How Netflix Failed The Punisher
The Punisher should challenge audiences.
Frank Castle (Jon Bernthal) seems like he should have been a much better fit on the Netflix streaming shows than in the Marvel Cinematic Universe films. After all, the first seasons of
Daredevil and
Jessica Jones had demonstrated that Netflix could commit to a level of violence and a moral ambiguity befitting the complicated and controversial comic book character. Unfortunately, the character’s appearances in
Daredevil and
The Punisher demonstrated a curious lack of commitment.
The Punisher has a complicated legacy. American military and police units unironically appropriate his iconography. This is unsettling as those organizations
Jon Bernthal, the star of Marvel s hit Netflix series The Punisher, slammed misguided and lost MAGA supporters who used the iconic hero s logo while rioting at the U.S. Capitol.
Bernthal s comments come after the skull logo was spotted on multiple rioters including the masked zip-tie man wearing the logo on the front of his flak jacket.
Fans of the comics and show ripped into the rioters, with one fan writing: No matter how many nut-jobs steal his logo, I ll still be a Punisher fan. They don t understand what it truly symbolizes. If they did, they wouldn t wear it. And I m not going to let them take it from me.
Neal Kirby says he was appalled the see symbols of the patriotic action man among the crowds as ‘Captain America is the antithesis of Donald Trump’<br>
People are calling on Marvel comics to consider retiring The Punisher character in light of his symbol being seen on rioters at the U.S. Capitol building on Jan. 6.