At Fan Expo Canada 2012, Marvel has released new information involving the upcoming limited comic series, titled Punisher: War Zone, which involves a Punisher Vs. Avengers storyline in which Punisher will battle our friendly neighborhood Spiderman in the first issue, and the Worthy Thor in the next, and an unrevealed event involving Wolverine. To quote the official Marvel website (click the source link to be taken to the Marvel website article I am quoting):
“The Spider-Man fight in issue #1. I mean the Thor fight in issue #2. Oh and when Wolverine…[Series Writer Greg] Rucka just strongly suggested I stop typing.”
Despite comic artist Marco Checchetto being unable to do the interior art of the series, he will still produce the covers. The replacement artist will be Carmine Di Giandomenico, who will be working off Checchetto's designs, but in is own style. According to editor Steve Wacker,
"When Marco unfortunately had to drop out for personal reasons, I was devastated. If [writer] Greg [Rucka] has been the ‘brains’ of THE PUNISHER, Marco has been the heart and the knuckles. But the search for a new artist was short. I’ve loved Carmine’s work at Marvel the past few years and look forward to any chance to work with him." Wacker describes Carmine Di Giandomenico's Punisher artwork as “fierce, grimy and persistent.”
“Carmine’s work on varied projects like INVINCIBLE IRON MAN, X-MEN: MAGNETO – TESTAMENT and SPIDER MAN NOIR have shown him to be a thoughtful artist with a pristine sense of storytelling, mood and environment,” Wacker went on. “He’s a fantastic artist who can do tough times very well. He draws like an action star which will be good for WAR ZONE, particularly considered what Greg has planned."
The following are Carmine Di Giandomenico's Punisher: War Zone design sketches:
The Punisher: War Zone limited series will be released this October, coincide with the release of the first Marvel NOW! titles.