Issue(s): Punisher #51
Cover Date: Aug 91
Title: "Golden Buddha"
Credits:
Mike Baron - Writer
Tom Morgan - Penciler
Tom Morgan - Inker
Kevin Kobasic - Assistant Editor
Don Daley - Editor

Review/plot:
Credits in this issue are belatedly provided in issue #53.

Punisher kills people! In China Town this time!

And ok, we've seen that before too. But Mike Baron does create an interesting story, playing off the tension that was created when immigrants from other Asian countries started moving into the area, and twisting what starts off seeming like a story about illegal immigration into something about rival criminal gangs.

Punisher winds up making an alliance with the Vietnamese gang to get help against the Triads, but he has to prove himself first.

Another twist is when the Triad guy that was being tortured sees the people torturing him floundering against the Punisher, he winds up taking over.

So once again Mike Baron manages to take what should be a formulaic series and add enough spice to it, including humor...

...that it feels fresh. I contrast this with Chuck Dixon's story from Punisher #49, which followed the same kind of formula but was much duller.

And if you don't like the rest of it, here's a pin-up with a better Captain America/Punisher encounter than Blood & Glory.

Quality Rating: B

Historical Significance Rating: 1

Chronological Placement Considerations: N/A

References: N/A

Crossover: N/A

Continuity Insert? N

My Reprint: N/A