History Main / PunchCatch

* ''ComicBook/{{Superman}}'':
** In ''ComicBook/WarWorld'', Superman catches ComicBook/MartianManhunter's fist when they fight.

** In ''ComicBook/TheGreatPhantomPeril'', Jax-Ur tries to punch Superman, but the Man of Steel easily catches his fist.

** In [[ComicBook/SupergirlRebirth 2017 storyline]] ''The Girl of No Tomorrow'', the Girl of Steel catches Solomon Grundy's giant punch, so oversized that she needs both hands.
** ''ComicBook/SupermanBrainiac'': [[ComicBook/{{Brainiac}} The titular villain]] catches Superman's punch during their final battle.

** ''ComicBook/UltimateSpiderMan'': While Peter was first learning his powers, Flash Thompson tried to fight him and Peter did this instinctively. Flash's hand was broken and [[CantGetAwayWithNuthin his parents sued Ben and May for the hospital bills.]]

* ''WesternAnimation/KungFuPanda'':
** Po does this in the first movie, catching Tai Lung's punch between his ''thumb and forefinger'' (though Tai Lung is at the end of his strength by that point).

* Initiated by the Green Goblin in ''Film/SpiderMan1'' against the title character in their very first confrontation, demonstrating he can match the hero's SuperStrength. With a badass one-liner to boot.
-->'''Green Goblin:''' Impressive! ''[kicks Spidey through two display tables and into a lamp-post]''

* Initiated by the Green Goblin in ''Film/SpiderMan1'' against the title character, with a badass one-liner to boot.

** And in ''[[Film/Deadpool2 the Sequel]]'', Colossus is on the receiving end again, this time courtesy of Juggernaut.[[/folder]]

* ''Series/StarTrekVoyager''. Tuvok does this in "[[Recap/StarTrekVoyagerS3E18Rise Rise]]" when one of the other illogical humanoids questions his right to give orders. As he's stronger than he looks, Tuvok then squeezes the fist just enough to cause pain, though not to cripple (which would be illogical). He does it again during his BattleInTheCenterOfTheMind in "[[Recap/StarTrekVoyagerS4E9RandomThoughts Random Thoughts]]". As YourMindMakesItReal, his opponent feels the sensation physically; as he's an AssholeVictim, Tuvok doesn't stop until he collapses.
* ''Franchise/{{Superman}}'':
** ''Series/{{Smallville}}'':
*** Clark does it many times, even against Kara and Zod.
*** [[spoiler:Also against Oliver / ComicBook/{{Darkseid}} in the GrandFinale.]]
*** Aldar and Doomsday both pull it on Clark.

* In ''VideoGame/{{Vindictus}}'', this is [[TheBigGuy Karok's]] signature anti-boss move Clash. He catches the boss's incoming blow, forces it back, then throws them off-balance and hits them back. It doesn't matter what they wield, as long as it's a melee attack, but the downside is that he can only do it when the boss tries a smash move on him.

[[folder:Web Comics]]

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** A subverted example appears as part of a [[FinishingMove Glory Kill]]. The Marauder (an EvilCounterpart to the Doom Slayer) easily catches the Slayer's fist and looks at him smugly. Since the fist he caught happened to be the same one the Slayer's [[BladeBelowTheShoulder arm-mounted blade]] is attached to, the Slayer promptly responds by extending the blade deep into his skull.

** ''Film/TheMatrixReloaded'': Agent Johnson catches Neo's punch, causing him to realize the Agents have been upgraded.

Note that this trope isn't just blocking or deflecting a punch. This trope is when the punch just STOPS, firmly placed in the palm of someone's hand. If they really want to demonstrate superior strength, they will proceed to either crush the hand or twist the arm painfully. If they want to showcase how much weaker the puncher is, they may even [[StopHittingYourself punch the original puncher in the face with their own fist]] or throw their arm backwards to knock the attacker off balance, both to add insult to injury.

* In the ''WesternAnimation/Metalocalypse'' episode Renovationklok, during a flashback after Nathan socks the son of the record label owner, Charles Offdenson, their manager, catches the son’s fist when he tries to fight back without breaking a sweat.

* ''ComicBook/IdentityCrisis'':

* In ''ComicBook/AtomicRobo'', one of Vanadis's [[SuperSoldier Brutes]] does this to Robo's improvised ''battering ram.''
* ''Franchise/{{Batman}}'':

* In Creator/FrankMiller's ''ComicBook/{{Daredevil}}'' run, ComicBook/TheKingpin of Crime sometimes used this to demonstrate his immense strength and skill.

* In ''ComicBook/FinalCrisis'', [[spoiler:Alpha Lantern Kraken]] does this while fighting ComicBook/GreenLantern John Stewart. The mark of his ring left on [[spoiler: her]] palm clues Batman in that [[spoiler:she attacked John, and that she's possessed by {{ComicBook/Darkseid}}'s ally Granny Goodness]].

** During the big fight between ComicBook/{{Deathstroke}} and the Franchise/JusticeLeagueOfAmerica, Deathstroke catches ComicBook/GreenLantern's punch and then tries to override GL's willpower, hoping to use the ring himself without even wearing it. Green Arrow [[EyeScream doesn't let him get very far]].

* In ''ComicBook/TheIncredibleHulk'' #300, Hulk [[http://www.incrediblehulkonline.com/ironfiststrength.html catches]] ComicBook/IronFist's punch in his hand and redirects the power of the punch back into Fist.
* ''ComicBook/JudgeDredd'' does this to Bachmann at the end of ''Trifecta'', after she has [[CurbStompBattle taken down]] Jack Point and Dirty Frank (from the spin-offs ''ComicBook/TheSimpingDetective'' and ''ComicBook/LowLife'', respectively) with ease. [[spoiler: It's more of a distraction, as [[TheChessmaster Judge Smiley]] comes up from behind and [[BoomHeadshot takes her down]].]]
* In ''ComicBook/{{Preacher}}'', Jesse Custer does just this to a punch thrown by Cassidy, the Irish vampire. Stops it dead. Of course, because Cassidy has SuperStrength as a result of being a vampire, Jesse thinks he's broken every bone in his hand doing it, but Cassidy doesn't know that, and because Jesse doesn't flinch or emote in any way, Cassidy is intimidated into meekly leaving. As soon as Cassidy is gone, Jesse has [[ActionGirlfriend Tulip]] and Amy immediately drive him to the hospital. [[spoiler: It turns out his hand is just badly sprained, not broken.]]
* ''Franchise/SpiderMan'':

* ''Franchise/{{Superman}}'':

* ''Franchise/WonderWoman'':

* Stolas pulls off the more realistic "catch the wrist" version on his abusive wife Stella in ''Webcomic/HelluvaBoss'' episode "[[Recap/HelluvaBossS2E1TheCircus The Circus]]".

* In ''Film/BackToTheFuture'', Biff does this when George tries to throw a punch to rescue Lorraine. [[OneHitKO However, he does not catch George's second effort.]]

* In ''VideoGame/BatmanArkhamSeries'', the punch catch is a possible counter to various mooks. In ''VideoGame/BatmanArkhamKnight'' the counter button is also the same button as 'interrogate', so if you press it as a Riddler informant swings at you, Batman might catch his fist, squeeze it until the guy falls to his knees in pain, and ''then'' interrogate him.

** In ''Film/GuardiansOfTheGalaxyVol3'', Gamora tries to throw a punch at Peter, but Mantis catches it.