Punisher comics question.

[FrogMan]

Okay, I'm starting in on my Punisher comic collection, but I only want his MU 616 series.

Can anyone tell me which series of his take place in the 616 universe? The ones I'm sure about are:

Punisher Vol. 1 (1-5)
Punisher Vol. 2 (1-104)
Punisher Vol. 3 (1-18)
Punisher War Journal Vol. 1 and 2
Punisher War Zone
The current Punisher series

I'm not sure about any of the Marvel Knights/Max Ennis stuff, and what about the 4 issue mini-series where he's a zombie, or whatever?

[T Hedge Coke]

To the best of my knowledge, it's all 616, only some stories are too much of an adults-only nature to be printed under the standard Marvel banner. Marvel Knights wasn't a different universe, just a publishing imprint to let Quesada reinvigorate some properties that otherwise weren't doing so hot.

And, yes, that includes the ponytail years and the undead angel assassin phase. Ennis dismisses the last one straightaway in his first issue on the title, in about half a page. Basically, the heck with angels telling our boy what to do.

Punisher Kills the Marvel Universe by Garth Ennis is, however, not in continuity. But you should read it anyway. The X-Men are jerks, and Frank gets to use a hammer.

[carabas]

It is debatable whether or not Ennis's Punisher MAX series is 616 or not. Marvel has never said anything either way. But they are by far the best Punisher stories ever written.

[Whitster]

It is debatable whether or not Ennis's Punisher MAX series is 616 or not. Marvel has never said anything either way. But they are by far the best Punisher stories ever written.

I thnk they're set in a kind of mini Ennis-verse, same one as where his FURY MAX was set. Saying that there was something flying about regarding Jigsaw appearing in the MAX series soon so I don't know if other writers have other ideas about it.

[carabas]

I don't really care even slightly whether or not it's 616.

The book shares continuity with Ennis's Marvel Knights Punisher, which was 616. It also shares continuity with his Fury MAX mini, which wasn't. So basically you can choose for yourself.

[brocca]

Dear FrogMan,

I've been reading the various Punisher books from the very beginning and I didn't get the feeling that any series took place in the regular so-called Marvel Universe--the covers of the current Punisher series are taking the pattern of the first Punisher mini series covers drawn by Mike Zeck, nothing more. They don't seem related otherwise.

The Punisher's first appearance was in a Spider-Man book, though. And in the first ongoing series in the early books written by Mike Baron and drawn by Whilce Portacio the Kingpin and Daredevil play a role. Reading this, as I said, doesn't invoke the idea that the setting is the same Marvelous New York as in Spider-Man or Fantastic Four.

But the Punisher has numerous guest appearances in regular Marvel Universe books--again in Daredevil (Ann Nocenti's and JrJr's run), David Lapham took this up in a mini series several years ago. The Punisher had guest appearances in the odd Wolverine book, and, for a note, in Garth Ennis' prestige format book named similar like "The Punisher destroys the Marvel Universe" or some such, which again doesn't seem to be a real Marvel Universe book.

In the Max titles Nick Fury is featured in a cameo as a secret agent different from his appearances in regular Marvel Universe books.

All in all the Punisher could be seen in the corner of the eye rummaging on the fringes of the Marvel Universe for two decades but not much until very recently with the new Punisher ongoing series did he become an "integral" part of the Marvel Universe's regular continuity.

[FrogMan]

I'm sooooo confused.

LOL.

So basically, the only series that may not be 616 is the MAX series?

Right?

Right?

:)

[carabas]

So basically, the only series that may not be 616 is the MAX Well, there' the stuff that i obviously not 616, like Punisher 2044 or The Punisher Kills The Marvel Universe, but yes, more or less.

And they're also some of the very best written Punisher stories, or even very best Marvel comics ever. There is a clear consensus about this.

[Libaax]

Really Punisher 616 or Max doesnt matter read any Punisher and see if you like.

I have read early 90s Chuck Dixon Punisher and it was much closer to Max Punisher than current new 616 Punisher series or any other Punisher in a superhero world.

He spents alot of his stories in his street level darkness. Read those stories if you find it interesting.

I know i will go after early Punisher in that vien.

[Warpsters]

Garth Ennis Punisher is the definitive Punisher. MK and MAX Punisher by Ennis are some of the best comics I've ever read from any publisher.

[2-4-5_Trioxin]

Technically speaking only these are 616 and I have every puisher issue.

Punisher Vol. 1 (1-5)
Punisher Vol. 2 (1-104)
Punisher War Journal Vol. 1 Vol. 2



Even ones like warzone are pretty much just centered around him and never did involve any over arching story from anyone elses comic or involve others to much.

The maxx series are the same way and not involved in the normal universe at all aside from a couple of cameos. So like war zone its just kind of like its own self contained title and lacked alot of influence from outside its self.

[Jake V]

I'm sooooo confused.

LOL.

So basically, the only series that may not be 616 is the MAX series?

Right?

Right?

:)

It might not be, but there's nothing about it that makes it impossible to be set in the main marvel universe.

[Order of Zeon]

Garth Ennis Punisher is the definitive Punisher. MK and MAX Punisher by Ennis are some of the best comics I've ever read from any publisher.

Damn, straight!

If you like Punisher you have to read

Punisher The End

Punisher The Tyger

Punisher Born

Punisher The Cell

These are among the best punisher stories period, and all are under the MAX label and written by Ennis.

Why limit yourself, get it all. At the very least the max stuff will be easier to collect.

[Madison Carter]

All Punisher series except the MAX title are 616, including the whole "angel" series and Ennis' MK run. The MAX title is not "quite" in-continuity. Parts, large and small may or may not have occurred in similar fashion on 616, but it's not clear or certain what.

[FrogMan]

I will probably get it all eventually, but I'm aiming for 616 stuff first.

[JET ACE LOGAN]

The MAX series is MU 616 !!!

never been stated other wise!!


The marvel knights (MK) series that came before the Max series was definitely MU 616 and cross overs from the MU 616 universe where in this Punisher MK series...

Also

characters and plots where carried over from the MK series into the punisher MAX series......

All the MAX imprint is, in regards to the punisher, is a more adult (read uncensored) way of telling a punisher story.........


Which Ennis wisely capitilised on while writing Frank..........

[Blotto99]

Punisher Kills the Marvel Universe by Garth Ennis is, however, not in continuity. But you should read it anyway. The X-Men are jerks, and Frank gets to use a hammer.

Punisher Kills The Marvel Universe is one of my favorite books al all-time. Ennis at his best.

[Madison Carter]

The MAX series is MU 616 !!!

never been stated other wise!!

Then let me state it then: It's not.

Not quite anyway.

What happens in MAX may very well be similar to events in the 616 Punisher's life, but not exactly the same. We don't and probably won't know exactly. But as someone who puts together these characters histories, I can assure you that as far as editorial is concerned, MAX events are not considered to be indicative of the 616 Punisher's adventures.

[carabas]

The MAX series is MU 616 !!!

never been stated other wise!!


The marvel knights (MK) series that came before the Max series was definitely MU 616 and cross overs from the MU 616 universe where in this Punisher MK series...

Also

characters and plots where carried over from the MK series into the punisher MAX series......

All the MAX imprint is, in regards to the punisher, is a more adult (read uncensored) way of telling a punisher story...It's debatable. The Nick Fury from Ennis's decidedly non-616 Fury Max mini is the same version that shows up in Punisher MAX.

[Expletive Deleted]

For whatever it's worth, the Microchip entry in the latest hardcover handbook volume refers to the events of the MAX series as taking place on "Earth-200111."

I wouldn't say that's the last word on the subject, but it seems safe to say that's currently Marvel's official position.

[Libaax]

Really who cares Punisher isnt Spiderman he doest do team ups,deal with MU alot anyway.

Sometimes i dont understand mainstream superhero/vigilante comics fans. 616 or not shouldnt be important enough to decide what you are reading.


When i read newer Punisher first i read Dixon Punisher,MK Ennis and so on. I couldnt careless if there was marvel knights or max punisher or not.