Deadpool Vs. Punisher: Tale of the Tape

By Josh Weiss

Ladies, gentlemen, and kids old enough to see R-rated movies, step right up and witness one of the most epic pairings in Marvel comic book history: DEADPOOL VS. THE PUNISHER!

No, you’re not crazy unlike like these two characters. You heard that correctly: Wade Wilson will square off with Frank Castle in a brand-new series from writer Fred Van Lente and artist Pere Perez kicking off April 12.

Who will be victorious and who will be forced to make the winner some chimichangas? Find out as these two antiheroes go toe-to-toe in—Hey, what are you doing in here? What are you doing with those? Put them down before someone gets hur—

Before we begin, Deadpool asked me nicely with his dual pistols pointed at my face to say that and I quote, “Frank Castle is a wimpy mama’s boy who wouldn’t know a corpse if it got up and smacked him in the face. Unless we’re talking Bernthal. He knows his way around a zombie or two, right? Is Bernthal reprising his role in this comic? Come at me, Shane!”

Frank could not be reached for comment.

(As if he’d say much.)

That’s enough outta you, Deadpool!

On that trash-talking note, read below as Fred Van Lente sizes up the two opponents in three key categories in anticipation of the upcoming series.

COMEDY

Punisher: “Punisher is without a doubt funnier than Deadpool. Anyone who’s read the dark, deadpan humor of [Garth] Ennis and [Steve] Dillon’s Marvel Knights run knows this.”

Deadpool: “[He] thinks he’s funny.”

Winner: “Punisher just is inherently hilarious, and that makes a big difference.”

COSTUMES

Punisher: “Punisher is a guy with a skull on his chest.”

Deadpool: “I’m not sure what the Deadpool’s outfit is supposed to be.”

Winner: “Both have become iconic looks, but I’m going to give Punisher the slight edge because of the skull logo you can separate out and slap onto anything.”

MODUS OPERANDI

Punisher: “In our series, Punisher makes quite a big deal of having contempt for Deadpool’s healing factor, because he thinks it makes the merc sloppy; if you don’t have to suffer any bad consequences for your mistakes, you never learn to not make mistakes.”

Deadpool: “But I don’t entirely believe Punisher on this one—Deadpool’s healing factor gives him a huge advantage over his foes, while if Frank makes one mis-step, he’s dead.

Winner: “I’m going with Deadpool.”

Who will ultimately come out on top? Find out on April 12 in DEADPOOL VS. THE PUNISHER #1!