Issue(s): Punisher #43
Cover Date: Dec 90
Title: "Border run"
Credits:
Mike Baron - Writer
William Reinhold - Penciler
William Reinhold - Inker
Kevin Kobasic - Assistant Editor
Don Daley - Editor

Review/plot:
Punisher is in Mexico, going after a doctor that works for a drug dealer. The doctor was directly responsible for the torture and death of a DEA agent, and the Punisher has promised the agent's wife that he'll bring the doctor to her. So the majority of the issue is the Punisher trying to get out of Mexico with the doctor.

Did i mention that this is a "Special Offensive Driving issue!" (per the cover)?

Look at the Punisher for failing to credit his onetime cellmate Boomerang:

The twist of this story is that when the Punisher gets the doctor to the DEA agent's wife, she wants nothing to do with him. And she already told him that. So the Punisher winds up letting the doctor go.

I mentioned in Punisher War Journal #20-24 that it almost felt like they were teasing the idea of the Punisher having some growth regarding his vigilante killing. And at the same time we had Punisher #41 and this issue ending with the Punisher not killing his target. But it doesn't feel coordinated. Issue #41 was because the Punisher apparently doesn't like shooting women, and in this one he seems more befuddled and confused by the widow's decision than anything. I feel kind of bad for the Punisher here. "I brought you man to kill! Not want to kill? Punisher confused!"

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