Boyohboy do I love the Cult Of Personality. It makes men out of worms, gods out of dime-store demons, and allows me to toot my own horn on returning from vacation. On a side note, Nassau is overrated. But the Caribbean is beautiful.

So I’m back from vacation, and I’m gonna kick things off by reviewing the new Punisher War Journal #3. Cap is angry at Frank Castle, and Frank accepts a beating in traditional “thank-you - sir-may-I - have-another” fashion. Mercifully, the Punisher is let back onto the streets to be his brusque, brilliant self.

Two words: Satan Claw. Any writer who gives a gadget as cool a name as Satan Claw gets a gold star. Thank you, Matt Fraction. And before I forget, the title “How I Won the War” fits over the plot like a glove. As for Fraction’s treatment of Frank Castle, it’s not bad. He still manages to sneak some humor into issue 3, though it’s a little darker and more absurd than the past two. There aren’t any particularly brilliant lines in this issue, but Frank Castle’s dialogue still grabs the reader.

On one hand, Ariel Olivetti’s not suited to Frank Castle’s character. On another, he’s adapted his own style to writer Matt Fraction’s vision remarkably well. He’s also made the Rhino look cooler than any artist in years. This issue forces me to do what no reviewer enjoys doing: admit that someone who draws your subjective dislike has done an objectively fine job.

Finally, to give credit where it’s due: Dean White provides a stunning range of colors and shadows, and somehow manages to make Cap look menacing.

Worth the money? Yes, because Frank Castle shoots the Rhino in the face with a bazooka. Awesome.