Punisher #218 is an intriguing and exciting new step for the Frank Castles life of shooting bad guys. Hes as grim and angry as ever, the War Machine shake-up is an interesting new direction, and the book is appropriately ultraviolent. If you can groove on the Punishers motif, then this comic is easily for you, and I can highly recommend it to you. Read Full Review

I was impressed with the quality and well-structured story, I have hope that this can be a success story for years to come if it handles it in the right way. The secret to it it's not to put Frank in some sort of "chains" and let him be what he is. For the amazing work and the amount of respect Rosenberg has for the character, I know he will do him justice. Read Full Review

Marvel made a smart move here, one that, for the first time in years, will have me adding the Punisher to my monthly pull list. An excellent issue, check out the beginning of armored awesomeness right here. Read Full Review

Guiu Vilanova also does not fall into the trap many artists do when drawing Punisher by attempting to evoke Steve Dillions infamous style. He does draw Castle in a way that certain resembles Jay Bernthal. Thankfully it is in no way to the level of photo referencing that occurs in some of the Star Wars books. Vilanova is not an artist that I had great familiarity with, but could not help but think of someone like Sean Phillips when looking at his art. There is a realistic tone with strong facial acting and tightly designed panels that keep the pace flowing. The first appearance of the War Machine armor did appear off at first and perhaps did not have the impact it would have otherwise. Still intrigued by what this team can produce in the future. Read Full Review

A pretty straightforward issue that sets up the story for things to come. With Castle now kitted up with some serious firepower, I can't wait to see what damage he will be doing. Hopefully, we see the Punisher soaring to unfamiliar heights, but what sort of attention will this new equipment attract for the vigilante and what happens when the mission is over? Read Full Review

There are two kinds of Punisher stories and depending on who you ask, you'll likely receive a different answer as to which one truly captures the spirit Frank Castle. But for my money, Punisher #218 is exactly the kind of self-aware and entertaining Punisher story we need right now. Read Full Review

Putting the Punisher in the War Machine armor does come off as a gimmick that could be fun or could be a story that gets away from the street level storytelling that has made the character who he is up to this point. Obviously, it is way too early to tell but based on Rosenberg's take on the character that he gets into in his personal essay in the back matter there is a reason to have faith. Read Full Review

My biggest issue with the art is Frank looking exactly like Jon Bernthal. We should be past the point where artists try to emulate the film versions of these characters, and not the other way around. When the War Machine suit gets its big reveal page, it looks god awful. Iron Manatee hopefully gets a makeover when Frank slaps a skull on the front of it. Read Full Review

A good book with an interesting new premise. Frank's relationship to Fury is the standout in this one and I am interested in how it will play out. Read Full Review

I was so mixed on this at first but I'm sold

Solid. Rosenberg knows what he is doing with The Punisher!

Hitting on all cylinders!!!

I was a little surprised at how much I enjoyed this comic. Rosenburg is really on to something with this story. Punisher and his war against gangs and crime can often get stale and this move to focus more on the soldier and what that means is nice. More than a little of this is taking inspiration from the punisher Netflix series and this arc has real potential to be a lasting part of the Punisher mythos. Vilanova provides good art for this book.

I also like the idea that the War machine armor should be more about war.

Pick this issue up and jump on

This was a really solid issue that opens with a pretty cool action scene, leading to a pretty viable premise for Frank to get the War Machine armour. The art is alright, and the cover by Clayton Crain. I'm up for this if it lasts for an arc or something as opposed to being the new normal, but I liked it and am on board next issue.

Don't like that the comic Punisher looks like the Netflix Punisher played by Bernthal now.

Nick Fury Jr. points Frank toward the War Machine armor and toward Chernaya, a failed state that's just packed with villains who need Punishing. Matthew Rosenberg's script does a superb job of building interest and anticipation, but I can't get over the multitude of visual sins Guiu Villanova's art commits. The faces are too close to their MCU actors. Giving them big cartoony grins is horrifying. The first peek at the War Machine armor - built up by a stellar cover and a whole issue of good foreshadowing - is singularly disappointing. The story will bring me back, but I'll be complaining all the way if the art doesn't improve.

Art is horrendous. Wasted opportunity to draw the Punisher in cool looking War Machine armor. Cover art is nice but what’s inside is like an non-artistic kindergartner painted it with finger paints. Storytelling is probably ok but hard to get past the visual assault of the art style for me.