Punisher: War Zone #1 Comic Book Review2 minute read

- Issue: #1
- Release date: 1992
- Series date: 1992-1995
Storyline: This issue follows Frank Castle as “The Punisher” collecting intel on the Carbone crime family. Microchip’s loyalty comes into question as well.
I picked up this first issue of Punisher: War Zone last week at a local comic shop. I actually have never read the “War Zone” series. When I saw the first issue on the wall for $5 I had to get it. I figured it would be a great addition of first issues. I wasn’t expecting to be wowed.
When I first opened the comic I was pleasantly surprised by the feel of the comic itself. For starters, the cover has a nice thickness to it, and it has a cutout section, which I found very cool and unique.
It being a first issue, it gives a quick excerpt of Frank Castle’s backstory, but gets right into the action.
Microchip is really involved in the story arc in this issue. Shotgun also makes a quick and kind of random appearance.
This issue seems to have played a big role in the 2004 Punisher film. There are parts of the story taken right out of this issue. The main one is when The Punisher hangs up a low-level mob associate “Mickey” and interrogates him with a popsicle and a blowtorch.
The scene in the movie is completely taken from this issue. Almost word for word.
Here is the scene in the movie.
Frank Tortures Mickey – The Punisher Extended Cut (2004)
Taken from the new Blu Ray transfer.
And here is some of the scene in the issue.
I found that to be really cool.
This issue is a fantastic read. It ends with Frank Castle going undercover into the Carbone crime family. I’m definitely going to be picking up additional issues of this series. I highly recommend it if you’re a Punisher fan.
- Writer: Chuck Dixon
- Penciler: John Romita JR.
- Inker: Klaus Janson
- Colorist: Gregory Wright
- Letterer: Jim Novak
- Editor: Don Daley
- Chief: Tom DeFalco
This is the first of many comic book reviews to come…
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