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Chinatown was a New York City neighborhood in the borough of Manhattan. It was bordered by the Lower East Side to the east, Little Italy to the north, the Civic Center to the south, and Tribeca to the west.

History

19th century[]

Chinatown (New York) from Sabretooth The Dead Don’t Talk Vol 1 2 001
In the 19th century, the Five Points became a notorious neighbourhood in Lower Manhattan, New York City, infamous for its extreme poverty, crime, and gang violence. Located near present-day Chinatown and the Civic Center, it was formed at the intersection of five streets; Pearl Street, Chatham Street (now Park Row), Orange Street (now Baxter Street), Cross Street (now Mosco Street), Rose Street (now part of the intersection of Lafayette Street and the Bowery), hence its name—and became a melting pot of immigrants.[1] The area was overrun with gangs like the Irish-American Dead Rabbits, the Anti-Immigration Bowery Boys, the Plug Uglies, and the Yancy Street Gang, frequently clashing for control.
Chinatown (New York) from Sabretooth The Dead Don’t Talk Vol 1 2 002
As time passed, masked gangs emerged, such as the Sons of New Amsterdam, and later, the super-gangs Frankengang, Street Sorcerers Supreme, Shockers, and Night Flyers. In 1909, Victor Creed—better known as Mad Dog Murphy worked as an enforcer under the Gardner.[2] Over time, urban redevelopment projects and slum clearance efforts led to the area’s decline, erasing much of its violent history, but its legacy remains a key part of New York’s criminal folklore.[3]
Chinatown (New York) from Sabretooth The Dead Don’t Talk Vol 1 2 003

20th century[]

As the overcrowded and crime-ridden Five Points area declined, many Irish immigrants moved out, making way for a growing Chinese population, driven by waves of immigration and the Chinese Exclusion Act. As the city redeveloped and cleared slums, Chinese immigrants began settling in the former Five Points area, establishing Chinatown. By the early 1900s, Chinatown had become a vibrant cultural and commercial hub, with Chinese immigrants creating a tight-knit community that preserved their traditions and businesses, shaping the neighborhood into what it is today.

World War II[]

When a group of Chinese immigrants decided to put on a charity event to earn money for the Chinese war effort against Imperial Japan, Japanese spy Matzu and Chinese traitor Ku-Shi decided to sabotage the event by setting on fire the building containing all the fireworks for the event. Human Torch and Toro put out the fire and agreed to be part of the show instead. During their performance, Matzu and his minions attacked the charity and gunned people down. The Torch and Toro attempted to stop them but ended up getting trapped in a room filled with gas. Matzu hypnotized them to break into the Bank of Free China and steal more money for him. Returning to Matzu's hideout, the Torch stumbled and was freed from the hypnotic control. When he attempted to capture Matzu, the Japanese spy sends Toro to clash with him. They fight to a standstill until the boy snaps out of Matzu's control. The duo then chased the crook down and easily captured him before he could detonate a powerful bomb.[4]

Modern Era[]

Glorianna O'Breen kissed Matthew Murdock in broad daylight in the middle of Chinatown.[5]

Abe Brown was used to teach tae-kwon-do to his brother in Chinatown.[6]

When the Killer Shrike attacked the Sons of the Tiger in their Chinatown martial arts studio, he was eventually defeated by Prowler.[7]

21st century[]

In secret medical facility in Chinatown, Mister Negative extracted Bruno Karnelli's blood.[8]

A while later, Mister Negative persuaded his Inner Demons to hijack an Oscorp supply truck.[9]

A few days later, the Punisher shut down an illegal human organ trafficking warehouse run by the Shaolin Scientist Squad in Chinatown.[10]

He then escaped the killing teams sent by the Black Stream mercenaries.[11]

A short time later, Mrs. Smithson's apartment building was destroyed with her in it during the gang war between Mister Negative and the Hood.[12]

Points of Interest

See Also

Links and References

References

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