Review: Punisher War Journal: Goin' Out West.
After re-reading the second trade in the series, I came to a slightly sad conclusion: I always end up wanting to like Punisher War Journal more than I actually do. Matt Fraction's writing is affable - it's obvious he's having a lot of fun with it and Ariel Olivetti's take on Frank Castle is rapidly becoming one of the definitive versions in my mind, along with Ross Andru's from Amazing Spider-Man #129 and Steve Dillon's deadpan take in the first Ennis-written miniseries, but the end result in this collection rings a bit hollow.The biggest problem with this book lies firmly with the writer and editor: Matt Fraction and Axel Alonso assume that the readers have an intimate relationship with the title and the world it's set in, leading to writing that's threadbare for those who just occasionally wander in. In this book, several sticking points emerge: The Punisher's partner is not addressed by name until eight pages into the second issue featuring the character; Bushwhacker appears and his powers are never explained; Hatemonger just sort of shows up with no background given and not a bit of dialogue or narration occurs to cover who G.W. Bridge is or why he's chasing Frank Castle. Considering that all of these characters are essential to the story, the omission of some of this seems just plain odd.
For all the benefits that reading stories in the trade paperback offers, the gap between books means that readers will most likely need a bit more than a tongue-in-cheek description of who the Punisher is before wading in, and the paucity of narration in Goin' Out Westonly exacerbates this condition. I do understand wanting to write "cinematically," but comics are a different narrative medium entirely and Fraction and Alonso (of all people) should know that and keep it in mind.
Despite my overwhelmingly negative feelings about the construction, Fraction's detail work is among mainstream comics' best. His dialogue is frequently very funny - The Punisher calmly announcing "I'm going to Mexico, and I'm gonna shoot that guy in the face," had me in stitches - and provides a nice counterpoint to the heavier story elements, furthering the title's contrast to the Ennis MAX series featuring the character. Fraction's also willing to let the readers draw their own conclusions about some things, which may well be directly tied to the script problems discussed - it's possible that Fraction places too much trust in the reader. Even if that's the case, this ability, which is something I associate with talents as bright as Grant Morrison and Gilbert Hernandez, is one to be envied when applied properly.
Another positive for this series, as mentioned above, is Ariel Olivetti's art - most of the time. Olivetti's character designs are always top-notch, reminding me of Frank Quitely in his ability to create powerful, imposing figures that still have some sense of grace and his facial expressions and panel compositions are nicely done. Olivetti's digital work method however, has its disadvantages. There's a few too many shots of cars and the like that are obviously models and the "real" skies and New York streets used as a backdrop sucked me out of the story on more than one occasion.
There's so much on the surface that I find appealing about Punisher War Journal, but the writing and art come just shy of making me really able to recommend the series unless you're already thoroughly indoctrinated in the Marvel Universe's intricacies and, unlike me, can remember details of a comic book you read months ago after reading many, many other things in the intervening period.
