Comic Vine News

56 Comments

PunisherMAX R.I.P.

The Punisher's one-man war against organized crime is coming to an end.

There's been a lot of talk about cancellations lately. We've seen books like VICTOR VON DOOM, X-23 and even the current GHOST RIDER all getting canceled. Another Marvel title coming to an end is PUNISHERMAX. Only, it's not getting canceled. It's just ending.

Coming in February, be prepared for the Punisher story you never thought you'd read (no, we're not talking about FrankenCastle). Jason Aaron and Steve Dillon are bringing their run on PUNISHERMAX to and end with issue #22. Frank Castle has been through it all and just when you think you know what's coming in the series finale, think again.

PunisherMAX #22
PunisherMAX #22
“It's been a big sick bloody thrill working on this series and a right honor following in the footsteps of Garth Ennis,” explained Aaron. “I must say, I'm as proud of this series as anything I've ever done at Marvel, in large part because of the amazing art team of Dave Johnson, Matt Hollingsworth and of course Steve Dillon. This was always intended to be one big story, with a very specific beginning, middle and a slam-bang mother of an end. I'm afraid I can't say any more about the ending than that….other than that it gave me chills, just getting to write it.

"I've drawn a lot of Frank Castle over the last dozen or so years and I've been lucky enough to work with some really good writers while doing so,” said Dillon. “Jason has really delivered on this one, so much so that I wait for the script to arrive in my inbox like a fan waiting for the book to hit the shelves in the store. He's taken some great characters, like the Kingpin and Bullseye, and given them his own MAX twist. He's also taken Frank on a tortuous, personal journey and it's all been great fun to draw.”

To make sure retailers have enough copies to meet the demand, Marvel is going back to press with issue #17 and 18, which kicked off "Homeless," the final arc.

== TEASER ==“The day has come. You always knew the Punisher’s one-man war against organized crime would end bad, but you never knew how bad,” added Marvel Editor In Chief, Axel Alonso. “With PunisherMAX #22 Jason Aaron and Steve Dillon bring the tragedy of Frank Castle’s life to a boil and their epic run to a bloody climax that will haunt readers for years to come.”

You won't want to miss the end.

No Caption Provided
No Caption Provided
PunisherMAX #19
PunisherMAX #19
PunisherMAX #20
PunisherMAX #20
PunisherMAX #21
PunisherMAX #21

PUNISHERMAX #17 SECOND PRINTING VARIANT (OCT118104)

Written by JASON AARON

Pencils by STEVE DILLON

FOC – 12/5/11, ON SALE – 12/28/11

PUNISHERMAX #18 SECOND PRINTING VARIANT (OCT118105)

Written by JASON AARON

Pencils by STEVE DILLON

FOC – 12/5/11, ON SALE – 12/28/11

PUNISHERMAX #19 (OCT110693)

Written by JASON AARON

Pencils by STEVE DILLON

Cover by DAVE JOHNSON

ON SALE NOW!

PUNISHERMAX #20 (OCT110693)

Written by JASON AARON

Pencils by STEVE DILLON

Cover by DAVE JOHNSON

FOC – 11/28/11. ON SALE – 12/21/11

PUNISHERMAX #21 (NOV110590)

Written by JASON AARON

Pencils by STEVE DILLON

Cover by DAVE JOHNSON

FOC – 12/12/11, ON SALE – 1/11/12

PUNISHERMAX #22 (DEC110690)

Written by JASON AARON

Pencils by STEVE DILLON

Cover by DAVE JOHNSON

ON SALE FEBRUARY!

56 Comments

Avatar image for wattup
Wattup

682

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 0

Edited By Wattup

I bet Frank Castle shoots someone during the aforementioned finale.

Avatar image for all_around_nerd
All_Around_Nerd

58

Forum Posts

1

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 0

Edited By All_Around_Nerd

First!

Avatar image for infinityomelette
InfinityOmelette

210

Forum Posts

28

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 0

Edited By InfinityOmelette

I bet someone will be punished.

Avatar image for jonny_anonymous
Jonny_Anonymous

45773

Forum Posts

11109

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 3

User Lists: 32

Edited By Jonny_Anonymous

So is Ennis's run not canon now?

Avatar image for innervenom123
InnerVenom123

29886

Forum Posts

1786

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 11

User Lists: 1

Edited By InnerVenom123

@spiderbat87 said:

So is Ennis's run not canon now?

I was just about to ask. Ennis clearly wrote a finale for Frank and it was epic.

Avatar image for zorn
ZORN

1560

Forum Posts

217

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 4

Edited By ZORN

@spiderbat87 said:

So is Ennis's run not canon now?

It still it, some people treat Aaron's run as a different continuity, with Ennis' run coming off as back story.

Avatar image for redbird3rdboywonder
redbird3rdboywonder

7158

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 0

dang marvel alot of bad moves lately o weel you're the ones losig money

Avatar image for redbird3rdboywonder
redbird3rdboywonder

7158

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 0

dag marvel alot of wrong moves lately. o well you're the one losing money ad some fans of every book you cancel

Avatar image for jonny_anonymous
Jonny_Anonymous

45773

Forum Posts

11109

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 3

User Lists: 32

Edited By Jonny_Anonymous
@ZORN said:

@spiderbat87 said:

So is Ennis's run not canon now?

It still it, some people treat Aaron's run as a different continuity, with Ennis' run coming off as back story.

But MAX is a different continuity anyway, your saying this is yet another? If The End isn't in MAX continuity any more I will be very pissed.
Avatar image for zorn
ZORN

1560

Forum Posts

217

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 4

Edited By ZORN

@spiderbat87 said:

@ZORN said:

@spiderbat87 said:

So is Ennis's run not canon now?

It still it, some people treat Aaron's run as a different continuity, with Ennis' run coming off as back story.

But MAX is a different continuity anyway, your saying this is yet another? If The End isn't in MAX continuity any more I will be very pissed.

The End never was in regular Max continuity, it was under Max label, but it is independent of regular Ennis Max, that story was a possible ending for the Punisher.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_End_%28comics%29

Avatar image for jonny_anonymous
Jonny_Anonymous

45773

Forum Posts

11109

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 3

User Lists: 32

Edited By Jonny_Anonymous
@ZORN said:

@spiderbat87 said:

@ZORN said:

@spiderbat87 said:

So is Ennis's run not canon now?

It still it, some people treat Aaron's run as a different continuity, with Ennis' run coming off as back story.

But MAX is a different continuity anyway, your saying this is yet another? If The End isn't in MAX continuity any more I will be very pissed.

The End never was in regular Max continuity, it was under Max label, but it is independent of regular Ennis Max, that story was a possible ending for the Punisher.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_End_%28comics%29

Aah I see. this kind of upsets me.
Avatar image for baddamdog
Baddamdog

2836

Forum Posts

54199

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 7

User Lists: 0

Edited By Baddamdog

Wait when was ghost rider announced to be cancelled?

Avatar image for the_impersonator
The Impersonator

10223

Forum Posts

23956

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 31

User Lists: 50

Edited By The Impersonator
No Caption Provided

Note- The gun is not real.

Avatar image for metatron_da_don
Metatron_Da_Don

1153

Forum Posts

11487

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 12

Edited By Metatron_Da_Don
@Baddamdog said:
Wait when was ghost rider announced to be cancelled?
IDK but that series is horrible. Teenage bubble girl and Johnny Blaze is a normal human forsaking his power as if he did not know the legacy power would go to someone else. 
 
Look how old it is.
Biblical Origin
Biblical Origin
i always thought of G-Rider as an A-Lister (power levels, feats, movie) but this is the 1st time I can recall an A-Lister getting his powers stripped and basically turned into a teenage girl.  Weird also that G-Rider was kissing the 14-16yo? bubble girl on the cover. Not an appealing series and concept lackluster compared to recent G-Rider series. Formula 4 good Ghost Rider is Jonny Blaze vs Angels and Demons.
 
Now I think of it... A) Were they trying to make another X-23? B) Formula for good Ghost Rider is like Spawn :) no?.
Avatar image for vance_astro
vance_astro

90107

Forum Posts

51511

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 27

User Lists: 2

Edited By vance_astro  Moderator

I usually hate Dillon's art but somehow it works for Punisher.

Avatar image for pspin
pspin

1081

Forum Posts

15126

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 182

User Lists: 0

Edited By pspin

That suck, I heard this was good.

Someone, maybe a staff member (since they probably have more resources) should make a list of all of the canceled/ending marvel series

Avatar image for cmaprice
cmaprice

867

Forum Posts

46

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 2

Edited By cmaprice

@Metatron_Da_Don said:


Look how old it is.
Biblical Origin
Biblical Origin

Wow. That is one of the worst pages I've ever read. Really? Noah? If you're going to tie your story into an old myth, at least choose a better written/more compelling/internally logical one.

Avatar image for angethedude
AngeTheDude

160

Forum Posts

1

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 0

Edited By AngeTheDude

This is a good move. PunisherMAX is both more ridiculous and more realistic than Marvel's 616 Punisher. Having it end with a great writer at the helm will help solidify both Ennis and Aaron's runs as among the best ever written for the character.

Avatar image for metatron_da_don
Metatron_Da_Don

1153

Forum Posts

11487

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 12

Edited By Metatron_Da_Don
@cmprice: Not sure if that is Noah but its a bad@ss concept. Do not f**k around on this boat! lol.  Would not make sense if that guy killed the only woman on the boat but the Ghost Rider vs an angel trying to become God was an awesome read. Dan Ketch was being manipulated into fighting Blaze...
 
That brings up another point. Where the heck is Ketch in that series? Deserved to be cancelled imo.
 
@AngeTheDude said:

This is a good move. PunisherMAX is both more ridiculous and more realistic than Marvel's 616 Punisher. Having it end with a great writer at the helm will help solidify both Ennis and Aaron's runs as among the best ever written for the character.

True. Punisher's 616 series is off to a great start imo. This weeks issue was good.
Avatar image for redheadedatrocitus
RedheadedAtrocitus

6958

Forum Posts

8982

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 4

User Lists: 3

Oh man this should be awesome-sauce. Sad to see it go though! Oh well, trade paperback time...

Avatar image for _zombie_
_Zombie_

10572

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 2

Edited By _Zombie_

I swear to God. Screw this up Aaron, and I will hate you with a fiery burning passion..

Avatar image for apothecary2
Apothecary2

53

Forum Posts

1

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 0

Edited By Apothecary2

I love how no one actually read the article to know that it is not being cancelled. Some stories actually have endings people.

Avatar image for nystreets09e
NYStreets09e

167

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 0

Edited By NYStreets09e

@ScarlettAssassin said:

ARGH!

Just when Electra was getting some fantastic panel time.....

Oh well. I will look forward to this, but another one bites the dust....what the h*ll, Marvel?

I know as an Elektra fan this disappoints me, because not just PunisherMAX but Heroes for Hire, and Herc also got canceled which all Featured Elektra, Coincidence?..... what the heck Marvel!!

Avatar image for _zombie_
_Zombie_

10572

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 2

Edited By _Zombie_

Alright, fan rage over. I've calmed myself down and while I am sad to see that the series is ending, the fact that someone with Aaron's talent will deliver the ending we fans of the series deserve.

Avatar image for jonesdeini
JonesDeini

3874

Forum Posts

224

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 212

User Lists: 9

Edited By JonesDeini

@AngeTheDude said:

This is a good move. PunisherMAX is both more ridiculous and more realistic than Marvel's 616 Punisher. Having it end with a great writer at the helm will help solidify both Ennis and Aaron's runs as among the best ever written for the character.

Totally agree. I would count both as some of the greatest runs done on any title, period. I'm so glad that this book does get a finite run. That the story will be fully told without worry of someone coming in later and hacking it up with retcons or ridiculous stunts. Punisher Max was one of my first comics that got me back into monthlies and while I'll be a bit sad to see it go. I must say that it totally feels right for this story to end. And I'd be hard pressed to find another team I'd want to see bring it all to a close.

Avatar image for cody1984
cody1984

1365

Forum Posts

35158

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 16

User Lists: 2

Edited By cody1984

@AngeTheDude said:

This is a good move. PunisherMAX is both more ridiculous and more realistic than Marvel's 616 Punisher. Having it end with a great writer at the helm will help solidify both Ennis and Aaron's runs as among the best ever written for the character.

Yeah, I got to agree with you. So many titles end up turning into complete s*** so the PunisherMAX series going out with a bang is one good thing at least.

Avatar image for cody1984
cody1984

1365

Forum Posts

35158

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 16

User Lists: 2

Edited By cody1984

@NYStreets09e said:

@ScarlettAssassin said:

ARGH!

Just when Electra was getting some fantastic panel time.....

Oh well. I will look forward to this, but another one bites the dust....what the h*ll, Marvel?

I know as an Elektra fan this disappoints me, because not just PunisherMAX but Heroes for Hire, and Herc also got canceled which all Featured Elektra, Coincidence?..... what the heck Marvel!!

No offense guys but you did know that she was going to get killed right?

Avatar image for positronic
positronic

42

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 0

Edited By positronic

Still not sure what they mean by "it's not getting cancelled, it's just ending". So the Aaron/Dillon PunisherMAX is coming to a definite conclusion, that much I get. And it would seem the death of Frank Castle is imminent (in the MAX universe). Does this mean the PunisherMAX book will continue with a new creative team (since it's "not cancelled") and likely a new Punisher as well?

Either way, the end of the Aaron/Dillon PunisherMAX run also signals the end of my purchasing of Marvel's monthly titles, as it was the last monthly title left for me. Any future Marvel purchases will be as trade paperback collections.

Avatar image for cody1984
cody1984

1365

Forum Posts

35158

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 16

User Lists: 2

Edited By cody1984

@positronic said:

Still not sure what they mean by "it's not getting cancelled, it's just ending". So the Aaron/Dillon PunisherMAX is coming to a definite conclusion, that much I get. And it would seem the death of Frank Castle is imminent (in the MAX universe). Does this mean the PunisherMAX book will continue with a new creative team (since it's "not cancelled") and likely a new Punisher as well?

I really doubt that. The reason being is their is no one in MAX series that is able to take up the Punisher Mantle. Jenny Cesare was the only character who could've but she killed herself so their is no one left and the Punisher's daughter Sarah O'Brien is way to young and the series is in real time so she isn't going to become the Punisher...at least anytime in the near future. You could have someone new become the Punisher but I don't see how that would sell.

Avatar image for positronic
positronic

42

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 0

Edited By positronic

@cody1984 said:

You could have someone new become the Punisher but I don't see how that would sell.

So then, it IS being cancelled - not because of low sales, but because the story has come to a conclusion, along with the title. I sure don't want to read a title about a Punisher who isn't Frank Castle, either.

Avatar image for cody1984
cody1984

1365

Forum Posts

35158

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 16

User Lists: 2

Edited By cody1984

@positronic: Pretty much. When Garth Ennis created the story Frank aged in real time and was already in his fifties and he's now in his sixties so it was pretty clear the character couldn't go on forever.

Avatar image for kainscion
KainScion

2991

Forum Posts

67

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 1

User Lists: 9

Edited By KainScion

aww man. this was the bomb of max. deadpool max sucks.

Avatar image for positronic
positronic

42

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 0

Edited By positronic

At least I can be grateful that Frank Castle's story gets an actual ending. I would have hated it if it were just cancelled at the end of a story arc because of low sales. It probably wasn't sustainable in the long run because of Frank's age and the fact that it didn't sell that well anyway, but a proper conclusion is all I can really ask for. Closure is good.

Avatar image for longbowhunter
longbowhunter

9425

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 4

User Lists: 1

Edited By longbowhunter

I've been a big fan of Jason Aaron's run. Its one of the few $3.99 books I buy monthly. Cant wait to see what he hits us with in issue #22. Not at all sad about this, really excited!!!

Avatar image for overload17
Overload17

15

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 0

Edited By Overload17

@AngeTheDude: I was thinking the same thing. Because we all know Frank is getting old in the max series and well you can't expect to let Frank Castle on retirement.. But i bet he will die honorable

Avatar image for mercy_
Mercy_

94955

Forum Posts

83653

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 2

User Lists: 15

Edited By Mercy_
@aztek_the_lost

If Jason Aaron is finishing Punisher and Scalped next year, what's he doing after that? Retiring?

Wolverine.

Wolverine and the X-Men.

And probably some other things. Wolverine related undoubtedly.
Avatar image for billy_batson
Billy Batson

62296

Forum Posts

1287131

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 11

Edited By Billy Batson

@aztek_the_lost said:

If Jason Aaron is finishing Punisher and Scalped next year, what's he doing after that? Retiring?

he should start a new vertigo series.
BB

Avatar image for mercy_
Mercy_

94955

Forum Posts

83653

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 2

User Lists: 15

Edited By Mercy_
@aztek_the_lost

@The Dark Huntress said:

@aztek_the_lost

If Jason Aaron is finishing Punisher and Scalped next year, what's he doing after that? Retiring?

Wolverine. Wolverine and the X-Men. And probably some other things. Wolverine related undoubtedly.

Oh. So, nothing unique and interesting then...it's too bad, he's a good writer :(

Don't let FTBB see you say that.
Avatar image for mercy_
Mercy_

94955

Forum Posts

83653

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 2

User Lists: 15

Edited By Mercy_
@aztek_the_lost He worships at the altar of Grant Morrison.
Avatar image for mumbles
Mumbles

858

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 0

Edited By Mumbles

best punisher series that i've read so far. the series will be missed.

Avatar image for nystreets09e
NYStreets09e

167

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 0

Edited By NYStreets09e

@cody1984: I didn't know until now, How do you know?

Avatar image for spitfireink
SpitfireINK

245

Forum Posts

79

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 0

Edited By SpitfireINK

So much for the STRICT "No Reprint" policy -

Avatar image for cody1984
cody1984

1365

Forum Posts

35158

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 16

User Lists: 2

Edited By cody1984

@NYStreets09e said:

@cody1984: I didn't know until now, How do you know?

Because every enemy the Punisher goes against dies in the MAX series. Barracuda, Bullseye, General Zakharov, Rawlins, Maginty, etc. All of Frank's enemies die in MAX and the previews state he has to go through Elektra before getting to the Kingpin.

Avatar image for nystreets09e
NYStreets09e

167

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 0

Edited By NYStreets09e

@cody1984 said:

@NYStreets09e said:

@cody1984: I didn't know until now, How do you know?

Because every enemy the Punisher goes against dies in the MAX series. Barracuda, Bullseye, General Zakharov, Rawlins, Maginty, etc. All of Frank's enemies die in MAX and the previews state he has to go through Elektra before getting to the Kingpin.

oh ok, well hopefully she doesn't but who knows...

Avatar image for positronic
positronic

42

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 0

Edited By positronic

I'm guessing they're proabably phasing out the MAX line, so the cancellation of DeadpoolMAX can't be far behind. Let's face it, the MAX line doesn't fit with the Disney family of companies. I wonder if ICON might not be next.

Avatar image for cody1984
cody1984

1365

Forum Posts

35158

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 16

User Lists: 2

Edited By cody1984

@positronic: I really am wondering if MAX will eventually get dropped with the flagship title gone. Axel Alonso has stated Garth Ennis will do another Nick Fury run recently so theirs that. It could be what Marvel was talking about with its changes to the MAX imprint. MAX has a lot of potential and Axel Alonso did push for its creation so it might have a chance still but if nothing happens soon it seems like Marvel will get rid of it.

  • 56 results
  • 1
  • 2