I don't know about you but, I tried reading the normal 616 punisher and couldn't get into it. Especially when he turned into Fraken-Castle. But, I just started reading the MAX series and just finished Kitchen Irish. I thought it was awesome. Can't wait to get the rest.

The MAX version of the Punisher, the writing is very consistent throughout the series with it only a few issues being somewhat off after the girls in white dresses story arc and before Aaron became the main writer after Ennis left. The MAX version of the Punisher is the definitive version of the Punisher.

The MAX version of the Punisher is better.

I like the Max the writing seems better.

have you guys seen the newest Punisher series by Rucka? its freaking amazing; no one should even think of that frankencastle nonsense when they think of the Punisher. worst thing Remenders ever done....

@ethanrjc said:

have you guys seen the newest Punisher series by Rucka? its freaking amazing; no one should even think of that frankencastle nonsense when they think of the Punisher. worst thing Remenders ever done....

I have as I'm sure many others who have read the max series as well. While Rucka's series is quite good right now...it doesn't have the 100 plus issues of MAX Punisher that have been great. So while Rucka's series is terrific it doesn't have the length of greatness that the MAX series does.

I do totally agree with you about frankencastle.

MAX hands down!!

@cody1984 said:

The MAX version of the Punisher, the writing is very consistent throughout the series with it only a few issues being somewhat off after the girls in white dresses story arc and before Aaron became the main writer after Ennis left. The MAX version of the Punisher is the definitive version of the Punisher.

i agree

The thing I love about 616 Punisher is that he can take on other 616 villains. MAX Punisher definitely has the better writing over in the long run, but Remender's run was very good before Franken-Castle, and Rucka's run is awesome so far too. (And obviously Ennis's run in the 616 was amazing).

Sadly Frank has a limit on who he can fight, since the Marvel Universe needs their villains to stay breathing. That's pretty much the big thing limiting 616 Punisher.

I haven't read much Punisher in general, but I do enjoy the charecter. I did read the first couple of trades of Punisher Max and thought it was amazing. If the folks at Fox had anything resembling a brain they'd base their new Punisher show on this series and ship it over to FX so they don't have to down down the violence.

Both.

MAX, no contest. Rucka's Punisher is good so far, but the MAX one trumps it with ease.

MAX hands down!!

Max because a writer isn't bogged down by continuity of 616. You lift that burden off of almost any writer in the industry and they can do amazing things.

They're the same character pretty much...

If I had to choose, I would definitely go with the Max version. The Punisher just works better in that reality. That's not to say that I don't enjoy the MU version as well. There is a way to make the MU version of Punisher great without resorting to outlandish gimmicks such as turning him to Frankenstein's monster.

Both.

The Max version because it does what 616 could not, it makes the punisher an intresting guy for more then just being a hero that kills his ememies.

The Max version because it does what 616 could not, it makes the punisher an intresting guy for more then just being a hero that kills his ememies.

Max suits the character better.

The MAX version is a better version but the 616 has its merits too.

616. I'm more familiar to him than to the MAX version. Didn't read so much books from that.

MAX is better than 616 in general 

I'm not a big Punisher fan. I like him but it can get a little to repetitive for my tastes. To me Punisher comics are like a never ending action/crime drama film and I only pick them up in trades when I'm in the mood for them, but I do like MAX better because it makes more sense. After all how much could a guy like Frank really do in a world filled with super powered characters before he gets killed by someone like Deadpool(Who could totally take him) or some other super powered guy? In MAX you get straight up gunfights, no powers. I wouldn't mind seeing other vigilantes from the regular Marvel universe come into the MAX-verse like Daredevil who may be pushing the real world setting of MAX with his powers but I think he'd be believable enough, after all you've got Deadpool MAX who hasn't shown for certain that he has powers. Point is MAX is the all around best version of The Punisher.

where's chuck dixon when you need him, 616 punisher gold

I actually find the MAX version of Punisher character very similar to the 616 version. Of course the graphic content brings a new edge to the series which I find to be rather fitting for a character such as Frank Castle. Overall I would have to pick Punisher MAX as my favorite, regardless of my dislike for Elektra in the MAX series. (Don't get me wrong, Elektra's still a favorite of mine, just not in the MAX series.)