Writer: Dan Abnett
Artist: Álvaro López
Colorist: Rachelle Rosenberg
Letterer: Cory Petit
Abnett does it again with The Amazing Spider-Man vs. Punisher #4! He makes each issue of this miniseries so interesting, with strong character voices and dynamic chemistry between them. Since it is a face-off, conversation-heavy issue, Abnett writes really solid dialogue that instantly hooked me. Overall, I am happy with Frank’s confrontation with Peter. I expected each character to keep their cards close to their chest and play it cool, but I did not expect the tension to get so high.
SPOILERS AHEAD
Finally Face-To-Face
The meat of this issue is the Punisher confronting Peter in his own apartment. I say “meat of this issue” because the tension is so thick you can cut it with a knife. The way Abnett has Frank and Peter size each other up is great. Throughout this entire exchange, Frank does the talking. It’s not that Frank is headstrong; I mean, not more than usual, but Frank is the first one to make a move by ambushing Peter. Throughout this entire exchange, Frank plays offense. He mistakenly dismisses the possibility that Peter could be Spider-Man, and that is his downfall.
Because Frank makes the first move and is wrong, it leaves him open to being blindsided. Frank is even surprised to think Peter isn’t afraid of him. Peter is; he just knows Frank’s code is not to kill innocent people. He even makes his presence felt by freely walking around Peter’s apartment, holding and commenting on pictures of Aunt May, etc. This is a tactic to get what he wants from Peter, but Peter has an ace up his sleeve. He knows he can overpower Frank. Peter even hits him with a curveball by saying “Spider-Man” worries about Frank and how he might go too far. It harks back to the effectiveness of superheroes, something Peter, as Spider-Man, talked to Frank about. This whole first half of the issue reminds me of the intense confrontations in Heat (1995) or The Batman (2022). I really enjoy the dynamic Abnett has for them. Finally, Frank gets something out of Peter when he discovers the pictures Peter took of Smokescreen meeting up with the Dulce crime family.
Where There’s Smoke(screen), There’s Fire
The biggest moment of this issue is Frank seeing pictures of Smokescreen, someone Frank called a friend, meeting up with the cartel’s competition. It’s a very fitting name because I didn’t expect it either. I was duped just like Frank, so I understand him wanting to go in guns blazing. Frank doesn’t have many friends. It takes a lot for Frank to call someone a friend. So God help anyone who stands in his way because now he is on a one-man mission. While outside next to Frank’s van, Peter, masked, pleads with Frank not to go. Frank repeatedly tells Spider-Man to go away.
The parallel with the apartment scene is excellent. There, Peter says “Spider-Man” thinks Frank goes too far and will continue doing so until he goes somewhere where he'd have to be stopped. Frank gets in his face and asks if Spider-Man is really going to stop him. Peter answers that with, “If he has to. Him or someone like him.” Here, after a silent panel, something Abnett has done well before in this series, Frank only says, “Don't,” and Peter replies, “Don't make me have to.” Peter doesn't back down either time. It’s a great scene by Abnett.
Bringing This Book To Life
López and Rosenberg continue to be an amazing duo on this book. Again, I think López does a great job with these characters. I really enjoy Frank having his slicked-back hair and trench coat. He has both in his current book, but the trench coat looks cooler with the tights. This is such a minor thing, but Frank jokes about Peter getting Frank’s picture out there, “boosting his optics”, etc. It’s not that I think The Punisher enjoys putting on the tights with the skull and colored tool belt. He doesn’t seem like that person. I just think he knows what that skull means to people, and he quietly relishes knowing people are afraid of that. Seeing as this is set in the past, I don’t mind Frank wearing the tights because it is still about the message to me.
A scene in this issue that I think showcases the art well is when Peter finishes talking with Frank and has to quickly suit up and stop Frank from going after Smokescreen. The reason I enjoy it so much is that it works without Abnett’s writing. López draws it in a very readable sequence, still making Peter animated, and Rosenberg’s colors always make that suit pop off the page. Having his suit in the sky as the sun is going down is a great use of her different colors.
Final Thoughts
Punisher Vs. The Amazing Spider-Man #4 continues to be an exciting story set in these characters’ pasts. This issue replaces the blockbuster action with an interesting exchange between the titular characters. Abnett has incredible dialogue, great character voices, and very dynamic chemistry between them. The art team always makes this book so full of energy with the character designs and colors. I know Peter won’t let Frank punish him like he wants to, but I still hope Frank gets him some next issue. I will accept nobody dying if I can still have a shootout. I am very happy with how this book is turning out, and dare I say it is underrated!