The Punisher learns that the Kingpin is part owner of
Damage Control so he goes to their headquarters with mayhem in mind but when he
arrives at their office he finds sheer chaos; with the recent spate of superhuman activity in the
city (thanks to the Acts of Vengeance series), everyone is in urgent need of
DC's services, even a frustrated Mayor Ed Koch. An equally frustrated Punisher
fires his gun into the ceiling to gain everyone's attention and the new Chief
Robin Chapel comes out to scold him; assuming she works for the Kingpin, he
takes her hostage at gunpoint until she is rescued by—Doctor Doom? Yes so
Punisher retreats and that's when we learn that Doom is a robot created by
R&D head Gene Strausser. She-Hulk arrives but learns that the bad guy has
already departed; turns out she's an issue early for her guest shot.
Lenny Ballinger and his team arrive to do their big job for
the Avengers; Jarvis directs them to raise Avengers Mansion from the river
where it sank in AVENGERS #311 and return it to its original site. Lenny warns
John Porter of some union unrest and Captain America scolds John for his
irresponsible actions at the Vault (last issue)....
Back at the HQ we learn that the Carlton Co. building was
constructed around DC's original HQ in the Flatiron Building. Robin is
discovering that she can't find anyone to replace her as traffic manager as
they keep quitting on her. Comptroller Albert Cleary informs them that he has
uncovered Carlton Co's reorganization plan and it will have serious
consequences. Albert accompanies Robin and John to a meeting with Carlton boss
Michael Souris; Albert goes over the plan with Souris while Souris' assistant
Ray Lippert accompanies John while he goes about his duties. Souris makes some
racist comments while throwing Albert out of his office and Gene is fired and
vows revenge. Robin makes Bart her personal assistant and he hires a new
intern: Robbie “Speedball” Baldwin....
Later, Ray Lippert shows up at Robin's apartment to make a
move on her. They are interrupted by the arrival of the Punisher, certain that
Robin is the link between the Kingpin and Doctor Doom, so he's going to kill
her. She asks him, “What if you're wrong?” and that gets him to reconsider; she
also persuades him not to kill Ray as she might need him later on...
John and Souris arrive at Avengers Mansion where the
disgruntled staff has voted to strike over the new management refusing to honor
the union contracts. Souris antagonizes Lenny so much that he orders the strike
to begin....