This section needs expansion. You can help by adding to it. (July 2010)
The series is regarded as the fifth volume of the Punisher title. The story continued in Ennis' 2001 The Punisherongoing series.
Prints
Issues
Welcome Back, Frank
Badaboom, Badabing
The Devil by the Horns
Wild Kingdom
Even Worse Things
Spit Out of Luck
Bring Out your Dead
Desperate Measures
From Russia with Love
Glutton for Punishment
Any which Way you Can
Go Frank Go
Plot
Frank, still depicted as a Vietnam War veteran, reestablishes himself in New York City by taking on the Gnucci crime syndicate. Detective Soap is assigned to "catch" the Punisher; it is purely a P.R. move as the police do not really want Frank caught as they secretly condone his actions. Frank turns the hapless Soap to his side, getting him to pass information on local crime syndicates.
Against his will, Frank gains three loyal friends in his neighbors, Joan the Mouse, Mr. Bumpo, and Spacker Dave. All end up helping him in his crusade against the Gnuccis. Some of this is self-defense as the Gnuccis learn where Frank lives and stage an attack. Spacker himself suffers torture at the hands of the Gnuccis, his piercings ripped out in a fruitless attempt to gain intelligence on Frank.
The Gnucci operation is slowly dismantled. Soap is promoted to police commissioner. As a gesture of thanks for aiding him, Frank gives his neighbors a large sum of Gnucci money. Joan and Spacker would play larger roles in Frank's life later. Bumpo suffers a medical accident ("something important fell out of his bottom") and moves into a hospital.