Punisher War Journal, Vol. 1: Civil War (v. 1) [Paperback]

Matt Fraction (Author), Ariel Olivetti (Illustrator), Mike Deodato (Illustrator)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 19, 2007

Hey, there, Marvel Universe. He's back - with a vengeance. Taking no prisoners. Literally. With Civil War in full throttle mode, Frank Castle is feeling the heat. His safe houses have been raided and his munitions seized, and he's square in the crosshairs of a Marvel Universe big gun who always gets his man. Until now, this wasn't Frank's war. But when spandex-clad baddies start carrying badges - well, let's just say that's something the Punisher can't abide. Brought to you by rising star Matt Fraction (The Last of the Independents), with eye-popping art by superstar Ariel Olivetti (Last Avengers Story). Collects Punisher War Journal #1-4 and Punisher War Journal #1 Black & White.

--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Details

• Paperback: 144 pages
• Publisher: Marvel; Direct Ed edition (September 19, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0785123156
• ISBN-13: 978-0785123156
• Product Dimensions: 10.1 x 6.5 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 10.4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 3.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (14 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #885,338 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Before joining Marvel Comics, writer Matt Fraction had already established his reputation as an emerging new talent with his work on Last of the Independents. Fraction's tale of a bank robbery gone wrong earned him a coveted "A" grade from Entertainment Weekly, as well as interest from Marvel. After taking on a short story assignment in the anthology title X-Men Unlimited, Fraction was handpicked to launch two of Marvel's biggest projects for 2006: Punisher War Journal with artist Ariel Olivetti, and Immortal Iron Fist, with co-writer Ed Brubaker and artist David Aja. Both series met with overwhelming critical and fan acclaim, selling out their respective first issues within days of release. This led to two even bigger projects: The launching of Invincible Iron Man, a high-profile first issue premiering the same month as the blockbuster film; and Uncanny X-Men, written in tandem with Immortal Iron Fist partner Brubaker. In addition to his Marvel work, Fraction writes Casanova, an off-beat series illustrated by Gabriel Bá which recently moved to Marvel's Icon imprint. He is also a talented filmmaker and graphic designer, heading up the MK12 firm with a worldwide client base that includes Adidas, MTV and Cartoon Network's Adult Swim. Fraction remains one of Marvel's most popular writers; other credits include The Order and Thor: Ages of Thunder.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

14 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars PWJ: Fun WIth a Gun!!!, June 25, 2007

By 

Fist of the Mad Porcupine - See all my reviews

This review is from: Punisher War Journal Vol. 1: Civil War (Hardcover)

There is one thing that you have to understand when you read PWJ: THIS IS MARVEL UNIVERSE PUNISHER. If your expecting the same guy written by Garth Ennis over in the MAX book then your gonna be disappointed. That character for all intents and purposes lives in an alternate universe from the Marvel Universe. This is the Punisher who lives in the neon-fantastic and wonderfully absurd world of Stilt-Men, Superhero Civil Wars and Mad Scientists in robot suits. The fun of Punisher War Journal is seeing this normal guy running around taking on super villains and superheroes believing himself to be the only sane man in an insane world but is actually quite insane himself as revealed through his internal monologues filled with weird tangents and delusions of righteousness. The writing and the art is crisp, bouncy, and full of energy. Fraction and Olivetti make a great team. This is a comic book without pretense, it's not trying to be Watchmen or Sandman, its not deep and meaningful its only mission is to be a fun read. Mission accomplished

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Diluting the sociopath, November 4, 2009

By 

danny boy "dbswongv" (Singapore) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Punisher War Journal Vol. 1: Civil War (Hardcover)

Looking at all these reviews, it is pretty clear that most everyone is aware that there are 2 Punishers, the gritty Max series and this War Journal series. Without doubt, the Punisher character was defined by Garth Ennis - a full-blooded sociopath, hell-bent on vengeance on all criminal types. It would be a very difficult act to attempt to recast the Punisher as something else. In fact, when looking at the early history of the Punisher, he is introduced now and then as a mercenary "superhero", without the super-abilities. In that clime, he can't compete against the supes. That Punisher wasn't very successful until Ennis' mind-blowing conversion of the character.

Unfortunately, in this starting series, the Punisher is reverted back to the old status. Thus he plays second fiddle to Captain America and other Avengers. The plot unfortunately meanders too much, due to the fact that the Punisher story here has to meld in with the stories of other superheroes in this Civil War Marvel universe. This is not necessarily a good thing. Thus there are seemingly open-ended situations here resolved eslewhere and vice versa. Thus, unless one reads other related Marvel comics issues, there are ambiguities in the plot lines. As I only read PWJ in Civil war, I am left in the dark as to who is Rampage, Stu Clarke and why is he a 2nd rate Tony Stark? Who is EW Bridges, and why is there this emphasis on him being a Moslem? Why did the Punisher murder the Stiltman? I gather that the Punisher only goes after killers and rapists, not bank robbers?

The story of all the criminal types getting together for a post-funeral wake for the Stiltman was OK. There were light touches of humor but definitely out of character for the Punisher.

I don't care for the artwork. Pseudo neon, not quite Corben, Chaykin, not anything. I'm giving this a 3 star for valiant effort, as I hope that the plot lines will improve and get resolved, and will continue to assess as I read the follow-on journals.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Decent book, April 5, 2008

By 

Ricky Martin "Goose" (Baton Rouge, LA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Punisher War Journal, Vol. 1: Civil War (v. 1) (Paperback)

This book wasn't near as good as the rest of the civil war books but it was still a decent read. The art work isn't the typical kind you would see in a comic too but still not bad. Even though I do prefer the usual artwork, there's nothing wrong with changing it up a bit.