Comic Conversations: the Punisher #1 (2022)

    In efforts to add more content to my blog, I decided to create a post simply called Comic Conversations.  The posts will simply be me discussing what I think about certain topics in the world of comics.  I will mostly focus on new material, but that doesn't mean I won't go down memory lane as well.

    For my first post, I decided to focus on one of my favorite characters from the Marvel Universe and his transition into the organization known as the Hand.  If you know me, you know that the Punisher is sacred to me and I was very skeptical about the changing of the logo.  Well, after reading the first issue, it makes sense.  Let me explain.

    The first issue begins with a flashback to when the Punisher was born.  For those of you who do not know, Frank Castle became the Punisher after his family was slaughtered during a mob hit in the park.   After the flashback, we are brought to the present in a warehouse filled with soldiers (*known as the Apostles) and weapons.  Well, then the lights go out and we see dead soldiers with one left alive to answer the questions of the Punisher. Yes, the Punisher is sporting a new logo but that is because he is now known as "the Fist of the Beast" and he is simply a weapon to Punish the evil in the world.  As we see in the issue, Frank is still learning how to use a sword properly.

    Now,  I know some of you are wondering why is Frank working for the Hand?  Didn't he fight them over and over for all the murders they committed?  The answer is yes, he has fought them before but they made him an  offer he couldn't refuse.  Was it a peaceful transition at first?  Hell no, Frank is a killer of killers, so he had to take some out first.

    The members of the Hand knew they would die, but they saw it as an honor.  Because if they succeeded, the Hand of the Beast would be reborn and cleanse the world of evil.  It was the Arch-Priestess of the Hand that allowed Frank to see that they were actually on the same side.  Of course, it didn't hurt that the Hand seemed to have something he has been looking for since the day the Punisher was born.  What is that you ask?  I'm not spoiling that.  You need to read that yourself.

    I was skeptical at first, but I have to admit, I am more intrigued now to see where this is going.  The promise and gift the Hand gave Frank may be a Hand ruse or it could be real, who knows?  All I know is this is just the latest arch in the story of Frank's life.  For those of you who refuse to read the book because the Punisher skull has changed, just remember two things. First, the skull has already changed more than once and second, we know Frank's future is to become the Cosmic Ghost Rider.  SO, like I said, this is just a small part of the story that is the Punisher.

I give the first issue a 5 out of 5 rating and I look forward to the next issue.

Until next time, get your READ on!