Comic Review: The Punisher (2018-) #3

The Punisher (2018-) #3

Marvel Comics

Writer: Matt Rosenberg

Artist: Szymon Kudranski

At the end of the last issue, Frank Castle had run into the Defenders who were determined to bring him in. After Frank cleverly avoided Luke Cage and Iron Fist and slipped away onto a train where Daredevil confronted him. They quickly realize that they can’t have a melee with each other because Hydra soldiers are descending on the train and they might have to work together to get out of this.

The Punisher #3 picks up immediately where the previous issue left us: Matt Murdock and Frank Castle battling Hydra on a moving train. This issue gives us plenty of action and then moves into a Police Station where Frank is being held. Enter Nick Fury, who has come to take the Punisher off of the precincts hands, which the captain would welcome because he is worried about Hydra crashing his station to get Frank. The final panel is a full page splash with another iconic villain entering the mix. It is also where I am worried about this comic for the first time. Frank is currently in a feud with Baron Zemo, who is enough villain for now. I don’t see how this new villain will fit into this current story. I am willing to be wrong about this, but I am less excited about the next issue.

As for the writing, Matt Rosenburg is doing a good job. Time will tell how the new villain shakes out for him in this young series. I hope it fits in well because this Punisher series has been great so far and without mistakes.

Szymon Kudranski is still on his game here. His action is slick, and his character work is excellent. The Punisher has always been a dark series in both tone and colors, and Kudranski follows this well with his constantly dark palette.

The Punisher hasn’t let me down yet, but the next issue will tell me a lot about what Rosenburg has in mind moving forward. So far, the story and the art is fantastic and the best Punisher series kick-off in years. I still highly recommend this series because it is currently one of Marvel’s best and doesn’t seem to be getting the attention it deserves.