Aggressors - The new hero pulp

This is the first of two meetings between Batman and The Punisher. The Batman in this tale is not Bruce Wayne but rather his short-lived replacement Jean-Paul Valley (who is never named in this story). We start with Valley having a vision from Saint Dumas which has him trying to prove himself still loyal to St. Dumas and being worthy of being Batman. He then decides to investigate the theft of some top secret rocket fuel by Cass Rimer.

The Punisher is trying to track down his nemesis Jigsaw and he gains information to Jigsaw's possible location. We discover that this is in fact a trap for the Punisher set by Jigsaw aided by Rimer. The trap is sprung and it looks like the end of The Punisher except for the appearance of Batman who rescues The Punisher.

The pair then form an uneasy alliance to capture Rimer and Jigsaw, with Batman threatening to bring The Punisher to justice.

During ther first step in their investigation Batman is again visited by St. Dumas and The Punisher gets out prefering to work alone.

Batman discovers Jigsaw's lair and his plan to use the rocket fuel to set Gotham's water supply on fire and races to save the city. The Punisher then arrives and fights Jigsaw throwing him off the roof. Batman returns and rescues Jigsaw, leaving him bound ready to be arrested.

As Batman races to the roof for the final showdown with the Punisher, Jigsaw's secret ally, the Joker rescues him.

Batman and the Punisher fight, which ends with The Punisher activating a gasbomb on Batman's Utilty belt. The Punisher walks away and Batman knows he failed.

I was quite excited by the idea of Batman and the Punisher meeting, sorta the pulp inspired hero meeting the aggressor inspired hero but this book was a letdown. The Punisher tells Batman "he cheated" using the gasbomb to win their fight. This seems out of character for The Punisher who had previously clashed with Spiderman, Captain America and Daredevil (amongst others).

The new Batman comes across as a whiner, yelling in anguish for St Dumas' forgiveness when the Punisher escapes. No wonder The Punisher broke their partnership as soon as possible.

If I had not been aware of these characters, this book doesn't serve as a good introduction for either character.