Get a little gritty Wizard Universe's weekly roundup of Marvel's street-level superheroes
By Lee Rodriguez
(EDITOR'S NOTE: It's a new year and a new era as Dark Reign grips the Marvel Universe from the tallest buildings to the darkest alleys. For run-downs on the books featuring these constantly crusading alleyway adventurers, check back weekly as Lee Rodriguez brings you a run down on Captain America, Daredevil, Ghost Rider, Iron Fist, Moon Knight and the Punisher.)
This week: The Punisher
Previously in the Punisher:
• The Punisher squared off with both alien invaders and former ally Stuart Clarke, a.k.a. Rampage. Clarke suffered massive injuries, making im the new Jigsaw and Castle escaped into the darkness yet again. With S.H.I.E.L.D. disbanded, G.W. Bridge should be off his case.
• One of the big winners after the invasion was Norman Osborn, formerly the Green Goblin. After killing the Skrull queen on live television, the Thunderbolts director quickly became America's greatest hero in the wake of Tony Stark's fall. The Punisher isn't exactly thrilled that a maniac like Osborn has been given the keys to the kingdom.
This Month:
Punisher #1
Rick Remender (W)/ Jerome Opena (A)
• Hardly satisfied with where the chips fell after the invasion, Frank decides to put a bullet in Norman Osborn's head from 4 miles away. He covered a lot of bases and planned for a lot of problems, but nothing could have prepared him for the Sentry. The Golden Guardian plucks the bullet from the air a fraction of an instant before it can pierce Osborn's skull.
• Frank's a scrapper, but he has nothing on the Sentry and he knows it. They a play a game of cat and SCUD missile where Frank throws everything he can at Sentry, but only gets banged up for his troubles until he pulls his ace. He produces a detonator rigged to blow up a hospital and gives Sentry five seconds to stop it.
• It is, of course, a bluff. Sentry stops the "bomb" and Frank crawls to his van where his "new best friend" starts giving him order via video monitor. Who is this guy? Frank follows his instructions, evades the Sentry, and eventually falls at his new ally's feet.
Get This: Golden Guardian Angel
Osborn is apparently making friends with his new upstairs neighbor.
Acid Bath
Sentry's gonna need some herbal essences to get that funk out.
Dead Man's Bluff
No, there wasn't a bomb, but the play was brilliant. Frank was easily able to capitalize on Sentry's weakness.
Mystery Man
I'd say Frank's reaction mirrors the readers' perfectly.
A New Player Has Joined the Game!
Whoever this guy is, he's certainly done his homework.
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