[COMIC REVIEW] The Punisher : War Journal #51 Illustrates Many Issues With The 90s
The Punisher #51 hatches a drastic plan to kill a Crime Boss. Yet the Biggest Threat is stale stereotypes of the 90s.
The Punisher : War Journal #51 begins with Frank Castle beating down on lowlife criminal scum. Hot on the tail of crime boss Vito Vaducci’s men, Punisher takes out several gang bangers before taking their “beancounter” hostage. What follows is Micro and Punisher interrogating the beancounter. Revealing an upcoming meeting of the minds between all the major crime bosses of North America. Even the Punisher’s minor nemesis, Jigsaw.
The plan? Break into the mob boss’ meeting. A meeting, coincidentally, held to plan what to do with their Frank Castle problem atop their nigh impenetrable fortress. Hatching a carefully calculated plan, Punisher is led to an inescapable conclusion, the easy break in is all part of a carefully laid trap.
The Punisher : War Journal #51 Makes No Apologies
The Punisher : War Journal #51 is a no-nonsense hallmark to the 80s right through to the 90s. Making no apologies with the obvious tropes of masculinity, sexism and racial undertones.The introduction of each mob boss’ ethnicity leaves the feeling this issue would’ve looked a whole lot different today. From the introduction of the modernised femme fatale character, weak in the presence of The Punisher, to the avoidance of logic in the face of one man’s pursuit of vengeance. Little here makes any sense.
Writer Chuck Dixon’s cleverly executed play by play scenes clearly establish Micro and The Punisher as the perfect team – the brawn and the brain. MVP here is Micro, acting as the advocate for Frank Castle’s deceased family – keeping their wants and desires alive. While ensuring The Punisher stays the course and never crosses to extreme psychopath.
You can find The Punisher : War Journal at your nearest comic book store. Failing that head to ComiXology for the digital version.
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