With all the political unrest that's been going on, there's been a renewed interest into infamous Marvel anti-hero, The Punisher, specifically with how some members of the police have co-opted his iconic skull logo. Some officers in law enforcement have adopted this symbol, often adding in a Blue Lives Matter stripe.
Many have called upon Marvel to sue police officers for using the emblem without authorization. Disney has sued for unauthorized use of its logos in the past, and the publisher has recently said it is taking the issue seriously. It is bizarre to think that police, whose duty is to protect and serve, would proudly emblazon themselves with a symbol associated with a lawless vigilante who ruthlessly murders his enemies. Recent Punisher comics have touched on this very issue, with Frank Castle angrily rejecting police for using him as any sort of role model to emulate. In Punisher #13, Frank Castle threatens a corrupt cop, saying that, "If I find out you are trying to do what I do, I'll come for you next."
Punisher co-creator, Gerry Conway, also called cops who have appropriated the anti-hero's symbol a "disgrace." Conway even likened the misuse of the symbol to putting a Confederate flag on a government building.
Punisher fans trying to dissociate from the police's use of the logo also turned the spotlight back onto a key line from the first season of the character's Netflix show. In Season 1 Episode 4, "Resupply," Frank says dismissively, "I don't give a s**t about the NYPD." While he's not exactly denouncing the police as a whole, he is drawing a clear line between what they do and what he does. He is going to take the law into his own hands, regardless of the police.
The context of the scene is entirely different from the racial justice protests of today, but Frank Castle makes the sentiment clear that the Punisher and the police are not simpatico. Whether it's a misunderstanding of the symbol or a misplaced sense of masculinity, police have taken on a symbol antithetical to justice. It may be impossible to prevent unauthorized use of the symbol, but it's important that Marvel distances itself from groups misusing the character to promote brutality and hate.
During this scene, Bernthal's Castle is trying to steal weapons from the NYPD in an attempt to expose a cover-up from Homeland Security. Castle does cooperate with Homeland Security throughout the season, which does complicate his stance a bit. However, Castle works with special agent Madani, who is trying to root out corruption within her department.
She is one of the few "good" characters in the show, which underscores the idea that the Punisher's issue is not with law enforcement, but instead the perversion of its intent. Although Madani is with Homeland Security, there is a clear difference between law enforcement on the federal and local levels. The NYPD is supposed to serve communities, which make the usage of that symbol more sinister and problematic.
The Punisher is more of a cautionary tale rather than someone who should be idolized. That symbol suggests a proclivity for violence and aggression, and law enforcement is supposed to be impartial and dispassionate. When the creator of the character, as well as the character himself, disavows association with police as improper, it's time to take notice.