9 Brutal Punisher Storylines Where Frank Castle Took on Marvel’s Biggest Heroes
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Someone once said that facing vigilantism is not injustice, it’s humanity. Yet, there is nothing humane about the way the Punisher operates. The Punisher is a military veteran, weapons expert, and master hand-to-hand combatant who uses his training to fight crime. He is a serial killer of killers. He has no superpowers. However, there are many great Punisher storylines where Frank Castle battles other superheroes.
The Punisher has fought Spider-Man, Iron Fist, Luke Cage, Ghost Rider, and even the Sentry. Any one of these heroes should defeat Castle with no effort. However, The Punisher often battles them, wins, or escapes unharmed.
Here are nine great Punisher storylines where Frank Castle battles other superheroes.
1. Hawkeye
During the “World War Frank” story, the Punisher fought several Avengers and street-level heroes. After the Punisher gave up the War Machine armor, he started to go after international criminals, causing international incidents. That caught the attention of some Avengers and New York City street-level heroes.
While fighting Hawkeye in close-quarters combat, Hawkeye stuns Frank with a stun arrow. Frank manages to run at Hawkeye, knock him down, and disarm him.
The Punisher: World War Frank is a 127-page trade. After giving up the War Machine armor, the Punisher decides to wage war against larger, international threats. Get it on Kindle now for $8.99.
2. Daredevil
One of the greatest Punisher storylines took place in Punisher #3 from 2000. The Punisher and Daredevil both operate out of New York City, and they cross paths often. Frank especially resents Daredevil’s mindset of fighting criminals for the justice system to take care of. Frank prefers to use lethal methods.
So, after beating Daredevil, Frank ties him up with chains and tapes a gun to his hand. The Punisher is standing over a criminal he is about to execute. Frank tells Daredevil he must shoot him to save the gangster. Daredevil fires the gun, but there is no firing pin. Frank executes the gangster and proves to Daredevil that he is no different from him, only that he would hypocritically save a criminal.
This scene was the inspiration for Daredevil season two, episode 3, “New York’s Finest.”
3. Iron Man
In the Punisher: War Machine storyline from Punisher #218 in 2017, the Punisher crosses paths with Nick Fury Jr. Fury Jr. gives Castle an unused War Machine armor to take out a Central Asian warlord. After the mission, Frank keeps the War Machine armor to focus on global threats.
So, Iron Man confronts Frank to get the armor back. They battle, and Frank even crushes a truck on Iron Man, stunning him. In the end, James Rhodes implores Frank to give up the armor, and he does.
4. Deadpool
Deadpool vs. The Punisher is a 5-issue miniseries from 2017. Was it among the greatest Punisher storylines ever? Probably not, but it is a fun read about two of Marvel’s most popular characters. The Punisher tries to kill a criminal Deadpool is protecting. Meanwhile, someone hires Deadpool to take out the Punisher.
Frank and Deadpool take a loss and win in each issue. However, Frank would usually put a bullet in Deadpool’s head to win his battles. Since Deadpool has a healing factor, their battles would continue.
5. Wolverine
In Punisher #16 and #17 from 2002, Frank and Wolverine are investigating a mob massacre and cross paths. After several misunderstandings, they start fighting each other. Frank shoots Wolverine in the face, grotesquely revealing Wolverine’s adamantium-bonded skull. To further humiliate Wolverine, Frank shoots him in the groin, betting his genitals aren’t protected by adamantium.
6. Iron Fist and Luke Cage
In the 2018 World War Frank storyline, The Punisher fought many superheroes, including many Avengers. He also fought Iron Fist and Luke Cage, the Heroes for Hire. The duo was able to fight off the Punisher and keep him at bay. However, Frank put a grenade in a nearby car before the fight. He shot the gas tank, causing an explosion that knocked the Heroes for Hire out of his way.
7. Sentry
In Dark Reign: The List – Punisher #1, Frank tries to assassinate Norman Osborn, who has taken over S.H.I.E.L.D. and become a powerful government authority. Osborn is now the leader of the Dark Avengers. At an event, Frank shoots at Osborn with a rifle. The Sentry catches the bullet an inch from Osborn’s face.
Frank runs to a nearby factory with the Sentry on his tail. Frank shoots at Sentry and douses him in acid, but can’t stop him. Then, Frank bluffs and tells Sentry he planted a bomb at a nearby hospital, a bomb that will detonate in seconds. The Sentry flies off, giving Frank time to escape.
8. Captain America
During 2007’s Civil War storyline, Captain America mistakenly believes that the Punisher tried to kill Spider-Man. Enraged, Captain America begins violently beating Frank. However, Frank does not fight back and is beaten to a pulp by Captain America. Frank deeply respects Cap’s military services and refuses to fight him.
9. Ghost Rider
In one of the most unbelievable Punisher storylines ever, the Punisher fought Ghost Rider and won. The Ghost Rider has a penance stare; look into his eyes, and a criminal feels all the pain they inflicted on others. However, one must feel regret for the penance stare to work
The Punisher does not regret anything he has ever done, so the penance stare does not work. The Punisher chokes Ghost Rider with his own chains, bringing him to submission.
The Best Punisher Storylines
The Punisher made his debut in The Amazing Spider-Man #129 in 1974. He was a character inspired by Charles Bronson’s Death Wish films and the vigilantism action film boom of the 1970s. The Punisher is a wish-fulfillment character and a narrative commentary on the American justice system.
Most die-hard comic book fans prefer street-level Punisher stories where he battles everyday crime. However, some of his most interesting storylines involve his crusade against injustice, crossing paths with traditional superheroes.
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Allen Francis is a full-time writer, prolific comic book investor and author of The Casual’s Guide: Why You Should Get Into Comic Book Investing. Allen holds a BA degree from Marymount Manhattan College and has decades of experience in comic investing and personal finance. Before becoming a writer Allen was an academic advisor, librarian, and college adjunct for many years. Allen now focuses on comic book reviews, collectible investments, and helping others collect and enjoy comics.