Source: ca.complex.com

1. Born

(The Punisher)

Garth Ennis writes about war like Kurt Busiek writes about superheroes. That is to say, very, very well. And Born is basically a breathtakingly good Vietnam war story that happens to feature a pre-Punisher Frank Castle.

Firebase Valley Forge was a bad place during the war. Undersupplied, staffed by screw-ups, and run by incompetents, Valley Forge only had one saving grace: Captain Frank Castle. As the last few days of the firebase’s existence play out, the voice in the back of Castle’s head starts to grow louder.

Born is dark and vile and unpleasant, because it’s supposed to be. It’s a tale of Vietnam, and it’s about what kind of person was designed to survive that situation. Also, Darick Robertson of Transmetropolitan does an amazing job on this mini. There are one or two images that send chills down to the base of my spine every time I see them.

In addition to that, Born also features a shudderingly good ending that changes the way you’ll see the character of Frank Castle forever. Welcome Back Frank was a dark comedy. This, however? This is a tragedy. A tragedy about the horrors of war.

But do read it. It’s really, really good.