Jon Bernthal, whose run as The Punisher can currently be seen on Netflix's Daredevil, went on Conan last night to discuss the role. Turns out that, while doing research for the part, he encountered very different reactions from the comic fan crowd.
Bernthal told Conan O'Brien that he first went to a comic book store in Ventura (that's just outside Los Angeles), where a worker recognized him and “was so cool” and “so helpful” and told Bernthal which books he should read and then gave them to him for free.
Then Bernthal went to Brooklyn. People were not friendly, he was sternly warned not to “mess this up,” and he did not get any free comic books.
I've lived on both coasts, and I agree with the Brooklyn guy. Pay for what you buy, Bernthal!