Issue(s): Punisher War Journal #50
Cover Date: Jan 93
Title: " The unfriendly skies / Trespassers"
Credits:
Chuck Dixon / Steven Grant - Writer
Mark Texeira / Shawn McManus - Penciler
Mark Texeira / Shawn McManus - Inker
Tim Touhy - Assistant Editor
Don Daley - Editor

Review/plot:
A three part story that started in issue #48 was interrupted so that this $2.95 embossed cover issue could come out. There are two stories in this issue, both of which are basically filler. And there's also a preview of Punisher 2099 #1 (which i won't be covering, except to say, "I'm the Punisher... and you're deadware!") and some pin-ups.

The first story is theoretically something special because it features the return of Mark Texeira. And, at least in Texeria's mind, the Punisher has been doing some serious working out since he last drew him.

Yowza!

Texeria's art has been getting increasingly exaggerated, and i don't necessarily think that's a bad thing. Criticizing Texeria or Jae Lee or Bill Sienkiewicz for not drawing characters in correct proportion is like accusing Picasso of not knowing where eyes go on a face. Certain artists deliberately do abstract work, and it can be enjoyable as long as you know what you're getting yourself into. I think it is valid to say that the place for experimentation isn't on mainstream books - i.e. what makes sense for a low selling title like (at various times) Moon Knight or Namor isn't appropriate for, say, Amazing Spider-Man. And the story/plot should also play a role. For example, Texeira's art on Wolverine #66-68 helps enhance the nature of that story, which involved Wolverine suffering from memory relapses and hallucinations. Here we have what should be a straightforward Punisher story, except everyone is 30 feet wide.

The Punisher is at the airport to pick up Micro, but he notices a known terrorist mercenary getting ready to board a plane. The Punisher tries to follow, but "security's real tight" at the airport and the Punisher isn't allowed into the boarding area without a ticket. So he casually strolls over to the ticket desk, where there's no line, and buys a ticket with plenty of time left to get back through the checkpoint. Despite the Punisher's claim to the contrary, the security at this airport seems incredibly lax. I wasn't sure if that was me applying a post-911 mindset to this story or not, but someone that works in airport security does have a letter published in a later lettercol complaining about the depiction here.

This story does mention that people are afraid to fly because of fear of "trouble in the Middle East".

Anyway, the Punisher does manage to kill his terrorist. There's no reason to go into any more detail.

In the second story, i guess with equal opportunity in mind, he kills some rednecks.

The second story is also "theoretically special" since the writer is Steven Grant, who wrote the original Punisher mini-series. In truth, neither of these stories are really special.

Quality Rating: C-

Historical Significance Rating: 1

Chronological Placement Considerations: I've opted to place this after the three-parter in Punisher War Journal #48,49, & 51, but it could go either way. Both stories here are context free.

References: N/A

Crossover: N/A

Continuity Insert? N

My Reprint: N/A

Tex is fine but the other artist is average. Looking at these scans reminds me of the jarring change in art when Jim Lee left this title.