The Punisher #16

In "Escalation," the Punisher’s isolation in the Everglades shatters when Kingpin’s assassin, Kleigg, strikes first—killing Reese before the Punisher can respond. With Microchip’s help, the Punisher turns the tables, launching a cyber assault on Kingpin’s empire, only to find the criminal mastermind countering with a young hacker of his own. As the Kingpin’s systems go dark, the Punisher and his allies move in on the hotel where the crime lord is forced to count cash by hand—only to face a surprise armored defense. Written by Mike Baron and illustrated by Whilce Portacio, with inks by Scott Williams, colors by Janet Jackson, and letters by Ken Bruzenak, the cover by Portacio and Williams captures the escalating tension of a war fought in shadows and code.