So it was a light week this week, with the start of some new titles, some mini series, and some one shots. So I decided to go out of my comfort zone and try something different, something new to me anyways. That is why I went with Punisher: War Zone. It has been forever since I picked up and read a Punisher book. There is something about the character that I just do not care for. I’m not that all in to the whole anti-hero thing, and just shooting your enemies because that is just the easiest thing to do. That being said I’m also big sucker for story lines that involve heroes fighting heroes, and I’m a massive fan of the What If story that had the Punisher killing the Marvel Universe. So naturally I was drawn to this book. The cover alone with bullet riddled Avengers, and the curiosity of maybe the Punisher could do what the X-Men could not and show the Avengers up a little. Well having no idea that this was the ending of Rucka’s Punisher series that he was doing. I was a little lost at first when I first started reading this book, because you are thrown right in the middle of a story, and if you were reading Punisher then you would be able to follow the story just fine. I, on the other hand, was not, so I had to do a little research but other then that the story is pretty straight forward and easy to follow. The book does an excellent job of making it easy for a new reader to jump on this mini. A quick recap of what had happened and then right into the story. This is a solid first issue of a mini. It hooks you in with some great story telling. Followed by some great action, and then leaving with a few questions that would keep you coming back for more. Now Rucka and Giandomenico work extremely well together on this book. Rucka writes a very good Punisher, and Giandomenico art truly backs him up on this book. Like I said in the beginning I do not read much Punisher at all, but the stories I have read you never get the sense that the Punisher is in the Marvel Universe. That he off in the real world shooting the bad guys, and none of the other heroes exist. So when Frank is thrown back into the super hero world it can be a bit jarring. That is what Rucka does so well in this book that you feel as if Punisher has been there all along. With Giandomenico art that works so well as a gritty Punisher book, but also good action packed superhero book You truly get the best of both worlds on this book. Like I said before, I am naturally drawn to a story where heroes go toe to toe with each other. I’m curious to see how guy with a bulletproof vest and guns is going to handles the likes of Iron Man and Thor. These are the stories I like to seat down and read knowing that there is going to be an end, and you might just be surprised at what’s going to happen. So if, you are a fan of all the elements I talked about, then this might be something you should check out. I know for me. I’ll be coming back for more. GeekNewWave.com