For my first mission, I did alright, but now that I'm back in my hideout, I'd better see what the newspapers are saying.
Marco picks up a newspaper and reads the following news story.
Is the Punisher dead? Article from the New York Times, written by John McTeer
More than 47 members of the Romanian mafia were killed in the Port of New York and New Jersey, and three sets of ashes were found in blocks near the Port. Something that would be normal for just another act of the irascible Punisher in his war against crime, however, something terrifying happened. New York police forensics confirmed that pieces of brain tissue found belonged to Frank Jr., the Punisher. We don't have much information, but the forensic analysis states that it was impossible for the Punisher to have survived; furthermore, the amount of brain matter found there was very large, which confirms the Punisher's death. Perhaps this is the end for Frank Jr., the real-life Paul Kersey, and with it concludes the story of the orphan whose family was killed by mobsters in 1976; in the end, the war consumed him, and this was his fate.
I see that this McTeer got lucky and stopped being a failed drunk like he was in Punisher: Year One.
[This McTeer guy was never a failed drunkard; he's one of the most respected journalists in the state.]
Well, all the better for him.
Marco picks up another newspaper and reads the following news item.
The end of Frank Jr., article from the Daily Bugle, written by Ben Urich.
In the early hours of Wednesday, September 17, 2005, pieces of the brain of Frank Jr., the most feared vigilant in New York, the Punisher, were found in the Port of New York and New Jersey. To date, we do not know exactly where Frank Jr.'s body is, but forensic experts strongly suggest that the Romanian mafia hid the remains. This article is not intended to be a detractor or apologist for the Punisher's vigilantism; it will be about the life of Frank Jr: Trauma, revenge, and war.
Born on April 15, 1969, Frank Jr. was the eldest son of Frank Castle, a Vietnam War veteran.He was eight years old when the fateful picnic of 1976 took place; his father ordered him to hide, and this saved little Frank Jr., but sealed his family's fate. During his childhood and adolescence, Frank Jr. was a reclusive boy with few friends; that's all we know about him during that phase of his short life. As soon as he turned 18, Frank Jr. enlisted in the U.S. Army and decided to become a Marine, just like his father. During his time in the army, one of his feats was defeating 500 Iraqis with 25 marines under his command in the Gulf War. This achievement would have been rewarded with a medal, but Lieutenant Frank Jr.'s military career came to a halt when he learned who was responsible for the most impossible mission of the Gulf War:
Lieutenant-Colonel Alessandro Costa.
In 1992, Frank Jr. killed Lieutenant Colonel Alessandro Costa, who was involved in international drug and arms trafficking, although Bruno Costa had died in 1985. However, Alessandro had close contact with his family, and this was always kept secret until former Lieutenant Frank Jr. revealed it to everyone with ample evidence. With the death of Alessandro Costa, Frank Jr. managed to avenge the death of his family in 1976, but he didn't stop there. He became a vigilant; he stopped being Frank Jr. and became the Punisher.
From October 15, 1992, to September 17, 2005, the Punisher killed approximately 19,000 criminals, a staggering number for an ordinary man without any superpowers Or a mutant like Wolverine who fought in several wars. This shows how impactful Frank Jr. was, matching the death toll of a mutant who is almost 200 years old and fought in several wars. However, in the early hours of today, the most fearsome vigilant is gone, leaving behind a legacy of what happens when justice fails; this was his end.
Wherever you are now, Frank Jr., you have fulfilled your mission. Rest in peace, son of New York, father of brutal anti-heroes, and mortal enemy of the criminal underworld.
Next news story: Spider-Man defeats Electro and Shocker and saves 10 children.
It's very strange that Ben Urich works at the Daily Bugle, a tabloid that defames Marvel's coolest hero as if he were Baron Zemo or Red Skull.
[J.J. Jameson isn't a bad person at heart, just someone who doesn't like Spider-Man for a very silly reason.]
Marco turns on an old television to watch some news, and what he finds is, to say the least, interesting.
"We're here in Brooklyn and we're seeing three police officers cornered by gangs; the situation is getting serious." A journalist says.
Interesting, maybe I should go there.
Ding!
[Random Mission: Save the three trapped police officers and eliminate the gangs.]
[Reward: An anime character will become your ally.]
Okay, this is a little stranger, but I'll go save the police officers.
Marco turns off the TV, goes to his armory, grabs two pistols and an AR-15 rifle, and leaves the hideout.
Time to save the police officers and welcome a new ally.
It's time!