The Punisher (2018) # 14-16

"War on the Streets, Parts 3-5"

Cover Date: October 2019, November 2019, & December 2019

On Sale Date: August 2019, September 2019, & October 2019

Writers: Matthew Rosenberg
Artist: Szymon Kudranski
Letterer: VC's Cory Petit
Colorist: Antonio Fabela
Editor: Jake Thomas
Assistant Editor: Lindsey Cohick
Editor-in-Chief: C.B. Cebulski

Cover Artist: Greg Smallwood

New York City mayor Wilson Fisk has declared war on Frank Castle, the Punisher, and has tasked Baron Zemo to flood the city with Hydra soldiers disguised as United Nations peacekeepers. Castle fights back against Hydra but is eventually attacked by Zemo's team of Thunderbolts. A timely explosion intervenes and Castle wakes up in a warehouse, having been rescued by the Black Widow. She has been trying to find other heroes to help Punisher against Zemo, but only Night Thrasher and Moon Knight would agree to work with him. Realizing that they need more firepower, Castle visits Dan Ketch at the Fadeaway Pub and knocks him unconscious. When Dan wakes up in the back of Punisher's van Castle tells him that Hydra soldiers have surrounded them and they need "the other guy". When the Hydra tank crushes the van it us destroyed by Ghost Rider and Punisher on the back of the Rider's motorcycle. The two rendezvous with Black Widow's team and prepare to take back the city.

The Punisher and his team of allies engage the Hydra forces occupying Manhattan disguised as United Nations troops. Baron Zemo and his Thunderbolts eventually enter the battle, which ends with Rachel Alves being taken hostage. Castle has Ghost Rider join him in the assault on Fisk Tower, the payment for Ghost Rider's help being Castle undergoing the Penance Stare. Punisher enters the tower and rescues Rachel, chasing Zemo to the helipad on the roof where Fisk is going to escape. Fisk has the Ghost kill Baron Zero before the Punisher can catch up to them, and before Castle can kill Fisk they are interrupted by Nick Fury. Black Widow blasts Castle off the roof, seemingly to his death, but at the time no one notices the flame trail going up the side of the building.  Weeks later, Fury confronts Black Widow with the theory that she and Ghost Rider helped the Punisher escape and he has returned to killing Hydra soldiers.

Doctor Strange: Damnation (2018) # 3

Cover Date: June 2018; On Sale Date: April 2018

Writers: Nick Spencer & Donny Cates; Artist: Szymon Kudranski; Letterer: Travis Lanham; Colorist: Szymon Kudranski; Editor: Nick Lowe; Assistant Editor: Kathleen Wisneski; Editor-in-Chief: C.B. Cebulski; Cover Artist: Rod Reis

Prior to the trip to Las Vegas, Wong has a conversation with Johnny Blaze about his role in the plan to defeat Mephisto.  Blaze states that he can feel Mephisto's power growing and that he'll do whatever it takes to stop him.  Later, the Midnight Sons attempt to keep Blade alive under the possessed Thor's hammer while Wong confronts the possessed Doctor Strange.  The ghost dog, Bats, realizes that since Strange doesn't have a soul at the moment he can possess him, taking control of the doctor's body. 

The possessed Avengers attack again and Wong reunites with the Midnight Sons.  While the battle rages, the Ghost Rider makes his way up the side of Mephisto's tower on his hellcycle.  When he reaches the penthouse, he confronts Mephisto for their final battle.  Mephisto, however, just blows out the Ghost Rider's hellfire, lifting Johnny's curse.  He then kicks Blaze out the window, allowing him to fall to his death.

Doctor Strange: Damnation (2018) # 2

Cover Date: May 2018; On Sale Date: March 2018

Writers: Nick Spencer & Donny Cates; Artist: Szymon Kudranski; Letterer: Travis Lanham; Colorist: Szymon Kudranski; Editor: Nick Lowe; Assistant Editor: Kathleen Wisneski; Editor-in-Chief: C.B. Cebulski; Cover Artist: Rod Reis

While Doctor Strange is tortured in Mephisto's infernal casino, Wong and Bats the ghost dog go about assembling their team of Midnight Sons to go into Las Vegas.  Wong gathers Blade, Elsa Bloodstone, Iron Fist, Moon Knight, Doctor Voodoo, and Man-Thing before picking up their last recruit.  They find Johnny Blaze at a desert gas station, and he initially refuses to help them rescue Strange until Wong says that Mephisto has brought Hell to Earth.  Later, at the destroyed Sanctum Sanctorum, Wong goes over the plan to rescue Strange with the team.

When they teleport into Las Vegas, they immediately begin fighting demons and are eventually attacked by the Avengers that have been transformed into Ghost Riders.  Blade finds himself trapped under the possessed Thor's enchanted hammer, and only the intervention of the Scarlet Spider keeps the Midnight Sons from being overwhelmed.  Wong and Bats, having left their team on their own, quickly discover that Doctor Strange has also been possessed by one of Mephisto's Ghost Riders.