A new installment of this run arrived last Wednesday and we got back to a thrilling, action-packed storyline. Now free from prison, Frank is on the loose and chasing down the remnants of Hydra and Baron Zemo. Rosenberg continues to deliver a great action-packed comic book series with Frank leaving a path of dead bodies behind. It starts with a really fine bike pursuit with Frank following Jigsaw, who has Sister Mercedes tied into his bike. She doesn’t make it. Sadly for Frank and like I mentioned a few reviews earlier, Frank again suffers the first loss of someone who was close to him and helped him out.

Sadly, this issue didn’t give us any “conclusion”, Frank and Jigsaw just exchanged shots and for a “good reason” in my opinion, Frank has to choose to leave him alive to go after Zemo. Rosenberg continues to put Frank and Zemo into a cat and mouse battle and these two characters still didn’t face off as I expected with Zemo once again escaping. It’s a double loss for Frank considering Jigsaw also lives. On the positive side, I really love the dialogue between characters and we have a very entertaining moment between Zemo and Jigsaw. I laughed a lot.

 

Szymon Kudranski’s art really shines in this book with such amazing details in every panel. While this run in terms of plot stagnated a little bit,  the artwork of Kudranski has really improved since he started issue #1. Antonio Fabela’s colors really complete the work of Kudranki with a lot of explosions delivering great details and fantastic coloring.

There’s a great cover by Greg Smallwood that makes total sense if you’ve read this issue. I don’t know if Smallwood knows the script (I believe he knows), but it’s really accurate.

 

 

Overall Verdict: We’ve reached the final issue of the second arc. In closing, I think that the first arc was superior as this second chapter didn’t meet expectations. Jigsaw really damaged The Punisher’s reputation during this arc and Zemo was always one step ahead of Frank. Of course, there were great moments: all the plans to escape prison, the relationship with Sister Mercedes and the fight with Taskmaster. I’m glad that we are going to see a different “stage” of action next as I’ve had enough of Bagalia. Overall, my opinion hasn’t changed a bit. This run continues to be the best of the past two decades with Frank operating within the Marvel Universe. And let’s not forget that it’s already been 22 issues with Rosenberg making The Punisher punish and in sum, it’s been great.

 

RATING: 7.5/10