Punisher War Journal: Worth it?

[Mr. Earl Brooks]

I love the Garth Ennis MAX line of punisher. I've also seen that Garth Ennis will end his run with the Punisher after the upcoming arc "Valley Forge, Valley Forge." I've read 1-11 of War Journal and I really can't say I enjoyed it. Maybe it was because of the whole Captain America phase that he went through, but I just wan't feeling it. If any of you have been keeping up with the series could you express to me if you feel it gets better after 11(the one where he confronted Bucky, etc.)?

Peace (lol, irony)

[idolone]

I'm with you. I've been reading the punisher books for a long time, and really enjoy the Max series. The War Journal hasn't been that great to me, but I'm a sucker and have kept reading in the off chance that it will get better. So far, I'd say about half of the issues are pretty good, and the other half (hate monger, and craven the hunter stories) have been really bad. I thought the Bucky issue was pretty good, and the issue after that one, the WW Hulk tie-in I think, was pretty fun. I hated the Kraven story line though (#13-15). It was just way too silly.

[TheDarkestHorse]

Yeah, the single issues are often very, very good, but the longer arcs seem to drag. the Kraven arc had some moments, and probably would've been a lot better with the regular artist, but the hatemonger thing just seemed to last forever and not go anywhere.

[filterpunk]

I love the Garth Ennis MAX line of punisher. I've also seen that Garth Ennis will end his run with the Punisher after the upcoming arc "Valley Forge, Valley Forge."

I've really, really liked reading Punisher MAX, but does anyone know if Marvel plans to continue it after he's gone? I never cared much for the character until Ennis started writing him and the previews I've read for PWJ did nothing for me, but it'd be kind of sad to suddenly drop him off my radar again.

[Arsh]

I've really, really liked reading Punisher MAX, but does anyone know if Marvel plans to continue it after he's gone? I never cared much for the character until Ennis started writing him and the previews I've read for PWJ did nothing for me, but it'd be kind of sad to suddenly drop him off my radar again.

Yes, Punisher MAX will continue when Garth Ennis leaves. However, the new writer is apparently top-secret and no one knows who it is, though issue 61 (the one after Garth's last arc) has the art already done (Issue 61 was shown in the Marvel MAX Sampler, the second one).

[boshobosho]

PWJ has it's ups and downs. Like a few posters have said, the single stories have been good while the longer tales tend to drag. I think we see drag because as good of a writer as Matt Fraction is, this book is not being handled correctly.

I remember the early solicits for PWJ and it was supposed to be about how Frank was going to clean up the MU because the other heroes were too busy having their Civil War and the baddies were just running rampant.
So far he's beat up on Rhino a bit, taken down the Hate Monger, and choked out Tiger Shark. Of course he also blew up the Bar with No Name, but as comics go, those guys are all still alive. *yawn*

When I pick up a copy of PWJ I want it to be what it was, Frank Castle kicking hoodlum ass. Hell, if I had my way, Punisher: Armory would still come out once a year or so. That was a fun and informative title!

[matthewaos]

I really enjoy Ennis' work. That said, when I saw PWJ I was really happy, and the first four issues are great, yeah even the CW tie ins. The the hate monger thing started, and I thought it will never end. The one shot with Bucky was very good, the WWH tie in was not what I needed to have faith in the book once again, and the Kraven story seems just boring. Add the fact that Chaykin is coming for the pencils... I'm out of here...

[kello]

I don't read comics with really explicit things, so Punisher War Journal is just mild enough. It's definitely a tounge-in-cheek type thing.