Punisher Volume 3: Business As Usual TPB (Paperback)

#13 and #14 chronicles Punisher on an unlikely mission of mercy to rescue a hostage in South America. For those of you that are rolling your eyes and groaning, this isn't a return to Punisher's War Journal days. This is a crazy Ennis thrill ride filled with twists, turns, and improbabilities.

#15 is the tale of a reporter willing to do whatever it takes to get the story, even if that's making a deal with the devil, or handcuffing himself to the Punisher to see what Frank does on a typical night. With Detective Soap's life in the balance, the Punisher must decide what is good and what is evil...

#16 and #17 are what this series if all about. The Mob, Wolverine, midgets, and a series of unfortunate events. I don't want to give too much away, but please, read these two issues at least a couple of times. The second time, pay attention to the facial expressions. Robertson does a brilliant job that has to be seen to be believed!

In #18 Ennis spotlights his home territory of Ireland, sending the Punisher across the pond. Here we see what 'pointless' violence really is.

The bottom line is if you are a fan of Punisher, Wolverine, Ennis, or Robertson, then please take the time and money to get this book. You won't be sorry!

The first story alone warrants the 3 star rating...it is really good. The Punisher heads to South America to rescue a kidnapped mob leader and bring him back to New York, which will hopefully prevent a full-scale mob war between the families. full of the trademark grit and humor associated with the previous Punisher stories, this is probably the best story in this particular volume. And poor Detective Soap manages to get himself into yet another scandalous situation...delivering some hilarious comic relief.

The next story features a 'team-up' between Punisher and Wolverine...and its hardly a team-up at all. This is the most bizarre but funny Punisher story yet, and is just a little bit too silly to be taken seriously. I wasn't particularly fond of this particular tale but I'll look past it. Wolverine's trademark temper and the Punisher's no-holds barred approach to things make for an entertaining read, but it is the overall silliness of the story that drags this down as a whole... I actually found the Punisher's treatment of Wolverine hysterical, but the overall story itself was poor...

The final story finds the Punisher heading to Northern Ireland to combat terrorism, based on a tip-off he received from an old friend in British Intel. Redeeming the rather dull Pun/Wolvie story before it, this is an intriguing and serious look at the reality of terrorism in Northern Ireland, and as usual is full of the trademark humor and gritty, dark attitude of the Punisher. Definitely a good read.

Overall this was a great volume, its just the Pun/Wolvie crossover that really drags it down. It could've been so much better...the Punisher and Wolverine have alot of potential as a team, and when the 'team' breaks down into a hilarious battle, it's definitely worth a read, but it just isn't delivered so well. Nevertheless, I wouldn't say I don't like this volume, i'm just rather disappointed in it. Perhaps the next time will be better.