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Cover of The Punisher

The Punisher

Garth Ennis, Lewis Larosa (2001)

SubgenreMiddle Grade Fantasy
Age groupMiddle Grade 8-12
Content ratingHard R
Pages144 (Quick Read (<250))
Setting
CSM age18+
Goodreads4.36/5 (573)

Content levels

ViolenceGraphic
Sexual contentNone
LanguageStrong

Positive tags

Not yet tagged

Synopsis

"From 2003 to 2008, writer Garth Ennis worked with some of the best artists in comics to produce an unforgettable run on The Punisher. Now, Marvel presents a new collection of the stories that changed the world of Frank Castle forever. In the opening miniseries, 'Born', the Vietnam War is on its last legs -- but Captain Frank Castle has no intention of letting it die quietly. Soon the men of Firebase Valley Forge are fighting tooth and nail to stay alive -- and their commander's dark obsession may yet prove more lethal than the enemy at their gates. 'In The Beginning' sees Castle on the streets of post-9/11 New York City, fighting his endless one-man war on crime. A bloody massacre tips the balance of power in the underworld, and soon new players are drifting into town. But America is now a deadlier place, and violent men are in demand for the conflicts overseas. The CIA set their sights on a new recruit for the war on terror -- Frank Castle, a.k.a. The Punisher -- only to find out that they're playing with white-hot fire. The fading ghosts of the Irish mob -- the psychopaths and sadists known as the Westies -- still haunt the bars and alleyways of what was once Hell's Kitchen. The punisher finds himself caught in an ancient feud as dangerous visitors bring their grudges to 21st-century Manhattan -- and a figure from Castle's own past arrives to throw gasoline on the fire. Irish America meets the genuine article, in 'Kitchen Irish'."-- Page [4] of cover.

The Punisher: content & age rating

Intended for adult readers (18+).

This graphic novel contains extremely graphic violence, brutal warfare, mass death, torture, and organized crime depicted in vivid detail. The Punisher operates as a vigilante executing criminals with no moral restraint, set against Vietnam War and post-9/11 contexts with strong language throughout.

What to know going in

This book has graphic violence, no sexual content, and strong language. Content notes include torture, graphic violence, gore, murder, and mass death (see the full list above).

Who'll love this

Mature readers will find an unflinching, brutal portrayal of an anti-hero waging a one-man war on crime with relentless violence.

Tags

Graphic NovelCrime FictionMilitary FictionUrban CrimeNoir