Punisher #7: (Mostly A Remembrance of Steve Dillon)

Punisher #7: (Mostly A Remembrance of Steve Dillon)

writer- Becky Cloonan

artists- Steve Dillon, Matt Horak

Reviewing Punisher #7 as I would any other comic for Outside the Cube would have been a crime. Talking about the grittiness of Cloonan's writing, that gut-wrenching tension that comes from her particularly neo-noiresque execution; mentioning the perfect pairing of pictures and words and how Punisher's violence flows across the pages naturally, fluidly, and not at all gratuitously- it's not enough. Not for Punisher #7 and not for me. And certainly not for artist Steve Dillon.

As I read this issue, my eyes welled up with tears and it finally sunk in that the world of comics had lost a valuable member of the family. As most of you know, Steve Dillon passed away last October. While I was reading this issue of Punisher, I first thought about the use of his and Matt Horak's art. It's a great collaboration. Then it became painfully obvious to me that Horak was contributing to the book because Dillon couldn't, and at some point soon, there would be no more Steve Dillon art in the Punisher title.

Sure, I find it important to review the book. I think it's right to say that Becky Cloonan is every bit the Punisher writer that Garth Ennis is and that while Ennis really paved the way for the Punisher to become a popular cinematic property (despite unpopular film adaptations), Cloonan is keeping that road well maintained. Cloonan and Dillon have kept the vengeful Frank Castle a brutal and solid part of the current Marvel continuity. But what's also important is mention of the man behind the art in the book, not just the art itself.

I first saw Steve Dillon's art in the late 1980's with re-prints of Rogue Trooper, Laser Eraser and Pressbutton, and Judge Dredd. In the 1990's I recognized his work in Animal Man, Hellblazer, and Preacher. And I became a huge fan when I saw what he'd done with Ennis' version of the Punisher in the 2000 Marvel Knights series. In my mind, anything drawn by him was worth reading. And as it turned out, his art only showed up with some of the best writers in the business. Bad writers didn't get Dillon art. Simple as that.

So this “review” isn't a review at all, but a nod to this legend. Punisher editor, Jake Thomas replaced the letters page for #7 with a tribute and thanks to Steve Dillon. In it, he talks about working with Steve, and he talks about a visit with Steve the week before he died. Here's something Jake had to say, “I don't get starry-eyed around many comic book professionals, but Steve was different.” Jake also goes on to say, “He was a warm, funny, sly, welcoming guy.” And to that, I say, we all lost someone special. Of course, my heart goes out to the family and friends of Steve Dillon. I mourn for the loss of not only a great talent in the industry but of someone who was a good person. I never met Steve Dillon, but I wish I had.

About the Art: Reading Punisher #7, I noticed right away that the art switches from Dillon to Horak throughout the book. In his piece on the last page of the issue, Jake Thomas says, “When Steve started feeling ill, we reached out to Matt to see if he could help out on a few pages. When Steve passed, those few pages became the bulk of the issue. Steve was a hell of an act to follow, but Matt's pages here are absolutely stellar and pick up right where Steve left off.” He's absolutely right. Matt Horak's style is unique but it's a perfect fit to Dillon's and blends right in. His work, like Dillon's, is expressive and full of motion. The powers that be found the perfect successor without realizing that's what they were doing. Of course nobody could ever replace Steve Dillon, not in life and not in his work.

About the Writing: Right now there's nobody that can fill Becky Cloonan's shoes writing The Punisher. She's hard edged and gives the book the edge it deserves. We're looking forward to the story continuing and to what she brings to the title next, and at the same time, we're sure this loss must be affecting her as well. Punisher gets a big nine stars if we were using the star system. We thank Becky, Matt, and (of course) Steve for all their hard work on this compelling series.

So pick up Punisher #7. It's a good read and some of the last Steve Dillon you'll ever see.