I was impressed with the first issue of Greg Rucka’s “The Punisher” but felt a little shorted. The main story seemed brief in order to include a fun but not as satisfying second story. I really wanted more. Well, I certainly got it in “The Punisher” #2. This is brilliant issue that shows off Rucka’s ability to capture the crime story vibe in his writing while expanding his take on The Punisher character. There’s no more Punisher driving downtown in broad daylight in an ice cream truck with rockets on the side and a satellite dish on top. Rucka’s Punisher has a violent urban legend feel to him. He uses myth and the aura of fear to intimidate and terrorize those he sets out to punish. I love it.

Rucka also beautifully presents the detective side of his story. This is really the main focus of this arc so far. There are some fantastic scenes between detectives Ozzy and Bolt as they try and piece together clues to a recent faction shootout that left 29 dead at a wedding. We’re also introduced to the bigger players behind it all and we see their concerns about the Punisher and his threat to their operation. It’s all woven together in a beautifully crafted issue that I think rivals anything I’ve seen under The Punisher title in years.

I can’t say enough about Marco Checchetto’s tone setting art work. I love the way he plays with darkness and shadows and his Punisher depiction is just right. His other characters look great from the detectives to the shady underworld thugs. He does has a slight stylistic look in some panels but for the most part he goes with a more realistic approach and I think that’s important for this type of book. Some of these pages really stunned me and I found myself going back to admire his work. Dark, gritty, violent, yet beautiful.

This is really shaping up to be something special. I’m already pumped for the next issue. Rucka and Checchetto are a fantastic combination and they capture the exact tone you would expect from this type of story. Fantastic dialogue, near perfect pacing, and gorgeous art work make this an enthralling and immersive experience. I’m all over it!