The
Punisher
The
Punisher
Real Name: Frank Castle
First Appearance: Amazing Spider-Man #129 (1974)
Frank Castle was a career military man serving as a Marine in Vietnam. Proficient in the art of war, Castle was an exceptional soldier. However his skill with the gun was matched only by his passion for his family, his wife Maria and their two children. Tragedy struck Castle when a family picnic in Central Park became the site of a mob hit. Castle's family bore witness to the crime and the mobsters turned their guns on the innocents. His family dying in his arms, Castle became obsessed with punishing the guilty. Although leading a one-man crusade against crime in all its forms, in the guise of the Punisher, Castle has focused his efforts on the city which gave birth to his vengeful persona. For this reason, his war on crime seldom extends to the Balkan nation of Latveria where Doom resides. It was only during the Acts of Vengeance scheme, which involved villains attacking heroes which they normally did not battle, that they finally met for the first time. In an attempt to prove to the Kingpin that the affairs of his criminal empire were incomparable to his own exploits, Doom promised to dispose of one of the Kingpin's enemies in a week's time.
Not use to attracting the attention of foreign dictators, Punisher was astonished by Doom's sudden attack. Aware that he could not enter into a prolonged conflict with Doom, Punisher planned to steal something of value and to blackmail him into stepping down from the wager he had made with the Kingpin. With his one time associate, Microchip, he traveled to Latveria and broke into the castle. His attempt to steal a Faberge egg from Doom's collection failed and he was caught by Kristoff who at the time still believed himself to be the true Doctor Doom. The Punisher, who was unaware of current events in Latveria, explained his presence and what had transpired. Kristoff deduced that the 'Doom' that attacked Punisher must be the rogue 'robot' and spared Punisher. Instead of punishing him, Kristoff ordered that the Punisher eliminate the imposter. Never one to work for anyone, Punisher destroyed Doom's trophy room and escaped with one of the prize pieces of the collection. Upon arriving back in New York he flaunted the painting which he stole and forced Doom into the open. Doom willingly gave up his intentions to kill the Punisher believing now that the Punisher had run afoul of the deranged Kristoff, he would eliminate him for him.
2099
Although not related to Frank Castle in any way, in the far flung future of 2099, the Doom of that age would encounter that time's Punisher during the Fall of the Hammer crisis. Later, after Doom had taken over the United States of America, he would enlist the Punisher in his new government as the Minister of Punishment.
DOOM ENCOUNTERS:
Punisher v1 #28-29 Doom attacks the Punisher as part of the Acts of Vengeance scheme