perspective and take issue with. I do notice this lacks the “Comics Code” symbol, which makes perfect sense.

Recommendation: If this miniseries IS the first appearance of the Punisher then all five issues are must-have for fans. Casual readers may also get into it, but it proves that a non-superhero comic can work.

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