Punisher #3
- Writer
- Jason Aaron
- Artist
- Jésus Saiz, Paul Azaceta
- Letterer
- VC's Cory Petit
- Cover Artist
- Jésus Saiz
- Publisher
- Marvel
- Price
- $4.99
- Release Date
- 2022-05-25
- Colorist
- Dave Stewart
Since joining the death cult known as the Hand, the Punisher has become the King of Killers. In Punisher #3, written by Jason Aaron, with art by Jésus Saiz and Paul Azaceta, colors by Dave Stewart, and letters by VC's Cory Petit, Frank Castle has gotten more comfortable as the Hand of the Beast. In return for bringing his wife back from the dead, Castle has served the Hand, killing murderers and terrorists. Revered, feared, admired, and even beloved amongst his followers, especially the Priestess, the Punisher has led the way through carnage and chaos to discover the mastermind behind the Apostles of War -- Ares, the God of War.
Despite being the King of Killers and imbued with the powers and the blessings of the Beast, the Punisher is still human -- in both body and soul. Determined to revive his whole family, Frank Castle will do anything the Beast asks. Thankfully, both the Beast and the Priestess have the utmost confidence in him.
Fortunately, Punisher #3 does what the previous issues did not. It explores -- and reinterprets -- Frank Castle's past beyond the death of his wife and children, before his time as a Marine. This issue also explores his growing status as the Hand of the Beast and his own ambivalent feelings towards his new position. Aaron also uses this issue as an opportunity to begin tying up loose ends, answering questions, and further paving the way for a larger narrative. The biggest revelation in this issue is the flashback sequence to Frank's childhood, depicting his first kill as a young child against a violent, murderous neighbor. It's a terrifying and disturbing sequence. Aaron walks an impressively thin line, depicting Frank as a dangerous child while trying to maintain his position as a sympathetic protagonist. It's a tough sell, but it works pretty well, even if it feels heavy-handed at times.
The Punisher is famed -- perhaps even notorious -- for his limited scope of emotions, usually veering from impassive stoicism to brutal, inconsolable rage. Only rarely does the reader see him at peace. This series has been a refreshing, if unsettling, change of pace. Punisher #1 depicts Frank reunited with his scarred but reborn wife, with a rare smile on his face. Although this issue places the majority of its emphasis on Frank's drive to kill in the name of vengeance, Punisher #3 doesn't avoid exploring Frank's vulnerability. The flashback reveals young Frank's fear and horror upon seeing the murder of his neighbors -- the driving force behind his dark and violent desire for justice and retribution. In the present, Frank drops his guard and shows true fear, concern, and even sadness upon seeing Maria's panicked cries for her children. His silent but palpable grief is plain to see in the closing pages. Aaron shows the audience a side of the Punisher that is always alluded to but not often seen to bring depth and tension to this already suspenseful series.
As always, artists Saiz and Azaceta and colorist Dave Stewart deliver beautiful work. There is plenty of carnage to go around, particularly in the beginning and ending sequences, which feature the Punisher fulfilling his duties as the Fist of the Beast, slaughtering the House of Hydra, and torturing a survivor. Many of these brutal action sequences are surprisingly subtle and subdued. The artists render the childhood flashback in a more naïve, bold style. The contrast between this scene and the rest of Punisher #3 is used to great and disturbing effect.
Punisher #3 increases the scale and scope of the entire series, exploring the Punisher's past, present, and innermost desires in equal measures. Carefully contrasting Frank's might with his oft-denied inner fear, Punisher #3 raises the narrative and emotional stakes for the hardened character.
