Master of the Ring Part Two

A pair of mobsters are going to a score, and one of them is excited because this is his first big score and he doesn’t want to screw it up. They meet up with a group of vampires and while they are making their deal they are unaware that they are being observed by Blade the Vampire Hunter. Blade becomes aware of the presence of the Punisher and gets his sword against the vigilante’s throat just as he is putting a gun to Blade’s head. Impressed by the Punisher’s skills and the fact that he actually considered shooting Blade in the head, the vampire hunter decides that they should work together. However, the Punisher doesn’t put down his gun because he doesn’t want to shoot Blade, but to put a silencer on his pistol so he can shoot him. The bullet bounces off Blade’s back and he is shocked, asking the Punisher why he’d do that. The Punisher thinks Blade is nuts since he just said he was hunting vampires, but Blade points out that the Punisher is one to talk.

Meanwhile, aboard in ship, the Skrull known as Titannus is preparing to go out in the world. He tells his lover, Amissa, that he will recruit this world’s heroes to use as weapons against her father in the hopes of getting a cure for her condition. All he needs to do first is find a way to get the attention of those he wises to use as weapons.

Back in New York, Blade insists that her is a vampire hunter and that they are true. The Punisher decides to believe him and the two form mutual trust when the Punisher confirms what the news has said about him, that he kills mobsters because they were responsible for the death of his family.[1] Blade can understand this perfectly, as vampires were responsible for killing his mother putting him on a similar mission to kill any he finds.[2] The Punisher can hardly believe Blade’s claims, especially the fact that he himself is half-vampire. Blade becomes annoyed by the Punisher’s looks of disbelief and tells him to stop looking at him that way, suggesting that since they are after the same thing they should work together to kill everyone down below. The Punisher decides he doesn’t care about the truth and aims his gun at the alley below as the deal comes underway.

By this time, Titannus has arrived in Tokyo where he finds Sunfire and the Japanese military waiting for him. Although Sunfire thinks he is more prepared for Titannus this time, the Skrull tells him that even an army won’t make a difference in the outcome of their battle.

In New York, the vampires deliver a truck full of military grade weapons that they are selling to the mobsters and wait for the rest of the money to be delivered. Up on the rooftops the Punisher prepares to shoot, but Blade tells him to hold off until everyone has arrived as it will prove to be entertaining. Besides, Blade wants to talk some more with the Punisher because he so rarely runs into someone as dedicated as he is. Suddenly, a few blocks away there is an explosion startling both the vampires and mobsters below.[3] Thinking that they are being double-crossed, the vampires decide to feed on the two mobsters. Seeing this, and realizing that Blade had been telling the truth, comes as a shock to the Punisher. Blade tells the Punisher to take the night off since his boys have been dealt with. As he leaps down to face the vampires, the Punisher asks if Blade needs any help. Blade politely declines, telling the vigilante that he’s got this.

Recurring Characters

The Punisher, Blade the Vampire Hunter, Sunfire, Titannus, Amissa

Continuity Notes

1. The Punisher’s wife and children were gunned down by mobsters in Marvel Preview #2.

2. Blade’s mother was killed by Deacon Frost while she was giving birth to her child as detailed in Tomb of Dracula #13.

3. This explosion is the one caused by the Ringmaster at the end of last issue.

Topical References

• It is stated here that there have been two different documentaries about the Punisher. One made by A&E and the other by Court TV. As these are real-world television networks their mention here should be considered topical.