Microchip (comics)

Microchip
Microchip on the cover of The Punisher: The Origin of Microchip #1 (July 1993) Art by Art Nichols and Doug Braithwaite
Publication information
Publisher	Marvel Comics
First appearance	The Punisher Vol. 2, #4 (November 1987)
Created by	Mike Baron (writer) Klaus Janson (artist)
In-story information
Full name	David Linus Lieberman
Species	Human
Place of origin	Earth
Team affiliations	Hood's Crime Syndicate
Partnerships	Punisher Carlos Cruz Mickey Fondozzi
Supporting character of	Punisher
Notable aliases	Cringe Lowell Bartholomew Ori
Abilities	Hacker Mechanic Weapons expert

David Linus "Microchip" Lieberman (often known as Micro) is a fictional character appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. He was an ally of The Punisher for many years and assisted the Punisher by building weapons, supplying technology and providing friendship. In more recent publications, Microchip gradually evolved from the Punisher's friend to a bitter villain.

Microchip first appeared in The Punisher Vol. 2 #4 and was created by Mike Baron and Klaus Janson.

David Linus "Microchip" Lieberman was a legendary computer hacker in the early days of the hacking business, performing numerous scams and hacks still held in awe today, until one scam brought him too close to real-world criminals forcing him to go into "retirement" as a quiet unassuming businessman. This ended when his nephew, attempting to follow in his favorite uncle's footsteps, was caught and killed after accidentally hacking into the private computers of Kingpin. While personally investigating his nephew's murder, Lieberman met and started collaborating with Punisher. Microchip's help proved invaluable to Castle; he served not just as a hacker and cyber-investigator. Micro also helped Castle: manage and launder his finances (i.e., the money Castle takes from the criminals he kills); set-up and equip Castle's safehouses; train Castle in more "specialized" skills for his war on crime; and, obtain hard-to-get ammunition and equipment. Less obsessed with Castle's personal war, Microchip acts as a de facto counseler to Castle (e.g., encouraging Castle to take occasional vacations and breaks, to avoid burn-out or losing his mind).

Over time, more of his past history is revealed. His father had been forced to create weapons against his will well before Microchip was born; in the same issue he mentions his sister is a happy housewife in Ft. Lauderdale. Micro has an illegitimate son named Louis Frohike. Louis is killed while trying to assist Frank Castle in a hostage exchange.

Micro is capable of fighting on his own such as when he took on an assassination ring threatening his godson's family. He also takes on less violent crime. When he discovers his new neighbor is being scammed by a 'charity' he destroys it from within, not by violence but by computer trickery, sending a recording of the administrator's plans to fans of yodeling music.