Punisher #60

Garth Ennis knows how to write endings. The end of Preacher showed this, and this issue of Punisher is another perfect example. Both endings sum up the character (or characters) perfectly, and leave you with a very satisfying conclusion.

To long time readers this issue was such a great wrap up or everything in the book so far, not just stories, but themes & character development too. A lot people say there isn't much character to work with in Frank Castle, but anyone who has read this run (and Ennis' other Punisher work, Born & Punisher: The End) can see that he is very complex, and Ennis character defining run has shown this beautifully.

I wish I had the words to describe just how awesome this issue was as an ending, wrapping everything up. There was so many things, that fit the character so perfectly, I could never read a Punisher comic again & feel like I have a satisfying ending, which is a very rare thing in comics.

The full page text pieces that have been used in this arc finally fell into place for me this issue, and made perfect sense, & shined a light on a corner of the Punisher's character that is crucial -- that he is a soldier. A soldier who has one purpose -- fighting a war, & destroying his enemy at all costs. The text pieces also were used in a scene with Nick Fury alone in a bar, & used poetry mixed with TV news footage, to form a very moving anti-war message, that is also a tribute to the brave men who have died in wars they should never have been a part of. That's one of the best scenes I have ever seen in a comic.

My favourite part of the book was the use of the .45 as the final weapon used on the corrupt Generals. It was so perfect & fitting. In past issues Frank has talked about his love for the Colt .45 as a classic American weapon, that's reliable, & that it doesn't jam & has a massive amount of deadly force -- just like the Punisher himself. He's old, but he's a classic, he's battle tested, & more deadly than newer models. The.45 holds seven in the magazine & one in the chamber -- and there was eight Generals. It was poetic.

I can't praise this issue (or this run) enough. The stuff with Howe was brilliant, and I loved how his own personal arc ended. The art suits the book nicely, it does the job, but it's not flashy, and the last page -- just a fully blacked out page is a perfect ending.

This 60 issue run will go down as one of my favourite comic books of all time & the ending was all this great run deserved it to be.