Marvel vs. DC Redux Matchup #1: Batman vs. Punisher

So now we get started. Logic would dictate that perhaps Bruce Wayne (Batman) is perhaps more comparable a matchup to Tony Stark (Iron Man), both being extraordinarily rich entrepreneur types (Wayne Enterprises and Stark Industry), no powers so to speak, and nifty gadgets (though with Iron Man most of his gadgets are built into his suit), but in all honesty, Batman as a detective type character was never one to rely on technology whereas Iron Man as a character is almost solely based on technology. Thus I decided that instead a better matchup for the renown detective of Gotham would perhaps be the vigilante cop Frank Castle, a.k.a. the Punisher. I figure two vigilante justice type folks would provide an interesting matchup.
So for starters I suppose we should introduce our characters:

DC Character: Batman
Alter Ego: Bruce Wayne
Powers: None
Skills: Martial artist, detective/deductive abilities, use/development of advanced technology

Here's a character most of the general population probably knows about. If not through the most recent Christian Bale movies: Batman Begins and The Dark Knight then perhaps through its less successful predecessors Batman and Batman Returns starring Michael Keaton, Batman Forever with Val Kilmer, and the horrible Batman and Robin with George Clooney. If not through these, then perhaps through the older, campier, cheesier Adam West television show.

Now that we've established where you might actually know him from, let's go through a little bit about him. After witnessing his parent's death at a young age, Bruce Wayne inherited both his family's great wealth and his business. Additionally, in response to his parents' murders Wayne decides to make an attempt to rid the world of the evil that took his parents from him. As a teen he traveled the world and trained to achieve his goal. Through his crimefighting in Gotham, Batman became known as perhaps the world's greatest detective. His ability to plan for and anticipate almost everything made him a dangerous foe against even the most powerful of beings.

Marvel Character: Punisher
Alter Ego: Frank Castle
Powers: None
Skills: Martial artist, tactical expert, weapons expert

Frank Castle was a ex-marine who did several tours in Vietnam, having specialized black ops and special forces training. During a day at Central Park, his wife and children were caught in the crossfire of a mob shooting and were killed. Castle survived but was denied the ability to testify in court by corrupt New York City police. Afterwards, he vowed vengeance on those that denied him justice and thus embarked on his quest of a vigilante, to punish the evil-doer criminals of the world.

While the Punisher isn't one of the more well known characters in the Marvel universe, outside of those that know the Marvel universe pretty well. Some might remember being able to play as him in the old Capcom side scroller named after him. What makes the Punisher effective at what he does for one is his access to a large arsenal of destructive and cutting edge weaponry. While not much of a scientist, his combat abilities and weapon skills, coupled with a ruthlessness and almost Machiavellian ardor to accomplish his goals, the Punisher will often take on any odds to reach his goal.

The Matchup:


It's natural that people would probably still give Batman the advantage, as Punisher doesn't really have quite the resume of fighting superhumans that Batman has encountered. Given Batman's propensity to plan ahead, I believe that he has the means and capabilities to deal with people like the Punisher. However, that doesn't mean that the Punisher doesn't have his own advantages, you just have to look a little closer to see them. I'll be the first to concede that Frank Castle probably doesn't have the resources or the intelligence that Bruce Wayne has, but still, I believe that Castle does still have a couple of wildcards that could potentially turn to the battle. One being that Castle has no real need to maintain a secret identity, while Batman continually insists on batman separate from Bruce Wayne. Furthermore, the Punisher isn't afraid to use lethal force, though I don't know that he would do so against a fellow crimefighter like Batman, though if he felt that Batman were in his way, he wouldn't hesitate. However despite all this, I'd still have to give the edge and the match to Batman. I just think that Batman is too clever and cunning for the Punisher to handle. Though I honestly think that the match will be very close, much closer than people anticipate.

Winner: Batman