Punisher Meets Archie (Marvel Comics/ Archie Comics, 1994)

I get alot of flack for being a loving endorser of this particular comic book. Not only do I think it's good...I love it unconditionally.

It pulls off the impossible, IMO....takes two polar opposite characters (The Punisher and Archie Andrews, naturally), presents a tangible scenario for each to interact, and does it all without having either seem out of character, which are the hallmarks of any good crossover in comics.
Cut to Wikipedia:
''Archie Meets the Punisher (Aug. 1994) was a one-shot comic book intercompany crossover published by Marvel Comics and Archie Comics. This was the title of the Archie version with the same interior contents as The Punisher Meets Archie, published by Marvel. It featured the unlikely meeting of Marvel's murderous vigilante, the Punisher, and Archie Comic' all-American teenager, Archie Andrews. The book was written by Batton Lash, with artwork by John Buscema (handling the Punisher side) and Stan Goldberg (handling the Archie side).

The Punisher has made a deal with the government to hunt down a notorious drug dealer named "Red" who is hiding in Riverdale. His deal with the government requires him to forgo his normally lethal methods and apprehend the villain instead of killing him. This is fortunate, because Red looks exactly like Archie. Archie is mistaken for Red by the Punisher, who is undercover as a teacher at Riverdale High, while Red is mistaken for Archie by his friends. All parties remain completely in character throughout the issue, although Riverdale's inherent innocence compels the Punisher to allow his true quarry to live, for once. The comic ends with the joking suggestion that the next crossover will be between Wolverine and Jughead.

The comic is full of references to various teen comics and superhero comics published by both companies. Archie's Josie and the Pussycats and Sabrina, the Teenage Witch make brief appearances, as do Marvel and Archie romance characters Millie the Model, Katy Keene, Hedy Wolfe, and Patsy Walker. Some characters, like That Wilkin Boy, are mentioned, but not seen. One girl's comment, "So I asked the Doctor if the Hosts of Hoggoth were really hoary," implies that she has met Marvel's Doctor Strange.

A reference to Marvel's next intercompany crossover is made at the end of this issue, when Microchip claims that their next stop is Gotham City. Shortly after this comic book was published, Marvel Comics and DC Comics collaborated to release Batman/Punisher: Lake of Fire and Punisher/Batman: Deadly Knights .

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