Marvel said it is "taking seriously" the misuse of The Punisher's skull logo by police as Black Lives Matter protests continue around the world over the May 25 death of George Floyd in Minneapolis police custody.

When asked by Gizmodo about officers using the logo, Marvel said it stands by a tweet the company posted on May 31, which reads, "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." Marvel also noted The Walt Disney Company announcing a $2 million pledge to the NAACP, part of a $5 million commitment "to support nonprofit organizations that advance social justice."

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The Punisher, a renegade United States Marine-turned-murderous vigilante, first appeared in 1974's Amazing Spider-Man #129, by Gerry Conway, Ross Andru and John Romita Sr.. There have been numerous complaints about police and military brandishing his logo.

A Marvel spokesperson went on to reference The Punisher #13 from July 2019 as an illustration of the company's stance on police using the logo. In it, The Punisher meets two police officers who tell him they admire his methods. He tears the skull decal on their car to shreds and tells them, "We're not the same. You took an oath to uphold the law. You help people. I gave all that up a long time ago. You don't do what I do. Nobody does."

KEEP READING: A History of The Punisher Logo Being Used By Police, Military & Politicians