#098
This comic was ranked at #98 in Wizard Magazine's now long out-dated list of "100 Best Single Issue Comics Since You Were Born"
This is more of the sort of thing I was expecting and kind of hoping for from this list, while this example at least is not necessarily the highest of quality anymore, I enjoy the idea of looking back to the "Greatest Hits of the 80's and 90's" and hopefully sparking some interest in characters who have since evolved much further through subsequent decades of development.
When the comic first opened, I found The Punisher's thoughts laughable but thankfully this was just something of an introduction to the character instead of a "Last Time On..."-style recap in more modern comics. This comic is thankfully above that kind of cheesy dialogue more commonly associated with older comics (for the most part). Our villain is nicely set up right from the start as a douchebag you might want to throw off a building, even if his motivations aren't really justified.
While I am familiar with The Punisher, I have read very few Punisher comics so far (although Garth Ennis' run is very high on my to-do list) and I admit I am kind of surprised the entire story took place in bright, sunny settings. Not sure if that's a bad thing but it does kind of mess with the tone of the story. Although, I'm not a big fan of the artwork (I prefer identifiably unique artists), it certainly isn't bad by any stretch. All in all, that one shot of Frank's nice firm buttocks while he worries about the safety of civvies makes this story worth it.
Although the cover might have you believe this is a twenty-page fight between Daredevil and The Punisher, there's actually much more story than action and when DD does come in to "save the day" at the end and stop Punisher from bringing justice his way, the action sequences are primarily a cover for a speech about how the legal system is always the right way to go and it's what makes America so great. The kind of speech you'd expect from a lawyer or something.
I think the best part is, with the way the story is told, I can't decide who's in the right here. While I totally was agreeing with Frank to kill the criminal initially, after Daredevil has intervened and Frank reflects (having just been harassed by the civilian he saved), it leaves you wondering if maybe Frank is just a crazy guy who needs an excuse to dole out violence on anyone rather than a protector of the people.
Was it Better Than the Comic Ranked Directly Below It: Yes/No*
*Accepting art styles were what they were at the time, the story I could say is a little better.