The Punisher Meets Archie

[cyberghostface]

 

Disclaimer: This was a double-sized issue with no ads--48 pages. Therefore, I'm posting 16.

This came out during the 90s when the Punisher was big. As a joke, Marvel and Archie Comics talked about doing a crossover between the Punisher and Archie, but eventually it was taken seriously enough to actually make it a reality.






The Punisher is pursuing his latest quarry, who manages to elude him.






Veronica has an idea, to bring Melvin to the dance to get back at Archie for messing up an earlier date.


Meanwhile, the Punisher has made it to Riverdale...



Some strange men in suits arrive, claiming to be federal agents (but are in fact hitmen after "Red"), and whisk away Archie and Jughead.











Archie and Jughead escape, and Punisher discovers that the hitmen have found out "Red" is at the high school dance. When "Red" sees the Punisher at the dance, he kidnaps Veronica. Meanwhile, the hitmen once again mistake Archie for "Red" and attack. 

Comments

[icon_uk]

If this is what a third of the story is like, what on EARTH must the rest of it have been like?

[stig]

The codename Melvin makes me realise his similiraity to a certain Mr Neuman...

[sherkahn]

All this time... I MISSED the connection!

[espanolbot]

Four days later, the frozen corpse of Melvin lands on top of Archie's car, making him finally get an upgrade.

[benicio127]

Bwhaha this is so cracktastic! It's hard to pin down just one favourite moment....

[sunaya]

I can't thank you enough for posting this. I was staring at the scans in shock and awe up until the part where we read "Archie's War Journal", upon which I burst out laughing and can barely stop, even now. Bwah!

[thokstar]

Stuff you may not notice

1. There are a lot of throw away references to Archie characters. You can see Sonic and the Shield, for example.

2. The references to Gotham are, of course, a reference to a Batman/Punisher crossover that was published shortly after this one.

3. All of the Punisher stuff is drawn by one artist. All of the Archie stuff is drawn by a different artist. Even if Archie stuff and Punisher stuff is in the same panel.

Also, it's 2010 and I want my flying car Wolverine/Jughead crossover.

[espanolbot]

Hm, has there ever been a Punisher vs. Predator crossover?

[jlroberson]

Don't forget "Montana" Bob. A reference to Archie's creator.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bob_Montana

[philippos42]

I noticed the Shield balloon, of course, but is Sonic in these scans?

[cyberghostface]

Yeah, first panel of the balloon page.

Wow, this was wonderful!

[roguefankc]

I never thought this could work, but it does! =)

And first Aunt May, and now Ms. Grundy? Punisher has a way with the old ladies. XD

Re: Wow, this was wonderful!

[ulf_boehnke]

The Punisher and Aunt May? When did that happen?

Re: Wow, this was wonderful!

[roguefankc]

There were scans in the old scans_daily community from a Spider-Man comic in the 80s/90s.

IIRC...

Aunt May and MJ are shopping at the mall when gunmen break in and hold the shoppers (including them) hostage. Punisher breaks in and shoots, and Aunt May distracts the men by faking a heart attack, allowing Punisher to have the advantage of surprise.

When the police come, Aunt May (still faking the heart attack and with Punisher holding her) tells Punisher to go before he gets caught and thanks him for saving their lives.

Not entirely sure if this was the exact circumstance, but I'm pretty sure the gist is correct.

Re: Wow, this was wonderful!

[ulf_boehnke]

Thanks!

[recognitions]

Aha yeah Punisher's rationale for keeping Archie around makes no sense. What problems could Archie possibly provide for him? It would make more sense if he said he was keeping Archie close for his own protection, in case someone else mistook him for Melvin and tried to take a hit out on him.

[psychopathicus_rex]

If there are two lookalikes running around, there's always the possibility that he'll nab the wrong one, giving the other one time to give him the slip. Hence, as long as he's got Archie hanging around and in plain view, he can concentrate on going after the real bad guy, without having to worry about cases of mistaken identity.

[lbd_nytetrayn]

That, and let's face it-- good intent or not, Archie's not quite the kind of x-factor you want running around unattended, as evidenced by the way he inadvertently foiled Melvin.

--LBD "Nytetrayn"

[psychopathicus_rex]

Exactly - Archie and most of his friends are forces of chaos even in a relatively innocent place such as Riverdale. They'd wreak merry hell when put in a darker, grittier context.

[lbd_nytetrayn]

...I guess they were told "yes."

Too bad, I always rather liked this one. Alas...

Thanks for posting it, though! I should really get my own copy someday.

--LBD "Nytetrayn"

[cypherfdp]

The typical American Teenager

Intensly loyal to his parents, his school, and his community

AHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA

[morgana006]

I wonder what Jughead's mutant ability is. The ability to see better with his eyes closed? Ability to eat a ton and never gain weight?

But those don't seem very dangerous...

[thatnickguy]

I had the chance to buy this off one of the magazine racks when I was a young lad.

To this day, I regret it. It's goddamn ellusive, now. Really wish I could get a copy.