Punisher War Journal (2006 Series) #5

March 13, 2007

Quick Rating: Very Good
Title: NYC Red
Rating: T+

Bushwacker holds the streets of New York hostage – with an unlikely hero holding the line.

Writer: Matt Fraction
Rating: Ariel Olivetti
Letters: Joe Caramagna
Editor: Axel Alonso
Cover Art: Ariel Olivetti
Publisher: Marvel Comics

Bad news for the fans: the Punisher actually doesn’t actually appear very much in this book.

Good news: despite that (or perhaps because of it), it’s really a startlingly good read.

The b-list supervillain called Bushwacker gets blown into the middle of the streets of Manhattan with a hostage in his hands. G.W. Bridge is on his trail, but one of New York’s Finest has already drawn his weapon (for the first time) and is standing his ground. Bushwacker’s demand for his hostage? Bring him the Punisher.

The book is actually, more than anything else, an examination of the cop named Ian. He spends virtually the entire book frozen in place, gun aimed at the villain, whose weapon in turn is aimed at the hostage. Despite this, the dialogue between the characters and the frantic actions of the other cops trying to secure the situation makes for a really strong, really exciting comic. It reminds me of other “claustrophobic thrillers” like Phone Booth or Panic Room – stories told in a small space (although this one is out in the open, there isn’t much movement – but that still manage to convey a feeling of real action. The ending is a really great twist, and the Punisher’s appearance doesn’t feel superfluous, like he was just tacked into an existing story because it’s his book.

Ariel Olivetti is a particularly strong match for this comic. He’s got an excellent grasp on the title character, but his style works really well for the bizarre, morphing Bushwacker as well. He also has a lot of skill at keeping the pages exciting, even though they don’t move very much.

I’d recommend this book even if you aren’t a Punisher fan – it’s a strong story, the sort of thing that really appeals to thriller fans, which I am.

Rating: 8/10