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Batman Post-Crisis #73
Punisher/Batman: Deadly Knights #1
The second of two Punisher and Batman crossovers published for 1994.
The Punisher in Gotham! Jigsaw teams up with the Joker! And Batman wants to take them all down! Appearances by Commissioner Gordon, Micro, Robin, Alfred.
The Punisher in Gotham! Jigsaw teams up with the Joker! And Batman wants to take them all down! Appearances by Commissioner Gordon, Micro, Robin, Alfred.
55 pages, Paperback
First published October 1, 1994
About the author
Chuck Dixon
3,511 books1,150 followersCharles "Chuck" Dixon is an American comic book writer, perhaps best-known for long runs on Batman titles in the 1990s.
His earliest comics work was writing Evangeline first for Comico Comics in 1984 (then later for First Comics, who published the on-going series), on which he worked with his then-wife, the artist Judith Hunt. His big break came one year later, when editor Larry Hama hired him to write back-up stories for Marvel Comics' The Savage Sword of Conan.
In 1986, he began working for Eclipse Comics, writing Airboy with artist Tim Truman. Continuing to write for both Marvel and (mainly) Eclipse on these titles, as well as launching Strike! with artist Tom Lyle in August 1987 and Valkyrie with artist Paul Gulacy in October 1987, he began work on Carl Potts' Alien Legion series for Marvel's Epic Comics imprint, under editor Archie Goodwin. He also produced a three-issue adaptation of J. R. R. Tolkien's The Hobbit for Eclipse with artist David Wenzel between 1989 and 1990, and began writing Marc Spector: Moon Knight in June 1989.
His Punisher OGN Kingdom Gone (August, 1990) led to him working on the monthly The Punisher War Journal (and later, more monthly and occasional Punisher titles), and also brought him to the attention of DC Comics editor Denny O'Neil, who asked him to produce a Robin mini-series. The mini proved popular enough to spawn two sequels - The Joker's Wild (1991) and Cry of the Huntress (1992) - which led to both an ongoing monthly series (which Dixon wrote for 100 issues before leaving to work with CrossGen Comics), and to Dixon working on Detective Comics from #644-738 through the major Batman stories KnightFall & KnightsEnd (for which he helped create the key character of Bane), DC One Million , Contagion , Legacy , Cataclysm and No Man's Land . Much of his run was illustrated by Graham Nolan.
He was DC's most prolific Batman-writer in the mid-1990s (rivalled perhaps in history by Bill Finger and Dennis O'Neil) - in addition to writing Detective Comics he pioneered the individual series for Robin , Nightwing (which he wrote for 70 issues, and returned to briefly with 2005's #101) and Batgirl , as well as creating the team and book Birds of Prey .
While writing multiple Punisher and Batman comics (and October 1994's Punisher/Batman crossover), he also found time to launch Team 7 for Jim Lee's WildStorm/Image and Prophet for Rob Liefeld's Extreme Studios. He also wrote many issues of Catwoman and Green Arrow , regularly having about seven titles out each and every month between the years 1993 and 1998.
In March, 2002, Dixon turned his attention to CrossGen's output, salthough he co-wrote with Scott Beatty the origin of Barbara Gordon's Batgirl in 2003's Batgirl: Year One. For CrossGen he took over some of the comics of the out-going Mark Waid, taking over Sigil from #21, and Crux with #13. He launched Way of the Rat in June 2002, Brath (March '03), The Silken Ghost (June '03) and the pirate comic El Cazador (Oct '03), as well as editing Robert Rodi's non-Sigilverse The Crossovers. He also wrote the Ruse spin-off Archard's Agents one-shots in January and November '03 and April '04, the last released shortly before CrossGen's complete collapse forced the cancellation of all of its comics, before which Dixon wrote a single issue of Sojourn (May '04). Dixon's Way of the Rat #24, Brath #14 and El Cazador #6 were among the last comics released from the then-bankrupt publisher.
On June 10, 2008, Dixon announced on his forum that he was no longer "employed by DC Comics in any capacity."
His earliest comics work was writing Evangeline first for Comico Comics in 1984 (then later for First Comics, who published the on-going series), on which he worked with his then-wife, the artist Judith Hunt. His big break came one year later, when editor Larry Hama hired him to write back-up stories for Marvel Comics' The Savage Sword of Conan.
In 1986, he began working for Eclipse Comics, writing Airboy with artist Tim Truman. Continuing to write for both Marvel and (mainly) Eclipse on these titles, as well as launching Strike! with artist Tom Lyle in August 1987 and Valkyrie with artist Paul Gulacy in October 1987, he began work on Carl Potts' Alien Legion series for Marvel's Epic Comics imprint, under editor Archie Goodwin. He also produced a three-issue adaptation of J. R. R. Tolkien's The Hobbit for Eclipse with artist David Wenzel between 1989 and 1990, and began writing Marc Spector: Moon Knight in June 1989.
His Punisher OGN Kingdom Gone (August, 1990) led to him working on the monthly The Punisher War Journal (and later, more monthly and occasional Punisher titles), and also brought him to the attention of DC Comics editor Denny O'Neil, who asked him to produce a Robin mini-series. The mini proved popular enough to spawn two sequels - The Joker's Wild (1991) and Cry of the Huntress (1992) - which led to both an ongoing monthly series (which Dixon wrote for 100 issues before leaving to work with CrossGen Comics), and to Dixon working on Detective Comics from #644-738 through the major Batman stories KnightFall & KnightsEnd (for which he helped create the key character of Bane), DC One Million , Contagion , Legacy , Cataclysm and No Man's Land . Much of his run was illustrated by Graham Nolan.
He was DC's most prolific Batman-writer in the mid-1990s (rivalled perhaps in history by Bill Finger and Dennis O'Neil) - in addition to writing Detective Comics he pioneered the individual series for Robin , Nightwing (which he wrote for 70 issues, and returned to briefly with 2005's #101) and Batgirl , as well as creating the team and book Birds of Prey .
While writing multiple Punisher and Batman comics (and October 1994's Punisher/Batman crossover), he also found time to launch Team 7 for Jim Lee's WildStorm/Image and Prophet for Rob Liefeld's Extreme Studios. He also wrote many issues of Catwoman and Green Arrow , regularly having about seven titles out each and every month between the years 1993 and 1998.
In March, 2002, Dixon turned his attention to CrossGen's output, salthough he co-wrote with Scott Beatty the origin of Barbara Gordon's Batgirl in 2003's Batgirl: Year One. For CrossGen he took over some of the comics of the out-going Mark Waid, taking over Sigil from #21, and Crux with #13. He launched Way of the Rat in June 2002, Brath (March '03), The Silken Ghost (June '03) and the pirate comic El Cazador (Oct '03), as well as editing Robert Rodi's non-Sigilverse The Crossovers. He also wrote the Ruse spin-off Archard's Agents one-shots in January and November '03 and April '04, the last released shortly before CrossGen's complete collapse forced the cancellation of all of its comics, before which Dixon wrote a single issue of Sojourn (May '04). Dixon's Way of the Rat #24, Brath #14 and El Cazador #6 were among the last comics released from the then-bankrupt publisher.
On June 10, 2008, Dixon announced on his forum that he was no longer "employed by DC Comics in any capacity."
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews
August 1, 2022
It’s been years since the Punisher last visited Gotham, but a couple of leads send him straight back there looking for Jigsaw, who has taken over some of Gotham’s gangs with help from the Joker following the events of the previous Punisher/Batman crossover, Lake of Fire. And now, Batman must take all three of these men down before someone gets killed in the crossfire.
Fine enough crossover by Chuck Dixon, but the main highlight of this for me was seeing JRJR draw both Batman and the Punisher at the height of his career. It’s honestly surreal, and I’m pretty sure this was the first time JRJR ever drew a Batman book. Recommended to anyone who likes the Marvel/DC crossovers, this is one of the better one I’ve come across.
Fine enough crossover by Chuck Dixon, but the main highlight of this for me was seeing JRJR draw both Batman and the Punisher at the height of his career. It’s honestly surreal, and I’m pretty sure this was the first time JRJR ever drew a Batman book. Recommended to anyone who likes the Marvel/DC crossovers, this is one of the better one I’ve come across.
August 3, 2016
Having just finished reading Batman-Punisher: Lake of Fire, I had been curious if there was more to the Joker-Jigsaw storyline. It seems my question has been answered in style. Here we have the second purchase from my local comic store.
Punisher returns to Gotham to hunt for Jigsaw. At the end of Lake of Fire, Joker frees Jigsaw and they both plot to take over Gotham's gangs. Punisher returns to New York and starts to hunt for the whereabouts of Jigsaw. After a few years, Punisher stumbles upon leads that send him back to Gotham. This time it is Bruce Wayne who has returned as Batman after removing Jean Paul Valley from the mantle (when JPV went insane).
Written and drawn in the classic Punisher War Zone comics style, we are treated to the large build art style of John Romita Jr. His is an art style that was and is a popular style, but it's one that I find to be of middling quality. For this story it was a familiar touch, but not my favorite artist. Chuck Dixon, however, does a far superior job to the O'Neil work. His story is better written and I did enjoy the contrast in pysche between the Punisher and Batman. Punisher tends to be rage fueled, while Batman is portrayed as a calm, cold fighter. This story does amply answer the "Would Punisher last against Wayne's Batman in hand-to-hand?"
Also interesting to see the Joker-Punisher interaction. While the more recent variations of the Joker have played up his psychosis this mid '90's version, while insane, was not as unhinged as the current version. Thus there is an interaction wherein Joker seems surprised that the Punisher truly means to kill him. I appreciated the fact that Dixon gave a nod to the previous Lake of Fire GN in tying in the Joker and Jigsaw story, as well as having Punisher wonder why Batman not only looks different but fights in a more efficient and more efficient style (as opposed to JPV's aggressive Batman).
I enjoyed this tale and would say it is a superior tale to Lake of Fire. While Romita jr's artwork won't appeal to everyone-from this dark and grim tale from Gotham it works. This "War-Zone" style Punisher is far more brutal than the Lake of Fire version. I approve of that. If you are a Punisher fan or Batman-then I would easily recommend this for you. If you had to pick between reading Lake of Fire or Deadly Knights, then I would cast my vote to the latter.
Punisher returns to Gotham to hunt for Jigsaw. At the end of Lake of Fire, Joker frees Jigsaw and they both plot to take over Gotham's gangs. Punisher returns to New York and starts to hunt for the whereabouts of Jigsaw. After a few years, Punisher stumbles upon leads that send him back to Gotham. This time it is Bruce Wayne who has returned as Batman after removing Jean Paul Valley from the mantle (when JPV went insane).
Written and drawn in the classic Punisher War Zone comics style, we are treated to the large build art style of John Romita Jr. His is an art style that was and is a popular style, but it's one that I find to be of middling quality. For this story it was a familiar touch, but not my favorite artist. Chuck Dixon, however, does a far superior job to the O'Neil work. His story is better written and I did enjoy the contrast in pysche between the Punisher and Batman. Punisher tends to be rage fueled, while Batman is portrayed as a calm, cold fighter. This story does amply answer the "Would Punisher last against Wayne's Batman in hand-to-hand?"
Also interesting to see the Joker-Punisher interaction. While the more recent variations of the Joker have played up his psychosis this mid '90's version, while insane, was not as unhinged as the current version. Thus there is an interaction wherein Joker seems surprised that the Punisher truly means to kill him. I appreciated the fact that Dixon gave a nod to the previous Lake of Fire GN in tying in the Joker and Jigsaw story, as well as having Punisher wonder why Batman not only looks different but fights in a more efficient and more efficient style (as opposed to JPV's aggressive Batman).
I enjoyed this tale and would say it is a superior tale to Lake of Fire. While Romita jr's artwork won't appeal to everyone-from this dark and grim tale from Gotham it works. This "War-Zone" style Punisher is far more brutal than the Lake of Fire version. I approve of that. If you are a Punisher fan or Batman-then I would easily recommend this for you. If you had to pick between reading Lake of Fire or Deadly Knights, then I would cast my vote to the latter.
December 2, 2022
We don't like to think of the Punisher as anything approaching a real hero, but he's hundred-percent right about the Joker. Whatever Batman's been doing has been demonstrated to never work. The two - the cowl and the clown - really do deserve each other.
November 23, 2012
Part 2 of a loosely-connected story, Deadly Knights has little to do with Batman directly. The story is mainly about Punisher tracking down Marvel Universe's Jigsaw in DC's Gotham City. The first story (Batman/Punisher: Lake of Fire) occurred during Jean-Paul Valley's reign as Batman/Azrael, which accounts for Punisher's confusion about Batman's different (to him) costume and fighting style. He correctly realizes it's a different person, but he doesn't get much farther than that, in part since Punisher is not interested in Batman in any way.
Nothing much surprising goes on here, but it does have some nice moments: Robin and Microchip's digital game of cat-and-mouse is a nice touch, though nothing much comes of it since the story is resolved (to an extent) without their assistance. At the conclusion of the story, Punisher gets the drop on Joker, and we are treated to an intense panel of Joker's shocked realization he is finally confronting a hero who will kill him without any qualms. It's a new experience for him.
Batman almost ends up the villain of this conflict, as he maintains his form of justice to the end, even against the Punisher. Though the cover makes it seem like the issue is about the two of them battling it out in an epic battle, that is inaccurate. The real point of this story is the conflict behind the idea of the Punisher and the idea of the Batman: is violence the best way to take care of violence? In a way, both of these heroes say "yes," but Batman is not willing to go the ultimate step of extirpating the villains, and clearly Punisher is.
The point of the issue is to ask the question, not provide an answer, though Punisher's pervasive "I hate Gotham" is as close as we get. The ideas don't mix, neither do the universes. That is part of the lackluster of the issue, since it wants to be about this idea but spends too much time on the story before getting to the clash of main ideas, without giving enough time for the clash. It's still a fine issue, though, since not too many issues get the opportunity to present this important ideological clash.
Nothing much surprising goes on here, but it does have some nice moments: Robin and Microchip's digital game of cat-and-mouse is a nice touch, though nothing much comes of it since the story is resolved (to an extent) without their assistance. At the conclusion of the story, Punisher gets the drop on Joker, and we are treated to an intense panel of Joker's shocked realization he is finally confronting a hero who will kill him without any qualms. It's a new experience for him.
Batman almost ends up the villain of this conflict, as he maintains his form of justice to the end, even against the Punisher. Though the cover makes it seem like the issue is about the two of them battling it out in an epic battle, that is inaccurate. The real point of this story is the conflict behind the idea of the Punisher and the idea of the Batman: is violence the best way to take care of violence? In a way, both of these heroes say "yes," but Batman is not willing to go the ultimate step of extirpating the villains, and clearly Punisher is.
The point of the issue is to ask the question, not provide an answer, though Punisher's pervasive "I hate Gotham" is as close as we get. The ideas don't mix, neither do the universes. That is part of the lackluster of the issue, since it wants to be about this idea but spends too much time on the story before getting to the clash of main ideas, without giving enough time for the clash. It's still a fine issue, though, since not too many issues get the opportunity to present this important ideological clash.
March 10, 2026
Two of my favorite dark gritty characters finally meet! Very recommended
Read
June 6, 2015The Punisher returns to Gotham, where Bruce Wayne is now re-installed as Batman. Compared to the previous crossover with Azrael-Batman, this has much better art (Romita and Janson draw an especially fine Batman), and the dialogue is at least competent. This means it's down to Wayne himself to supply the requisite stupidity; he really excels himself in the scene where he sets the Joker free in order to fight the Punisher. Yeah, way to protect the innocent, you crazy prick. At least Frank Castle is serious about protecting families like the one he lost, while you've just increased the chances some other poor kid (likely without a family fortune to cushion the blow) is going to lose his parents too.
May 4, 2025
I had hoped for better.
The storyline was muddled. Through reasons not explained, the Joker and Jigsaw were working well together, while Batman and Punisher didn't. Batman literally ordered the Joker escape so that he and the Punisher could fight.
I guess I also hoped that there would be more philosophy in this comic instead of just another punch and shoot adventure. Batman and the Punisher are like Yin and Yang. The only difference between them is the rule on killing (and using guns). My understanding is that Batman was originally envisioned to be just like Punisher is today, but (to make the comic more kid-friendly) Batman was given his "no killing" rule. That could have been an amazing philosophical discussion on morality and the different paths taken by the two characters. Sadly, we didn't get it.
The storyline was muddled. Through reasons not explained, the Joker and Jigsaw were working well together, while Batman and Punisher didn't. Batman literally ordered the Joker escape so that he and the Punisher could fight.
I guess I also hoped that there would be more philosophy in this comic instead of just another punch and shoot adventure. Batman and the Punisher are like Yin and Yang. The only difference between them is the rule on killing (and using guns). My understanding is that Batman was originally envisioned to be just like Punisher is today, but (to make the comic more kid-friendly) Batman was given his "no killing" rule. That could have been an amazing philosophical discussion on morality and the different paths taken by the two characters. Sadly, we didn't get it.
February 29, 2020
I love DC/Marvel Crossovers. Surprised Marvel let Frank be so outclassed by Batman. But good writing and psychology here. Castle’s question about why Bats doesn’t kill Joker is not original but it is cool to see Joker face someone who will actually kill him.
Worth it for the obligatory Frank/Bruce fight, if nothing else.
Worth it for the obligatory Frank/Bruce fight, if nothing else.
November 12, 2022
Rating 3 out of 5| Grade: C ; Drown em in lead!
The second entry in the Batman/ Punisher crossover, is more of the same, when it comes to the balls to the wall action. As one would expect from a comic featuring the duo.
One notable difference is how, this time around, Frank Castle will be encountering not the emotionally conflicted murder machine Jean Paul Valley, but the OG caped crusader. Which is a breath of fresh air, as their encounter is exactly what you'd expect.
Castle, the emotional brawler, who has no hesitation to leave a crowd of bodies in his ways, vs the cold, calculating restraint, and refined fighting force which is Batman, who, as Frank rightly points out, is crazy enough to jump into gun fights with his bare fists, and skilled enough to actually win.
The antagonists this time around are the Joker & Jigsaw, which leads me to question whether or not there are any other notable villains for the Punisher. Then I remember that this is guy which puts a rain of lead onto his enemies, and the reason would become apparent. Not to say, I'm gonna denigrate the Bats. I'm never gonna leave you Bats, and your magnificent cowled scowl.
There is one notable moment towards the end, when Castle confronts the Joker in the rain, and the clown prince of crime seems to realize that it's not the Batman with his no killing rule that he's up against. Just when you think the Punisher's gonna pull the trigger, and spare the world of a great evil (and us as fans of a great villain) predictably Bats jumps in, for, reasons.
Which makes me think of, all things, 'The Last action hero' by Arnold Schwarzenegger. We are audience are very much entertained by the antics of the Joker against the Batman, but what if, there is a scenario where the characters become aware they're just pawns for some writers. Their whole lives just entertainment for the masses. I mean, thinking of some of the most f**ked up things that the Joker has done, especially to Commissioner Gordon, that might be the point of no return for someone like Batman.
But, I digress; a 90s era action heavy crossover doesn't require that deep of an introspection. Read it for the title sakes, as the shit ton of action. That's all.
The second entry in the Batman/ Punisher crossover, is more of the same, when it comes to the balls to the wall action. As one would expect from a comic featuring the duo.
One notable difference is how, this time around, Frank Castle will be encountering not the emotionally conflicted murder machine Jean Paul Valley, but the OG caped crusader. Which is a breath of fresh air, as their encounter is exactly what you'd expect.
Castle, the emotional brawler, who has no hesitation to leave a crowd of bodies in his ways, vs the cold, calculating restraint, and refined fighting force which is Batman, who, as Frank rightly points out, is crazy enough to jump into gun fights with his bare fists, and skilled enough to actually win.
The antagonists this time around are the Joker & Jigsaw, which leads me to question whether or not there are any other notable villains for the Punisher. Then I remember that this is guy which puts a rain of lead onto his enemies, and the reason would become apparent. Not to say, I'm gonna denigrate the Bats. I'm never gonna leave you Bats, and your magnificent cowled scowl.
There is one notable moment towards the end, when Castle confronts the Joker in the rain, and the clown prince of crime seems to realize that it's not the Batman with his no killing rule that he's up against. Just when you think the Punisher's gonna pull the trigger, and spare the world of a great evil (and us as fans of a great villain) predictably Bats jumps in, for, reasons.
Which makes me think of, all things, 'The Last action hero' by Arnold Schwarzenegger. We are audience are very much entertained by the antics of the Joker against the Batman, but what if, there is a scenario where the characters become aware they're just pawns for some writers. Their whole lives just entertainment for the masses. I mean, thinking of some of the most f**ked up things that the Joker has done, especially to Commissioner Gordon, that might be the point of no return for someone like Batman.
But, I digress; a 90s era action heavy crossover doesn't require that deep of an introspection. Read it for the title sakes, as the shit ton of action. That's all.
April 14, 2019
As fun and enjoyable as I was expecting.
Great confrontations and interactions. Joker and Jigsaw, Batman and Punisher, Punisher and Joker... there’s even a neat part where Robin is in the Batcave and loses a “hacking” thing against Micro.
The art is John Romita Jr, the writing is Chuck Dixon... so it’s like, the quintessential Punisher artist and the quintessential Batman writer. Pretty awesome.
As my friends know, I’m a huge sucker for company crossovers. This is one of the best.
Great confrontations and interactions. Joker and Jigsaw, Batman and Punisher, Punisher and Joker... there’s even a neat part where Robin is in the Batcave and loses a “hacking” thing against Micro.
The art is John Romita Jr, the writing is Chuck Dixon... so it’s like, the quintessential Punisher artist and the quintessential Batman writer. Pretty awesome.
As my friends know, I’m a huge sucker for company crossovers. This is one of the best.
June 23, 2015
Not bad, but only half a story. It doesn't have as much impact as it would if I had read the first story, but I had no idea. Found it in a bargain bin and figured it would be good. It seemed like Marvel and DC were being too safe with their characters to really let a great crossover happen.
April 4, 2013
One of the worst crossovers I read! Weak plot, equally bad artwork-being a die hard Batman fan, I was utterly disappointed. Save yourself some time-DON'T READ IT!
November 19, 2025
True Batman finally meets The Punisher!
I haven’t bought this particular comic book per se, but I did buy the “DC vrs Marvel” Omnibus Vol 1, and this story is featured there. I’ll do a review of the omnibus later, but I want to make individual reviews of each crossover stories contained there.
Creative Team
Writer: Chuck Dixon
Illustrator: John Romita Jr.
DEADLY KNIGHTS
I guess that it wasn’t strange that most fans would prefer that if Batman would do crossover with The Punisher, that that Batman would be the TRUE Batman, Bruce Wayne, so I don’t know if that was the plan since the beginning or not, but the good thing is that finally Bruce Wayne aka Batman meets Frank Castle aka The Punisher…
…but you can guess that that meeting wasn’t any nice at all, since Jean-Paul Valley was psychotic enough to empatize with The Punisher, but while Bruce Wayne’s mental sanity is quite questinable, he didn’t like in the mínimum, the presence nor even cooperate with The Punisher.
This story is a sequel from Lake of Fire (you can look for my review of that), therefore, i won’t spoil the appearance of certain notorious DC criminal in the story, since I didn’t reveal it in the previous review, if I’d mentioned here, it could be awkward for the previous review.
In any case, The Punisher, this time with the tech support of Micro Chip, he’s still looking for Jigsaw, who is joining forces with a mobster from Gotham City.
Batman and Robin (Tim Drake) decided that they should involve in the case of The Punisher, to avoid that him and any other out-of-town psychopath vigilante would have reasons to visit Gotham City (I guess that the quota for psychopath vigilantes is already full in Gotham City and Batman doesn’t like uninvited solicitants).
This story is quite better than the first entry of the duology, and while I found amusing to have Jean-Paul Valley in the first tale, certainly if you’ll read a DC/Marvel crossover with Batman involved, it’s totally best to have the TRUE Batman under the cowl.
´Nuff Said!
I haven’t bought this particular comic book per se, but I did buy the “DC vrs Marvel” Omnibus Vol 1, and this story is featured there. I’ll do a review of the omnibus later, but I want to make individual reviews of each crossover stories contained there.
Creative Team
Writer: Chuck Dixon
Illustrator: John Romita Jr.
DEADLY KNIGHTS
I guess that it wasn’t strange that most fans would prefer that if Batman would do crossover with The Punisher, that that Batman would be the TRUE Batman, Bruce Wayne, so I don’t know if that was the plan since the beginning or not, but the good thing is that finally Bruce Wayne aka Batman meets Frank Castle aka The Punisher…
…but you can guess that that meeting wasn’t any nice at all, since Jean-Paul Valley was psychotic enough to empatize with The Punisher, but while Bruce Wayne’s mental sanity is quite questinable, he didn’t like in the mínimum, the presence nor even cooperate with The Punisher.
This story is a sequel from Lake of Fire (you can look for my review of that), therefore, i won’t spoil the appearance of certain notorious DC criminal in the story, since I didn’t reveal it in the previous review, if I’d mentioned here, it could be awkward for the previous review.
In any case, The Punisher, this time with the tech support of Micro Chip, he’s still looking for Jigsaw, who is joining forces with a mobster from Gotham City.
Batman and Robin (Tim Drake) decided that they should involve in the case of The Punisher, to avoid that him and any other out-of-town psychopath vigilante would have reasons to visit Gotham City (I guess that the quota for psychopath vigilantes is already full in Gotham City and Batman doesn’t like uninvited solicitants).
This story is quite better than the first entry of the duology, and while I found amusing to have Jean-Paul Valley in the first tale, certainly if you’ll read a DC/Marvel crossover with Batman involved, it’s totally best to have the TRUE Batman under the cowl.
´Nuff Said!
February 8, 2022
Sometimes the sequel is better than the original. Wrath of Khan. Empire Strikes Back. Punisher and Batman team ups. One of my complaints about the first one, I sorta have to walk back. The inclusion of Joker in Batman/Punisher DOES have a pay off in this story.
Too bad the rest of this story backs up by biggest complaint about the original. Good cross media crossovers have to have enough similarities that they would make sense, but enough differences so that there would be conflict. There really were enough differences between Punisher's methods and Jean Paul Valley during his stint as Batman. Sure, early on Azbats TRIED to keep the code of The Batman. The point in Knightfall where the original took place was before Abattoir's death, but at that point Jean Paul already WANTED to embrace killer tactics and had to fight his own urges to kill. So the battle between him and Punisher seemed forced.
However, Bruce Wayne being back in The Batman suit well... that is interesting. Batman isn't one to take help from anyone he hasn't vetted personally. There have been dozens of stories where even experienced super heroes he is others at least cordial with get the cold shoulder when missions bring them to Gotham. But Batman being forced into a situation where he has to work with The Punisher. Yeah... even on a good day he's not putting up with that. Even if he has to.
Really, this is the story we should have gotten the first time around.
Too bad the rest of this story backs up by biggest complaint about the original. Good cross media crossovers have to have enough similarities that they would make sense, but enough differences so that there would be conflict. There really were enough differences between Punisher's methods and Jean Paul Valley during his stint as Batman. Sure, early on Azbats TRIED to keep the code of The Batman. The point in Knightfall where the original took place was before Abattoir's death, but at that point Jean Paul already WANTED to embrace killer tactics and had to fight his own urges to kill. So the battle between him and Punisher seemed forced.
However, Bruce Wayne being back in The Batman suit well... that is interesting. Batman isn't one to take help from anyone he hasn't vetted personally. There have been dozens of stories where even experienced super heroes he is others at least cordial with get the cold shoulder when missions bring them to Gotham. But Batman being forced into a situation where he has to work with The Punisher. Yeah... even on a good day he's not putting up with that. Even if he has to.
Really, this is the story we should have gotten the first time around.
December 1, 2024
Chuck Dixon scrive il secondo raid di Frank Castle in Gotham city, ed il suo scontro con il vero Batman. Avversari stavolta sono Jigsaw e Joker, e la storia, pur non essendo granché, è sostenuta da buoni dialoghi e dagli ottimi disegni di John Romita jr e di Klaus Janson alle chine.
Ancora oggi diverte e nel complesso, più del primo incontro tra i due personaggi, le caratteristiche dei due vengono esaltate, sino al punto che Batman deve salvare quel frescone del Joker dal nostro Castle.
Siamo sulle 3 stelle e mezza.
Ancora oggi diverte e nel complesso, più del primo incontro tra i due personaggi, le caratteristiche dei due vengono esaltate, sino al punto che Batman deve salvare quel frescone del Joker dal nostro Castle.
Siamo sulle 3 stelle e mezza.
March 9, 2019
Most of the same positives and negatives as the previous crossover, but this gets one more star from me because (A) we get the real Batman this time, (B) there’s a more concrete ending, and (C) there’s a definitive answer to the classic fanboy question of which character would win in a fight.
Not a fantastic outing and still a little underwhelming for a crossover of this magnitude, but worth a read.
Not a fantastic outing and still a little underwhelming for a crossover of this magnitude, but worth a read.
July 30, 2025
Pretty cool cross-over between Punisher and Batman! The highlight for me is John Romita Jr’s amazing pencils, I just love his artwork. It was cool seeing him draw The Joker!
While I enjoyed the book, the plot isn’t particularly deep or exciting (but definitely good enough for what it is).
Also, combining “Jigsaw” and Joker as the villains was a good shout.
Would recommend to a fan of either or both characters.
While I enjoyed the book, the plot isn’t particularly deep or exciting (but definitely good enough for what it is).
Also, combining “Jigsaw” and Joker as the villains was a good shout.
Would recommend to a fan of either or both characters.
January 20, 2026
Let’s be clear I’m not a massive Punisher fan, lots of killing as he tracks Jigsaw to Gotham.
This is apparently his second meeting with Batman, but from the date and what he says, the first time he obviously met with Azrael
Had an opportunity to be an interesting treatise on their differing styles of justice but it isn’t.
JRJR’s art is okay. Sometimes I find his composition a little flat and 2 dimensional.
This is apparently his second meeting with Batman, but from the date and what he says, the first time he obviously met with Azrael
Had an opportunity to be an interesting treatise on their differing styles of justice but it isn’t.
JRJR’s art is okay. Sometimes I find his composition a little flat and 2 dimensional.
April 20, 2026
Not my Jim.
- Mook - a foolish, insignificant, or contemptible person (Merriam-Webster)
- Scintillations [scin·til·la·tion] - a spark or flash (Dictionary.com)
- Gunsel [gun·sel] - a criminal armed with a gun (Dictionary.com)
- Mook - a foolish, insignificant, or contemptible person (Merriam-Webster)
- Scintillations [scin·til·la·tion] - a spark or flash (Dictionary.com)
- Gunsel [gun·sel] - a criminal armed with a gun (Dictionary.com)
February 6, 2018
Oproti minulému sešitu na stejné téma už je Batman zase Waynem. O trochu lepší, obsahuje poněkud WTF (byť asi logickou) scénu, kdy Batman brání Jokera před Punisherem.
March 20, 2021
The story is thin, but its the art work, by John Romita, jr and Klaus Janson that is entertaining.
May 22, 2023
As a crossover, I really liked this one, both characters had great help from their sidekicks in a computer battle, that I found more than a little amusing, This was a Good Read.
August 24, 2024
it's shit
November 25, 2016
Released in 1994, Chuck Dixon and John Romita Jr.'s Punisher/Batman prestige format one-shot was Marvel's sequel to DC's Batman/Punisher one-shot. In this volume, the Punisher travels to Batman's turf in pursuit of the villain Jigsaw. Jigsaw is trying to make a name for himself in Gotham City's criminal arena, and has enlisted none other than the Joker to lend a hand. Between the Punisher's killing spree and the mob warfare, it doesn't take long for Batman to get involved.
The story is fairly basic, which seems to be the rule for these kinds of crossovers. It sticks to a "set it up, fight it out, and go their separate ways" formula, which works pretty well here. Dixon, who has considerable experience with both characters, does make some interesting observations (through the Joker of all people) about the main characters' response to their violent pasts. The Microchip/Robin "battle" was a fun extra as well.
John Romita Jr.'s artwork is solid as always, though his work could use some softening. I'm always reminded of Lego people when I see his blocky, geometrical characters. The paper quality of the book also causes his artwork to suffer a bit, giving everything a darker than planned look. A glossy stock would have brightened the pages up a bit.
This is pretty decent as crossovers go. It's not a great Punisher story, and it's not a great Batman story, but overall I think it works pretty well.
The story is fairly basic, which seems to be the rule for these kinds of crossovers. It sticks to a "set it up, fight it out, and go their separate ways" formula, which works pretty well here. Dixon, who has considerable experience with both characters, does make some interesting observations (through the Joker of all people) about the main characters' response to their violent pasts. The Microchip/Robin "battle" was a fun extra as well.
John Romita Jr.'s artwork is solid as always, though his work could use some softening. I'm always reminded of Lego people when I see his blocky, geometrical characters. The paper quality of the book also causes his artwork to suffer a bit, giving everything a darker than planned look. A glossy stock would have brightened the pages up a bit.
This is pretty decent as crossovers go. It's not a great Punisher story, and it's not a great Batman story, but overall I think it works pretty well.
July 24, 2020
This is the sequel to Dennis O'Neil's Batman/Punisher: Lake of Fire. The first time the Punisher encountered Batman, it was the crazed Azrael he faced. In Punisher/Batman: Deadly Knights, the Punisher confronts the real Batman. This story is written by Chuck Dixon and illustrated by John Romita Jr. The DC villain that Dixon chose for this tale is the Joker. It was nice to see the Joker afraid of someone for a change because he knows that the Punisher would not think twice about killing him.
I was expecting this story to be bad because I didn't like Lake of Fire. However, Dixon has shown that he has a great grasp of both the Punisher and Batman. I'm glad the story was good because a crossover between the Punisher and Batman is really ideal. Dixon was able to explore the dichotomy between Batman and the Punisher. Both characters lost their loved ones, yet they have different approaches to preventing others from experiencing the ordeals they went through.
There were also a lot of fun moments in the book. I really liked Robin and Microchip's battle of wits and, of course, the fight between Batman and the Punisher. Not only is the story great, but the art was way better than Lake of Fire. John Romita Jr. can really draw the Punisher. The only thing I didn't like about the art is the splash pages that are vertically aligned.
My Batman Collected Editions Instagram page
I was expecting this story to be bad because I didn't like Lake of Fire. However, Dixon has shown that he has a great grasp of both the Punisher and Batman. I'm glad the story was good because a crossover between the Punisher and Batman is really ideal. Dixon was able to explore the dichotomy between Batman and the Punisher. Both characters lost their loved ones, yet they have different approaches to preventing others from experiencing the ordeals they went through.
There were also a lot of fun moments in the book. I really liked Robin and Microchip's battle of wits and, of course, the fight between Batman and the Punisher. Not only is the story great, but the art was way better than Lake of Fire. John Romita Jr. can really draw the Punisher. The only thing I didn't like about the art is the splash pages that are vertically aligned.
My Batman Collected Editions Instagram page
December 27, 2015
"Who IS that tall, dark, well-armed stranger? I LOVE him!" - The Joker, talking about the Punisher.
Since I read that "Punisher: War Journal" compilation, I went ahead and read its spiritual sister companion (and one of my favorite short graphic novels to read!): "Punisher/Batman: Deadly Knights"
Same writing/drawing team as the compilation but it seems like a bit of time has passed, 'cause JRJR's Batman and Punisher are a thing of beauty! Both characters look amazing in this story (a lot to do with Janson's excellent inks, I'm sure). Page by page, the illustrations are beautiful... maybe heavy on the darks at times, but it goes well with the semi-noir story being told here.
The story, just like the compilation, is simple and to the point but still a lot of fun. It is nice to see the Joker as a wannabe gangster, makes me swallow his presence a wee-bee easier (not a big fan o'his).
Very much recommended. It's a quick popcorn read that is fun, the way comics should be.
Since I read that "Punisher: War Journal" compilation, I went ahead and read its spiritual sister companion (and one of my favorite short graphic novels to read!): "Punisher/Batman: Deadly Knights"
Same writing/drawing team as the compilation but it seems like a bit of time has passed, 'cause JRJR's Batman and Punisher are a thing of beauty! Both characters look amazing in this story (a lot to do with Janson's excellent inks, I'm sure). Page by page, the illustrations are beautiful... maybe heavy on the darks at times, but it goes well with the semi-noir story being told here.
The story, just like the compilation, is simple and to the point but still a lot of fun. It is nice to see the Joker as a wannabe gangster, makes me swallow his presence a wee-bee easier (not a big fan o'his).
Very much recommended. It's a quick popcorn read that is fun, the way comics should be.
December 27, 2021
Of the Bat-writers of this era, Chuck Dixon was probably the most reliable, and he gets an able assist here from the always amazing John Romita Jr. The entire story is drenched in gray, with Batman and Punisher treading water in cities drowning in rain and garbage. I kept this comic for a while and reread it from time to time, but the highlight is at the end when Punisher punches Batman, which Romita executed as a double-splash page you had to turn the book sideways to read. But that’s still not the best part! Batman tells Punisher that he let Punisher have one hit because Punisher probably thought Batman “deserved it.” Batman obviously deserves a second punch just for saying that, so Punisher takes another swing, but this time Batman catches the punch and throws Punisher in a pile of trash, shouting, “I said one!”
January 23, 2021
It is very 90s single ish comic book, but the excesses of the time are mostly held in check. For good effect It is clear that Bruce has just returned to the cowl after the events of”Knight’s End” and is defending his Gotham turf from Punisher’s style. Seems to be a middle chapter in a bigger arc, yet it’s self contained. It is a “the night that Batman and Punisher met for the first time” story and as such is an enjoyable (if not memorable) read. Romita, jr.’s art is awesone and at it’s peak of ninetines style.
June 17, 2014
Part 2 of this storyline sees. Frank Castle return to Gotham after Bruce has reclaimed the mantle of the bat. More interesting to see this Batman with the Punisher given his stance on guns. Again, more grim than fun.
October 12, 2012
Och it was alright.
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