I own a copy of the first issue of Punisher 2099, a comic series set in the “2099” alternate universe created by Marvel.
This comic is from 1993, and it looks it. To start with the blue trim on the cover is metallic foil, as was the style at the time.
Inside, the story follows the adventures of some guy who is not Frank Castle, but looks just like him.
(I think a colorist forgot the Punisher’s skull in one of the hero panels…)
Not-Frank is a member of the police force in the futuristic dystopia. He somehow escapes suspicion even when he is basically just in Punishermode at the precinct.
At least by being a cop, he is able to hack into the security systems to ensure cameras don’t catch his face.
Overall this issue is silly in how it overdramtically ports the Punisher story into a cyberpunk setting. The ultraviolence is turned up pretty high, approaching Fallout 1 death animation levels.
The issue is pretty standard Punisher cleaning out the criminals fare, without much nuance. The costume and novelty of the setting do make the comic memorable though.
Who did the art for this, btw?
Tom Morgan. His name is listed on the second picture inside the body of the post (but the text is kind of small).
🤦🏻♂️Oh yeah! I didn’t notice. WOW, though. Here’s a weird one for you:
Morgan drew Jeff Mariotte’s biography of Barack Obama, which was released in late 2008 by IDW Publishing.
🤣
These 90’s built-like-a-refrigerator comic hardmen used to impress the hell out of me as a kid. I used to wish I could draw like this… now I look at it and my whole brain just will not read it as anything but deformed.
Funny how styles and tastes shift about.
I’ve still got a soft spot for the style.
Except there’s a level of irony or self awareness to that image that bumps its appeal way, way up :)
It might be the self-seriousness of Punisher here that makes it a little goofy today.