The Punisher #4 [Newsstand]

(November 1987)

The Rev (Table of Contents: 1)

Punisher / comic story / 22 pages (report information)

Script

Mike Baron

Pencils

Klaus Janson

Inks

Klaus Janson

Colors

Klaus Janson

Letters

Ken Bruzenak

Genre

superhero; crime

Characters

Punisher [Frank Castle]; GUESTS: Microchip (first appearance); Microchip Junior (first appearance); Ray White; Vickie White; VILLAIN: Reverend Sammy Smith; Byron Gresham; Keena; Lagodney

Synopsis

The Punisher has Microchip provide him with a false background so he can infiltrate the Church of the Saved, a cult headed by enigmatic and magnetic leader, Reverend Sammy Smith. When the Punisher is sent out with Smith's men to take incriminating evidence from a crazed reporter, Punisher is shot in the chest and comes close to dying. Reverend Smith uses mysterious powers to heal Frank. The Punisher obtains the video tape that Smith was after and discovers that it contains evidence that the good reverend is a cold blooded murderer.

Reprints

• in Superaventuras Marvel (Editora Abril, 1982 series) #83 (maio de 1989)
• in The Punisher Magazine (Marvel, 1989 series) #5 (December 1989)
• in Le Punisher (Semic S.A., 1990 series) #3 (mai 1990)
• in Punisher Epic Collection (Marvel, 2018 series) #2 - Circle of Blood

Indexer Notes

Although later comics firmly established Microchip's name as Linus Leiberman, in this, his first appearance, his name is given as Lowell Bartholomew Ori; The story also states that Microchip has been working with the Punisher for 10 years as of the events of this issue.