Daredevil: Born Again's Punisher logo takes inspiration from a real-life incident — Here's what happened 

The Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) often combines real-world themes into its storylines, and Daredevil: Born Again continues the trend. In Episode 2, we see the Punisher logo with a twist — it includes American flag elements.

This brings to mind the 'Blue Lives Matter' movement, where real-life police and military have used the Punisher's skull symbol. Its use in the show seems to reflect how the logo has been adopted in real life by those in uniform. Will the show use it to discuss police corruption, vigilantism, and moral gray areas? We will know as the episodes unfold.

Why is the MCU highlighting this now? Let us take a look at its history and meaning.

---

Daredevil: Born Again — The real-world appropriation of the Punisher logo by police

Punisher's skull symbol isn't just a comicbook thing. It has been used in real life by police and military groups. In Marvel Comics, the skull symbolized protagonist Frank Castle's harsh brand of justice that he meted out without caring about the rules. In the real world, the police and soldiers have to follow laws, so the use of the symbol can be confusing.

A 2017 report in The Hollywood Reporter said that, according to the Lexington Herald-Leader, some police cars in Catlettsburg, Kentucky, were spotted with stickers that had the Punisher's skull symbol along with the 'Blue Lives Matter' flag, just Daredevil: Born Again has now shown on screen. Back then, the police department had removed the sticker and the phrase after public backlash. The use of Punisher's logo also happened among cops in Milwaukee in 2011, according to Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.

Punisher co-creator Gerry Conway has spoken against the police use of his character as a symbol, which escalated a debate over whether the police should be using the logo. Now, the conversation seems to have entered the MCU with Daredevil: Born Again.

---

Daredevil: Born Again integrates the real-life controversy

Story-wise, the introduction of a modified Punisher logo in Daredevil: Born Again serves a clear purpose. In the show's second episode, a corrupt police officer named Powell has a tattoo of the logo with an American flag on the skull.

This could be more than a visual detail, perhaps suggesting that the character believes in a harsh kind of justice, much like the Punisher's extreme ways. The show, however, criticizes the belief by showing Powell and other officers being dishonest and attacking innocent people.

Daredevil: Born Again showrunner, Dario Scardapane, talked about this in a recent interview. Scardapane, who worked on Netflix's series, The Punisher, before this, said that when Frank Castle comes back to the MCU, they will look at how his symbol has been used wrongly. It is a big part of the story they want to tell.

Scardapane noted to IGN:

"Frank comes into our world with a purpose. That purpose is executed. Does it have something to do with these men that we see in that apartment? Yes."

Punisher’s rebranding suggests a potential clash between Frank Castle and some rogue cops. Castle follows his own moral rules, which are separate from any formal organization. This could bring up real-world issues about allegedly wrongful police behavior and the risk of admiring someone who does not accept legal control.

---

Daredevil: Born Again is streaming now on Disney+.

Next up: Every MCU project Charlie Cox was in before Daredevil: Born Again