So I read #12.
I thought it sucked. Aaron's insights into Punisher's psyche only seek to make the character more shallow, rather than deeper, whilst also being something of a cliche. Not only that, but it's all on-the-nose voice-over narration and dialogue, characters saying exactly what they're thinking and feeling. It's awful stuff.
However, the prisoners' attempt on Punisher's life was brilliant, funny, and genuinely exciting. The terrible thing is, there is no need for the flashbacks. Frank just lying in the bed, with no voice-over, would've been brilliant because we would, like the criminals, be uncertain as to Frank's condition. Then when he yells "What are you waiting for?" it would've had a big effect, and Frank's self-loathing would've been apparent in how he interacts with the criminals. The flashbacks tell us stuff we already know. As soon as Bullseye told Frank what his last words to his wife were, we immediately got what kind of inner turmoil Frank was in, and it didn't need to be so overtly explained.
This issue could've been #13 as well. It's a shame. I hope the psychoanalysis stops soon, but I think it's going to continue for the entire arc, and if it does, I'll probably drop the title. I got what was going on in Frank's head within a page of flashbacks. I skimmed most of the issue since I knew it all because I have seen it before. And it's crappy. Aaron says that Frank is the Punisher (in part) because he is scared to live. Ennis, someone who seems to understand the psychology war, was much more honest and much darker. He very clearly expressed that Frank is the Punisher because he loves war.
The prisoners were great though.
