![](https://vignette3.wikia.nocookie.net/marveldatabase/images/f/fc/Captain_America_Vol_1_241.jpg/revision/latest?cb=20051127174556)
In Captain America #241, Mike Barr signs on.
![](https://64.media.tumblr.com/cdd6642cea58b69b00e2c0e849abc6af/tumblr_pcm7stqFyX1w7hpqjo1_1280.jpg)
He turns Steve Rogers into a cartoonist.
![](https://64.media.tumblr.com/824ca2fc90f9a440456ae140453b38fa/tumblr_pcm7txUrVb1w7hpqjo1_1280.jpg)
Much like Jack Kirby was a war veteran whose talents were used to sketch enemy camps on scouting missions.
He gets his first assignment–and it’s a bit tawdry.
![](https://64.media.tumblr.com/358603009bc4bb4c4ad531eb9cf445ad/tumblr_pcm81eb3K51w7hpqjo1_1280.jpg)
While he’s working…
![](https://64.media.tumblr.com/a27a1c82883a07e47d22ef86b5edeea9/tumblr_pcm843K9BT1w7hpqjo1_1280.jpg)
He hears a gunshot. Now, I mentioned Mike Barr is writing this. And if Barr–a major writer on DC’s Batman character–comes to Marvel to write a comic, who should be the guest star?
![](https://64.media.tumblr.com/073f4ba5c9f0b88072c7faa251719436/tumblr_mlfsl6EyvS1ragc1ho1_640.jpg)
Why, Punisher of course–Marvel’s hardcore answer to Batman!
Of course, their morality clashes immediately…
![](https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JIF2ph1fG8I/WI3zYden_tI/AAAAAAAA3lc/JeXNToPEFQcJ95z4fphBIBrwbcLw3v9XgCLcB/s1600/ca241_14.jpg)
Also, a Frank Miller cover never hurt anyone (see up top).
![](https://64.media.tumblr.com/dfbe81b4a70dccccee06f9f68fe14073/tumblr_pcm7r3uwc11w7hpqjo1_1280.jpg)
The gangbangers they fight are multiracial.
It’s not a great issue, but it’s not a terrible one. A little bit of an island in a sea of lame issues. I can’t wait until #247, when Roger Stern went from editing to writing the series, joined by a little-known artist named…John Byrne. It’s one of the best, shortest Captain America runs of all time.
![](https://64.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_mduttgZFdZ1rsus6so1_250.jpg)
Stick around, we’ll get there.