Netflix and Marvel have deemed it well to cancel their promotional events for its upcoming series "The Punisher" in the wake of the recent Las Vegas shooting tragedy.
In a joint statement by both studios, they announced that "We are stunned and saddened by this week's senseless act in Las Vegas. After careful consideration, Netflix and Marvel have decided it wouldn't be appropriate for Marvel's 'The Punisher' to participate in New York Comic-Con. Our thoughts continue to be with the victims and those affected by this tragedy." This referred to the appearance of the show's cast and staff panel in the New York Comic-Con.
A similar panel event for "The Punisher" in Paris was also canceled by Netflix for the same reason and also due to the violent nature of the upcoming series. The event was called Nuit Noire (Black Night) to be held at Cirque d'Hiver. Netflix was also set to premiere the first two episodes of "The Punisher" in the New York Comic-Con before the Las Vegas shooting took place.
"The Punisher" is considered to be one of Marvel's darkest and most violent comic franchises, as it follows the murderous vigilante exploits of ex-military officer Frank Castle (Jon Bernthal) a.k.a. The Punisher. His origin story in the upcoming Netflix series involves his whole family being gunned down in front of his eyes in a three-way gang war, triggering his lust for vengeance. Castle is portrayed in the franchise as a one-man killing machine, brutally executing hordes of armed men single-handedly.
Marvel and Netflix judged the promotion of the upcoming series inappropriate after the Las Vegas incident took place last Sunday, Oct. 1, where a lone gunman opened fire at a music festival in the Las Vegas Strip, killing 58 people and injuring 489 others before committing suicide.
New York Comic-Con has voiced out its solidarity with both studios and with the victims of the Las Vegas shooting, stating that they wholeheartedly support Marvel and Netflix's decision to cancel "The Punisher's" Comic-Con panel. The Comic-Con staff will still continue to update their fans via social media throughout the weekend.
Marvel's "The Punisher" has no exact air date yet, but it is set to be released on Netflix sometime in 2017.
