Writer: Dan Abnett
Artist: Álvaro López
Colors: Rachelle Rosenberg
Letters: Cory Petit
Punisher Vs. The Amazing Spider-Man #3 remains a delightful co-op title. Abnett still showcases his on-point characterization and banter for both Punisher and Spider-Man. The discussion of crime-fighting methods continues, but Abnett adds another layer to the topic of masks, teasing something big for the next issue. The only expectation I had for this issue was Abnett still having the characters debrief in Frank’s van and López continuing to draw Spider-Man so animated.
SPOILERS AHEAD
Masks, Methods, and Mayhem
The major conflict of this issue is that Frank realizes he’s losing Peter as a duo. He let Peter into his world without Peter extending the same courtesy. Frank doesn’t hide behind a mask; Peter is covered head to toe. Frank can do what must be done; Peter can’t stomach real action. Frank takes criminals at face value and deals with them as he sees fit; Peter believes in redemption and saving people. This entire thought process is told through Frank’s War Journal entries. Reading the entries makes me miss his journal in his own current book. It’s so small, but it just shows how calculated and methodical he could be.
Peter’s Sticky Situation
Now, Peter has a different conflict. He knows about Frank Castle. His colleagues at The Bugle and Det. Laviano told him. It is only when Reed Richards, a fellow superhero whom Peter respects, gives him a “dad talk” that Peter is really faced with the reality of the situation. Even though I think Reed/The Fantastic Four should stick to global and intergalactic threats, which Frank Castle certainly is not, I thoroughly enjoy how Abnett writes Reed talking about Frank. Frank *is* hurt, wronged, wounded, and angry. Even though Reed is a superhero, he is still smart enough to realize that Frank wouldn’t be the Punisher unless something made him turn into that. Abnett even beautifully tells us the difference between a supervillain, like Dr. Doom, and “something else entirely”, like Frank Castle. Frank kills without compunction (shame or guilt). That’s not to say Doom doesn’t; he just sees himself as some hero of Latveria. Frank knows he’s not a good guy. I didn’t expect to see another hero, much less Reed Richards, talk about Frank Castle, but I am so glad Abnett added him. I enjoyed seeing him, and he also made sense in the talk with Peter.
Driving Each Other Crazy
One thing I noted above that Abnett does so well is that he gives us mission debriefs in Frank’s van, and none of it feels like exposition. Frank and Peter going through what happened, usually with Frank getting on Peter for not being like him, is so interesting to read. This time, I think things went the furthest they ever have in this book. Frank almost kills Rhino not with his guns, but with Peter’s web-shooters. Even when Frank plays by Spider-Man’s rules, he still finds a way to inflict punishment. Frank shoots webs into Rhino’s eye and mouth, causing him to lose partial sight and the ability to breathe. To Frank’s credit. He *did* use non-lethal bullets at first. They have their usual tiff about methods and whatnot, but it is amplified because Peter feels like Frank encroached on his villains. I find this debrief so useful because it allows Abnett to keep up the banter with the characters while also letting López enhance the mood with his art. The silent panels between talking points and Peter’s animated expressions do a good job of selling the drama to me.
Mask Off
The peak of this issue is, without a doubt, Frank getting into Peter’s apartment. Yes, this means he knows Peter is Spider-Man; the crime board on his wall certainly doesn’t help things lol. However, more than that, Frank is finally getting answers to something he’s been wondering since the first issue. To be fair, Peter is also trying to decide if Frank is worth saving, but it’s different with Frank. Frank Castle, for all intents and purposes, is an open book. He’s obviously not going to read it for you, but he knows who he is and what he does, through and through. I’m so eager to read the next issue in hopes that we see that discussion of masks/secret identities between the characters.
The Art
I’ve been vocal about my feelings about the art. I think López does a great job with characters and emotions. Though I realize that I am not wowed by the action. It is not as dynamic as I want it to be, but Rosenberg does a great job highlighting it. She separates the foreground and the background by usually making the background one or two colors, while the foreground is full of a splash of different colors. A scene I like in this issue is Peter reacting to Frank cutting off Rhino’s airways. The background isn’t colored in a way that would muddy up the foreground. The foreground is full of distinct, vibrant colors of each character’s iconic look. The art also showcases Peter’s animated expressions, which López does so well.
Final Thoughts
Punisher Vs. The Amazing Spider-Man #3 is a book that needs more eyes on it. Abnett continues to prove he knows how to write Punisher and Spider-Man. The pairing makes this book full of talking points you can really sink your teeth into. López and Rosenberg are a good duo for the art. López has a great eye for character and emotion, and Rosenberg makes everything so clear and distinct with her use of color. Please read this book! It doesn’t reinvent the wheel, but it gives us an entertaining story with a bigger conversation around it about how superheroes are effective.