Due likely to its subject matter, Marvel’s The Punisher has canceled its scheduled October 7 panel at New York Comic-Con after the mass shooting in Las Vegas.
“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.”
Teased by the streaming service in recent weeks, the 13-episode Punisher showrun by Steve Lightfoot is based on the ruthless, firearm-wielding vigilante character first introduced by Marvel in the comic over 42 years ago. In many ways, with previews of the series expected at NYCC, the sensitive move to pull the panel comes as no surprise with the largest mass shooting in the nation’s history still very fresh in Americans’ minds.
With Walking Dead alum Bernthal, Marvel TV boss Jeph Loeb and others from the series in attendance, the Punisher panel was scheduled to run 5:15-6:15 PM Saturday at The Theater at Madison Square Garden. On a night that will still see panels from CBS All Access’ Star Trek: Discovery and AMC’s The Walking Dead, NYCC plan to try to fill The Punisher spot with another panel.
“New York Comic Con wholeheartedly supports Netflix & Marvel’s decision to cancel Saturday’s The Punisher panel. NYCC takes great pride in offering fans the best in pop culture programming and we are working tirelessly to fill that time spot at The Theater at Madison Square Garden. We will continue to update fans via our social channels throughout the weekend.”
In an 10-minute barrage of bullets from his 32nd-floor hotel room at Vegas’ Mandalay Bay down on a country music concert across the Strip, the gunman killed at least 58 people. The 64-year-old retired accountant also left nearly 500 people wounded by gunfire or from frantic attempts to get to safety.
