Obsessively putting our comics in chronological order since 1985.
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Punisher #14
Issue(s): Punisher #14
Cover Date: Dec 88
Title: "Social studies"
Credits:
Mike Baron - Writer
Whilce Portacio - Penciler
Scott Williams - Inker
Marc McLaurin - Assistant Editor
Carl Potts - Editor
Review/plot:
I've never traced the development of the "substitute teacher" genre, wherein someone (it could also be a new teacher or a tough-as-nails principal) comes in to a school overrun with ruffians...
...and instills order, throwing out the Mad Maxian trouble makers...
...and revealing, buried among them, some clean cut kids interested in discussing the philosophy of Rousseau.
But it is definitely a genre, and this is the Punisher's entry for it.
The Punisher is actually here tracking a teen gang that has connections with the Kingpin, which is lead by an older guy that just looks like a teen. So when one of the punks is called out of his classroom...
...he follows him, past the pot smokers...
...and into the basement, which is overrun by gang members.
Love his line about paying taxes. Maybe you should become a contributing member of society so that it can afford better schools, Punisher.
The teen gang also has ties with terrorists in Libya, which is not something i think the Kingpin would get involved with.
The Punisher eventually kills the Kingpin's man and lets the other kids go, telling them to go legit or he'll kill them later.
The funny thing about this story is he leaves one of his students in charge of the class for the whole day and she actually does an amazing job teaching.
It's amazing to see a kid doing a better job teaching social studies than i even recall from any of my teachers when i was in (a nice suburban) high school, and it's amazing that the other kids sit and listen to her.
Punisher also mentions Daredevil in this issue...
...and anticipates an inevitable conflict with the Kingpin.
Punisher gets some unwanted help from a student, Reese McDowell...
...and a chemistry teacher, Vernon Brooks.
They follow him as he's going after the Kingpin's teen gang.
He beats them up to keep them out of trouble (the Punisher's idea of kindness)...
...but he'll actually recruit both of these guys for the next arc.
Quality Rating: B
Historical Significance Rating: 1
Chronological Placement Considerations: N/A
References:
- Venessa Fisk was lost in the sewers circa Daredevil #180. No footnote.
Crossover: N/A
Continuity Insert? N
My Reprint: N/A
Inbound References (4): showCharacters Appearing: Punisher, Reese McDowell, Vernon Brooks Previous:
Alpha Flight #65Up:
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Iron Man #237
Comments
Looks like Whilce Portacio drew himself as the pot smoker on the left.
Maybe the guy on the right is supposed to be Scott Williams?
Excellent prelude to another memorable arc by this creative team.
Mike Baron's political views are in clearer display here. Roxanne's interpretation of Rousseau's social contract, the "one antelope for every lion" argument, and her comments regarding the "moaning" in contrast to Jesse Jackson's presidential bid are all fine examples. Frank even seems to agree with her. Then, there are his cracks about not paying taxes and Daredevil being a "liberal wimp."
I honestly hadn't noticed these until now. The subject of education is fitting enough for voicing such thoughts, however.
I also wonder if the writers of the 1996 Tom Berenger movie "The Substitute" ever read this issue? The premise behind that particular flick is practically lifted from this story along with its lead character.
"Lean On Me" would be released in '89 - not quite Mad Max High, but had certain resonances with the trope of Authoritarian Discipline victorious over Liberal-Enabled Anarchy and Wishy-Washy Bureaucrats.
Class of 1984 went into a strange spin. First it was just a teacher getting pushed around by violent students and the climax is the teacher being attack and he having to kill several of them.
Then Class of 1999 comes along and it is about less violent gangs having to team up against three cyborg substitute teachers. So from taunt drama with a bit of horror to sci-fi, as in one cyborg teacher has a flame thrower arm.
THEN Class of 1999 2 or something like that. Cheaper movie, just one cyborg. But y'know I enjoy all three for different reasons. Just one of the strange spiraling film series.
Where was I going with this? I don't know.
Today, the role of the Punisher will be played by Brock from Pokemon.
Totally random observation, but--those are some incredibly tight jeans on that kid that Punisher literally throws out of class in the 2nd scan.
I think it is safe to say that this school has no dress code. I'd think if you were posing as a student to further your terrorism scheme you might want to wear a shirt. Maybe have a less conspicuous haircut than a Mohawk.
