The Punisher confronts Matt Murdock in Daredevil No. 4

The Punisher has helped Daredevil escape from the cops, but why exactly has he helped Matt out of a bind? Spoilers for Daredevil no. 4 follow.

Coming off the back of Daredevil No. 3, this issue focuses on the pretty immediate aftermath of Frank Castle saving Matt from being arrested. Much to no one’s surprise, things don’t go well. At first, it seems like Frank actually believes that Matt has become like him and is willing to murder now, but as the issue goes on, it’s pretty obvious that Frank doesn’t believe that. Daredevil himself doesn’t even believed that he killed a man (see Daredevil No. 2) up until the end of the issue when he finally takes the responsibility of the robber’s death on his shoulders.

Along the way though, before Matt comes to that realization of responsibility, there’s a familiar set-up with the Punisher and Daredevil’s methodologies. Frank thinks Matt is a “phony” for not doing what needs to be done, while Matt views Frank as a serial killer dressing up justice as an excuse to murder. It’s an argument that any reader of Daredevil or the Punisher is familiar with. This issue though handles the execution (no pun intended) of the argument in an excellent and different way.

Image by Marvel Comics/Art by Marco Checchetto