What do you think?
Rate this book
Punisher War Journal (2006) (Collected Editions)
Punisher War Journal, Vol. 2: Goin' Out West
The Bushwacker has taken a hostage in the heart of Times Square. With every TV camera in the world rolling, it's New York City's biggest nightmare, and it's coming down live. As G.W. Bridge watches the worst day of his life uncoil in real time, a lone beat cop is the only thing that's keeping Bushwacker in check... and when Bushwacker demands to see Frank Castle... well, that's when thing get really interesting. By Matt Fraction (The Immortal Iron Fist) and Young Guns Reloaded artist Ariel Olivetti (The Last Avengers Story). Collects Punisher War Journal #5-9.
128 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2007
About the author
Matt Fraction
1,233 books1,889 followers"How he got started in comics: In 1983, when Fraction was 7 years old and growing up in Kansas City, Mo., he became fascinated by the U.S. invasion of Grenada and created his own newspaper to explain the event. "I've always been story-driven, telling stories with pictures and words," he said.
Education and first job: Fraction never graduated from college. He stopped half a semester short of an art degree at Kansas City Art Institute in Missouri in 1998 to take a job as a Web designer and managing editor of a magazine about Internet culture.
"My mother was not happy about that," he said.
But that gig led Fraction and his co-workers to split off and launch MK12, a boutique graphic design and production firm in Kansas City that created the opening credits for the James Bond film "Quantum of Solace."
Big break: While writing and directing live-action shoots at MK12, Fraction spent his spare time writing comics and pitching his books each year to publishers at Comic-Con. Two books sold: "The Last of the Independents," published in 2003 by AiT/Planet Lar, and "Casanova," published in 2006 by Image Comics.
Fraction traveled extensively on commercial shoots. Then his wife got pregnant. So Fraction did what any rational man in his position would do -- he quit his job at MK12 to pursue his dream of becoming a full-time comic book writer.
Say what? "It was terrifying," said Fraction, who now lives in Portland, Ore. "I was married. We had a house. We had a baby coming. And I just quit my job."
Marvel hired Fraction in June 2006, thanks largely to the success of his other two comics. "I got very lucky," he half-joked. "If it hadn't worked out, I would have had to move back in with my parents.
- 2009. Alex Pham. Los Angeles Times.
Education and first job: Fraction never graduated from college. He stopped half a semester short of an art degree at Kansas City Art Institute in Missouri in 1998 to take a job as a Web designer and managing editor of a magazine about Internet culture.
"My mother was not happy about that," he said.
But that gig led Fraction and his co-workers to split off and launch MK12, a boutique graphic design and production firm in Kansas City that created the opening credits for the James Bond film "Quantum of Solace."
Big break: While writing and directing live-action shoots at MK12, Fraction spent his spare time writing comics and pitching his books each year to publishers at Comic-Con. Two books sold: "The Last of the Independents," published in 2003 by AiT/Planet Lar, and "Casanova," published in 2006 by Image Comics.
Fraction traveled extensively on commercial shoots. Then his wife got pregnant. So Fraction did what any rational man in his position would do -- he quit his job at MK12 to pursue his dream of becoming a full-time comic book writer.
Say what? "It was terrifying," said Fraction, who now lives in Portland, Ore. "I was married. We had a house. We had a baby coming. And I just quit my job."
Marvel hired Fraction in June 2006, thanks largely to the success of his other two comics. "I got very lucky," he half-joked. "If it hadn't worked out, I would have had to move back in with my parents.
- 2009. Alex Pham. Los Angeles Times.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews
April 21, 2018
Wouldn't have been so bad a story if not a Punisher one.
Frank's focus on Cap Am is over the top as far as I'm concerned. I understand he respects the guy but his obsession over the symbol seems out of character. To the point he goes West to kick the shit out of Neo-Nazis that wear a kind of similar uniform. A thin excuse if ever.
Fraction can't stand Neo-Nazis? I relate 100%, man. But dragging the Punisher into it in the middle of nowhere- I stick to the urban Punisher- is not a cool idea. It's not his war. Neither is restoring the symbol of Cap Am.
The sidekick angle doesn't work much too. I didn't exactly understand why they partnered in the first place but the mute and scary vs talkative and funny gets quickly old.
The best parts of the book are actually those framing the "out West" sequence. It focuses more on G.W. Bridge and helped me get into the character whom I encountered for the first time last volume and couldn't quite get a grasp on. I think Fraction made something good out of him and his interactions with S.h.i.e.l.d and the Punisher.
Olivetti's still illustrates most of the book. Still don't like his style.
Frank's focus on Cap Am is over the top as far as I'm concerned. I understand he respects the guy but his obsession over the symbol seems out of character. To the point he goes West to kick the shit out of Neo-Nazis that wear a kind of similar uniform. A thin excuse if ever.
Fraction can't stand Neo-Nazis? I relate 100%, man. But dragging the Punisher into it in the middle of nowhere- I stick to the urban Punisher- is not a cool idea. It's not his war. Neither is restoring the symbol of Cap Am.
The sidekick angle doesn't work much too. I didn't exactly understand why they partnered in the first place but the mute and scary vs talkative and funny gets quickly old.
The best parts of the book are actually those framing the "out West" sequence. It focuses more on G.W. Bridge and helped me get into the character whom I encountered for the first time last volume and couldn't quite get a grasp on. I think Fraction made something good out of him and his interactions with S.h.i.e.l.d and the Punisher.
Olivetti's still illustrates most of the book. Still don't like his style.
July 8, 2011
Possibly the worst thing to come out of the Marvel Civil War event from a few years ago was the Punisher's involvement. I know he started out in a Spidey comic but I think he's changed to the point where he and supes just shouldn't mix. That stupid Capt America type costume he's wearing on the cover of this book is proof positive.
Then there are other things - he's got a sidekick (which never worked eg. Micro), he spends most of his time in thrall to some moronic neo-Nazis, trying to get his way into their organisation for some reason (the book barely held my attention) but the Frank I knew from the Garth Ennis reboot would've just killed them all and figured it out later. Here he does that but only after the lamest attempt at becoming one of them for some reason. Utterly pointless.
Besides the crap storyline and poor characterisation and sub par art, what else is there to say? Nothing else really, it's more along the lines of "this is stupid, this isn't the Punisher, this book blows". And it does, it really does. Avoid.
Then there are other things - he's got a sidekick (which never worked eg. Micro), he spends most of his time in thrall to some moronic neo-Nazis, trying to get his way into their organisation for some reason (the book barely held my attention) but the Frank I knew from the Garth Ennis reboot would've just killed them all and figured it out later. Here he does that but only after the lamest attempt at becoming one of them for some reason. Utterly pointless.
Besides the crap storyline and poor characterisation and sub par art, what else is there to say? Nothing else really, it's more along the lines of "this is stupid, this isn't the Punisher, this book blows". And it does, it really does. Avoid.
August 12, 2021
Calling the villains cartoonishly racist is an insult to cartoons. This volume is tribute to artistic ignorance and laziness that isn't worth your time, let alone the paper it's written on.
February 1, 2017
3.5.
Solid, unfortunately prescient Punisher story undermined by structural issues. Lots of bouncing back and forth through time without any clear reason why, making a very basic story needlessly confusing.
Sure is cathartic watching the Punisher kill a bunch of midwest neo-Nazis though, given the current political climate.
Solid, unfortunately prescient Punisher story undermined by structural issues. Lots of bouncing back and forth through time without any clear reason why, making a very basic story needlessly confusing.
Sure is cathartic watching the Punisher kill a bunch of midwest neo-Nazis though, given the current political climate.
June 11, 2008
While not on par with the excellent first volume of this series, there is some seriously deep shit that goes down here and makes you really question how you feel about Frank Castle.
October 26, 2016
Always stellar artwork from Marvel. The story is a good showcase of the main character.
July 2, 2024
Punisher War Journal volume 2: Goin' Out West
Written by Matt Fraction
Art by Ariel Olivetti (issues 5-10) and Leandro Fernandez (issue 11)
It's the Marvel Universe circa 2006-2007 and everything has changed after the Civil War.
Frank Castle aka the vigilante The Punisher sided with Captain America's team against superhuman registration act but now the dream is dead, the act is enforced, and Frank is shocked at the latest news of Cap's assassination.
Frank is on the run from Iron Man and the agents of SHIELD and then he learns of a dangerous militia deep in the American Southwest headed by a new 'Hate Monger', and what really ticks the Punisher off is that this madman is desecrating Cap's name by dressing in a Nazi version of the Captain America uniform.
Frank infiltrates the miltia and he has his own Punisher style Cap uniform to bring out and wage his war but we know it's not all going his way as much of the story is told in flashback with Frank tied to a fencepost by barbed wire.
And if those odds weren't bad enough he's also being hunted by SHIELD agent GW Bridge.
It's a hard hitting adventure as Frank goes to a real dark place with some of his actions while getting close to Hate Monger. He's always close to the wire but maybe this time his anger has taken him too far and could be the death of him.
Great artwork, a well written depiction of Frank which ties into the Marvel continuity of the time while still being a good read completely separate from any other Marvel book.
And for Bucky Barnes fans the Winter Soldier features in the last issue.
Frank's goin' out west to deliver some punishment. Let's hope he survives.
Written by Matt Fraction
Art by Ariel Olivetti (issues 5-10) and Leandro Fernandez (issue 11)
It's the Marvel Universe circa 2006-2007 and everything has changed after the Civil War.
Frank Castle aka the vigilante The Punisher sided with Captain America's team against superhuman registration act but now the dream is dead, the act is enforced, and Frank is shocked at the latest news of Cap's assassination.
Frank is on the run from Iron Man and the agents of SHIELD and then he learns of a dangerous militia deep in the American Southwest headed by a new 'Hate Monger', and what really ticks the Punisher off is that this madman is desecrating Cap's name by dressing in a Nazi version of the Captain America uniform.
Frank infiltrates the miltia and he has his own Punisher style Cap uniform to bring out and wage his war but we know it's not all going his way as much of the story is told in flashback with Frank tied to a fencepost by barbed wire.
And if those odds weren't bad enough he's also being hunted by SHIELD agent GW Bridge.
It's a hard hitting adventure as Frank goes to a real dark place with some of his actions while getting close to Hate Monger. He's always close to the wire but maybe this time his anger has taken him too far and could be the death of him.
Great artwork, a well written depiction of Frank which ties into the Marvel continuity of the time while still being a good read completely separate from any other Marvel book.
And for Bucky Barnes fans the Winter Soldier features in the last issue.
Frank's goin' out west to deliver some punishment. Let's hope he survives.
March 27, 2025
Creo que de repente esta serie brota un fanatismo de The Punisher hacia Capitán América nunca antes visto que no me cuadra del todo aunque hace sentido pero el que nunca se exprese en su continuidad me causa ruido.
Los dibujos están bien pero abusa de usar la fotografía real, muchas veces ni siquiera encajando al 100 por ciento con la imagen, hay una escena donde los blancos supremacistas son retratados como gente diversa en gradas de manera muy extraña por mezclar lo real con el dibujo.
Buena historia que toca el tema de la migración y la ideología racista y neonazi que aún perdura, recalcando los ideales de Castle hacia la diversidad en el mundo. No tan brutal como esperaría y algo lenta pero entretiene y te lleva a un terreno diferente.
Los dibujos están bien pero abusa de usar la fotografía real, muchas veces ni siquiera encajando al 100 por ciento con la imagen, hay una escena donde los blancos supremacistas son retratados como gente diversa en gradas de manera muy extraña por mezclar lo real con el dibujo.
Buena historia que toca el tema de la migración y la ideología racista y neonazi que aún perdura, recalcando los ideales de Castle hacia la diversidad en el mundo. No tan brutal como esperaría y algo lenta pero entretiene y te lleva a un terreno diferente.
February 8, 2022
A really silly comic art, it's stupid as hell, but I also kind of adore it. I have real mixed feelings about the Punisher, and definitely prefer him not to mix with the regular Marvel Universe. It's fun when it's silly; like Punisher Kills the Marvel Universe, Punisher vs. the Marvel Universe. Purgatory, etc.
I actually liked Civil War and the Initiative, but this was one of the silliest concepts that sprung for Millar's loins.
I actually liked Civil War and the Initiative, but this was one of the silliest concepts that sprung for Millar's loins.
December 18, 2017
One of the many incarnations of "Hate-Monger" in the marvel universe, though this one felt a bit to heavy on the modern political commentary, some of which was still eerily current even though this was published it says 11 years ago.
December 29, 2017
The Punisher faces off with Hate-monger & his national force.
October 11, 2018
This novel was a peculiar collection, the art is gorgeous throughout but the story starts to falter at about the half way point and it doesn’t recover before it ends. Fun little read but nothing out of the ordinary. 3/5
January 24, 2011
The Punisher character has changed so much over the years from when I was first introduced to him in Amazing Spider-man. He is not really likable, but every now and then his character has a moral argument with which the reader can connect. Although Goin' Out West is a timely story in that it addresses current issues like immigration law, vigilante justice, and hate crimes, I was very uncomfortable reading this one. The Punisher commits a crime when trying to right the wrongs of a hate group that is unforgivable for the reader. I thought Matt Fraction took the character too far from the orginal idea of Punisher: he only punishes the guilty. The artwork in this graphic novel was superb. Another sketchy part of the story was the timeline; there were many flashbacks and flash forwards. Still a good read.
August 22, 2009
The first story, with Bushwhacker taking a hostage in Times Square, and the last story, resolving the storylines for Punisher, G.W. Bridge, and Bucky, are way better than the confusing main story about super-hating Nazis killing would-be Mexican border crossers. This version of the Hate Monger is kind of interesting and the story is very "ripped-from-the-headlines," but I don't quite get the Punisher's motivations or methods. His link to the journalist who uncovers the Hate Monger's bombs is just a bit too convenient, and the then-and-now storytelling format only adds confusion. There's also not much payoff to the Punisher in a Captain America costume image on the cover.
May 3, 2008
Matt Fraction's Punisher is a psychopath with a mean streak. He's also sort of dumb. This may be realistic, but it doesn't make the trade the easiest thing on earth to read. The villains end up being more sympathetic than the hero, and since anyone the Punisher kills usually ends up alive in other Marvel books, the stories don't mean anything.
The most interesting thing about this trade is the Hate Monger storyline, where The Punisher comes off as bad as the Nazis he's fighting. I have no idea if the writer intended this.
Anyway: Garth Ennis' Punisher is a lot more interesting.
The most interesting thing about this trade is the Hate Monger storyline, where The Punisher comes off as bad as the Nazis he's fighting. I have no idea if the writer intended this.
Anyway: Garth Ennis' Punisher is a lot more interesting.
March 15, 2008
I didn't expect to like this as much as I did. The first volume left me a little cold, but I can now say that was the fault of all the "Civil War" nonsense Marvel injected into it. Left to his own devices, Matt Fraction can slay the action comics.
The art is problematic for me at times. The digital stuff needs to be better integrated, and I find some of the photo inserts to be a cheat rather than a neat trick.
The art is problematic for me at times. The digital stuff needs to be better integrated, and I find some of the photo inserts to be a cheat rather than a neat trick.
April 20, 2016
Overall, a pretty enjoyable book. I like Fraction's take on Frank Castle; I liked Castle's brief use of the Captain America mantle; and I liked the Hate Monger as a villain. I liked the character designs and the pencils by Ariel Olivetti. What I didn't like was the digital coloring and use of photos to tile and fill pages. The story is also pretty slight and doesn't entirely make sense.
January 9, 2014
A very disappointing 2nd volume, it was dull and boring. Hard to believe this was the direction that followed Garth Ennis' Punisher Max series, where the action character got his revenge in spades and cut loose.
January 18, 2014
The Hate Monger wears a variation of Captain America's costume and Punisher isn't to happy with that. At least that's the reason for Punisher's Captain America variant costume. In a story that drags on a little too long. Issue 11 deals with Punisher and the Winter Soldier having a 'talk'.
January 28, 2015
Not the "right" Punisher for me, but goddamnit this was good entertainment with brilliant art.
My Punisher does not wear superhero-like costumes and does not wank around in superhero scenery, but I still liked this alot.
My Punisher does not wear superhero-like costumes and does not wank around in superhero scenery, but I still liked this alot.
Read
September 3, 2008No star review here. I read about half of it, and found it to be too buried in Marvel Universe nonsense to be enjoyable.
October 18, 2013
Individual issues on marvel unlimited
July 16, 2019
Honestly, this was disappointing. Images and story were lacking. I want the Punisher to be killing criminals, not killing super villains. That's not his role.
March 31, 2013
Tough, well-characterized stories, well told.
April 28, 2016
Yawn. Are we sure this was Matt Fraction?
April 14, 2017
The Punisher. Meh
Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews