What if Peter Parker Became the Punisher? #1
Marvel Comics
Writer: Carl Potts
Artist: Juanan Ramirez
What if Peter Parker became the Punisher? It’s not a question I can say I’ve ever had, but it’s one that has an interesting answer. Perpetual good guy Peter Parker, but he has wrist-mounted guns, and a black, skull-adorned suit? Sign me up! Fair warning if you haven’t read this yet, I do get into some spoiler territory.
Peter Parker is still the science-loving nerdy kid who gets bit by a radioactive spider. He gets his powers and starts using them to make money. Tragedy strikes and his Uncle Ben dies. In this “What If?” comic, Peter Parker ends up killing his uncle’s killer. This leads him down a path of crime fighting, against the same villains. But rather than send them to jail, he decides to kill them instead.
I like the art in this issue. I have some gripes with it, but as a whole, I do like it. The design of this Spider-Man suit looks cool. From the start, it’s a black costume, but with the Punisher skull. With the belt and pouches, Spidey seems badass. On top of that, to see it inserted into some classic Spider-Man moments is pretty cool. The style as a whole works well; there’s not anything to complain about as far as what’s here. With that, for this technically being a Punisher story there’s not too much action and almost no blood. The action gets a pass because they’re telling what could easily be a mini-series worth of story in one issue. The blood though… I mean, Peter is using guns to fight crime. Maybe a tint of red?
I’ll be honest, I have some mixed feelings about this concept. It really goes against Peter Parker’s character to kill. This isn’t the 616 universe obviously, but it still feels a little wrong. And here’s the thing: his life kind of turns out better in this universe. Sure, Uncle Ben and some of the big name villains are dead, but Peter Parker seemingly gets a happily ever after with Gwen Stacy. She still takes a dive from the top of a bridge, but at least in this universe, she lives.
Putting that to the side, the story here is good. We go through some classic events from Spidey’s past, but with a more violent Spider-Man. He’s still a smart, nerdy guy. There’s the spider bite, the wrestling, and Uncle Ben. He’s friends with Harry Osborn and MJ, and dates Gwen Stacy. The Sinister Six appear, and his flagship villain is still the Green Goblin. If anything, my main problem is that while we’re told he’s being the Punisher, we don’t really see the violence or anything. Again, I understand we’re working with a one-shot issue, but I’d personally prefer a show and not just tell approach.
With my complaints out of the way, I still did like this issue. It’s a fun look at a different universe. We’re left with a pretty open ending, which I like. I really wouldn’t mind another visit to this particular universe. The art’s good and the story is solid. This is definitely worth a read, even if you’ve never asked this particular “What If?” question.
What If Peter Parker Became The Punisher #1
What if Peter Parker Became the Punisher #1 answers the question in the form of a solid story, and art, but leaves a little bit to be desired in both.
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