How The Punisher comes to use the skull icon depends on the specific story he’s in, but broadly speaking, that meaning remains true regardless of the medium.

Police officers who display Marvel Comics' Punisher skull as a symbol of justice, could be sending the opposite message to communities concerned about police use-of-force and violence.

Marvel 'The Punisher' co-creator trying to take back the character's skull logo, says it’s been 'co-opted' by police By Tyler McCarthy Fox News Published June 11, 2020 10:18pm EDT Flipboard ...

The vast majority of Punisher stuff are produced and sold by Marvel, but it’s not hard to find the Punisher Skull without Marvel’s involvement alongside pro-police merchandise.

The skull belongs to Frank Castle, the Punisher, who first showed up in ‘The Amazing Spider-Man’ #129 back in 1974. He’s a former Marine turned vigilante after his family was killed by the mob.

Jon Bernthal at Marvel’s “The Punisher” premiere at ArcLight Hollywood on Jan. 14, 2019, in Hollywood, California. (Gregg DeGuire/Getty Images) ...

The Punisher skull is a favored symbol among white nationalists, Proud Boys, terrorist groups and January 6 insurrectionists. It’s been found tattooed on mass shooters and would-be killers who ...

The Punisher skull is not merely a profitable merchandising industry, but an ideological icon verging on religious significance. One of the impetuses for its popularity was a reactionary objection ...

Marvel's the Punisher Lays the Beatdown on Cops Who Use His Skull Symbol for 'Blue Lives Matter' Movement Published Jul 15, 2019 at 12:08 PM EDT Updated Jul 13, 2022 at 5:54 AM EDT ...

Marvel's Punisher Problem The Punisher has been adopted by right-wing extremist groups and there isn't much the company can do about it. Mar 10, 2021 at 6:00 AM EST ...

Of late, The Punisher has become a problem for Marvel. The Punisher Skull image has been adopted by militia groups, as well as being used to celebrate legally questionable army and police tactics.