The Punisher War Journal #1

So, apparently there are some books that got stashed in the Random Box of Unread Comics that I have, in fact, read. But I haven't reviewed them, so I'll be giving them a reread. I don't think I've given this one a look since I bought in when it was released.

Title: The Punisher War Journal
Issue: 1
Date: November, 1988
Publisher: Marvel Comics
Writer: Carl Potts
Artist: Carl Potts, Jim Lee
Colorist: John Wellington
Letterer: Jim Novak
Editor: Don Daley

Frank Castle is on a mission, but life keeps getting in the way. In this case, life involves getting caught up in mob drama involving hitmen, kidnapped babies, and an exceptionally messy divorce.

This is a really cleverly constructed first issue, particularly the use of wordless panels at the bottom of the pages to retell the Punisher's origin story, as well as the character-building twist at the end where we discover the nature of Frank's mission.

It also reintroduces Microchip, brings in some new supporting cast, has a Matt Murdock cameo, and features a clever ending teaser for a bunch of upcoming stories. The only bit where it drags is in a wordy explanation that sets the stage for the mob drama. The action is solid and the art looks great. And Punisher fans will appreciate that there is no effort to soften Castle's approach to his work here.

Rating: 7.5/10