The MCU Needs More Special Presentations After Punisher: One Last Kill

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Marvel Studios seems to be overlooking one of its strongest assets within the Multiverse Saga. The new Disney+ special, , is a gritty and action-packed story that perfectly captures the spirit of its main character, and it manages to tell a surprisingly moving tale in less than an hour. With fans enthusiastically praising the project starring Jon Bernthal, it’s puzzling why Marvel hasn’t utilized this format more effectively.

Marvel’s ‘Special Presentations’ are rare treats within the MCU. ‘The Punisher: One Last Kill’ is only the third of these standalone specials, after ‘Werewolf by Night’ and ‘The Guardians of the Galaxy Holiday Special’. Despite their infrequent release, these Special Presentations consistently stand out as highlights of the expansive Marvel Cinematic Universe.

The MCU Needs More Special Presentations After The Punisher: One Last Kill

The release of The Punisher: One Last Kill highlights a missed opportunity for Marvel. The studio hasn’t utilized its ‘Special Presentation’ format enough during the Multiverse Saga. Before this recent release, Marvel had only created two such presentations, both in late 2022. These shorts were both very well-received – the first offered a unique, more adult story, and the second was a lighthearted introduction to the events of Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3.

Given how well the first two Special Presentations were received, it’s surprising Marvel Studios didn’t make more sooner. It felt like they’d stopped using this format entirely until the announcement of the next Punisher series in 2025. Now that Marvel has brought it back, Kevin Feige and the team should realize they need to create more Special Presentations in the future.

“The Punisher: One Last Kill” offers a surprisingly deep look at Jon Bernthal’s portrayal of the Punisher, showcasing both his inner pain and his relentless brutality. Coming ten years after his debut in the Netflix series Daredevil, this episode feels like a strong and fitting start to the next chapter of the character’s story, and continues Marvel’s streak of successful Special Presentations.

Marvel should rely more on their ‘Special Presentation’ format instead of lengthy Disney+ miniseries. There’s just too much content being released for regular fans to follow, and while these series add up to over 100 hours of footage, they often don’t significantly contribute to the main storyline of the Marvel universe.

Although Marvel still makes good TV shows, their ‘Special Presentations’ are a better way to tell stories within the larger Marvel universe. These specials are easier to watch – you can finish one in a single viewing, unlike a TV series that unfolds over weeks. Plus, they work well for self-contained stories, letting Marvel create projects that don’t require a lot of setup or worry fans about major changes to the overall storyline.

Looking back, several of Marvel’s less popular Disney+ shows might have been more successful as shorter, self-contained specials. For instance, it’s become clear that not every Marvel character needs a full series – a focused, one-hour special could have worked much better. Shows like The Falcon and the Winter Soldier and Ironheart, which struggled with their pacing, could also have benefited from this approach.

Special Presentations are also a more affordable option compared to typical Disney+ series. Instead of making numerous multi-episode miniseries each year, Marvel could focus on standalone stories like The Punisher. Producing six of these Special Presentations would still cost less – about one-third – than making three six-episode miniseries, which is what Marvel has done previously. Given that some Marvel streaming content has been more successful than others, a more budget-friendly approach to storytelling could be beneficial.

Marvel should take note: they need to use their ‘Special Presentation’ format more often. These shorter stories are valuable and shouldn’t be put on hold for years. After the current Multiverse Saga ends, Marvel should create more of these concise TV specials instead of relying solely on ongoing streaming series. Phase 7 would benefit from a mix of content, prioritizing these shorter, impactful presentations.

Which MCU Characters Deserve Special Presentations After the Multiverse Saga?

The Marvel Cinematic Universe is so expansive, there are countless possibilities for future stories. The franchise could explore the backstories of existing characters or introduce new heroes and villains to shape what comes next.

For years, fans have wanted to see stories focusing on characters like Isaiah Bradley – a secret Captain America from the Cold War who was ultimately betrayed and imprisoned by the U.S. government. Adapting the comic book arc Truth: Red, White, and Black as a standalone special would be a great way to explore Bradley’s story without stretching it into a longer series.

Special presentations are a great way to introduce new characters into the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Future projects could learn from the success of Werewolf by Night and explore the darker, horror aspects of the franchise. Ghost Rider, in particular, is a character fans have been waiting for, especially with other supernatural heroes like Blade and Black Knight joining the MCU. A standalone, hour-long TV special would be an excellent way to introduce Ghost Rider and set the stage for a larger role in future stories.

The next phase of storytelling is expected to heavily feature mutants, launching what fans are calling the ‘Mutant Saga.’ Because it’s impossible to include every beloved mutant from the comics, using standalone ‘Special Presentations’ would be a great way to showcase lesser-known characters. This format would allow fans to see characters like Multiple Man, Darwin, or Marrow get their own dedicated stories – something that wouldn’t fit into a traditional movie or Disney+ series.

The best way to tie up loose ends in the Marvel Cinematic Universe would be through special presentations, similar to the one-shot shorts from Phase One. These TV specials could work to create a more cohesive and complete story, finally resolving mysteries like who Sharon Carter’s secret contact is.

Special Presentations offer a lot of potential for Marvel. They’re a simple and affordable way to grow the Marvel Cinematic Universe, and they appeal to viewers who might be getting tired of so many superhero stories. Following the release of The Punisher: One Last Kill, Marvel should focus more on this format to regain the interest of fans who are starting to feel overwhelmed by the constant stream of content.

The Punisher: One Last Kill is available to stream on Disney+.

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2026-05-15 02:09