I hate that Rucka is about to wrap up his stint on The Punisher by pitting Frank against the rest of the Marvel U in the upcoming, and re-launched, Punisher War Zone #1. I would rather (and could have) read 100 issues of The Punisher written in this vein by Greg Rucka instead. Rucka's The Punisher will be missed, but I'm happy that we got it for at least 16 issues. Read Full Review

Punisher ends on a powerful note and a compelling setup for the upcoming Punisher: War Zone limited series. Rucka succeeded at creating an interesting little world for the Punisher in the Marvel Universe, complete with three-dimensional characters who meshed perfectly as a cast. Far as I'm concerned, this series should now be considered essential reading for the Punisher. Read Full Review

Brilliant art, brilliant character work, and sophisticated storytelling by all involved. This is an absolutely top tier comic and I'm more than a little pissed that it's been canceled….let alone canceled for sure to be vapid, immature dross like a Daniel Way/Steve Dillon Thunderbolts book. Read Full Review

Greg Rucka and a bevy of talented artists have crafted a new side to the Punisher that feels like it was somewhere in there all along, just waiting to get out. They also navigated Rachel Alves-Cole through a sneak-attack of truly great character development over just 16 issues. It's stunning to think of the transformation that took place. With Rucka leaving mainstream comics in distaste, we'll be missing out on a writer who knows how to grow characters better than most. Hopefully the positive work he's done with these two characters does not go wasted or unnoticed. If there's any bad taste left after the final issue of this run, it's a bittersweet one based on the fact that Marvel dictated its end. There are so many stories left in here just dying to be told. Read Full Review

I'm looking forward to War Zone, but can't help but close this book with a heavy heart. So long (for now), Frank. Read Full Review

"Punisher: War Zone" is on the horizon with bombastic promises of the Punisher gunning for the Avengers (and yes, I guess I am including Spider-Man and Wolverine in that "Avengers" label). While that series is sure to offer up a different, louder level of excitement and adventure, I'm going to miss these characters. I've grown to really enjoy reading about Norah Winters hounding Walter Bolt and Ozzy Clemons as she plays coy to their questions about Rachel Cole-Alves while the Punisher brings hell down upon the villainous. Rucka and crew have done what no one has ever done before: they've made me a fan of the Punisher. Read Full Review

Greg Rucka and Marco Checchetto's work with Punisher has been some of the best stuff to come out this past year, and Punisher #16 is no exception. The issue, like the series as a whole, is built on its terrific character work. Whether it's Frank himself or the people who have found themselves caught in his orbit, this book is all about who these people are and why they do what they do. That's what's made it special, and that's what makes this issue a must read. Read Full Review

Rucka has produced a story that is just as much about Cole-Alves as it is about the title character. The catalyst of her journey towards revenge is reminiscent of Castle's. The usual murderous mayhem is absent, and instead, The Punisher delicately plays the role of hero in order to save Cole-Alves from herself. Read Full Review

Ironically, Marco Checchetto’s is at it’s best during the rain park scene. His use of shadow, the way he pencils rain to make it look heavy and thick, it adds so much to the feeling of despair washing over Alves. The rain is a purifying metaphor and Checchetto drives that home. The man has always known how to draw and has always had his own dark style, but these pages at the end of Punisher #16 are some of his best work. It’s too bad the story fell just short of the mark. Read Full Review

imo arguably the best punisher series of all time. Greg Rucka is a great comic book writer, and it clearly shows.

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Mout - Sep 1, 2021

This punisher series was the first one I bought and read from the character, back at July, 2013. 8 years later, I've finally read it all. This one is hard to beat, for sure, I doubt that the next runs were better than this one

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