tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23042008.post4155185807290785959..comments2024-03-19T03:17:15.936-04:00Comments on Remarkable: Punisher MAX Issue 5 and 6Geoff Klockhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09080580776997273785noreply@blogger.comBlogger6125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23042008.post-90486336364247135772010-02-26T10:33:41.259-05:002010-02-26T10:33:41.259-05:00Sort of a funny thing with Micro. As soon as they ...Sort of a funny thing with Micro. As soon as they relaunched a traditional continuity book, Matt Fraction brought a Micro style character back. Rick Remainder went one further in his Punisher book by bringing the actual Micro back from the dead, as an antagonist, as well as hooking him up with yet another Micro substitute. It seems writers are convinced that in order for Frank to exist in the "regular" Marvel universe, he needs someone to talk to. <br /><br />We do get some reoccuring characters in the MAX run, most of whom die, but the only one who is in every story is Frank. He doesn't have a supporting cast in this book the way other characters do.<br /><br />@Doug M., I have to disagree with you on the Boys. The rest of the arc handles quite nicely the answer to the question. The idea that I can't hate on a gay person because superheroes will beat me up is just as silly as saying that I shouldn't rob a bank because Superman will catch me. It can make for a nice story in the right hands, but it's far from an actual social deterant. The only thing that's going to stop violence and hatred is exposure to the Other, and attempts at personal understanding, which is the exact arc that Hughie goes through in that story. You'll get a lot further with respect than you will with fear.Grahamnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23042008.post-37245142160006640722010-02-26T09:48:37.433-05:002010-02-26T09:48:37.433-05:00@Doug M. - I don't think Ennis set up his own ...@Doug M. - I don't think Ennis set up his own cast. A few characters recur through the MAX arc, but I don't think any persist past it. <br /><br />I know Fraction setup a supporting cast in his Punisher War Journal series, but it's a Micro substitute and not Micro himself.dschonbehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04459722690434474229noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23042008.post-10027782286470900552010-02-26T05:21:47.181-05:002010-02-26T05:21:47.181-05:00Is he? I don't think he's questioning anyt...Is he? I don't think he's questioning anything so much as saying "superheroes are useless" in his superhero satire.Jameshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14740669500899738381noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23042008.post-11666635223272005712010-02-26T03:18:43.101-05:002010-02-26T03:18:43.101-05:00"I mean gay fellas do get beaten up, there ar..."I mean gay fellas do get beaten up, there are these fuckers going around doing it – an' here's this shite sayin' not to worry, there's a superhero on the way..."<br /><br />Ennis is asking a really important question here. <br /><br />Unfortunately, he doesn't put much effort into answering it. But that's Ennis for you.<br /><br /><br />Doug M.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23042008.post-44539551103971240562010-02-26T03:16:50.303-05:002010-02-26T03:16:50.303-05:00One thing worth noting: Micro had been the Punishe...One thing worth noting: Micro had been the Punisher's sidekick for something like a decade. He'd been threatened and injured, but it was clear he was long-term supporting cast.<br /><br />So by killing him off in the first arc, Ennis was making a very clean break with the past. "This is not your '80s Punisher! This is MAXX!!" <br /><br />Doing it with a big, graphic, on-panel headshot: that's just rubbing it in. (And making sure nobody could bring him back, of course.)<br /><br />So, if the first arc accomplishes nothing else, it draws a broad black line between itself and the earlier series. It's the Punisher, Jim, but not as we know him.<br /><br />Mind, I didn't follow this series, so I don't know if Punisher got a *new* long-term supporting cast. If he did, then killing off the last survivor of the old long-term cast is less "dramatic daring break" and more "fuck you, I like mine better".<br /><br /><br /><br />Doug M.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23042008.post-80512488560191939652010-02-25T15:22:51.473-05:002010-02-25T15:22:51.473-05:00I'm digging this series. Thanks, and keep it ...I'm digging this series. Thanks, and keep it up.<br /><br />-Dan S.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com