Customer Reviews

Punisher: Circle of Blood (Marvel Premiere Classic)

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I've been a fan of this particular Punisher series since I bought the second issue of it when I was 7 years old. I can still remember seeing Frank on the cover with his machine gun and thinking to myself, "Whoah he looks just like Rambo!".

Now, all of these years later, I consider this work to be the single finest Marvel mini-series; yes, even better than anything involving Wolverine, X-Men, or my beloved Spider-Man.

Circle of Blood is a complete story within itself, and would be the perfect comic to turn into a movie. The artwork is fantastic, and the dialogue is less cheesy than you normally find in 80's comics. There are none of the annoying references to every other comic book in the Marvel Universe (I was one of those kids that really hated that), and there are -- thankfully -- no appearances by other Marvel characters. These factors, combined with the story's grittiness and adult nature, make it one of the more original and realistic of anything Marvel's done. Frank's enemies in this book are not flamboyant villains, but just the kind of thugs you would expect in a mob movie. Frank's not out to save the world, but to get revenge upon and eliminate those who caused him so much grief. Oh, and did I mention? Frank isn't afraid to kill.

The story follows Frank from his family's murder, through prison, war with the mob, and ultimately to one of the most satisfying endings you could possibly imagine finding in a Marvel mini-series. I must stress again how delightful it is to be able to read this story over and over and not be made to feel like a goof because you missed a particular issue of this or that comic, or to have the entire credibility of a scene shot down by an appearance of a wise-cracking super-hero in tights. Not that there is anything wrong with wise-cracking super-heroes in tights, but you get my point.

Apparently this graphic novel has (...) been re-issued. I'll be ordering it immediately. I lost my copy years ago and I long to read it again.

This is a great reprint of the first Punisher mini-series. Fair warning though, this mini-series is also included in the Essential Punisher collection (albeit in black and white), which is cheaper and has a lot more stories in it. If color doesn't matter to you, then you might want to go that route.

A lot of PUNISHER material is out there and much of it is decent, but none holds a candle to what is the ultimate, definitive PUNISHER story. Steven Grant and Mike Zeck really hit this one right out of the ball park and even today it stands up against the very best comic book creations.

Zeck was at hi best here, bringing Grant's wonderfully well written script to life. Despite the Comic Book Cose limitations of the 80's, this is an adult story, one with depth and feeling and it actually works better without the F bombs used by modern day writers, such as Garth Ennis. Grant has much more to offer then foul language and graphic violence. Instead he has mood, tension and substance.

While I think this deserves the oversized Hardcover treatment, I understand that its five issue limit likely means that won't happen, so this is the best way to enjoy the series, again and again.

I recently read this hardcover collection of that great mini-series that catapulted The Punisher to comics superstardom. His vigilante approach to solving crime is efficient but not without consequences. While battling his own inner demons, Frank Castle wrestles with the toll his actions take on the innocents who sometimes get caught in the middle. Unlike so many other heroes, The Punisher doesn't have superpowers to rely on. He only has his military training and his conscience to guide him. Mike Zeck's incredible work is nicely collected in this hardcover.

The Punisher managed to achieve massive popularity when this mini-series from writer Steven Grant and artist Mike Zeck hit the stands, and there is a reason why. The Punisher: Circle of Blood is an early and defining story that began to really cement the Punisher's concepts and characterization, in a way that even his creator Gerry Conway was never able to do. At its whole, there isn't really a whole lot to Circle of Blood story wise, as Frank Castle takes on the mob. While Circle of Blood is a defining story in the Punisher mythos, the story itself hasn't aged all that well, especially when compared to the Punisher we see nowadays; the merciless vigilante portrayed by Garth Ennis in the excellent and mature readers only Punisher MAX title. However, Mike Zeck's artwork is still spectacular even all these years later, as his renditions of Frank Castle remain some of the best that the character has ever seen. Now that Circle of Blood has been reprinted in this handsome Marvel Premiere Classic hardcover, it is worth checking out for new and older readers alike, especially if the darker, modern take on Frank isn't to your liking.

I've been a fan of this particular Punisher series since I bought the second issue of it when I was 7 years old. I loved the punisher book this was my first punisher gn

The punisher has always been one of the most conroversial Marvel characters.When he first appeared they didnt know what to do with him-he was their own,embarasing dirty Harry.Really, at the begining he didnt even kill people.
That is not the case with this story.This is a mature,character driven story.It starts with Frank Castle being led in prison and the inmates reacting to this,rather violently.It soon escalates in a fight to stay alive and dominate them,followed by an imperative to escape and coninue the war.Suddenly,unexpected "alies" make their appearence with an offer for help,only to doouble cross him afterwards and cause him to focus his anger (and his fire) on them.He resumes his one man war,taking the offence to the enemy without remorse.What other reviewers said is true,the ending is great and ambivelant,like the punishers' attitude.
See,this is the punisher at a crossroad,his war has lasted almost a decade at this point.He is tired,his grief is barelly held at bay,he still wonders whether he is doing the right thing.The appearence of allies and even a young woman who wants to help him make him consider,in his own way,whether the future may hold some hope.By the end of the story it all has fallen apart and he is set on the path that will lead him two decades later to the man Garth Ennis will create.
This comic book is very cinematic and is all the better for it.The opening brings to mind some of the most iconic films set in prisons.The gangsters that populate the Punishers world are Martin Scorsese-like in appearance and beavior,violent and ready to manipulate any situation and any one to get what they want.The pages where only they are present are excellently visualised and drawn.The action is plentyfull and well staged,this really is like the best crime/vigilante movie that you would expect to come out of the eighties:violent and gritty.
All in all i cant recomend this comic book enough.Sure,it was made in another time and era but i believe it benefits from this.The story is superb,the characters are excellent,the action is awesome all the more because it is not superheroic.This is the punisher at his best,with plenty of gunnfire and "deserving" targets to receive it.He is testing the edge of the abyss before the plunge.Enjoy.

In the 1980's marvel refused to make a miniseries on the punisher (who first appeared in amazing spiderman) because he was too violent and often killed the bad guys. When artist mike zeck threatened to leave marvel however marvel decided to allow the miniseries to be made. In the first 3 hours the first comic was in newstands, it completely sold out. It was an instant hit. Marvel suddenly decided to embrase the punisher as a character. soon the punisher gets his own long term series called "the punisher" the "punisher war journal" and countless others as well as a movie called the punisher. This miniseries was in my opinion the most influential comic that came from the 80's. This graphic novel is very well written and clever. If you give it a chance you'd like it

this was alright. it started off really exciting when the punisher's in prison, but by the fourth issue it kind of fizzles out into mediocrity. this being the first punisher mini-series, i thought it would be the origin story where his family's killed and he takes revenge. this book is not that story, i don't know where that one is...

Thank god the Punisher isn't written like this any more. This Punisher is too caring and far too weak!!!! And you know people Mike Zack is never coming back to do more Punisher work. He had his run and it's OVER.