The Punisher Knows Who His Last Kill Will Be (And Why They Deserve It)

Content Warning: the following contains mentions of suicide.

The Punisher from Marvel Comics knows exactly who his last kill will be in his war on crime. Moon Knight #10 shows the titular hero have a frank discussion with the Punisher about the morality of their violent paths. And while Marc Spector may a few misgivings, Frank Castle knows where he stands, which is why he’s saving one particular person for his last kill.

The Punisher has been delivering retribution to criminals since he first appeared in The Amazing Spider-Man #129 by Gerry Conway and Ross Andru. Though Frank Castle has committed his life to eliminating crime, he’s made no friends in the superhero community who see him as a dangerous and unhinged killer. In that same vein, the Fist of Khonshu himself, Moon Knight, also has a less than stellar reputation for his more brutal methods of fighting crime.

The two vigilantes got to talk out their brutal similarities in Moon Knight #10 by Charlie Huston, Mico Suayan, Frank D’Armata and Rus Wooton. As the Punisher is in the middle of gunning down a gang, Spector arrives to confront Castle over his murder of Marc’s criminal brother. The two begin a heart-to-heart over the Superhero Registration Act, with Punisher warning Moon Knight not to get caught “on the wrong side.” The topic inspires Spector to earnestly ask Castle if he ever thinks about the morality of what they do. Without missing a beat, the Punisher tells Moon Knight that he has no qualms about his mission. “Because when it’s over, when they’re all dead and the war is over…There’ll still be one bullet left. To clear all accounts.”

While Frank outright admitting that he plans to end his career as the Punisher by killing himself is a chilling prospect, it’s also completely in character for someone like him. The murder of Castle’s family had a powerful effect Frank, to the point where he threw away any hopes for a normal life in order to wage a one-man war on crime. Despite being seen as a maniac willing to kill anyone, the Punisher stayed consistent with his methods, delivering vengeance to those who have broken the law and taken lives.

In an odd way, Frank’s decision to save his last bullet for himself reinforces his unbroken dedication to his mission.  Of course, Frank’s plan could just be something he tells himself in order to justify the acts he commits. After all, eliminating all crime is pretty much impossible. But the Punisher knows that what he does is not morally right and knows he’s no better than any criminal that’s crossed his path. Does it make Frank less of a hypocrite to end his own life as punishment for the life he’s lived? That’s something the Punisher is going to have to decide for himself if the day ever comes when his war is over.

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