Spider-Man and the Punisher’s Complicated History in the Comics, Explained

SPIDER-MAN’S FIRST TEAM-UP WITH THE PUNISHER

The second time that Spider-Man and the Punisher met, the two costumed heroes were temporarily at odds with each other after yet another misunderstanding. AMAZING SPIDER-MAN (1963) #135 opened with Spidey sparring with the spider-themed villain, Tarantula, for taking a local cruise ship captive. When the Punisher investigated the incident, he mistakenly believed Spider-Man to be in on the plot, leading the two to come to blows once more. 

Just as with their first skirmish, the Punisher quickly realized the error of his ways and recognized that Spider-Man wasn’t his enemy. Striking up a tenuous alliance, the two figures worked together to defeat Tarantula, and after tracking the villain down, Castle surprisingly agreed not to use lethal force. The instance marked the first time Spidey and the Punisher actively worked together against a common threat, but it certainly wouldn’t be the last time they joined forces.