Written by Matt Fraction
Art by Mike Deodato Jr.; Rain Beredo; & VC’s Joe Caramagna
Cover Art by Mike Deodato Jr.
SUMMARY:
Entitled “Small Wake for a Tall Man,” it was published by Marvel Comics for April 2007. Assembling at a New York dive bar, a collective of past-their-prime Marvel super-villains (including Chameleon; Will o’the Wisp; a wheelchair-bound Rhino; Puma; Prowler; the Grizzly; Armadillo; and Shocker, among them) gather for the Stilt Man’s memorial service.
Joining them is his sultry widow, Princess Python, and even Spider-Man, who chastises his motley enemies for a barroom brawl amidst this occasion. Sharing memories of glorious battles against Daredevil, Spider-Man, and the Hulk, the drunken crooks bleakly remember when they were once feared. Meanwhile, the Punisher’s devastating scheme is unleashed.
REVIEW:
Far too reminiscent of 1986’s ultra-violent Captain America # 319, this issue assembles another contingent of unsuspecting super-villains. Despite the finale’s shock value, this comic’s script before the last few pages is actually pretty good. Including comedy relief from a Doom-bot limited to one hilarious catchphrase, writer Matt Fraction delivers what the spot-on cover image conveys, including a few hints of what the Punisher has in mind.
Fraction’s inclusion of Spider-Man late in the game is inspired irony. The art team’s visuals are also high-caliber. However, Fraction’s vile finish merely recycles Captain America # 319, as long-time Punisher fans will readily sense where this story is going. Too bad Fraction couldn’t have tried something different at the last second, like imbuing Frank Castle with an ounce of empathy. It would have been a classy twist in lieu of an unacknowledged cover from the Scourge’s greatest-hits collection.
ADDITIONAL CONTENT:
There’s a full-page cover reveal of Punisher War Journal # 5.
BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING: 6 Stars
