The Punisher #10 – Frank Castle Has Jokes

The Punisher #10
Writer:  Greg Rucka
Art:  Marco Checchetto, Matt Hollingsworth [Color Artist]

Continuing the “Omega Effect” crossover story, The Punisher #10 picks up where last weeks Avenging Spider-Man #6 left off.  Having agreed that the destruction of the Omega Drive–which contains intel on every major super-criminal organization under the sun–is the best course of action, Spider-Man, Daredevil, the Punisher, and “Punisherette” Rachel Cole-Alves set out to wreak havoc upon the New York underworld before destroying the drive for all of the organizations to see.

Greg Rucka writes a fast-paced, fun issue here.  Yes, I just used the word “fun” to describe a book starring the Punisher.  Rucka handles the Spider-banter well here, even having Frank Castle himself throw in a veiled quip at one point.  It should be noted that this is the first Punisher comic I’ve ever bought (I’m mostly familiar with him from guest appearances in other books) and I have to say that Rucka makes the breakdown of Castle’s tactics during the raids on AIM, Hydra, Hand, and Exchange operations easy to follow.


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He also provides a little more insight into Sgt. Rachel Cole-Alves’ backstory for new readers and develops the character over a few more panels.  To keep it simple, though, she’s basically got a similar backstory as Frank Castle.  To round things out, Rucka parallels what each team–Spidey/Daredevil and Castle/Alves–do en route to the rendezvous, with Spider-Man and Daredevil getting caught up delivering a baby in stalled traffic and the Punishers stocking up on firearms in a hideout where an Iron Man helmet and Hawkeye bow are visible (I wonder how Frank Castle got his hands on those…).

Overall, Rucka keeps the second part of this crossover moving at the same brisk pace while maintaining the fun factor and seamless writing it began with.  Coupled with more stellar art by Marco Checchetto and Matt Hollingsworth, this is another must-read in a thus-far perfect multi-book crossover.

STORY:  10/10
ART:  10/10 

Roger Riddell
Roger Riddell
Essentially Peter Parker with all the charm of Wolverine, he's a DC-based B2B journalist who occasionally writes about music and pop culture in his free time. His love for comics, metal, and videogames has also landed him gigs writing for the A.V. Club, Comic Book Resources, and Louisville Magazine. Keep him away from the whiskey, and don't ask him how much he hates the Spider-Man movies unless you're ready to hear about his overarching plot for a six-film series that would put the Dark Knight trilogy to shame.