Punisher: The End

(Marvel, 2004)
™ and © 2004 Marvel Characters, Inc.

A lot of people think that The Punisher is a one-dimensional character: Punisher see bad guy, Punisher shoot bad guy, end of story.

This tale demonstrates how much more one can do with that premise. (OK, it’s a lot easier, if that someone is Garth Ennis!) Let’s assume for the sake of argument that The Punisher was one of a handful of survivors of a nuclear holocaust. Let us further assume that Castle has a serious ax to grind with the rest of humanity (what little there is). Will he let his mission slide to ensure the survival of mankind?

Good question, no? There’s an equally good answer.

The art is right at home in this bleak, apocalyptic future. As the song says, it’s the end of the world as we know it—and it sure looks like it. Lee Loughridge’s colors accentuate Corben’s art. The only thing one might question is the timing. This one-shot was released to be concurrent with the new Punisher movie. Sure, that would normally be a great time for new Punisher material—but does Marvel really want movie-driven impulse buyers to pick up a comic book that proclaims itself to be the last Punisher story?

— Jack Abramowitz

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Notes

Writer

Artist

#1

June, 2004
Cover Price: $4.50
8 copies available from $2.98

Garth Ennis

Richard Corben