 Critics commended Bernthal's performance as The Punisher, with IGN calling it "an absolutely stellar, gutting performance".Comic book writer and the Punisher's co-creator Gerry Conway called Bernthal's performance a favorite on-screen portrayal of the character and said, "Jon Bernthal gives The Punisher the kind of pathos that's underneath the tough guy and I really like that".Despite not initially being ordered by Netflix, the network spun-off the character's self-titled series "The Punisher", released on November 17, 2017.