Every facet of storytelling in this book draws you in and you really feel bad for the kid even though it's probably better off he doesn't get too close to the situation. I have been a sometimes "on" but mostly "off" Punisher reader, but Greg Rucka has changed that for me. I'm sure anyone who is in the same boat will feel this way after reading this along with the four previous issues. Read Full Review

Plus, Frank rocks a beard in this issue, and that's awesome. Read Full Review

The youngest member of my local comic shop's crew didn't know much about Greg Rucka. I gave him "Keeper" to read over the summer. He gave it back to me cursing me for giving him a reason to know about -- and want to read more from -- Greg Rucka. This week when I went to the shop, he handed me the latest issue of "The Punisher" and said, "This is a great, great issue. Best 616 Punisher issue ever." I think you're right, my friend. Read Full Review

Rucka and Checchetto's Punisher is one of the rare comics that demands rereadings to catch everything that's going on. In a time when people often complain about the price of comics (with myself firmly among that group), having a reason to spend more time with one's books is always a good thing. Unlike Blue Beetle, there's nothing simple here. This book has a clear direction that it's headed in, and I can't wait for it all to come together. Read Full Review

In the end, I think this issue does a job of winding down the first arc of the story and illustrating the overall tone of the book. What started off as a bang has transitioned into a more somber story, and the little boy coming to the realization that the Punisher isn't the awesome person he thinks he is mirrors what the readers are going through. Read Full Review

Where Rachel is only just removed from her life as a soldier (as we're reminded of when Norah Winters calls her "Marine"), Castle is far past what both he and Rachel once were. He may see himself as a soldier, but the rest of the world does not. The scenes between Castle and the little boy are poignant and well-written, as we're ultimately reminded that what he's lost is more than his family, but his own identity. Read Full Review

The work by Marco Checchetto is awesome. Especially the winter scenes. He conveys the isolation of winter very well, which mirrors Frank’s soul. I wasn’t a huge fan of Punisher with a beard. Though it was well drawn, Punisher looked like Eddie Rabbit and Keanu Reeves had a kid who worked out a lot. The rest of the book held that noir sensibility, but Checchetto really wove in the entire idea of winter and how it affects people. Punisher #5 gives me cause for alarm, but only just so. I trust Rucka will pull this from the fire. Read Full Review