Frank's one-man war on crime is about to become less lonely. When he crosses paths with the Black Widow and faces a cadre of cyborg warriors, the Punisher will discover his neighbours aren't as meek as he first thought. And there might even be a job offer in it for him...
To round things off, the short-lived Shadowmasters saga (which, presumably, was intended to last much longer) is capped off with the origin of the ninja group. Their four-issue mini-series takes place before the teams's run-in with the Punisher, but it's better to read those issues last or their initial appearances lack the mystery. Check out Punisher War Journal #1-3 & 6 for the very first appearances of these take-no-crap ninjas...
- Punisher #21-23
- Punisher War Journal #8-9
- Punisher #24-25
- Shadowmasters #1-4
The Punisher (Frank Castle) joins a gym to get close to middle-weight champ BJ Johnson and his fight-fixing boxing manager Les Daniels. Frank learns toxins are being used to knock out fighters who don't play ball and investigates the apartment of Johnson's girlfriend, Iris Green, who stabs him with a needle. Iris leaves Frank for Les Daniels to beat to death, but he fights the poison and kills Daniels. So, who is Iris Green and what's her connection to this 'ninja training camp' Frank keeps hearing about?
Punisher #22
The Punisher heads to Scully's Ninja Training Camp to raid their files on Iris Green. Owner Chester Scully claims the camp is affiliated with and endorsed by renowned martial artist Hatsu Yakamoto, but the whole operation is way too amateur. Frank is set the challenge of surviving the night in the woods, along with fellow Camp trouble-makers Mr Saracen and journalist Mr Higganbotham. Instead, he raids Scully's files and runs into female ninja, Katherine Yakamoto, who has infiltrated the camp to teach Scully a lesson for claiming to have her father's blessing. Frank burns the main office down and Scully orders the saboteur to be found and killed on sight...
Punisher #23
Scully and his instructors kill all of the current trainees at the Ninja Training Camp. With help from Saracen, one of the few survivors, the Punisher takes down the instructors until he faces Scully in a grain silo. Sully's dog disarms the Punisher, but he's saved by Katherine Yakamoto who blows the silo up with Scully in it. The Punisher takes Saracen to safety and discovers a personal invite to the home of Hatsu Yakamoto in Japan...
The Punisher heads to Scully's Ninja Training Camp to raid their files on Iris Green. Owner Chester Scully claims the camp is affiliated with and endorsed by renowned martial artist Hatsu Yakamoto, but the whole operation is way too amateur. Frank is set the challenge of surviving the night in the woods, along with fellow Camp trouble-makers Mr Saracen and journalist Mr Higganbotham. Instead, he raids Scully's files and runs into female ninja, Katherine Yakamoto, who has infiltrated the camp to teach Scully a lesson for claiming to have her father's blessing. Frank burns the main office down and Scully orders the saboteur to be found and killed on sight...
Scully and his instructors kill all of the current trainees at the Ninja Training Camp. With help from Saracen, one of the few survivors, the Punisher takes down the instructors until he faces Scully in a grain silo. Sully's dog disarms the Punisher, but he's saved by Katherine Yakamoto who blows the silo up with Scully in it. The Punisher takes Saracen to safety and discovers a personal invite to the home of Hatsu Yakamoto in Japan...
Punisher War Journal #8
The Punisher's plan to take down street criminal Damage goes seriously wrong and the gang leader becomes more interested in stealing the Punisher's Battle Van. The security measures on his Battle Van are so good that the it kills most of the gang and leaves Damage state worse than death! Elsewhere, the Punisher's neighbours - Manzo, Rikichi, Yuriko Ezaki and Philip Richards, aka the Shadowmasters - are revealed to be a group of ninja vigilantes who need to to contact martial arts master Hatsu Yakamoto. They defend themselves from an armoured cyborg attacker who is revealed to be Shigeru Ezaki, Yuriko's father...
Punisher War Journal #9
The Black Widow checks in on the tenants at the Punisher's safe-house (at Daredevil's request) in time to witness the cyborg's attack. The Punisher arrives and uses his van's onboard weapon systems to retaliate against the next cyborg attack, revealing it to be yet another Shigeru Ezaki! More Sunrise Society killer cyborgs arrive. Rikichi uses his ninja abilities to psychically learn Frank Castle's origin. Black Widow helps the Punisher and Shadowmasters take down the last of the cyborgs who all make themselves scarce before the cops arrive.
Punisher #24
The Sunrise Society immediately attack Frank Castle when he arrives in Japan. Hatsu Yakamoto and his daughter, Katherine, defend Castle and asks him to head up a chapter of his ninja training school in America. Frank refuses. The Shadowmasters arrive and, with the Punisher and the Yakamotos, they kidnap a US delegate sent on behalf of US Congressman Hargreaves who was due to meet the Sunrise Society. Philip Richards and Yuriko Ezaki take the delegates place at the meeting, only to be received by Iris Green...
Punisher #25
Excusing himself from the meeting with Iris Green, Philip Richards plants a bomb in the toilets of the Sunrise Society's Japanese headquarters, blowing up most of the building. Later, Hatsu Yakamoto gets an arrow through the chest at the Shadowmaster's 'safe house'. With Yakamoto dead, the Shadowmasters reject the Punisher's leadership.
Days later, the Punisher and Katherine Yakamoto attend a social event hosted by Congressman Hargreaves, only to find Iris Green on his arm. Green and the Sunrise Society have been funding Hargreaves' Flex-Wing Fighter jet project and intend using their new affiliation with him to shatter the American economy. The event descends into a shootout when Iris Green recognises the Punisher. Katherine Yakamoto ignites jet fuel to blow Iris Green, Congressman Hargreaves and their precious jet to pieces. Katherine escapes and the Punisher (thinking he's fallen in love) never sees her again.
Shadowmasters #1
After the bombing of Hiroshima in 1945, the American occupation of Japan continued. A group of dissident Japanese troops believed the war wasn't over and harmed their own people in order to evade capture. Captain James Richards reluctantly coerced his new friend, ninja 'Shadowmaster' Shigeru Ezaki, into helping the US apprehend the renegade Japanese troops. The renegade leaders, Kantaro Umezu and Fujimura, evaded capture and formed the Sunrise Society, planning to rise up against Western influence when the time was right....
Shadowmasters #2
The friendship between Shigeru Ezaki and James Richards grows over the years as both men have families of their own. Shigeru trains his own children - Yuriko and Sojin Ezaki and Richards' son, Philip Richards - in the secret ways of the Shadowmaster. Eventually, Kantero Umezu learns the identity of his ninja foe and kills James Richards. Shigeru dies saving the Sojin, Yuriko and Philip.
Shadowmasters #3
Years pass, and the Sunrise Society focus on their plan to overthrow Japan with their ever-expanding technological advancements. Philip Richards returns to Japan and reunites with Sojin and Yuriko Ezaki in time to discover the Society's plot.
Shadowmasters #4
The trio of Shadowmasters use all they learned from Shigeru Ezaki to break into the heavily-guarded Sunrise Society headquarters and sabotage their biological weapons. Yurkio captures Fujimura (now her father-in-law) and Kantaro Umezu who reveal that Shigeru is alive and being cloned to create Sunrise Society soldiers. In the final firefight, Shigeru Ezaki, Sojin Ezaki, Kantaro Umezu and Fujimura are killed. Yuriko Ezaki and Philip Richards ended the threat to Japan but continue their war against the Sunrise Society...
Daredevil Annual #5 (1989)
Daredevil's 'current fiascos' revolve around his life being ruined by the Kingpin and Typhoid Mary; he continues to live as a nomad outside New York City during ATLANTIS ATTACKS.
Punisher War Journal #17-20 (1990)
The Kingpin cybernetically rebuilds Damage and employs him to lead a team of assassins; the Punisher teams up with Rikichi of the Shadowmasters to defeat Damage's team.
Punisher War Journal #25-27 (1990-1991)
Saracen is revealed as Muzzafar Lambert, a killer for hire; the corrupt Senator of Floria hires Saracen to kill the Punisher in return for US citizenship; the Punisher kills the corrupt Florida Senator and frames Saracen for his murder.
Punisher #47-48 (1991)
Under the pseudonym Colonel Hawk, Saracen is employed by the government of Israel and Zukistan; the Punisher's activities in the middle-east bring him into conflict with Saracen again; Microchip convinces the Punisher not to kill Saracen when he has the chance.
Wolverine and the Punisher: Damaging Evidence #1-3 (1993)
The Kingpin employs Donald Pierce of the Reavers to rebuild and upgrade Damage; Damage is defeated by the Punisher and Wolverine and returned to Pierce for repair.
Marvel Graphic Novel #74: Punisher/Black Widow - Spinning Doomsday's Web (1992)
The Punisher and Black Widow next team up.
Punisher War Journal #33 (1991)
Saracen and the Punisher cross paths in Russia.
Punisher: Empty Quarter #1 (1994)
The Punisher finally kills Saracen when he finds him working for drug lords in Peru.
Venom: The Mace #1-3 (1994)
The Mace and Venom join forces against the Sunrise Society during THE MACE.
Marvel Comics Presents #160-163 (1994)
The Mace is revealed to have been created by the Sunrise Society to be their ultimate weapon) during THE MACE.
Punisher: Shadowmasters
Includes Punisher #24-24, Punisher War Journal #8-9 and Shadowmasters #1-4
Essential Punisher vol.3
Includes Punisher #21-25
Punisher War Journal by Carl Potts and Jim Lee
Includes Punisher War Journal #8-9
Marvel Firsts: The 1980s vol.3
Includes Shadowmasters #1
Punisher War Journal Classic
Includes Punisher War Journal #8
The Punisher's plan to take down street criminal Damage goes seriously wrong and the gang leader becomes more interested in stealing the Punisher's Battle Van. The security measures on his Battle Van are so good that the it kills most of the gang and leaves Damage state worse than death! Elsewhere, the Punisher's neighbours - Manzo, Rikichi, Yuriko Ezaki and Philip Richards, aka the Shadowmasters - are revealed to be a group of ninja vigilantes who need to to contact martial arts master Hatsu Yakamoto. They defend themselves from an armoured cyborg attacker who is revealed to be Shigeru Ezaki, Yuriko's father...
The Black Widow checks in on the tenants at the Punisher's safe-house (at Daredevil's request) in time to witness the cyborg's attack. The Punisher arrives and uses his van's onboard weapon systems to retaliate against the next cyborg attack, revealing it to be yet another Shigeru Ezaki! More Sunrise Society killer cyborgs arrive. Rikichi uses his ninja abilities to psychically learn Frank Castle's origin. Black Widow helps the Punisher and Shadowmasters take down the last of the cyborgs who all make themselves scarce before the cops arrive.
Punisher #24
The Sunrise Society immediately attack Frank Castle when he arrives in Japan. Hatsu Yakamoto and his daughter, Katherine, defend Castle and asks him to head up a chapter of his ninja training school in America. Frank refuses. The Shadowmasters arrive and, with the Punisher and the Yakamotos, they kidnap a US delegate sent on behalf of US Congressman Hargreaves who was due to meet the Sunrise Society. Philip Richards and Yuriko Ezaki take the delegates place at the meeting, only to be received by Iris Green...
Excusing himself from the meeting with Iris Green, Philip Richards plants a bomb in the toilets of the Sunrise Society's Japanese headquarters, blowing up most of the building. Later, Hatsu Yakamoto gets an arrow through the chest at the Shadowmaster's 'safe house'. With Yakamoto dead, the Shadowmasters reject the Punisher's leadership.
Days later, the Punisher and Katherine Yakamoto attend a social event hosted by Congressman Hargreaves, only to find Iris Green on his arm. Green and the Sunrise Society have been funding Hargreaves' Flex-Wing Fighter jet project and intend using their new affiliation with him to shatter the American economy. The event descends into a shootout when Iris Green recognises the Punisher. Katherine Yakamoto ignites jet fuel to blow Iris Green, Congressman Hargreaves and their precious jet to pieces. Katherine escapes and the Punisher (thinking he's fallen in love) never sees her again.
After the bombing of Hiroshima in 1945, the American occupation of Japan continued. A group of dissident Japanese troops believed the war wasn't over and harmed their own people in order to evade capture. Captain James Richards reluctantly coerced his new friend, ninja 'Shadowmaster' Shigeru Ezaki, into helping the US apprehend the renegade Japanese troops. The renegade leaders, Kantaro Umezu and Fujimura, evaded capture and formed the Sunrise Society, planning to rise up against Western influence when the time was right....
Shadowmasters #2
The friendship between Shigeru Ezaki and James Richards grows over the years as both men have families of their own. Shigeru trains his own children - Yuriko and Sojin Ezaki and Richards' son, Philip Richards - in the secret ways of the Shadowmaster. Eventually, Kantero Umezu learns the identity of his ninja foe and kills James Richards. Shigeru dies saving the Sojin, Yuriko and Philip.
Years pass, and the Sunrise Society focus on their plan to overthrow Japan with their ever-expanding technological advancements. Philip Richards returns to Japan and reunites with Sojin and Yuriko Ezaki in time to discover the Society's plot.
Shadowmasters #4
The trio of Shadowmasters use all they learned from Shigeru Ezaki to break into the heavily-guarded Sunrise Society headquarters and sabotage their biological weapons. Yurkio captures Fujimura (now her father-in-law) and Kantaro Umezu who reveal that Shigeru is alive and being cloned to create Sunrise Society soldiers. In the final firefight, Shigeru Ezaki, Sojin Ezaki, Kantaro Umezu and Fujimura are killed. Yuriko Ezaki and Philip Richards ended the threat to Japan but continue their war against the Sunrise Society...
Daredevil's 'current fiascos' revolve around his life being ruined by the Kingpin and Typhoid Mary; he continues to live as a nomad outside New York City during ATLANTIS ATTACKS.
Punisher War Journal #17-20 (1990)
The Kingpin cybernetically rebuilds Damage and employs him to lead a team of assassins; the Punisher teams up with Rikichi of the Shadowmasters to defeat Damage's team.
Punisher War Journal #25-27 (1990-1991)
Saracen is revealed as Muzzafar Lambert, a killer for hire; the corrupt Senator of Floria hires Saracen to kill the Punisher in return for US citizenship; the Punisher kills the corrupt Florida Senator and frames Saracen for his murder.
Punisher #47-48 (1991)
Under the pseudonym Colonel Hawk, Saracen is employed by the government of Israel and Zukistan; the Punisher's activities in the middle-east bring him into conflict with Saracen again; Microchip convinces the Punisher not to kill Saracen when he has the chance.
Wolverine and the Punisher: Damaging Evidence #1-3 (1993)
The Kingpin employs Donald Pierce of the Reavers to rebuild and upgrade Damage; Damage is defeated by the Punisher and Wolverine and returned to Pierce for repair.
Marvel Graphic Novel #74: Punisher/Black Widow - Spinning Doomsday's Web (1992)
The Punisher and Black Widow next team up.
Punisher War Journal #33 (1991)
Saracen and the Punisher cross paths in Russia.
Punisher: Empty Quarter #1 (1994)
The Punisher finally kills Saracen when he finds him working for drug lords in Peru.
Venom: The Mace #1-3 (1994)
The Mace and Venom join forces against the Sunrise Society during THE MACE.
Marvel Comics Presents #160-163 (1994)
The Mace is revealed to have been created by the Sunrise Society to be their ultimate weapon) during THE MACE.
Includes Punisher #24-24, Punisher War Journal #8-9 and Shadowmasters #1-4
Essential Punisher vol.3
Includes Punisher #21-25
Punisher War Journal by Carl Potts and Jim Lee
Includes Punisher War Journal #8-9
Marvel Firsts: The 1980s vol.3
Includes Shadowmasters #1
Punisher War Journal Classic
Includes Punisher War Journal #8
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