If this was the first issue of the new run, I’d be just as upset as a lot of people are. The first issue was a surprise because it was enjoyable to read. Maybe I just wasn’t expecting anything from this series but somehow it wound up being a hit for me.

But this specific issue is a major let down. The writing in itself is alright, but nothing special to be honest. I still think Daniel Way has a good handle on Rulk and Punisher. Makes me think we probably should have had a new Punisher ongoing with Way instead of Thunderbolts. But Flash Thompson is the generic wild card, Deadpool is surprisingly toned down (considering Way wrote the man for so many years), and everyone else is pretty forgettable.

The biggest let down though, by the mile is the art by Steve Dillon. Lately his work has been very uneven and considering his style has never changed I can’t quite put my finger on it. I’m noticing some shortcuts in his pencils whether it’s characters looking familiar or layouts looking really confusing. When Venom attacks the soldiers I honestly have no idea what happened. Also, his Deadpool vision? Yikes. Let’s not see that again any time soon.

Big drop off from the first issue. So if you were a naysayer from the start I guess this proves you right. I’m still optimistic about this title because of how much I liked the intro. If the quality keeps dipping though I will quickly hate it as much as I loved it earlier this month.