Mother Russia (The Punisher Vol. 3: Mother Russia - Garth Ennis)

Member Name: Raptor32

Product:	The Punisher Vol. 3: Mother Russia - Garth Ennis
Date:	15/08/08 (56 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Action packed, great characters, different setting to other Punisher stories

Disadvantages: Some action story cliches, very dark artwork (lighting)

To start with let me make something clear; moving the Punisher to the Max title range was a masterstroke. As a character Frank Castle is at his very best when he can be unleashed by a writing team and that is exactly what happens in this collection of issues. What it does mean however is that this is a very adult title, the images, language and themes are not suitable for children, or anyone with a weak stomach in fact.

**Spoiler warning**
If violence does not put you off what you are rewarded with is basically an action film on paper. Frank is recruited and sent to Russia by a brilliantly interpreted Nick Fury to bring back to America a young girl who has been injected with a terrifyingly deadly new virus. This gives the reader a chance to see a more compassionate side to Frank who strikes up an unlikely and touching relationship with Gina, the girl he is trying to recover. However Frank is still very much the Punisher in this story and, as mentioned before with this being a MAX title, enemies are shot, tortured, beaten, burned and blown up.
Also, as a graphic novel aimed at adults the plot is not quite as straightforward at it first seems and is intelligently handled. The top brass from Washington who put the mission together are willing to do anything to ensure its success, even having its own team of terrorists hijack a commercial plane to make the raid by Frank appear to have been orchestrated by Islamic fundamentalists. As a result the tone of the story is very dark, Frank can trust no-one and is surrounded by enemies, some of whom even he cannot fight. The story is a little Clancy-esque with Moscow and Washington brought the brink of nuclear war as a result of double crossings and scheming at the top levels of government.
So do not expect this to be the usual superhero story of an evil gang or villain being prevented from being evil by a heroic hero, in this story the Punisher is a hired gun, working for the government so that the USA can gain access to the deadly virus, there are no "good guys" or even bad guys as such, just differing shades of grey, with these shades often being splattered with red. The Punisher is working for the government in return for passwords to police computers, allowing him to continue his crusade against criminals in the US with even more ease. He is not working for the greater good, though it is clear by the end of the book that he truly does care for Gina.

What is great about this story is that the writer, Ennis, is able to put the protagonist into a seemingly inescapable situation but manages to keep the story and ending, if not realistic, then plausible. However this is by no means a perfect piece of work.
At points the art can be very dark and the writing a little hard to read, particularly if you like to read in the car like I do. The other problem is with the Punisher himself. Frank Castle is fascinating to watch in action but this is in spite of personality rather than due to it. As a result Ennis relies on some very well written supporting characters to drive the story on. This was fine for me but big Frank Castle fans maybe a little disappointed that he gets less page time than maybe expected in a title with his name on the cover.

However this a great book and contains plot points and characters which are vital for the rest of the Punisher MAX saga which makes it essential reading for fans of the character.

Summary: Bloody, exciting and great!