Review: Marvel Knights Punisher comic 'Do Not Fall in New York City' (With Spoilers)
This Marvel Knights Punisher comic book story may be short, spanning just 22 pages of a single issue, but it is amazingly deep, and brings out the cynical side of The Punisher with heavy one-liners. It is must read for every type of reader, whether or not they read comic books.
COMICS
Culture Treasury Staff
9/25/20264 min read
Before we talk about the fantastic single-issue Punisher comic book arc of 'Do Not Fall In New York City', let's just come straight to the point: it is a must read short storyline for everyone. Doesn't matter if you are not a comic book reader. We say it again: The Punisher’s “Do Not Fall in New York” comic book, collected as part of Garth Ennis’ Marvel Knights run, should be read by every type of reader, whether or not they are a Marvel or Punisher fan.
Joe Perrett, an unhinged murderer is on the loose in New York City; he is all over the news and the cops haven't found him yet. Frank Castle is strolling through the streets of NYC, his cynical and cold outlook at the so-called civilized world of the city pouring out in a monologue. Now, here is the thing: Frank knows the killer personally; he got to know him when he was a regular tough guy, serving in the US Armed Forces alongside him. Frank understands that a crime like murder cannot be overlooked by him. But he could let the cops find him first and let the judicial proceedings take their course, right?
No, he doesn't want him falling into the hands of the police. He wants to find him first.
The way it is written by writer Garth Ennis, 'Do Not Fall In New York City' does not want you to rush through the story, which is very good for those looking for a deep, intellectual read. You would want to stay on the pages as you read, the weight of the words sinking right in, not allowing you to move forward with the story. You would read one page and instantly want to read it slowly once again because there is so much meaning condensed in the inner monologue of Frank. It may be a short comic, spanning just 22 pages, but there is so much depth to it. Frank’s internal monologues are a staple of his comic book stories and they are increasingly potent in this comic book. He sees the material world for what it is (some might call it pessimism); in this world, in this New York City, you must learn to be strong and self-dependent because no one’s going to be there for you when things go bad. No one’s going to catch you if you fall. You are on your own and you should learn to see the fakeness in some people. It is a dark view of the world but in our opinion, realistic and true in a lot of ways.
There are just two central characters in the 'Do Not Fall in New York City' comic book: Joe Perrett and Frank Castle himself. Castle knows him from the Vietnam War, in which both served the country.
Here is The Punisher's personal connection with Joe Perrett: Sergeant Joe Perrett saved the life of Lieutenant Frank Castle when they were overwhelmed by the Viet Cong during the war. When it looked like Frank would die, Joe comes in with guns blazing and saves his life. He’s seen the man Joe could be under extremely adverse situations. He owes his life to him.
And yet, he must punish Joe because of the murders he committed as a civilian. The Punisher in Frank Castle cannot let this go, and at the same time, he doesn’t want his comrade to be judged by the law. It is implied that he doesn't want outsiders, and by that I mean people who have not bled with him in the Vietnam War, to judge Joe Perrett. Because there will be many who would seek to profit from his capture. Book deals would be signed, a post mortem of Joe’s entire life will be done by people seeking to make some money off his personal tragedies.
No, Frank will not allow that to happen. He won’t let the world rummage through the guts of Joe Perrett.
Frank sees and has some understanding of the private world of the US Marine he fought alongside in the Vietnam War; he also sees it change for the worse after the war. And it’s not because Joe Perrett suffered from PTSD or something. He knows his story, about how his company crumbled two years back, his second wife divorced him and took custody of his kids. Joe Perrett, the Vietnam war veteran cracks at the age of 52 and commits a series of horrific crimes, those of killing his wife and children. He becomes unhinged, he’s lost control over his mind totally. He shoots a stranger next and then instantly regrets doing it. He's lost control in a very dangerous way.
Frank is shown to have some understanding of the man, but he cannot forgive him for his crimes. And he does not want him to be captured by the police, as well. The punishment must be meted out but since his former comrade is not a born criminal, Frank decides to find and kill him swiftly.
Based on a past conversation with Sergeant Perrett, Frank goes by a hunch and tracks him down to the place he expects Joe to be at. When The Punisher arrives, Joe has thrown away his pistol into the waters, after pointing it at a guy who was just about to leave with his wife and kids.
It is tragic to see The Punisher thinking that he’s “caught” his comrade after shooting him in the chest; not letting him ‘fall’ in New York City.
“Do Not Fall In New York City” is a definitive Punisher comic that gives a very clear insight into the heart and mind of Frank Castle. Frank will not flinch before killing someone he knew as a good person, if he finds out that they have done a horrific crime. The Garth Ennis version of The Punisher does something like that to another character in his Punisher Max run, too. At the end of the day, there are some criminals he can let go of and some he just can’t. Sometimes, the outcome depends on the mood of The Punisher as well. But the core message is the same: be very careful with how you live your life, especially if you’ve bonded well with Frank Castle at some point in your life. He won’t spare you just because you have been friends.