Punisher: Franken-Castle !?!

(spoiler alerts)

I just read a review of Dark Reign - The List - Punisher and the reviewer started exactly as I would: I've never really been a fan of the Punisher, but the consequences of The List sure have me interested in Punisher now. Though I'm a lot more skeptical about the resulting Franken-Castle story then the reviewer, I have to admit I'm interested in the absolute ridiculousness of what's to come for Frank Castle. I'm getting a little ahead of myself here, so let's review.

Since the Dark Reign began, Frank Castle has been on a mad quest to accomplish the seemingly impossible task of assassinating Norman Osborn. Aided by tech-punk Henry Russo, Punisher has been bidding his time to take down Osborn. However, after a failed assassination attempt punisher is put on the List (hints the overwrought title) and Osborn sends The Hood and an onslaught of villains after Punisher. Weaken by the ambitious attack, The List issue picks up with Punisher facing the final wave of Osborn's forces: A militia of H.A.M.M.E.R. air troops and Dark Wolverine Daken.

The highlight of the issue is artist John Romita Jr. and his rendering of Frank Castle's final battle. Stack against insurmountable odds, Punisher's last stand rages from the filthy sewers to the stormy rooftops of New York City. Rominta's layouts are particularly ominous in this issue and readers know this isn't going to end well for the Punisher. When Daken attacks in the sewer, its clear this is a battle over before it's even begun. However, writer Rick Remender draws out the suspense, and a few times it appears Punisher has the upper hand. By the end of the engagement though, Frank Castle is bloodied, dismembered and dead, at the claws of Osborn's psychotic goon.

If that was the end of The Punisher this would be a very different blog, but there is much more. Though Punisher is dead, Marvel has no intentions of losing a Punisher comic. Enter Franken-Castle. The second half of The List features a sneak peak at the bizarre adventures Frank Castle has ahead of him. His head will be reassembled and he will soon becomes a frankenstein punisher. No joke.

Starting in Punisher 11, Rick Remender and artist Tony Moore bring us Punisher: Franken-Castle, and it honestly is going be a hell-of-a lot different than any other Punisher story before it. Punisher will be roaming the streets as a half-dead frankenstein monster, under the aid of Man-Thing nonetheless, and will be a complete 180 from the normal stories of anti-hero vigilantism. Will it be successful for the character? I haven't the slightest idea. I can't tell if I think this is the stupidest story ever or the most interesting new direction a Punisher book has ever taken. All I know is I'm more interested in Punisher now than ever before, even if it is just for the pure audaciousness of Franken-Castle.

-Jon