Issue(s): Punisher Summer Special #2
Cover Date: Aug 92
Title: "Rough cut / High risk / The local"
Credits:
Pat Mills / Chuck Dixon - Writer
Mike McKone / Henry Flint / John Hinkleton - Penciler
Mark McKenna & Mick Gray / Terry Austin / John Hinkleton - Inker
Tim Tuohy & Kevin Kobasic - Assistant Editor
Don Daley - Editor

Review/plot:
This issue is worth the cover price for the cover alone. I mean that in two ways. First, that cover, with Punisher in that high collar and with the low cut shirt, is the best thing ever. Second, it is literally the only good thing about this comic.

The first story does at least have continuity value, albeit only in the sense that it brings back a villain from the previous Summer Special (and this is his only other appearance), in a story that was also by Pat Mills. I'm talking about the sado-masochist Colonel De Sade. He seemingly died in the last issue, but it turns out he was rescued by the police. And now he's out of jail and making snuff films. And sending the films to the Punisher to taunt him.

So to make a long (35 page) story short, the Punisher hunts him down and kills him.

It's a decent story with a few good moments, like when the Punisher tells the actresses what they've really been auditioning for...

...and when the Colonel's assistant finds out that she's not safe from his insanity.

It would have been ok as a fill-in for the regular series (except it is a bit long, and feels it), but the art isn't very good and it certainly isn't "special" despite what the book is called.

The other two stories are by Chuck Dixon. One is a 3 page joke about a guy trying to sell the Punisher life insurance while he's killing a bunch of gang members.

And the final story is showcasing some cartoony stylized art from John Hinkleton of 2000 AD fame.

I guess that story is worthwhile in an artist spotlight kind of way. I personally dislike the "New York subways are full of rampant criminals" message but it was a common one at the time. I also doubt most Marvel, and especially Punisher, fans appreciated Hinkleton's style. I think it's fun, recognizing it for what it is. So, ok, this issue does have some slight value besides the cover. But the cover's still the best part.

But the main point is that we didn't need this book at all. We were getting plenty of Punisher already. I don't know about the 3 page story, but the final story is 8 pages, which makes me wonder if it was intended for Marvel Comics Presents (which had surprisingly few Punisher stories). Maybe once again the idea is that they had so much overflow for that book they needed more outlets for them. Otherwise i don't see the point of putting the regular writer for the Punisher books on yet another title.

Quality Rating: D+

Historical Significance Rating: 1

Chronological Placement Considerations: N/A

References: N/A

Crossover: N/A

Continuity Insert? N

My Reprint: N/A