- "I've seen you on the news. Armed and dangerous. They have no idea, huh?"
- ―Curtis Hoyle to Billy Russo[src]
The Ambush on Billy Russo was a failed attempt by Homeland Security to apprehend Billy Russo.
Background[]
- "You lost everything. Everything you give a shit about is gone."
"This isn't my gun, Frank. I was never here." - ―Frank Castle and Billy Russo[src]
Desperate to remove the threat posed by Frank Castle, William Rawlins resorted to using the CIA surveillance network to track down the Lieberman family that had contacts with him. Billy Russo sent a group of Anvil operatives to kidnap Sarah and Zach Lieberman, although he was displeased with Rawlins' growing desperation. Using Sarah's phone, Anvil traced the location of the hideout where Castle was hiding with Micro. Punisher anticipated Anvil coming and led them into an ambush, killing every operative coming after him.
Punisher then spoke with Russo over the phone, who agreed to let the Liebermans go only in exchange for Punisher and Micro surrendering themselves.[2] They organized in exchange and Sarah and Zach were let go, but due to Homeland Security interfering, Castle was captured while Micro was seemingly killed. In reality, it was a part of the plan to use Castle to led Homeland Security to Russo and Rawlins' location and Micro's death was staged by Dinah Madani. However, Castle threw away the tracker and instead intended to sacrifice himself and provide Madani with the footage that could be used as evidence of Rawlins' crimes.
Taken by Russo and Anvil to the hideout, Castle was tortured by Rawlins who wanted to get back at him for everything Castle had taken away from him. As the computers were rigged to upload the footage of Ahmad Zubair execution online, so Russo needed to get Castle to tell them how to stop it. Castle then pretended to be breaking under torture and begged Russo to put him out of his misery, agreeing to input the deactivation code and allow Russo and Rawlins to wipe out everything off Micro's computers. Russo then tried to convince Rawlins to finish Castle off and get away while they have a chance, but Rawlins was obsessed with making Castle suffer.
Billy Russo betrays William Rawlins
The two soon got into a conflict, as Russo was dissatisfied with Rawlins' dwindling mental state and him constantly disregarding Russo. He then threatened to kill Castle himself, taking Rawlins' satisfaction away, and quietly loosened Castle's restraints before backing down. Russo then stood back and watched Rawlins resuming his torture, unaware of Russo's betrayal. Castle then freed himself and killed Rawlins, before taunting Russo that he was about to lose everything he had. Russo was not bothered in the slightest as he planned to disappear again, as if he was never involved.
Billy Russo realizes that Frank Castle outplayed him
However, he was unaware that Micro eventually went against his agreement with Castle and provided Madani with the location of the hideout. Madani and several Homeland Security agents then raided the hideout and got into a confrontation with Anvil. Russo realized that Castle had outplayed him and prepared to finish him off, but a Homeland Security agent shot him in the arm, so he was forced to fight back and escape.[3] Madani and Micro then proceeded to evacuate a heavily injured Castle out of the hideout and brought him to Hamid Madani for medical help.[1]
Ambush[]
- "Where's Russo? Did you get him?"
"Uh, no. He got away." - ―Frank Castle and Dinah Madani[src]
Being pursued by the authorities, Billy Russo had to lay low and hide at Anvil Headquarters, where he treated his bullet wound. Having patched up the wound, Russo collected his weapons and cash and prepared to go on the run, only to then overhear some chatter outside of his office. A group of Homeland Security agents made their way to the building with the intention to bring Russo to justice.
Billy Russo blows up Anvil Headquarters
Russo was able to hide out of sight before two agents entered his office, catching them off-guard and executing both of them with a silenced pistol. Taking away an agent's radio, Russo tracked other agents' movements as he advanced through the building towards the exit. Listening to Homeland Security communications, Russo was able to kill every agent on his way with little to no resistance, and reached the exit. Once every agent was dead and Russo was outside, he proceeded to detonate the explosives he planted prior and blew up the headquarters to cover his tracks.[1]
Aftermath[]
- "Wow, Billy. You look ready for action."
"Well, I got a few scores to settle." - ―Curtis Hoyle and Billy Russo[src]
Losing everything he achieved through his cooperation with William Rawlins, Billy Russo was determined to get revenge on Punisher, whom he blamed for ruining his life. Punisher anticipated that Russo would go after Curtis Hoyle, so the two prepared a trap for Russo and Punisher took position outside of Hoyle's apartment with a sniper rifle. As they expected, Russo confronted Hoyle and talked to him about Castle, intending to force Hoyle to reveal where to find him.
Billy Russo challenges Punisher to settle their scores
As the two talked, Hoyle brought Russo to the kitchen for coffee, so Punisher could take Russo out once he was in the open. However, Russo sensed the trap and managed to get down the moment before Punisher pulled the trigger, and shot Hoyle in the shoulder. Being pinned down, Russo talked to Punisher over the phone and threatened to let Hoyle bleed out unless Punisher empties his rifle. Punisher complied and Russo offered him to settle the score once and for all, inviting him to come to the Central Park where everything started.
That night, Punisher and Russo had their showdown at the carousel, both determined to kill one another. Meanwhile, Dinah Madani tracked down Punisher's location and went to the Central Park as well, but Russo was able to shoot her. Punisher used an opening Madani provided and subdued Russo, deciding not to kill him, instead brutalizing his face by smashing it against the shattered mirror. All three of them were hospitalized, with the comatose Russo being officially charged for his crimes, and Castle allowed his freedom.[1] As a result of their confrontation, Russo suffered a heavy cranial trauma which included partial memory loss and mental deterioration.[4]