Marvel Comics has responded to calls urging Disney to sue police officers who are using the Punisher logo without authorization. The comic publisher has said it is "taking seriously" any unlicensed use of the iconic Punisher skull emblem as protests around the world continue.

The issue stems from certain police officers co-opting Frank Castle's skull logo. Sadly, some cops have worn emblems and had decals of the logo (some with Blue Lives Matter elements added in). Since he first debuted, the Punisher has been a ruthless killer, who doesn't follow the law, instead, he uses violence to get his own form of justice. He's not someone that should be idolized, especially by those who are supposed to protect and serve. In the comics, Castle has told police officers to stop using his logo, going so far to threaten them. The character's co-creator Gerry Conway has also expressed frustration at police wearing the logo, calling the cops who sported it "a disgrace."

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James Whitbrook of io9 reached out to Marvel Comics about the use of the logo. He was told they were "taking seriously" any unlicensed use of the Punisher logo. This comes after comic creators including Matt Wilson (Supreme Villainy), Mags Visaggio (Vagrant Queen), Eric Palicki (Dead Beats), and Kat Verhoeven (Meat and Bone) were among those who called for Disney to take action. Palicki brought up that Disney has sued before over unapproved use of the Punisher logo. In their statement, Marvel referenced their previous message against racism and standing with the black community.

 “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.”

The spokesperson also referenced the Punisher's own stance against police using their logo to io9 as their own stance. In Punisher #13 by Matthew Rosenberg, Szymon Kudranski, and Greg Smallwood, the Punisher isn't pleased to see cops using his logo. The Walt Disney Corporation earlier this week pledged $5 million towards nonprofit organizations that advanced social justice, including $2 million going to the NAACP.

It's great to see Marvel and Disney take a stance against the use of the Punisher's skull logo by police. The next step is to take action and prevent officers from using the logo without permission (which Marvel Comics should never grant). Frank Castle is a stone-cold killer and not someone cops should try to emulate. Hopefully, this is the start of the Punisher logo being used only in comics, film, and television - and not police propaganda.

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Source: io9