Garth Ennis is one of the best writers of over-the-top violence working in comics and Marvel's Max Comics imprint really allowed him to let loose with the Frank Castle/Punisher character. The "Born" chapters are well done, but they retcon Castle as a war criminal in Vietnam. This goes against my preferred interpretation of the character, but I can see the appeal of this take. The "In the Beginning" chapters are more successful as they showcase a classic battle against the mafia, wherein Castle is practically a cipher and the power of the story comes in how other characters react to him. The "Kitchen Irish" goes a little too far in that direction, with the Irish mob characters and their story dominating to the point where Castle could almost be removed entirely without affecting the plot. It's a good story, but it doesn't necessarily have to be a Punisher story. I read all these stories years ago in comic book form, and I'm enjoying the chance to revisit them in this new collection. ( )

This is a great place to start for those like me who haven't read any of the Punisher comics. It begins with the series "Born" that takes place in Vietnam during the war when Frank Castle was on his third tour of duty and was stationed at the Firebase Valley Forge near the Cambodian border. Captain Castle has noticed that the NVA have been stockpiling weapons and are getting ready for an offensive which means they will come after them, but his commanding officer does not seem too concerned with this and wants to do nothing about it. He's more worried about the General that is coming to inspect the base and he wants Castle to give the tour.

When the General says that the war is coming to a close and the base is going to be closed leaving the Cambodian border open to the NVA, Castle snaps and can't take this and arranges for an "accident" to happen to the General and thus begins his path to the darkness within him. At one point the darkness asks him if he wants it and when he says "yes", the darkness does not let him know that it will arrange things in his life so that the darkness will have a permanent home.

In "In the Beginning" which takes place not long after he gets home his wife and two kids are gunned down in the park by the mafia. When the comic picks up he has already killed everyone associated with it except the head of the family. He's at a party being held for the patriarch who is turning 100 and he walks in and kills him then mows down a bunch of the family members. He runs into an old acquaintance named Micro who kidnaps him in order to talk to him. Micro wants him to work for a member of the CIA under the table killing bad guys all over the world. Of course, they both have a problem to sort out: the mafia is still trying to kill Castle, which leaves the CIA in a war with them. The ultimate question is will Castle agree to do work for the CIA?

In "Kitchen Irish" it takes place in Hell's Kitchen New York City. Castle happened to be in a diner when it exploded killing innocent civilians. Now he's on the hunt to find out who is responsible. He runs into Andy Lorimer whom he knew from his Vietnam days who works with MI6 now and has the information he's looking for. Finn Cooley who is with the Continuity IRA was the one who blew up the restaurant. But why? And what does it have to do with the players Tommy Toner, head of the Westies, whose restaurant it was, Maginty, a black Irishman who has kidnapped Tommy and is returning him in pieces to his family, and Polly and Eamus who run the River Rats, a group of thieves who steal from people on boats?

This is a really kick-ass book that grabs your attention from the beginning and never lets go. The Punisher is a complicated person that you have trouble calling a superhero. He probably wouldn't want to be called one, that's for sure. The art is amazing and the part about Vietnam is so realistic, which it should be as the artist based it on actual photos from someone's father's personal album from Vietnam during the war. The book is an incredible read. I can't recommend it enough. ( )

Definitely what I wanted to read! I've always loved the Punisher, and this collection just increased my love, and joy! I always like the 'Nam tales of Mr. Castle, and the other two stories were just perfect! Must read next volume...!!! ( )