Issue(s): Punisher #77, Punisher #78, Punisher #79
Cover Date: Apr-Jun 93
Title: "Survival"
Credits:
Roger Salick - Script
Val Mayerik - Plot
Val Mayerik - Penciler
Val Mayerik - Inker
Tim Tuohy - Assistant Editor
Don Daley - Editor

Review/plot:
The Punisher is on his way to blow some stuff up with a friend when their helicopter is shot down. So the Punisher has to spend three issues in the Alaskan wilderness eating rabbits and fighting bears and stuff.

He eventually wears the bear out of the woods.

Weaponizing the bear claw on a stick is a nice touch.

Punisher is said to have learned his wilderness survival skills from an "Indian scout" named "Bighawk" while he was in Vietnam. That's at least one Vietnam associate that doesn't come back as a villain. There's also a Native American captive in the bad guys' camp who fills everyone with superstitions about shape-shifters, dovetailing with the Punisher showing up in a bear suit.

The bad guys that the Punisher ultimately wants to blow up have a plan similar to what we've already seen in Punisher War Journal #31-33, but no one notes the similarity.

The Punisher ultimately doesn't blow up the base. He settles for blowing up all the vehicles, leaving the bad guys stranded in the freezing Alaskan snow (well, the ones not beaten to death by a bear claw on a stick, anyway).

Another perfectly entertaining Punisher story despite not having any larger significance. Note that it's plotted, penciled, and inked by longtime Marvel artist Val Mayerik.

Statement of Ownership Total Paid Circulation: Average of Past 12 months = 330,434. Single issue closest to filing date = 246,600.

Quality Rating: C+

Historical Significance Rating: 1

Chronological Placement Considerations: N/A

References: N/A

Crossover: N/A

Continuity Insert? N

My Reprint: N/A