Marvel's The Punisher Comic Con panel axed in wake of Las Vegas shooting

A panel at this year's New York Comic Con devoted to the forthcoming Netflix series The Punisher has been cancelled out of respect to victims of the mass shooting in Las Vegas.

The Punisher, the latest in a run of Netflix series revolving around Marvel Comics characters, is about a violent, gun-toting vigilante exacting revenge on those who killed his family.

In a joint statement, Marvel and Netflix said: "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."

Organisers of the New York Comic Con have yet to announce a replacement panel, but released their own statement declaring that they "wholeheartedly support" the decision.

Sunday night saw 58 people killed and over 500 wounded in the largest mass shooting in modern US history, when a 64-year-old retiree targeted attendees of a country musical festival in Las Vegas.