Series: Punisher MAX (2004-2009)

When people talk about Garth Ennis’ Punisher, they’re talking about the first sixty issues of Punisher MAX. 

When issue #1 broke free from Garth Ennis’ violent mind, it helped change the world.  Think about it: Marvel was recovering from bankruptcy both financially and intellectually.  New EiC Joe Quesada needed to do something, immediately, that would signal to the world that comic books—in particular, Marvel comic books—were not a dead medium.  And he delivered

There were a total of ten arcs (six issues each), and three interrelated one-shots contained in the trade paperback “From First to Last” that told of Castle as a boy (first); as a prisoner (as an adult); and in his last adventure as Punisher. 

These may be the greatest comics of all time.

RANKING THE TALES, BEST TO LEAST BEST

(Because none of them are flat out bad…)

11. KITCHEN IRISH (2005)

10.  MAN OF STONE (2008)

9.  FROM FIRST TO LAST (2008)

8.  LONG COLD DARK (2009)

7.  WIDOWMAKER (2008)

6.  IN THE BEGINNING (2004)

5.  BARRACUDA (2007)

4. VALLEY FORGE, VALLEY FORGE (2008)

3. MOTHER RUSSIA (2006)

2. THE SLAVERS (2007)

1.  UP IS DOWN AND BLACK IS WHITE (2006)