KMC Forums - Batman vs the Punisher Debate

In this scenario, the Batman and the Punisher are trapped in a room where they have to debate about whether criminals should be killed. They cannot escape until one of them concedes to the other. They have no weaponry and equipment with them. They are not allowed to assault one another. They are not allowed to lie to each other.

The room they are in is equipped with life support technology that can keep them alive for centuries, if need be. While in the room, they cannot experience hunger, thirst, need for excretion, or sleep deprivation. Escaping the room before their debate is concluded has been made impossible.

"Criminal" here is defined as the regular villains and henchmen each heroes face i.e. "criminal" is not synonymous with "supervillain" such as Thanos, Galactus, Darkseid, a lot of Justice League and Avengers villains etc.

Batman has to convince the Punisher that killing criminals is unethical because second chances exist, barring few specific situations in which it is pure self-defence. Batman wins if the Punisher says concedes e.g. "Alright, you win" stepping out of the building as a vigilante who uses non-lethal force to capture criminals for the justice system to decide their fates.

The Punisher has to convince Batman that most criminals are scum who are too dangerous to be left alive. The Punishe wins if Batman concedes e.g. "Fine, I'll do it" and starts killing Gotham's mob bosses, Joker, Bane, Two-Face, Ra's al Ghul, the Court of Owls, pretty much everyone in his rogues gallery. Bonus points if Frank convinces him to use firearms.

Batman here is modern Batman e.g. a composite of his Post-Crisis and New 52 versions because he has a no kill rule (no Golden age Batman allowed because he kills). The Punisher is a composite of his pre-Secret Wars, post-Secret Wars, and MAX versions. Both vigilantes have full knowledge of each other's actions and exploits in the past. Both characters are at their peak mental health, ready for debate.

Bonus round: In a twist of events, the rules remain the same but a time limit is introduced. If Batman and Punisher cannot resolve their debate in 72 hours, a nuclear weapon will be fired at Marvel's New York City and DC's Gotham City.