9 Cool Batman: Knightquest Moments Everyone Forgets About

5. The Batman/Punisher Crossover

Jean-Paul Valley Azrael Batman
DC/Marvel

On paper, Batman and the Punisher share strikingly similar origins. Each watched their loved ones murdered before their eyes and swore to do everything in their power to make sure that it never happened again. However, that is where the similarities end.

For all Bruce Wayne's violent actions, his modern incarnation has held fast to two unshakeable rules; no guns and he never kills. Fans cannot say the same for Frank Castle.

When Bruce encounters Punisher during the JLA/Avengers crossover, it's as a throwaway joke. Wayne swoops down between panels and cleans up a violent altercation between Castle and a group of armed thugs, quickly defining the difference between the two men.

In contrast, things were very different when Jean-Paul Valley was under the Bat-mask.

Ostensibly, this meeting followed the standard pattern of the two heroes coming together, falling foul of miscommunication and fighting to a draw before finally teaming up to defeat the real villains - in this case, Joker and Jigsaw.

However, what this offered DC was an opportunity to show just how different Azrael was from his predecessor and just how slim the gap between this Batman and the Punisher had become.

Contributor
Contributor

Kevin McHugh is a code-monkey by day and a purveyor of the unpleasant by night. Having had several comics published by Future Quake Press he is now moving into prose. An avid fan of punk rock, cheap horror movies and even cheaper fast-food Kevin can be found pontificating either on Twitter or over at WhatCulture Comics where he is a regular contributor. He lives in Edinburgh with his wife and two daughters.