Punisher MAX Vol. 1: In the Beginning

All I have to say is WOW!!! I hated The Punisher movie staring Tom Jane. It was a typical Hollywood POS! It almost killed my hopes of a good Punisher character/story. But this book is everything I had hoped for. For years I never got to see one of my favorite Marvel Charaters as he is supposed to be shown. Blood and guts yes but there is also a awesome story to match the beauty that is illustrated in The Punisher Vol 1. Readers will be treated to early battles and wont have to wait too long for Castle to do what he does best. I waited a while to make sure that this is what I wanted and I a so upset with myself that I waited to get this!! I will start collecting the other Vol VERY soon and I will watch for more from this series! If you are a square then you wont like this book but if you think outside the box and love to have a story toss you around and spit you back out then this is it! All you need is right here! BLOOD, GUNS, THE MOB, CASTLE! If you were thinkning about purchasing this book then stop thinkning and buy it already, you WILL NOT be dissapointed! LOOK FOR PUNISHER: WAR ZONE coming to theaters SOON!!!

Punisher Max: Vol 1 is a great hardcover collection of the first two trades of Garth Ennis and his great but long run on the Punisher (and this is coming from someone who generally doesn't like his work) The first story is one that deals with a special task force that wants to recruit the infamous Punisher to kill criminals for them and one of it's members is also long time supporting member Micro. As well as the mob who wants to go after him. It's the better of the two story-lines and I love the way that it defines who exactly Garth Ennis Punisher is. Not to mention the art is awesomely gritty.The second part of this collection is Kitchen Irish with the Punisher having to deal with multiple rival gangs that are all battling throughout Hell's Kitchen. The story focuses way more on the gangs then Frank and they aren't very compelling criminals making you wish for something to happen. The art is somewhat cartoonish as well and isn't as good as the art in the first half. But it's not bad or anything just a change of pace in comparison to the other volume.

Meet the Punisher, or rather better realise you really don't wanna meet him. In fact, you could very sanely not want to have anything to do with him. This story is not about the MARVEL Universe Punisher, this story is about the around-the-block flesh and bones Frank Castle, aka_The Punisher. Afar is the world where some masked bloke in tights would jump into the panel and start throwing fancy punches and kicks. The guns in this story are really intended to kill and, mind you, bullets don't just kill, they kill by ripping flesh and bones and guts. given this context, the story is fast paced, and tightly driven. It works mostly as a presentation card, and it works brilliantly. Characterisation is superb, nicely intertwined with the plot. I don't think I could say more. The genre? Lessee, we have maffia killers, underground CIA killers, vigilante killer, shootings, flesh bitings, one castration, definitely best placed in the Violence-Action shelf.So go and read it. Oh, kids stay away from it.Just to say it twice: Kids_stay_away_from_it.

Wow! This book will blow your head off - figuratively speaking (No, I am not a criminal, Frank, and in no need of being punished). It is an AWESOME collection of two Punisher tales that forced me to read it in one sitting, neglecting my lunch, dinner, and loved ones. Essentially it combines the first two Marvel Punisher MAX trade paperbacks into one. The first story arc "In the Beginning" is my favorite, but the twist at the end of "Kitchen Irish" is so good that I tend to revise my opinion whenever I re-read this book. In the first few issues we are introduced to new villain Nicky Cavella, a twisted mobster with even more twisted henchmen, Ink and Putsy, to match. After multiple horrid deaths, and the general blood and destruction that is inevitable once you pair the Punisher with writer Garth Ennis, I came to realise that it was actually the stories that sold me on the book, and not the overall gore content and explicit over-the-top scenarios I usually like about Ennis' writing. Frank Castle's final farewell to his old partner Micro is also one of the best scenes in the series, as well as a bloody shootout on the deck of the Intrepid. One of the most gruesome explosions ever to be drawn in comics occur in these pages, and the resultant carnage that follows as the Punisher hunts down those responsible allows the reader to almost identify with the character. This collection is a must for any fan of Ennis, and for those who are hardcore Punisher fans, prepare to be BLOWN AWAY.

Purchased the vol. 1 hardcover advertised as "new" in condition. Recieved the book in poor condition. The binding of the book was already detached from the spine. Also a large Amazon sticker was placed on the cover sleeve. Better off purchasing the book in person to see the condition/quality firsthand before buying. Bummed. The book itself is so good but the condition it was recieved in was unacceptable. The seller this order was fulfilled by was MEDIA MONKEY LLC.

Garth Ennis created his version of the Punisher, that honestly, more than likely fits into the same concept that all of us as fans have created in our minds. Frank castle seeks punishment on those related to the goons that have screwed his life up for ever. The CIA tries to protect franks old 'sidekick' while hunting him down with a delta team in the process. Only to realize the mafia has sent their own goons out to do some retaliation for themselves! Even if either party does find Frank, do they honestly think he will surrender without a fight? Good luck! Story is decent and the art is done very well, blood is shed, and this book is very vulgar! Just how most Punisher fans should want it! 4.5/5 stars for me!

The beginning of the best version of Frank Castle by far. Excellent story and art by Garth Ennis and Lewis Larosa respectively.This series features a middle aged Frank Castle almost 30 years after his families death, still avenging their memories by brutally murdering scores of increasingly vicious criminals, this time whats left of the Italian Mafia in New York.Features interesting characters including O'Brien, Nicky Cavella, His henchmen Pittsy and Ink and featuring the return of Frank's old partner in crime Micro chip who brings Frank and offer he better not refuse.What makes this series different from the average Punisher story is that it takes place in a world without superheroes, much like our own.Very Violent and very recommended.

A fun read and an explosive start to the best punisher run ever printed (in my opinion) the Punisher MAX series has got to be my favourite of all his runs. These feel authentically 'Frank'. This first isn't the best of them, but is by no means boring. Showcasing a great range of characters with various personality issues. The art is not completely to my taste when it comes to drawing Frank, but apart from that it's brutal and bloody and everything you could ask for.

This isn't sophisticated or mature. It is gleefully violent and "adult" in the most juvenile sense. That said, it's a damn fun read. The art compliments the tone of the story and portrays the action perfectly. If you're looking for good Punisher books, it doesn't get more definitive than this. Well worth a buy. If you're looking to collect multiple trade paperbacks of this run it may be more cost-efficient to pick up the newer "Punisher MAX Complete Collection" books.

:D

Very good graphic novel well worth the read.