The Punisher War Journal #5
In "Crucible," Frank Castle hunts down Richard von Burian, the Sniper—a former Vietnam comrade turned killer targeting their old unit—leading to a tense showdown where the stakes rise when the Sniper takes reporter Helen Shaw hostage. Written by Carl Potts and brought to life with dynamic art by Jim Lee, this issue blends relentless action with psychological tension, showcasing one of the Punisher’s most personal and harrowing missions. The cover, a striking collaboration by Jim Lee and Carl Potts, captures the moment’s raw intensity.
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The Punisher tracks down Richard von Burian, aka the Sniper, an ex-comrade from the Vietnam War who's been killing off the other members of their outfit. After an extended fight, the Sniper gets away by holding a gun to reporter Helen Shaw, telling Castle he'll let her go if Castle doesn't shoot him.
Plot details indexed by the Grand Comics Database (CC BY-SA).