Judge Jury and Executioner

<p> Since the Punisher's first appearance in the pages of <I>Spider-Man</I> #129 the character has become one of the most popular and controversial figures in Marvel's vast universe. The Punisher represents one of the most recognizable types of anti-heroes. His iconic skull insignia stands for a unique type of justice: protecting the innocent while violently eliminating everyone he sees as a villain. This collection examines the Punisher from philosophical perspectives about morality and justice. Essays critique the character through the lenses of gender and feminism; consider the Punisher's veteran status in relation the Vietnam Afghanistan and Iraq wars; and examine how politics and gun violence connect the Punisher's world with the real world. Many iterations of the Punisher are examined within including the Netflix release of Marvel's <I>The Punisher</I> comics series such as <I>Punisher: MAX Marvel Knights</I> and <I>Cosmic Ghost Rider</I> and several fan fiction stories. </p>