Wolverine and The Punisher are two characters Marvel loves pairing up. Their violent tactics and gruffer exteriors make them a natural team. Between mini-series, ongoing titles, and cameos in each other's books, Logan and Punisher have shared adventures. In Marvel Comics #1000 though, comic fans were treated to a different side of Marvel's favorite antiheroes.
In the issue's story, titled "Bloodbath," Logan and Frank find themselves cornered as enemy ninjas approach with flamethrowers. Wolverine is covered in throwing stars and shards of glass, but between Wolverine's healing factor and the Punisher's guns, they are more than prepared to deal with the incoming threat. Before charging the enemy, Logan shows a more peaceful side of himself as he meditates to help him focus.
The Punisher initially chastises his companion but his tune changes when the meditating mutant reveals something about himself he'd never told anyone before; Logan enjoys bath bombs. As Wolverine says that he's ready to fight, the Punisher stops him. With his signature expression of melancholy rage, Frank reveals that his wife used to like baths. He goes on to tell Wolverine that he likes baths too. Scalding ones. This brings a grim smile to Wolverine who tells his friend that he can be expecting a box full of bath bombs once all the fighting is done.
Though both characters have been around since 1974, much of their persona was forged in the edgier comics of the late eighties and nineties. Any sense of tragedy or sadness experienced by the characters was typically turned into antihero violence. Wolverine and Punisher aren't characters who talk about or acknowledge their feelings. his is part of both characters' appeal.
For two characters whose entire identity is built around being gruff killing machines, this quiet moment between the duo reveals a rarely seen vulnerable side to both antiheroes. Yes, Wolverine redefines violent, but they still have things they enjoy outside of their adventures as vigilantes. Hearing characters like Logan and Frank talk about a mutual love of baths makes readers relate to them. It's a scene that is undoubtedly comical but also feels real and honest. Comic fans love watching these two shred bad guys, but the small humanizing moments like this are what have made the two characters rise above other antiheroes from the dark age of comics.
Marvel Comics #1000 is full of little moments like these. Between Hulk eating an interviewer's microphone to Dr. Strange having to do his laundry naked after getting in a fight with his cape, Marvel is rarely afraid to show the goofy and human side of their most famous characters.