Brandon Borzelli's Geek Goggle Reviews
Punishermax #5
Max (Marvel Comics)
Aaron, Dillon & Hollingsworth
Jason Aaron ends his first arc on Punishermax is dramatic fashion. The arc's ending involves more pain and suffering mixed in with some very tough decisions as the battles hit really close to home. Characters die but Aaron manages to make the deaths feel relevant because he has grounded the characters so well in the first four issues. This is a terrific read that will shock you and make you chuckle a little bit all with awesome art to make these emotions come out all the more. This is a terrific issue.
The story picks up with Rigoletto having escaped the home invasion by the Kingpin. This was a little strange and took a second to process but he ends up at the Kingpin's house holding his wife and son hostage. The strange element here is that Kingpin is alone. He has no men that enter his house as a bodyguard or as a hired hand. However, what this provides is a great confrontation.
There is no build up. Before any threats are really even exchanged Rigoletto tells Kingpin to drop his weapon or his son dies. It's a fairly obvious way to open up some yelling and then have a nice fight. That's not what happens as Kingpin refuses to drop his weapon. The drama is clear as his family is shocked at this turn of events and Rigoletto seems to become afraid of Fisk with his course of action. What ensues is an outstanding and gut wrenching standoff.
Juxtaposed with this is the battle between the Punisher and the Mennonite. The Punisher has two broken hands and the Mennonite refuses to use weapons that were machine made. This makes for a long, and creative, brawl.
The issue has two great battles. With as much drama the Kingpin-Rigoletto fight the Punisher-Mennonite fight has lots of dark humor and action. The ending for both battles hits close to home for all of the characters involved.
The issue is outstanding artistically and this helps to make the issue a classic. The most memorable scene is made so because the artwork. Frank blows up the Mennonite's horses and while the Mennonite lays there on the ground he's covered in horse limbs. It's sick, funny and effective. This issue has a lot of artwork that brings extra life to the story and that's what you want in a comic book.
This arc is an instant classic. Is it the best Punisher arc ever? Probably not. However, the five issues within the arc tell an interesting story with compelling characters that will make you laugh and will make you cringe. To me, this is what a great Punisher arc is all about. I can't recommend the arc and this issue enough.
5 out of 5 Geek Goggles
