A fan just gave the Punisher skull a redesign that is good enough to be used by Marvel. One of the most important parts of being a superhero is having a recognizable symbol. Everyone recognizes the symbols of Batman, Superman, Spider-Man and dozens of other characters. Heroes need to have recognizable icons, both for their fans and their villains, and the Punisher is no different.
Fans were treated to a great Punisher cosplay on Reddit by user Putrid_Monitor7092. This cosplay definitely seems to be inspired by Frank Castle's previous appearances, and the skull is a great take on the original costume idea. That's it a classic look but with a more modern touchwith one of the best details being that the ammo pouches look like the skull's lower teeth. It's a great look that Marvel should definitely consider.
The Punisher has had several different designs over the years; some of them were great and some of them were really bizarre (like the time the Punisher became Frankenstein's monster). But nothing beats the original design. With just a few minor cosmetic changes, this fantastic cosplayer gave Frank Castle a truly modern design.
Punisher Cosplay introduces a fantastic new take on Frank Castle's iconic skull logo
The Punisher has had tons of different skulls over the years
The Punisher has always been in a strange position as a character. He was originally created as the complete opposite of most superheroes. Most superheroes have a strict no-killing policy. The Punisher was created as the only character who could finally cross that line. No matter what kind of criminal someone was, if they had broken the law and hurt someone, even indirectly, the Punisher would come after them and put an end to them, making Frank Castle one of the most feared vigilantes in Marvel comics. This reputation turned his iconic skull into a symbol feared by all criminals.
One of the hardest parts of the Punisher as a character is maintaining a rogues gallery or a consistent threat to a character who has no problem killing people. Unfortunately, the Punisher's symbol has also been co-opted by certain real-life bad actors, leaving Marvel in a position where the publisher is clearly not sure what to do with the character. Frank Castle was eventually retired as the Punisher. A new Punisher, Joe Garrison, has finally appeared, with a much more high-tech look, especially around his version of the Punisher's skull. While this update may work for the new version of the character, it doesn't really suit Frank.
Frank Castle Could Still Work As The Punisher, Especially With An Updated Costume
Marvel fans haven't forgotten the Punisher
Marvel should definitely take note of how when fans cosplay the Punisher, they almost always cosplay the Frank Castle version and not this newer one. While it's understandable that Marvel wanted to move away from Frank and try a different take on the hero, nothing and no one beats the original. Hopefully, someday, Marvel will decide to bring back Frank Castle's version of Punisherand when that happens, this new skull redesign could be perfect for him.
Source: Putrid_Monitor7092