Punisher Volume 3, Issue 16 Page 22 SHIELD agent Kymberly Taylor, X-Cutioner and Trish Tilby

Back in 1995 when Nick Fury was killed in the Over The Edge storyline I stopped buying new Marvel comics, limiting myself to buying old Fury appearances I’d missed over the years.

When Nick finally came back I trawled back issue bins to see what I missed. I was astonished when I found the Ostrander Punisher series and discovered how good it was. It really was a fresh take on the character, moving him more into the costumed area of the Marvel Universe even as it stayed true to his roots.

Of course, the introduction of redheaded SHIELD agent Kymberly Taylor was a highlight for me. In the early 2010s I tried to get a commission of the character from Tom Lyle, but was informed his going rate for a character commission was $1,000. I couldn’t justify the cost.

So when the chance for a page with Kym popped up for a fraction of what Tom wanted for a commission I couldn’t resist.