More than most, The Punisher is an incredibly divisive figure in comics. For those who prefer the more traditional superhero fiction, he can easily be a character to hate as a murderous vigilante who manages to stand side-by-side with some of Marvel's greats as an iconic character. For those who love anti-heroes like Wolverine, or even the heroes that tend to deal with darker subject material such as Batman or Ghost Rider, The Punisher is a compelling addition to a trove of comic book characters who aren't as morally sound as Superman or Captain America, instead thriving on psychological problems that dictate their sense of right and wrong. Started by Garth Ennis in the early 2000's, the
Punisher: MAX stories traditionally bump everything associated with Frank Castle and his one-man war on crime up to eleven. The violence, the psychosis, the disturbing subject matter, language, and even the sheer insanity aren't censored down by traditional comic standards, left to be brought to the forefront. Like the character's inherent nature, it's a bleak ride made bleaker.
