Description

Batman / Punisher: Lake of Fire                             Trade Paperback
Writer: Dennis O’Neil
Artist: Barry Kitson
Inker: James Pascoe
Colorists: Digital Chameleon & Matt Hollingsworth
Letterer: Ken Bruzenak
Editor: Archie Goodwin
Cover by: Barry Kitson & James Pascoe

It’s the Marvel / DC crossover that we have all been waiting for…Batman vs The Punisher. This prestige format one-shot pits the DC’s Azrael version of Batman against Marvel’s The Punisher, resulting in the battle / showdown that we have all talked about… and we have all wished for.

Stories/Spoilers
In a dream, Batman (Jean-Paul Valley) was in Hell being judged by Saint Dumas. Valley suddenly woke up and believed that he may have dreamt that due to exchanging his Order of St. Dumas robes for the Batsuit. Valley got into his Batsuit and decided to search for Cass Rimer, who was suspected of stealing a formula for rocket fuel from the Pentagon by the F.B.I., by searching for Rimer’s associate Tony Bressi. Meanwhile, the Punisher had arrived in Gotham City in search for Jigsaw. The Punisher entered a bar where he got into a fight with several individuals, defeating them all, but one. Frank held the last bar patron at gunpoint, questioning him of Jigsaw’s whereabouts, eventually being told that the gangster would be at St. Ludger’s Church in Downtown Gotham. Meanwhile, at the Kochman Building, Russo and Rimer were watching tapes of the Punisher and discussing how everything went according to plan and that there would be a trap waiting for the Punisher at the church. The Punisher arrived at the church and upon entrance, encountered a woman who appeared to be a nun. The woman splashed Frank with what appeared to be holy water, when in fact, it was a drug that disoriented him. Next, the woman started a fire within the church in an attempt to kill Frank. Frank attempted to make his way out but got lost and collapsed. Suddenly, Batman (Jean-Paul Valley) arrived, crashing into the window, and recovered Frank’s body, rushing out. Immediately, Batman and the Punisher recognized each other and the two agreed to form an alliance in order to take down Russo and Bressi and recover the rocket fuel formula. However, Batman pointed out that he would begin to hunt down the Punisher after the criminals are defeated. Later, Batman and the Punisher drove to Minsk Baths where the gunslinger suspected former KGB agents who could be potential buyers of the rocket fuel formula, could be based. When Frank and Batman arrived at the building, the guards refused to let them in, so the duo beat them up. Next, the two searched the building for the potential buyers with Frank triggering a fight. During the fight, Batman threw the Punisher a gas mask and threw a gas grenade onto the floor, knocking the criminal’s unconscious. Next, Batman summoned St. Dumas in hopes for assistance and was told to look for “fiery water.” Suddenly, Batman noticed that Frank was gone. Batman, then returned to Batmobile while Frank watched him from the rooftop of the building. An angry Batman drove away and decided to search for more information on Bressi on the Batmobile’s computer. Batman arrived at Kochman Building to look for Bressi. Inside of the building, he encountered Russo and Rimer and fought them, eventually gaining the upper hand over Rimer and learning from him that he and Russo had placed a primer at the Reservoir Conduct and that it would detonate in ten minutes. Batman threw Rimer at a table and rushed out to the Gotham Reservoir Conduct. Shortly after Batman had arrived, the primer exploded, causing water to flow out of the reservoir. Back at Kochman Building, Russo was conversing with an associate over the phone, instructing him to inform the mayor that he would have the reservoir fixed for a price. Meanwhile, Frank appeared behind Russo, holding a gun against his head. The Punisher and Jigsaw fought, with the latter firing several shots at the former, shooting him in the shoulder and the Punisher throwing his knife at Jigsaw missing. The Punisher followed Jigsaw to the rooftop where they fought until the former pushed the latter off of the building. Before Russo could plummet to his death, Batman intervened and saved him by swinging from his grappling hook and landing in another floor of the building. Next, Batman tied up Russo and left him behind. Afterwards, the Joker appeared and cut Jigsaw free from the rope. Batman returned to the rooftop to confront Frank with the two fighting and exchanging blows. The Punisher was eventually knocked to the ground by Batman and shot him but did no damage. Then, Batman charged at the Punisher, who pulled a gas grenade from his utility belt and used it to disorient its owner, allowing the gunslinger to make his escape. Afterwards, the Punisher decided to go after Russo next, while Batman attempted to speak to Saint Dumas, claiming that he had failed, although Saint Dumas did not answer. Then, Batman jumped off of the building into the night.

Featuring the Prestige Format.

Trade Paperback is bagged and boarded and will be carefully / securely packaged then shipped via USPS Priority Mail to ensure that it arrives to you perfectly and quickly.

First Printing
Publishers: DC Comics / Marvel Comics
Publication Date: 1994
Format: FC, 48 pages, TPB, 10.25″ x 6.75″
ISBN-10: 1563891611
ISBN-13: 9781563891618

Collectible Entertainment note: Trade Paperback is Brand New & Unread.  Very Fine + condition.  Beautiful!  Please See Scans!!  A must have for any serious Batman and/or Punisher collector / enthusiast.  A fun & entertaining read.  Recommended.

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