Review: The Punisher season 2
Well Frank Castle is back and better than ever in the Marvel Netflix team up that’s better than its first season. Season 2 does have some minor things that bother me, but for the most part, this is what I would expect for this character.
If you go into this season thinking that there is going to be a straight forward simple story, then you’ll find yourself mistaken. There are two arcs that run throughout the entirety, and they both wrap up nicely.
Without focusing too much on the plot, so that I avoid spoilers, I do want to point out my one slight issue. Jigsaw. Billy Russo was not quite taken from source material, but with a new take on him. Instead of his face really being the scarred part, it was his psyche that was shattered from the events at the end of season 1. On that note as well, the amount of trauma that the Punisher himself experiences physically should have had him just as scarred as Billy, but at the end Frank is unmarred when he fully dons the vigilante persona. Okay, so there is suspension of disbelief with that, and the way that everything flowed during this season was better than ANY of the other Marvel/Netflix shows.
Amy, Madoni, Curtis, John Pilgrim, and the rest of the cast were just as exemplary in their roles as Frank and Billy. It was a job well done by all.
It didn’t drag on in parts and wrapped up everything nicely. I hope we see more of the character soon. Personally, I’d like a Nick Fury/Winter Soldier/Punisher team up, but that’s just me.
What were your thoughts? I give season 2 of the Punisher 4 out of 5 sCrypt ratings.
Review: Marvel’s Punisher
The Marvel and Netflix combo hit again with their newest series The Punisher. My expectations were very high for this show, because I was an avid reader of the gratuitously violent anti-hero vigilante. There was something about the character that went beyond just the gore and killing. He was a decent human being that lost his family. He wasn’t just a murdering psychopath.
We already got a taste of Frank Castle during Daredevil season 2, so going into this I was worried that the audience wouldn’t be able to connect with him. With all the violence in today’s society it is hard to find a reason to see him as a hero, but this show was done perfectly to exude that feeling.
While some may complain that it was way too slow, I think most will agree that the paced narrative was necessary to make the audience cheer for the main character and feel for him. He’s not out for revenge. He’s out for justice. It may not be what the government deems as just, but for the people he’s taking out, it is what he feels needs to be done.
There is a suspension of disbelief seeing him get tortured, beaten, and shot beyond a level suitable for any one human to take, but isn’t that how any show like this would go? There were some references to the comics that were done tastefully. The final three episodes go from story telling to hard core (at some moments almost unwatchable combat). Yes, there was more than one moment where I had a difficult time seeing what was on screen, but it held my attention because at that point in the story the villains really needed to have that done to them.
SPOILER ALERT: The final battle with Billy Russo and Punisher was my favorite scene. I got worried at one point that they’d kill off the big bad. I knew that in the comics he becomes Jigsaw (basically the antithesis to Frank Castle with a horribly scarred face. At one point he even wore a costume similar to Punisher’s). Thankfully, Frank had reason to let him live, and with all the foreshadowing done throughout the episodes, how could he not?
Will we see The Punisher and Daredevil team up again to take down a Kingpin/Jigsaw/Bullseye combo? Who knows, but it’s something that I hope happens at some point. END SPOILERS
At the end of the day it comes down to this… The Punisher season 1 is a well told story. It is a tragic story. It is a love story. It is a story about corruption and justice. It is a story about political agendas and dealing with PTSD. Throw in some really action packed scenes to live up to the name Frank Castle bears, and you end up with something completely new for Marvel’s Cinematic Universe. I give it a 4.5 out of 5 sCrypt ratings. It went beyond my expectations for a good story, and appeased the comic book fan in me.
What did you think of Punisher season 1? Comment with your thoughts and predictions of where they may take the character(s) after this.
Poll Results: Capitol Punishment Battle
With the likes of Jack Bauer, Johnny Chong, The Red Hood, The Crow, Hartigan, and Judge Dredd, there is only one true person who brings justice. Poll results had Hartigan out in the first round. Everyone else fell soon after with a sweeping win by Marvel Comics’ The Punisher. Frank Castle is the true definition of capitol punishment.
Thanks for your votes, and be sure to vote again in our next battle. If you want to see the full coverage of this battle, check out the original post here https://scryptcomics.wordpress.com/2012/08/18/capitol-punishment-battle-poll/
Capitol Punishment Battle Poll
One of my favorite comic book characters when I was growing up was an anti-hero. He was a good guy, who did bad things, so that the guilty could be punished. Sure, most of us are familiar with Clint Eastwood’s Dirty Harry movies or Liam Neeson in Taken. These are characters who push the boundaries, cross the line, and serve justice the way the judicial system won’t. Though I’d love to have the two mentioned above in this poll, this is a comic book battle, but don’t worry, there are plenty of contestants: The Punisher (Marvel Comics), The Red Hood (DC Comics), Judge Dredd (2000 AD Comics), Eric “The Crow” Draven (Image Comics), Sin City’s Hartigan (Darkhorse Comics), Jack Bauer (IDW Publishing), and of course my favorite of them all… Johnny Chong (sCrypt Comics).
Who do you think is the most likely to win this battle royale? Place your vote below or add your own to the poll. Need help deciding? Here’s a breakdown of each character:
For Marvel Comics: Frank Castle (Castiglione) was a veteran family man, but when his wife and child were murdered by the mob, he took his 
combat and field expertise into a new battle… “The War On Crime.” Since then, he has moved from city to city, vowing to bring justice to those who are unjust, in an eye for an eye manner. Those who are responsible for deaths of others will be found and killed by The Punisher’s hand. He is highly skilled in hand to hand and weapon combat, is an expert marksman and military tactician, Has an exceptionally high pain tolerance, and is in peak physical condition. He has also held his own in toe to toe battles with a few superpowered individuals. The Punisher first appeared in The Amazing Spiderman #129 (in 1974).
DC Comics: Jason Todd took over the mantle of Robin once Dick Grayson became Nightwing. After the Joker killed this new Robin, Todd emerged years later. Angry that vengeance hadn’t been sought out against the Joker for killing him, Todd began travelling the world as Bruce Wayne had. He trained in many forms of martial arts, and came back under the persona of The Red Hood. The difference between him and Batman is one thing… He uses guns and kills those whom he feels are no longer worthy of life because of their guilty acts. The Red Hood has fought not only Batman and many of his rogues, but gone up against the odds and come out victorious. Jason Todd first appeared in 1983, but didn’t become the Red Hood until 2005 in Batman #635.
2000 AD Comics: Judge Joseph Dredd comes from a future, where crime is rampant. There are no longer 
police, judges or juries. Instead, a group called Judges, consist of the law enforcement and serve the purpose of judge, jury and executioners. Joseph Dredd is the most well known of all the judges because of his effectiveness and decision making. Armed with a daystick, his Lawgiver pistol, and a large lawmaster motorbike, criminals should cower in fear and hide if he is coming their way. He is an excellent marksman, has bionic eyes that give him perfect nightvision, and is an expert in unarmed combat. Judge Dredd first appeared in 1977 in 2000 A.D. #2
Image Comics: Eric Draven and his fiance were murdered unjustly alongside a highway. A supernatural spirit known as the Crow ressurrected him because of his unjust murder and has vowed him to find those killers and wrongdoers, and show them true justice. He has enhanced catlike reflexes with superstrength and agility, a healing factor, resistance to pain or injury, and can see through the spiritual eyes of the crow. The Crow first appeared in Caliber Presents #1 in 1989.
Darkhorse Comics: Detective John Hartigan is a sixty something year old veteran officer in Basin city. He is able of withstanding immense amounts of pain before collapsing, including bullet wounds, and cares little for himself as he protects the innocent. Hartigan tends to let murderers and harsh criminals suffer a lot of pain before dying. John Hartigan first appeared in That Yellow Bastard in 1996.
IDW Publishing: Jack Bauer has worked as a government official for CTU (Counter Terrorist Unit). Often known to break the rules and push way beyond the boundaries of what is acceptable, he will do whatever it takes to take down the bad guys. His interrogation techniques are effective, but considered heinous by some, as he will stop at nothing to get the truth. Terrorists and criminals intent on destroying the United States or harming the innocent, do not want to be in his path. He is highly trained with firearms and hand to hand combat, and has an unusually high pain tollerance. Jack Bauer first appeared in the show 24, in 2001, and since then has been brought to comic book form by IDW.
sCrypt Comics: Johnny Chong was the owner of a gunshop in Jim Thorpe, PA until a virus killed most of the residents of the town. After taking on hundreds of zombies, vampires, and even coming face to face with werewolves, he 
decided to travel to China. There, he trained under the Shaolin Monks to be able to use his body and mind as a weapon, in addition to his vast knowledge of firearms. Having watched the woman he once loved murdered by a few thugs, he vowed to never let anyone he loved die by those likes again. Johnny Chong although not yet in comic book form, is a prominent character in the sCrypt Comics universe. He first appeared in “Flesh And Leftovers” the novel in 2010.
So, there’s the info, folks. Vote below for your choice in who would win in an epic battle royale. If you think there is someone else that should be added to this fight, feel free to comment and
vote for “other”. Spread the word, and remember, the more votes, the better.
-Thanks again for the participation (sCrypt Comics)
The Punisher: “Dirty Laundry”
Not sure why this didn’t post the first time, but I apologize.
Here it is! Thomas Jane and Ron Perlman made a short film to pay tribute to the Punisher.
Jane, who played the character in the 2004 film of the same name, said, “I wanted to make a fan film for a character I’ve always loved and believed in – a love letter to Frank Castle & his fans. It was an incredible experience with everyone on the project throwing in their time just for the fun of it. It’s been a blast to be a part of from start to finish — we hope the friends of Frank enjoy watching it as much as we did making it.”
Does this mean that he is trying to get a push to reprise interest in the character after all the success of comic book movies lately? Here is the video (Be warned, it is very VERY violent) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bWpK0wsnitc
Personally, I love the character, and think that if they took the best of the 2004 version and combined it with the violence of the Punisher War Zone follow up, you would have a great Punisher movie. What are your thoughts?
sCrypt Publishing 