Review by Frank Plowright

Over three volumes so far Matt Fraction’s Punisher has celebrated a return from the dark side by slaughtering minor super villains, which is also pretty dark when you think about it, but Jigsaw has none of the cartoon comedy found in Hunter/Hunted. It has comedy, but it’s dark, bleak comedy.

Fraction has set up a replacement Punisher working for Jigsaw, the only recurring enemy the Punisher has, on account of the remainder being dead. Were the Punisher real Jigsaw would also be dead, but every action series needs a good unhinged villain, and Jigsaw fits that bill, his face a hideous mess of scars after the Punisher dealt with him first time around. Howard Chaykin revels in that, drawing him as if a more demented Two Face, the eye constantly drawn to the gruesome disfigurement, as it would be in reality. When he turns up, Chaykin also draws a good G.W. Bridge, Agent of S.H.I.E.L.D., who looks a capable older man for the first time in a while. The digitally supplied detail is attractive, and unlike other digital art of the era that’s dated, it stands the test of time for Chaykin using the technology as a tool in his own style.

In combination with Rick Remender over the later chapters, Fraction not only has Jigsaw set up an elaborate frame, but drops in Bridge and the team we’ve seen him gather over the past two volumes. When they make their appearance it seems too convenient, but plays well into what follows, and beyond that any point of predictability evaporates. There’s even a good conversation addressing why Jigsaw’s still around after all these years. It’s a thriller all the way through, although the final of three epilogues is weak and inconclusive as far as one character is concerned.

Secret Invasion is next, or Fraction’s entire run is available in bulky paperback as Punisher War Journal by Matt Fraction: The Complete Collection.