Antiheroes have become a mainstay in modern television and movies. They are people who do bad things but for a right and noble reason. Recently I have watched Marvel’s antihero TV show entitled, “The Punisher”. Frank Castle, the main character and an ex special forces vigilante, is the quintessential antihero. He has no problem with killing, torturing, or maiming others as long as they are bad people. He hunts down the people who intend to do bad as well as those who plot against him. His morals are in the right place and it shows in the way he treats those who he loves and those who show loyalty to him. Throughout the TV show he tries to bring justice through violence to those who are above the law. Even though Frank was part of the death squad that killed an innocent Afghan police officer, his guilt and the loss of his family guide him to find the men who were giving them orders. Frank’s morality is juxtaposed by his eagerness to kill those who who have done wrong. This new version of a hero has become loved by fans all around and they are drawn to the bravery and courage that these antiheroes show but they also see the overall goal and the good in seemingly evil characters. Antiheroes are also looked up to because they justify our flaws and all the wrongs we commit. We admire them because they live outside the social norms and most of the time, even outside of the law. They are who we see ourselves being if we decided to follow a different road.
The Punisher logo^.