Batman vs Punisher: Does Frank Castle stand a chance in a fight

Batman vs The Punisher is a comic book fight fans have wanted to see for years. They're both vigilantes who depend on skills instead of superpowers. They fought in Punisher/Batman: Deadly Knights. Batman won convincingly. However, that’s only one writer’s interpretation.

This article will examine whether or not Frank Castle has a chance against the Dark Knight. Not just in comics. Batman and Punisher from the TV shows, movies, and video games will looked at too. Let’s start with the comics.

The comic book fight

Frank Castle is an amazing planner with years of battle experience in the military, against metahumans, and everything in between. He’s also one of the toughest people in comics. The things he survived in Punisher Max are unbelievable. That being said, it’s not enough to beat Batman.

If you thought this was going somewhere else, sorry. As a fan of The Punisher, I’d like to believe he can win. He’s overcome the odds and beat Wolverine. And while Wolverine could beat Batman in a fight, comic-book battles don’t work like that.

Batman’s patience is different than Logan’s. He doesn’t want to kill Frank but knows he can. Bruce wouldn’t have that problem. There’s no berserker rage for Frank to exploit. Bruce won't have a problem keeping it together to knock Frank out.

Lastly, Batman is equipped to fight someone with all kinds of weapons. Some are magical and extraterrestrial. Punisher’s arsenal and planning just aren’t enough. There's one more thing to take into consideration. If things get bad, Nightwing, Red Hood, and the rest of the Bat Family are a phone call away. Punisher doesn’t have anyone he can call.

The shows and movies

Jon Bernthal, Ray Stevenson, and even Thomas Jane's Punishers can beat Christian Bale and Robert Pattinson. Pattinson hasn’t been a vigilante long. This is a major disadvantage. Frank Castle is a veteran of war who knows what it takes to win in any environment. Even after years of being the Dark Knight, Bale's Batman isn't ready for the pain or consistent assault Frank brings. He gave up too easily and stayed retired too long.

Also, Robert Pattinson's Batman isn’t mean enough and Christian Bale’s can’t keep it together. Whenever Bale’s version gets tested (mentally or physically) he loses control and acts irrationally. Joker and Bane showed that he doesn't control his emotions.

Meanwhile, Pattinson was still in the process of maintaining both of his lives. This leads to him making mistakes that a veteran Batman wouldn't. Alfred almost died because Bruce couldn't get over something he was told about his father. You can't fight Punisher if he can exploit your past or emotions.

Now we come to Michael Keaton and Ben Affleck. They are the only ones ruthless enough to fight and beat Frank Castle. Both Batmen have killed and will do so again. Keaton’s version doesn’t have the pure strength that Batfleck’s does but makes up for it with cunning and a tough array of weapons. Batfleck is strong, tough, determined, and has decades of fighting experience and almost beat Superman.

Keaton’s suit doesn’t seem to take bullets well. He's been knocked down multiple times with small and large caliber bullets. Considering guns are Punisher’s weapon of choice, that’s a problem. Although, his Batmobile is bulletproof. That may be enough.

Kevin Conroy

It doesn’t matter if it’s Batman: The Animated Series, the Arkham video games, or Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League. Any version of Kevin Conroy’s Batman is winning this fight. In many ways, he’s everything that people want from Bruce Wayne and the Dark Knight. He has the smarts, gadgets, and skills to beat any version of the Punisher. ‘Nuff said.