Comic Review: PunisherMAX #21

I think the key word that comes to mind when I look back at the concluding issue of the current 'Homeless' arc (and the overall penultimate issue to the series), is simply satisfied.

A few months back it was announced that PunisherMAX would reach a finale at #22 and I was kicking and screaming at the news. My favorite book was coming to and end but for once, it wasn't due to cancelation. Writer Jason Aaron told the story he wanted to (Otherwise known as The Kingpin Saga) since #1, the story has now reached its natural conclusion and boy is it one way to end a series.

I've been following this series since #1, every issue without fail it would deliver and it quickly became my favorite ongoing book. A lot of pressure was riding on Aaron about how he would give the series andFrank a definitive "end" (something that's pretty rare throughout the superhero genre). When I say satisfied I mean it in the kindest way possible. Ending a series or even just ending a characters life in a comic is a very hard thing to do and for it to have any meaning. The conclusion was everything I was expected from the series and more, while keeping every ounce of the stories heart and integrity going until the very last panel.

Everything about this issue hit its target with ease. Aaron€™s use of mini-flashbacks as Franks life flashes before his eyes during his final battle against The Kingpin could have easily been a distraction to the core story if done incorrectly (the lack of thought bubbles helped keep the use of direct exposition low during these sections), however the speed at which each flash hits us throughout the course of the fight helps us and Frank look back on our long journey together and the hard decisions that were made to get to this final fight. Over the past two years we have come to understand Frank so personally, we feel empathy for this troubled man and his urge to never stop fighting, it all seems to come so perfectly together at the footsteps of his families house.

Steve Dillon is once again on art and does a great job, Dillon always excels at action sequences and this has one of the best in the series. By issues end Frank has gone through hell and has the cuts and gunshot wounds to show it, the detail on Frank and Fisk€™s faces as they fight is brutal and very direct (without going for the shock gore approach). These guys hate each other to-their-core and you can feel it with every punch thrown. Without a doubt some of Dillon€™s best work in recent years.

This issue feels like the final piece of a puzzle and I could sleep happily knowing my favorite book finished on one hell of a high note. But there is still one more issue left to go. I have no idea what Aaron has planned for next months Epilogue issue and I am on the edge of my seat. Waiting over the next four weeks is going to be murder.

rating: 5