Batman: DC Is Finally Taking Gotham City's Future Beyond Bruce Wayne, The MCU's New Captain America Bonded With ANOTHER Venom Symbiote, Invincible: How Mark Grayson REALLY Got His Superhero Name, Avengers: Jean Grey Told the New Phoenix Host the Secret to Mastering It, Almost Got 'Em: 5 Missed Shots That Changed Marvel History, Before New 52: How Wildcats and the Authority's WildStorm Universe Ended, Wolverine: Why Falcon and Winter Soldier's Madripoor Is Logan's Gotham City. Again, with a character as popular as the Punisher, it is only logical that a number of cops were already fans of the character growing up. What it must *not* be is a symbol of oppression. In September 2019, the Anti-Defamation League released an updated list of hate-related symbols, hand signs and numbers. The Punisher has been making appearances on Blue Lives Matter social media pages and merchandise for some time. He's supposed to indict the collapse of social moral authority and the reality some people can't depend on institutions like the police or the military to act in a just and capable way. The same reasons that the Iraqi police embraced the symbol was almost certainly the reasons why American police did so, as well. The Punisher was one of the most prominent military veterans in all of comics and Baron made sure to spotlight the Punisher's military service during his long run on the popular Punisher ongoing series. He then tells them that if they want to follow someone as a symbol, they should follow Captain America instead. Responding to the late Kyle’s praise of his character, Conway said, “I don’t think he understood the fundamental truth that the Punisher is not a man to admire or emulate.”, Contribute $1.99 to support David Masciotra's work now. As his status as a lead character grew, so, too, did the interest in his brilliantly-designed logo grow (initially sketched by Conway himself and then further developed by Marvel's Art Director, John Romita, into the iconic logo we know today). “How will you pay for it?” remains the most repeated bromide in reaction to sensible proposals from Elizabeth Warren, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, and others relating to universal health care, subsidized childcare and student debt relief. Just a couple of months later, the same approach was adopted by the police department in Solvay, New York, who added a blue Punisher logo to their squad cars as a "Blue Lives Matter" tribute. The trick, of course, is that while the Punisher was introduced as an opponent of Spider-Man (with the Punisher being tricked into believing Spider-Man murdered Norman Osborn), he quickly started being used as a protagonist in his own stories (his first solo story debuted less than two years after Amazing Spider-Man #129). According to a recent study, the U.S. has wasted $5.9 trillion on annihilating human life, ecology, and property. We spray-painted it on every building or wall we could. Batman: Whatever Happened to Alfred's Daughter, Julia? The Punisher is a popular character, but sometimes that can be a little uncomfortable, as people can be fans for Marvel’s violent, gun-toting anti-hero for all the wrong reasons. S ometimes it takes a bootleg T-shirt to stop a bootleg T-shirt. This widespread popularity of the Punisher's symbol was especially fascinating in Iraq because there was not a good deal of pro-American sentiment, in general, in the country but their armed forces fully adopted the very American character and his iconic symbol. The Solvay Police Department released a statement noting that the use of the logo "is our way of showing our citizens that we will stand between good and evil. The popularity of the Punisher logo as part of propaganda for "Blue Lives Matter" has also recently translated into being a more generic adoption of the Punisher's symbol by conservative websites and especially bootleg conservative merchandise. That is infinitely more frightening. Americans who wear the Punisher skull signify spiritual fidelity to the dark heart of murder beating underneath the red, white and blue façade of American identity. Castle is a combat veteran, which likely contributes to active duty military personnel relating to him, but with typical right wing acuity, the skull-sporting crowd rejects the complexity of the character. In February 2017, the police department in Cattlesburg, Kentucky began featuring decals on their squad cars with the Punisher logo and the phrase "Blue Lives Matter." There is also nothing like a malevolent icon of death to reassure the local population in Afghanistan, most of whom see the United States military not as a great liberator, but an occupying army. A few decades later, the police, along with their right wing sycophants, have, clearly without intention, self-applied the indictment. If you value Salon's original reporting and commentary, we urge you to support it — by supporting our writers directly. Call it irony. The Punisher, Marvel Comics' murderous vigilante, has become a symbol for the Blue Lives Matter movement, with cops posting the character's iconic skull logo on … “He comes to see war as the answer to all of his problems,” Ennis said. In a way, it's as offensive as putting a Confederate flag on a government building. It's how we show the world that we hold the line between good and evil.". Ever since Gerry Conway, Ross Andru, Frank Giacoia and Dave Hunt introduced the Punisher in Amazing Spider-Man #129 in 1973, the Punisher had been one of the most controversial characters in comics. “This character and symbol was never intended as a symbol of oppression. Let's not pretend that … Following the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, America has dropped tens of thousands of bombs on seven countries, invaded two countries, and conducted Special Forces missions in many more. Americans who wear the Punisher skull signify spiritual fidelity to the dark heart of murder beating underneath the red, white and blue façade of American identity. The mayor says the pin is in support of law enforcement. The cultural and moral matter more worthy of scrutiny than a comic book narrative is America’s comfort with violence, murder and war. He elaborated: To me, it's disturbing whenever I see authority figures embracing Punisher iconography because the Punisher represents a failure of the Justice system. The most popular sales item is the use of the "Punisher Trump" logo, a Punisher logo with Donald Trump's hair added to the top. We spray-painted the Punisher skull on our Hummers and body armor, and our helmets and all our guns. 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. This was surprising because, by the mid-1980s, the Punisher had become a relatively minor character at Marvel. Gerry Conway, the Punisher’s co-creator, is crying tears not of joy, but of anger and disappointment. Marvel fans know the Punisher as a vigilante who first appeared in a Spiderman comic back in 1974. Service members would use the skull as an unofficial service patch or paint it on equipment. Even if the paramilitaries on the streets of Portland aren’t literally wearing the totenkopf ‒ and there’s still time for it to make an appearance ‒ they are acting in accordance with what it has come to represent. Right here, right now, you can make a financial contribution to help make David Masciotra's work possible. Frank Castle is a merciless killer with enough fictional notches on his belt to impress Thanos. Officers in Wisconsin and New York have also tried to appropriate the symbol while on duty. The symbol, representing Marvel Comics' vengeance-driven antihero, was found on a New South Wales Highway Patrol car in Australia ... Police Officer Caught With 'The Punisher' Symbol … A sinister skull, even if one has no familiarity with its origin, is not exactly subtle. CBR Senior Writer Brian Cronin has been writing professionally about comic books for over a dozen years now at CBR (primarily with his “Comics Should Be Good” series of columns, including Comic Book Legends Revealed). The far-right conspiracy group, QAnon, passed out fliers last weekend branded with Frank Castle’s iconic logo at a rally held in Tampa. See how it all started. ------------------------------------------, have made millions selling apparel with ghoulish image, the Marvel comic book story of Frank Castle, wrote about the celebration of the skull in his memoir, Responding to the late Kyle’s praise of his character, Conway said, explained that Castle’s experience as a Marine weakens as much as it strengthens him, The Cattlesburg, Kentucky police department even attempted to incorporate the skull into their official squad car insignia, 2017 was the worst year on record for death by firearm in the United States, Nearly 40,000 Americans died at the barrel of a gun in that year alone, the U.S. has wasted $5.9 trillion on annihilating human life, ecology, and property. There is no vigilante justice that takes place in our community or within our department." The Avengers Took a Detour On The Way Back Home...to the DC Universe? The Punisher skull is a symbol that police have chosen to associate themselves with repeatedly and voluntarily. Eventually, public outrage led to the removal of the decals. Captain America: Who Is Anti-Cap, Marvel’s WILDEST Super-Soldier? All the latest gaming news, game reviews and trailers. The logo of the Punisher is as intimidating, and controversial, as Frank Castle himself. The symbol today has been controversially adopted by police officers, military servicemen (from all over the world) and even politicians. — Gerry Conway (@gerryconway) June 6, 2020 They are all being exposed, punished and eliminated by President Trump and his administration. It is easy to imagine anti-war protestors in the late 1960s using a similar skull in depictions of the police or military as “Murder Incorporated,” to use a popular phrase of the New Left. Chris Kyle popularized the usage in his autobiography, later filmed as American Sniper: "We spray-painted it on our Hummers and body armor, and our helmets and all our guns. Naturally, in movements like these, propaganda is key and one of the most popular choices to help promote the "Blue Lives Matter" movement was to work the Punisher logo into "Blue Lives Matter" posters, decals and the like. I want to deny police the use of the symbol by claiming it for BLM. — Gerry Conway (@gerryconway) June 6, 2020 Voter Fraud. RELATED: Police Union Asks Officers to Post Punisher Logo, Twitter Claps Back. I want to deny police the use of the symbol by claiming it for BLM. You took an oath to uphold the law. Unlike Cattlesburg, Solvay decided to stick with their decals even after a similar public outcry. The Punisher skull is not merely a profitable merchandising industry, but an ideological icon verging on religious significance. As to the debate over whether the Punisher symbol can ever be a symbol for justice -- I agree that's an open question. You don't do what I do. All funds go directly to writers. Published on June 15, 2020 As some of you already know, the iconic skull logo that’s remained a symbol of The Punisher for decades has been … The People's Court!? In late 2014, a counter-movement debuted called "Blue Lives Matter" following the murders of two New York City police officers. In the real world, that skull he wears on his chest has become a twisted symbol of violence and retribution. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. One website advertised the "Punisher Trump" as follows: The Clinton Crime Family. 2017 was the worst year on record for death by firearm in the United States. RELATED: Bootleg Punisher/Trump Merchandise Surfaces on Conservative Website. It provides him with resolve, expert training, and physical bravery, but it simultaneously pollutes his thinking, reducing his criteria for decision making to might makes right. Skeletons represent the cycle of life from birth to death, but also love, remembrance, and bonds that are emotionally eternal long after physical separation. And we spray-painted it on every building or wall we could. And Other Amazing Comic Book Trivia! Oscar Wilde once said, “Irony is wasted on the stupid.” It is immeasurably rich and sad that cops and conservatives, in an effort to temper complaints that police departments are too quick to pull the trigger and too indiscriminate in their use of violence, have expressed their defense with the emblem of a fictional character who “sees war as the answer to all his problems,” routinely violates the U.S. Constitution, and appoints himself judge, jury and executioner when dealing with anyone under suspicion of illegal activity. Chris Kyle, deceased Navy SEAL sniper and patron saint of the American death cult, wrote about the celebration of the skull in his memoir, “American Sniper”: “We all thought what the Punisher did was cool. Associated Press articles: Copyright © 2016 The Associated Press. What does it say about a people when they want to communicate hostility and intimidation while they jog on the treadmill, shop for groceries, and drop their children off at school? What it must *not* be is a symbol of oppression. Conway also explained that Castle’s mission, and especially his tactics, were “morally dubious.” The Punisher’s identity oscillates between unconventional crusader for justice and psychotic vigilante, torturing and massacring anyone he so much suspects of wrongdoing. They quietly observe reports on police shootings, drone strikes, and soldiers suffering from PTSD, but rather than interrogate the lethal assumptions that have created such a violent and dangerous culture — rather than act according to the belief that life is precious, and that even a necessary killing amounts to a tragedy of human failure — they ritualize a fetishization of pain, terror and execution. The next big turning point in the Punisher's use as a symbol came during the Iraq War in 2003. “The Punisher was originally conceived as a secondary, one-issue, throw-away character,” says Gerry Conway who created the Punisher along with artists John Romita Sr. and Ross Andru. The Punisher symbol, a vigilante Marvel Comics character, was seen on at least a few of the Trump supporters at Wednesday night's riots. If one drives around the suburbs or rural outposts removed from a major metropolitan area, it quickly becomes apparent that, in their zest and zeal for violence, countless whites have begun to brandish the Punisher skull, typically with red, white, and blue stripes, on their automobiles and clothing. Unemployment. It seems like the Punisher might be arrested, but he is surprised to learn that these police officers are sympathetic to his cause and have adopted his symbol as their own, featuring it on their squad car. The Punisher has always been a polarizing figure. We wanted people to know we're here and we want to fuck with you.". A disgusted Punisher tears the logo off of their car and explains to them, "We're not the same. In 2004, a rogue group of cops in Milwaukee formed a vigilante group known as "The Punishers," who outfitted themselves with black gloves and caps that featured the Punisher's logo on them. All you need to know: The Punisher is a Marvel character. The Punisher symbol originates with the Marvel comic book story of Frank Castle. The co-creator of the Punisher, Marvel’s murderously violent vigilante crimefighter, is calling on comic-book artists to create artworks reclaiming the character’s famous skull logo in the name of the Black Lives Matter movement. Given that children in Flint, Michigan have developed cognitive disorders and physical defects for lack of clean drinking water, and thousands of American die annually because they cannot afford medical treatment, it is not a challenge to determine how a wise and just nation might have better spent such an enormous amount of money. The logo soon became prevalent not only throughout the American armed forces in Iraq, but once the United States occupied Iraq and began training the Iraqi military, it spread to the Iraqi military and its militias and police forces. He made wrongdoers fear him ... 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