Batman vs Punisher: DC Already Knows How This Dark Knight Fantasy Fight Would End

Fans have long debated who would win in a fight between Batman and the Punisher, but at least one story from the comics provided a decisive victor. While both characters are dark, brooding vigilantes, their methods couldn’t be more different, as the Punisher’s lethal methods stand in stark contrast to Batman’s policy of no guns and no killing.

JLA/Avengers #1 – written by Kurt Busiek, with art by George Pérez – showcased the highly-debated, highly anticipated bout between the Punisher and Batman. The Marvel/DC crossover included many memorable moments, but this one stands out, given how eager fans were to know how this scenario would play out.

JLA Avengers Batman and Plastic Man observe the Punisher

While on a rooftop in New York, Plastic Man and Batman witness the Punisher raiding a den of drug dealers. Even though the DC heroes have sworn to stick to the shadows, Batman winds up jumping into action to prevent the Punisher from killing anyone.

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JLA/Avengers #1 – Written By Kurt Busiek; Art By George Pérez; Color By Tom Smith; Lettering By Comicraft; Released In 2003

JLA Avengers Plastic Man explains how Batman beat the Punisher

Sadly for fans, the Batman/Punisher fight in JLA/Avengers #1 occurs off-panel, as readers only learn what happens as Plastic Man recounts their adventure to the rest of the Justice League. Plastic Man explains how Batman was adamant that they stay out of sight, only to then“spend the next twenty minutes beating up some loon in Kevlar to save some drug dealers.” Even though readers don’t get to witness it play out, it sounds pretty definitive: in a fight between the two vigilantes, Batman soundly defeated the Punisher.

The fact that Batman was willing to break the parameters of the League’s mission to save a couple of drug dealers highlights the difference in philosophy between the two characters. Batman is willing to fight to save the lives of his enemies, while in the Punisher’s eyes, if someone is guilty, it is an immediate death sentence. In many ways, the Punisher represents everything that Batman stands against, from his frequent use of firearms to his willingness to kill criminals without a second thought.

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JLA/Avengers Stands As The Definitive Batman/Punisher Face-Off

There were two Batman/Punisher crossovers, prior to JLA/Avengers, both released in 1994, and each provides an interesting juxtaposition between the pair. The first was Batman/Punisher: Lake of Fire, which actually featured the Jean-Paul Valley version of Batman crossing paths with Frank Castle. Given that Valley’s Batman wasn’t opposed to lethal force, the two proved to be kindred spirits. Frank Castle and Bruce Wayne later met in Punisher/Batman: Deadly Knights, and were a more contentious pairing. Although Bruce and Frank tussled briefly in Deadly Knights, it wasn’t enough for either hero to be declared a definitive victor.

Batman/Punisher: Lake of Fire was written by Dennis O’Neil, with art by Barry Kitson; Punisher/Batman: Deadly Knights was written by Chuck Dixon, with art by John Romita, Jr.

Having any character get a clean victory in an inter-company crossover is pretty rare, as the companies involved want their respective characters to shine. This makes Batman’s victory over the Punisher in JLA/Avengers all the more impressive, even if readers didn’t get to see the Dark Knight hand Frank Castle’s ass to him on-panel. It seems unlikely that Marvel and DC would be willing to play nice and put out any new crossovers between the two characters, so for now,Batman’s victory over the Punisher stands as the de facto answer to who would win that particular fight.