The iconic skull logo of Marvel’s brutal vigilante character “The Punisher” has been co-opted by some police officers who are using the symbol to show their support for the controversial ‘Blue Lives Matter’ countermovement. In the wake of this, several comic creators have asked Marvel to fight back – and Marvel have now responded.
In the wake of Disney’s $5 million donation to social justice organizations this week, some famed writers like Mags Visaggio, Eric Palicki and Matt Wilson spoke up – asking Disney to go further and take legal action against cops using the co-opting Frank Castle’s skull logo without authorization which includes issuing cease and desist orders for the logo’s misuse.
It wouldn’t be unprecedented as Disney has reportedly sued over the unapproved use of the logo in the past. Marvel Comics has now responded to those calls, telling io9 this week it is “taking seriously” any unlicensed use of the emblem of a character who is essentially a ruthless killer. The spokesperson also referenced the character’s stance in the comics themselves where Frank Castle has demanded police officers not to co-opt his logo.
The character’s co-creator Gerry Conway has expressed frustration at police wearing the logo, calling the cops who sported it “a disgrace.” Marvel earlier in the week issued a statement saying: “We stand against racism. We stand for inclusion. We stand with our fellow Black employees, storytellers, creators and the entire Black community. We must unite and speak out.”
