Punisher War Journal Vol. 2 # 13 - Hunter/Hunted

Overview

The reintroduction of a classic, brutal, and bloodthirsty Kraven the Hunter. A bank robbery goes violently wrong, leaving the Rhino on the lam, running from the long arm of the law and, of course, the Punisher.

As Frank Castle looks to settle the score with an old foe, the Hunter stalks the same prey, building himself the ultimate menagerie -- a living, breathing super-human zoo! Add Spider-Man into this mix as the lone voice of sanity and super-special guest artist Cory Walker (THE IRREDEEMABLE ANT-MAN, Invincible) and you've got chocolate and peanut butter with bullets dipped in it. Delicious! Violent! Explodey!

A couple guys are sitting in a van talking about doing things "old school." In the back is Rhino. It takes him some time, but Rhino finally emerges stating that he is in, in deed, going to do things "old school." He smashes through the front of a bank and swats a security guard aside like a rag doll. Unfortunately, he lands on the rubble and a steel support impales him.

Later when the police arrive, the lead detective is told that the security guard was a former beat cop with thirty years experience. A crowd of people gathers outside. Among them is the Punisher. He asks a girl what happened and she tells him about the Rhino going on a rampage and killing a security guard. Before she can continue, the Punisher is gone.

The Punisher manages to shake down some crackheads to find out which crackhouse the Rhino's hiding out in. Inside the Rhino is freaking out. He doesn't like that it's so quiet and the other two are just counting the money like nothing has happened. One of the thugs tells him to shut up and take his cut. As he says this, the other dude gets shot in the head by a sniper bullet. The Rhino knows what's coming.

Before he can say much, the Punisher busts through the window and shoots the other guy in the head also. He tells Rhino that he's disappointed in him. He tells the Punisher that he didn't mean to kill the guard and asks if he has the "fist thing" (that he used to beat him senseless...with one punch) with him. The Punisher tells him that the Satan's Claw was for smacking him around. He's done doing that and pulls out a multiple rocket launcher.

Rhino gets a little nerve and rushes the Punisher. Frank simply shoots him and sends him flying through the wall into the streets below. Lying in the rubble, Rhino begs for mercy. The Punisher says he can't hear him and shoots six more missles at him.

Thirty seconds before this happened, Spider-Man is enjoying a cup of coffee and conversation with a street vendor when his Spider-Sense goes off. Seeing the Rhino lying in the path of the rockets, he grabs him and takes him to safety. The Punisher isn't too happy.

In Maras, Turkey, Domino is on the run. She has already been wounded and is calculating the odds of survival. Before she can get away, she snaps her ankle. The odds of her survival are completely against her but her luck manages to hold out. G.W. Bridge shows up with some S.H.I.E.L.D. agents. He tells her he wants to put together the old team to take down the Punisher. She reluctantly agrees.

Back in New York, the Punisher climbs to the rooftop that Spider-Man and the Rhino are currently fighting on. He is about to take them out when Spidey's senses warn him. He webs Frank to a wall and begins to lecture him as he delivers a swift back kick to the Rhino's face. He talks to him that he's not a good role model and the dangers of kids looking up to him. Before he can continue, he is hit in the neck by a dart.

A half-naked Kraven the Hunter (one of his sons actually) jumps down. Rhino recognizes him and asks what he's up to. Spider-Man groggily tries to also ask what he's doing but "Al" grabs him and tosses him off the building. Luckily (sort of) Spider-Man lands in a garbage dumpster.

The Rhino takes this opportunity to charge (rather loudly) at Kraven from behind. Al simply turns around and hits him with a dart. He is down instantly.

Now the Punisher is really mad because the Rhino was his. He hunted and tracked him down. Kraven turns around, calls him a "tiny monkey" and tells him to be quiet. Spider-Man slowly appears and asks if it's safe to show his face. Speechless, Frank can just tell him he hates him.

Still groggy, Spider-Man tries to walk. Frank asks him how long the webbing will last. Spider-Man says he knows what he wants to do. He says that he understands that Frank wants to help people but killing isn't the answer. He asks him to tell the truth and asks if he lets him go, is he going to hunt down and kill Kraven. Thinking momentarily, Frank says no. Knowing not to believe him, Spidey webs him up some more. He tells Frank that he is a good guy, or at least he wants to be inside.

Rhino wakes up below deck on a ship. In a cage next to him is the Vulture. They both are wearing big collars and Vulture tells him not to pull on it. Kraven's has been on a hunt and is capturing guys "like them." Looking around, Rhino sees several other cages filled with two-bit super-villains. All he can do is hope that the Punisher will find him.