The Punisher returns in an all-new series with a new face behind the skull. David Pepose, writer of books such as Savage Avengers, Moon Knight: City of The Dead, and The Devil that Wears My Face, brings us a new Punisher for a new age in a first issue that perfectly captures what the Punisher represents and introduces us to a new era of punishment.
The Story
The Punisher has been a complicated character for most of his 50-year history, with his symbol and message being propped up and bastardized by many of the worst of our society. After Jason Aaron’s most recent run on Punisher, resulting in the death of Frank Castle, fans and critics alike wondered if there was still a place for that type of character in the year 2023. David Pepose took that challenge head-on and has given us a new character to wear the skull and represent the true meaning of The Punisher to a whole new era of fans.
This first issue introduces us to Joe Garrison. Former S.H.I.E.L.D. special ops agent whose family was tragically killed in an explosion, for which he is framed. Garrison sets out to find who set him up and killed his family, resulting in him being branded the new Punisher. This was a perfect introduction to this new character, and the way in which Pepose deals with the idea of a legacy is excellent. The title of Punisher is something that is thrust upon him, not something that he seeks out. Garrison is a man filled with guilt and pain, trying to find justice in an unjust world, much like his predecessor, Frank Castle. However, that is where the similarities end. Pepose makes Garrison his own fully fleshed-out character that doesn’t stand in the shadow of Castle.
Gun-Fu
One of the major things that sets Garrison apart from Frank Castle is his method of punishment for those deserving. Pepose has discussed that one of the challenges for this new version of the Punisher is making Garrison feel unstoppable, not just an average person who can walk into a Walmart and become the Punisher. This is established very early, showing Garrison’s combat almost like a dance with bullets, with some genuinely badass and creative ways of taking out his enemies.
Garrison is also equipped with a bunch of fun toys and weapons from his days with S.H.I.E.L.D., adding just another layer to establishing himself outside of the shadow of Castle.
The Art of ‘Punisher (2023)’ #1
Speaking of dancing with bullets, this is all brought together by the amazing artwork from David Wachter, which is the music to which this issue sings. The pencil work is so crisp the book almost doesn’t even need color, making the action literally jump right off the page. Wachter makes this book look so beautiful, which, in turn, makes Pepose’s writing even that much more impactful.
The fight choreography is mesmerizing as we watch Garrison use anything and everything at his disposal to dish out his form of punishment. Wachter’s beautiful artwork, paired with amazing designs for our main character and his arsenal, makes Garrison feel new and familiar and stand out from Frank Castle’s Punisher.
‘Punisher (2023)’ #1 – Final Thoughts
Punisher #1 is a perfect introduction to this new era of punishment for the Marvel Universe. Joe Garrison is badass, unstoppable, and stands tall on his own outside Frank Castle’s shadow. Pepose has hit another home run, and the way in which he deals with the idea of The Punisher and a legacy character needs to be studied for all future mantle passes. The idea of the Punisher and what it represents is on full display in this first issue and takes no breaks in any of the action, violence, or history of the character. All of this, along with gripping and page-turning art by David Wachter, makes Punisher #1 a must-read and a series that will please new and old fans alike.
