View source for Archie Meets the Punisher

{{Short description|1994 one-shot crossover comic book}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=September 2018}}
{{good article}}
{{Infobox comic book title
|image=ArchiePunisher.jpg
|caption=Cover to ''Archie Meets the Punisher'' (Archie Comics version). Art by [[Stan Goldberg]] and [[Henry Scarpelli]].
|alt=Archie and his friends are in the middle ground dancing at a school event. Punisher is in the foreground holding a gun. Archie's speech balloon reads "I knew there'd be chaperones, but this is ridiculous!" A band is playing music in the background. At the top of the image, the title "Archie Meets the Punisher" is displayed with the character names in their traditional logos.
|multigenre=y
|Humor=first
|Superhero=y
|publisher=[[Archie Comics]]<br>[[Marvel Comics]]
|date=August 1994
|writers=[[Batton Lash]]
|artists=[[Stan Goldberg]]<br>[[John Buscema]]
|pencillers=
|inkers=[[Tom Palmer (comics)|Tom Palmer]]
|letterers=[[Jack Morelli]]
|colorists= Barry Grossman
|editors=
|subcat=Archie Comics
|sort=Archie Meets the Punisher
}}
'''''Archie Meets the Punisher''''' or '''''The Punisher Meets Archie''''' is a [[one-shot (comics)|one-shot]] comic book and [[intercompany crossover]] written by [[Batton Lash]] with art by [[Stan Goldberg]], [[John Buscema]], and [[Tom Palmer (comics)|Tom Palmer]]. It was published jointly by [[Archie Comics]] and [[Marvel Comics]] in June 1994. In the story, the murderous vigilante [[Punisher]] mistakes all-American teenager [[Archie Andrews]] for a criminal that he is hunting. When he realizes his error, he works with Archie to rescue Archie's girlfriend [[Veronica Lodge]], who has been kidnapped by the criminal. Despite being a humorous intercompany crossover, the comic was said to take place in the [[Earth-616|mainstream Marvel Universe]] by ''[[The Official Handbook of the Marvel Universe]]''.<ref>''Official Handbook of the Marvel Universe A-Z'' #7</ref><ref>''Women of Marvel: Celebrating Seven Decades Handbook'' #1</ref>

Lash developed the plot based on a suggestion from Archie editor [[Victor Gorelick]]. The script was written with the intention of remaining true to the spirit of both characters rather than focus only on Archie's humor or the Punisher's action. Gorelick submitted the proposal to Marvel editors for review, and they agreed to move forward with the project. To help preserve the different tones, Archie artist Goldberg and Marvel artist Buscema worked together on the [[penciller|pencil artwork]] with each only drawing characters and settings for their respective company. Palmer provided [[inker|inks]] for both artists to help smooth the differences between their styles. The comic book was kept secret inside both companies until it was announced at a press function shortly before its publication. Two versions were printed, one by each company. The versions had different cover art and the publishing company put the name of their character first in the title.

Although news outlets and critics initially believed the announcement was a joke, ''Archie Meets the Punisher'' received mostly positive responses. Many critics praised the odd pairing as an interesting [[narrative hook]]. Because of its success, Marvel participated in more crossovers with other publishing companies and Archie began a tradition of meeting unexpected guest stars such as [[Kiss (comics)#Archie Comics|Kiss]], [[Sharknado (film series)#Archie vs. Sharknado|Sharknado]], and the [[Archie vs. Predator|Predator]].

==Publication history==
===Background===
[[All-American]] teenager [[Archie Andrews]] first appeared in a backup feature in the adventure comic ''[[Pep Comics]]'' #22, published by [[MLJ Magazines]] in December 1941.<ref name="bl"/> Archie was popular enough to receive a dedicated monthly comic series less than a year after his debut.<ref name="Benton">{{cite book |last=Benton |first=Mike |date=1989|title=The Comic Book in America |location= [[Dallas]], Texas|publisher=[[Taylor Publishing Company]]|page=85 |isbn=9780878336593 }}</ref> This started a trend of teen humor comic books and the publisher renamed itself after the character in 1947.<ref name="bl">{{cite journal |last=Offenberger |first=Rik |title=Publisher Profile: Archie Comics |journal=[[Borderline (magazine)|Borderline]] |date=March 1, 2003 |issue=19 |url=http://www.mightycrusaders.net/history.htm |via=MightyCrusaders.net |access-date=January 9, 2017 |archive-date=October 28, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161028070716/http://www.mightycrusaders.net/history.htm |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref name="Benton"/> By the early 1950s, the character's appeal warranted seven concurrent monthly comic titles. Over the next four decades, Archie Comics Publications rarely published material outside the teen humor genre, and most of its attempts to do so were short-lived and commercially unsuccessful.<ref name="Benton"/> By the 1990s, Archie had a strong presence in magazine outlets such as supermarkets, but was struggling in [[Direct market|comic specialty shops]] where the clientele was more interested in adventure stories.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://io9.gizmodo.com/archie-comics-is-going-to-start-releasing-marvel-comics-1792436243 |title=Archie Comics is Going to Start Releasing Marvel Comics |last=Whitbrook |date=February 16, 2017 |first=James |website=[[io9]] |access-date=July 27, 2018 |archive-date=July 18, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180718030619/https://io9.gizmodo.com/archie-comics-is-going-to-start-releasing-marvel-comics-1792436243 |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref name="NPR"/>

The murderous vigilante the [[Punisher]] first appeared as an antagonist in [[The Amazing Spider-Man 129|''The Amazing Spider-Man'' #129]], published by [[Marvel Comics]] in February 1974. Fans found the character interesting and he continued to guest star in other Marvel comics.<ref>{{cite book |last=Howe |first=Sean |date=2012 |title=Marvel Comics: The Untold Story |location=New York City |publisher=[[HarperCollins]] |page=310 |isbn=978-0061992117 |author-link=Sean Howe |title-link=Marvel Comics: The Untold Story }}</ref> In 1987, Marvel gave him an [[ongoing series]], ''[[The Punisher (1987 series)|The Punisher]]'', which became one of Marvel's biggest successes of the decade.<ref>{{cite book |last=Pustz |first=Matthew |date=1999 |title=Comic Book Culture |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=AhHXtAEACAAJ |location=[[Jackson, Mississippi]] |publisher=[[University Press of Mississippi]] |page=58 |isbn= 9781578062003 }}</ref> By the mid-1990s, Punisher had become one of Marvel's most popular characters and was appearing in three concurrent monthly comic titles.<ref>{{cite book |last=David |first=Peter |date=1994|orig-year=March 13, 1992 |title= But I Digress...|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=fFmJAAAACAAJ |location= [[Iola, Wisconsin]]|publisher=[[Krause Publications]] |page=204 |isbn=9780873412865 |author-link=Peter David }}</ref>

===Development===
[[File:Batton Lash.jpg|right|thumb|175px|Writer [[Batton Lash]] in 2007]]
During the 1990s, [[intercompany crossover]]s were a popular trend in the [[American comic book]] industry and management at Archie Comics wanted to participate to raise its visibility in specialty comic shops and boost sales.<ref name="NPR"/><ref name="CBC"/><ref name="CBRCL"/><ref name="comic"/> During a lunch in [[San Diego]], top Archie editor [[Victor Gorelick]] discussed possibilities with writers [[Batton Lash]] and [[David Scroggy]].<ref name="CBRCL"/><ref name="comic"/> After considering crossovers with [[Superman]]'s friend [[Jimmy Olsen]] or [[Spider-Man]], Gorelick mentioned the Punisher as a joke.<ref name="CBRCL"/> Lash immediately saw potential in the idea and gave a rough explanation for how it would work. Gorelick liked the pitch and asked for a formal proposal.<ref name="BI!"/> Lash did not think Gorelick's interest was sincere and forgot about it until he received a follow-up phone call sometime later asking if the proposal was ready.<ref name="CBC"/><ref name="BI!"/>{{refn|group=note|Lash has described the time period between the lunch and the follow-up call differently in different interviews. In 2015, he said it was a week,<ref name="CBC"/> but in 2018, he said it was a month.<ref name="BI!"/>}}

The origin of the concept is unclear. In 1994, ''[[Hero Illustrated]]'' reported the idea was first proposed by a fan at [[San Diego Comic-Con]].<ref name="HI"/> Other sources, such as the 2013 book ''Icons of the American Comic Book'', have said it was inspired by a gag on the cover of an issue of the trade publication ''[[The Comics Journal]]''.<ref name="Icon">{{cite book |last1=Duncan |first1= Randy  |last2=Smith |first2=Matthew J |date=2013 |title=Icons of the American Comic Book: From Captain America to Wonder Woman, Volume 1 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=2GNaoeiY51EC&q=%22Archie+Meets+the+Punisher%22&pg=PA33  |location=Santa Barbara, California |publisher=[[ABC-CLIO]] |page=33 |isbn= 9780313399237}}</ref> ''[[Comic Book Resources]]'' calls this a legend and claims a meeting between Archie and Punisher was a long-running joke between Gorelick and his friend [[Tom DeFalco]], Marvel's editor-in-chief.<ref name="CBRCL">{{cite web |url=https://www.cbr.com/punisher-meets-archie-origin/ |title=Comic Legends: The Secret Origin of Archie Meets the Punisher? |last=Cronin |first=Brian |date=November 13, 2017 |website=[[Comic Book Resources]] |access-date=July 4, 2018}}</ref> In his introduction to the comic book, Gorelick claims to have pitched a different version of the story to Archie publishers [[Richard Goldwater]] and Michael Skilberkleit prior to mentioning the idea to Lash.<ref name="comic"/>{{refn|group=note|The original concept involved Archie's parents being murdered, leading him to ask the Punisher for help in avenging them.<ref name="comic"/>}} Reed Tucker wrote in his 2017 book ''Slugfest'' that it was conceived by Gorelick and ''Punisher'' editor Dan Daley.<ref name="Slug"/> Lash gives credit for the idea solely to Gorelick.<ref name="CBC"/>

[[File:StanGoldberg11.15.08ByLuigiNovi1.jpg|right|thumb|175px|Artist Stan Goldberg in 2008]]
Lash's original outline was about one page long.<ref name="CBC"/> Prior to this comic book, Lash had not written either character, and was not a fan of the Punisher.<ref name="NPR"/><ref name="BI!"/> He modeled it on the 1948 film ''[[Abbott and Costello Meet Frankenstein]]'', which he felt was true to the spirit of both the [[Abbott and Costello|comedy team]] and the [[Universal Monsters|horror monsters]] that it featured.<ref name="BI!"/> Gorelick sent the proposal to DeFalco, who shared it with Daley and [[Mark Gruenwald]], another editor.<ref name="BI!">{{cite magazine |last=Thompson |first= Steven|date=February 2018 |title=What the?! Archie Meets the Punisher |url=http://twomorrows.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=1344 |magazine=Back Issue! #102|pages = 67–71 |location=Raleigh, North Carolina |publisher=[[TwoMorrows Publishing]] |access-date=July 26, 2018 }}</ref> It was Marvel's first intercompany crossover in years.<ref name="Slug"/> Fearing the project might be derailed if too many people learned about it, only seven people at Marvel were told about the crossover, which was referred to internally as "Project A".<ref name="HI">{{cite magazine |date=April 1994 |title= The Punisher Meets Archie |magazine=[[Hero Illustrated]] #10|pages=96–97 }}</ref>{{refn|group=note|The seven were DeFalco, Gruenwald, Daley, inker [[Tom Palmer (comics)|Tom Palmer]], letterer [[Jack Morelli]], publisher Mike Hobson, and president Terry Stewart.<ref name="comic"/>}} It was formally announced at a press function at the [[Empire Diner]] in New York City shortly before publication.<ref name="BI!"/><ref name="Wizzy"/> The novelty of the unlikely crossover drew attention from general news media, and [[NPR]] aired an interview between ''[[Weekend Edition]]'' host [[Scott Simon]] and Lash on Saturday, July 9, 1994 discussing the project.<ref name="NPR">{{cite book |last=Simon|first=Scott |author-link=Scott Simon |date=1995 |title=The NPR Interviews 1995 |url=https://archive.org/details/nprinterviews19900robe|url-access=registration|location=[[Boston, Massachusetts]] |publisher=[[Houghton Mifflin Company]] |page=[https://archive.org/details/nprinterviews19900robe/page/330 330] |editor1-last=Siegel |editor1-first=Robert |editor1-link=Robert Siegel }}</ref>

The artwork was split between regular ''Archie'' [[penciller]] [[Stan Goldberg]] and longtime Marvel artist [[John Buscema]]. Each artist was responsible for drawing the characters and backgrounds associated with their company's intellectual property, ensuring the characters' appearances remained true to their traditional styles. [[Tom Palmer (comics)|Tom Palmer]] did the [[Inker|inking]] for both artists to prevent the two styles from clashing.<ref name="Wizzy"/> Goldberg liked the art arrangement because he had always been a fan of Buscema.<ref name="BI!"/> The only editorial interference came from Gorelick, who objected to the Punisher shooting a thug during a school dance. The scene was changed to have the Punisher hit the thug with a cake instead.<ref name="BI!"/>

===Publication===
In June 1994, two versions of the comic book were published with an August 1994 [[cover date]].<ref name="comic">{{Cite comic
| writer = [[Batton Lash]]
| penciller = [[Stan Goldberg]], [[John Buscema]]
| inker = [[Tom Palmer (comics)|Tom Palmer]]
| colorist = Barry Grossman
| letterer = [[Jack Morelli]]
| editor = 
| story = When Worlds Collide
| title = Archie Meets the Punisher
| issue = 1
| date = August 1994
| publisher = [[Archie Comics]], [[Marvel Comics]]
| location = New York City}}</ref><ref name="Wizzy">{{cite magazine |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |title=Wizard News |magazine=[[Wizard (magazine)|Wizard]] #33 |location=New York City |publisher=[[Wizard Entertainment]] |date=May 1994}}</ref> One was published by Archie with cover copy reading ''Archie Meets the Punisher'' and a $2.95 retail price (with an accompanying $3.75 edition distributed on Canadian newsstands).<ref>{{Cite web |last=Alexander |first=Bill |last2=Bildhauser |first2=Tim |last3=Clairmont |first3=Paul |title=Archie Meets the Punisher #1 $3.75 Variant Value |url=https://www.cpvpriceguide.com/2024/archie-meets-the-punisher/1/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20240508160626/https://www.cpvpriceguide.com/2024/archie-meets-the-punisher/1/ |archive-date=2024-05-08 |access-date=2024-05-08 |website=CPV Price Guide}}</ref> The other, published by Marvel, was titled ''The Punisher Meets Archie''. The Marvel version featured a cover enhanced with a die-cut window and a design that paid [[Homage (arts)|homage]] to the cover of ''Amazing Spider-Man'' #129.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://sterlingsilvercomics.com/2016/10/06/punisher-meets-archie-direct-market-edition-august-1994/ |title=Back Issue of the Week: The Punisher Meets Archie Direct Market Edition (August 1994) |date=October 6, 2016 |website=Sterling Silver Comics |access-date= July 4, 2018}}</ref> It had a retail price of $3.95.<ref name="Wizzy"/> Both versions contained the same 48-page interior story and were ad-free except for two subscription offers, one from each company.<ref name="POPM"/> The Marvel edition also included the pencil artwork for the Archie edition and a bonus pin-up image of the Punisher and Archie.<ref name="comic"/>{{refn|group=note|The die-cut cover required an additional page to function properly, giving Marvel the space for the extra material.<ref name="comic"/>}}

==Plot==
When a drug smuggler known as "Red" becomes a fugitive after agreeing to [[turn state's evidence]] to the United States government, the government asks the Punisher to locate and return him alive. Red escapes from the Punisher in New York City, fleeing to [[Riverdale (Archie Comics)|Riverdale]], where he adopts a new alias and uses his legitimate business interests to take shelter at the home of wealthy industrialist [[Hiram Lodge]], who is unaware of Red's criminal history. Red draws the attention of Hiram's teenage daughter [[Veronica Lodge|Veronica]] because his appearance is very similar to her frequent suitor, Archie Andrews. To get back at Archie for accidentally ruining their date to the school dance that night, Veronica asks Red to take her instead.

Meanwhile, the Punisher and his partner [[Microchip (comics)|Microchip]] track Red to Riverdale and are cynical about the town's innocent demeanor. They see Archie with his friend [[Jughead Jones]] in an ice cream shop and believe him to be Red. While they are observing him, some thugs from New York arrive and make the same mistake. The thugs know about Red's deal with the government and intend to kill him before he can testify. They abduct Archie and Jughead, prompting a car chase as the Punisher attempts to rescue "Red". After a car wreck, the Punisher quickly realizes his error and lets Archie go. The Punisher and Microchip continue to secretly monitor Archie, hoping the remaining thugs will make the same mistake and come into the open.

As Red and Veronica arrive at the school dance, Red is recognized by a stage worker and low-level drug dealer who, hoping to improve his standing among the [[Drug cartel|cartel]], calls them and tells them where to find Red. The Punisher and Microchip, who have been monitoring the cartel, also head for the dance. Meanwhile, Archie is told Veronica went to the dance with someone who looks like him, and realizing that she is with a criminal, he too goes to the dance.

The Punisher sneaks into the school and realizes Riverdale truly is as innocent as it appears. Determined to prevent it from being corrupted by Red or other forces, he disguises himself as a chaperone and, while looking for Red, identifies the thugs, who have dressed up as caterers. As Archie arrives, the thugs mistake him for Red again and move in to kill him. The Punisher uses non-lethal methods to disarm and incapacitate them and clears the misunderstanding with Archie, but Red escapes with Veronica as a hostage.

Red forces Veronica to call her father for ransom, but she takes the opportunity to use code words to let Archie know that she's being held in a specific warehouse. Archie and his friends accompany the Punisher to rescue her. At the warehouse, the Punisher reveals to Red that the informant who called the cartel to the dance has agreed to testify and Red is no longer needed alive. During the subsequent scuffle, Red accidentally triggers the automatic doors that open the warehouse roof and gets his foot tangled in a rope attached to a large [[parade balloon]]. As the balloon floats away with Red attached, the Punisher considers killing him, but does not. Before leaving Riverdale for [[Gotham City]] the next morning, the Punisher and Microchip say goodbye to Archie and his friends.

==Critical reception==
Many people thought the crossover was a joke when it was first announced, but it was surprisingly successful.<ref name="CBC">{{cite magazine |last=Cooke |first= Jon B.|date=Spring 2015 |title=Of Torts and Terrors|url=http://twomorrows.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=98_132&products_id=1150 |magazine=Comic Book Creator #8|pages = 37–38 |location=Raleigh, North Carolina |publisher=[[TwoMorrows Publishing]] |access-date=July 26, 2018}}</ref><ref name="Kantor">{{cite web |url=https://www.cbr.com/impossible-superhero-crossovers/ |title=15 Impossible Superhero Crossovers (That Actually Happened) |last=Kantor |first=Jonathan H. |date=November 11, 2017 |website=[[Comic Book Resources]] |access-date= July 4, 2018}}</ref> Most critics cited contrasting characters as an appealing element, with ''Pop Matters'' calling the combination a "captivating storytelling device" that made for a "remarkable Punisher story and a fitting Archie story".<ref name="POPM"/> That sentiment was shared by ''Hero Illustrated'' and ''Comic Book Resources'', with the latter going on to call the  portrayal of Riverdale as a "bastion of innocence" that needed the Punisher's non-lethal protection "brilliant".<ref name="CBRCL"/><ref name="Kantor"/><ref>{{cite magazine |last=Holly |first=Rob |date=August 1994 |title=Hero Reviews |magazine=[[Hero Illustrated]] #14|page=26 }}</ref> The combination of artwork by Goldberg and Buscema heightened "the clashing sensibilities and themes" for ''Pop Matters'', concluding its review by calling ''Archie Meets the Punisher'' "the best crossover in the history of the comic medium".<ref name="POPM">{{cite web |url=https://www.popmatters.com/157219-a-marvelous-collision-archie-meets-the-punisher-2495863236.html |title=A Marvelous Collision: "Archie Meets the Punisher" |last=Massengale |first=Jeremiah |date=April 13, 2012 |website= [[Pop Matters]] |access-date=July 4, 2018}}</ref> ''Critical Blast'' found some parts of the story to be "surprisingly serious", but ''Comic Book Resources'' thought the constant slapstick comedy prevented the comic from being anything but a novelty.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.criticalblast.com/articles/2015/04/17/open-mike-night-punisher-meets-archie-archie-vs-predator  |title=Open Mike Night – The Punisher Meets Archie & Archie Vs Predator |last1=Weaver |first1=Mike |first2= Mike|last2=Maillaro  |date=April 17, 2015 |website=Critical Blast |access-date=July 7, 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.cbr.com/bad-90s-crossovers/ |title=15 Awful Crossovers From The '90s That Made No Sense |last=Buesing |first=Dave |date=September 4, 2017 |website=[[Comic Book Resources]] |access-date=July 4, 2018}}</ref>

===Legacy===
Since ''Archie Meets the Punisher'', the Archie characters have had a tradition of [[team-up]]s with characters from other [[fictional universe]]s, such as ''Archie Meets [[Kiss (band)|KISS]]'' (2012), ''Archie Meets [[Glee (TV series)|Glee]]'' (2013), and ''[[Sharknado (film series)#Archie vs. Sharknado|Archie vs. Sharknado]]'' (2015).<ref name="announcement">{{cite web | last=C.|first=Ron|url=http://archiecomics.com/archie-comics-and-dark-horse-unveil-the-unthinkable-archie-meets-predator/ | title=Archie Comics And Dark Horse Unveil The Unthinkable: Archie Meets Predator| date=October 9, 2014 |access-date=August 6, 2015 |website=Archie Comics}}</ref><ref name="HCintro">[[Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa|Aguirre-Sacasa, Roberto]] (introduction). {{ Cite comic | writer=Alex de Campi | artist=Fernando Ruiz  | title=Archie vs. Predator |date=2015 | publisher=[[Dark Horse Comics]] | location=Milwaukie, Oregon | id={{ISBN|1616558059}} }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.ign.com/articles/2017/01/24/7-times-archie-comics-went-dark-before-riverdale |title=7 Times Archie Comics Went Dark Before Riverdale |last=Schedeen |first=Jesse |date=January 24, 2017 |website=[[IGN]] |access-date=July 4, 2018}}</ref> ''Geek.com'' felt that ''Archie Meets the Punisher'' was the gold standard for unlikely crossovers until being replaced by ''[[Archie vs. Predator]]'' in 2015.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.geek.com/comics/comic-crossovers-that-we-cant-believe-happened-2-1715515/ |title=11 Comic Crossovers That We Can't Believe Happened |last=Sims |first=Chris |date=September 28, 2017 |website=[[Geek.com]] |access-date=July 4, 2018 |archive-date=August 2, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180802194724/https://www.geek.com/comics/comic-crossovers-that-we-cant-believe-happened-2-1715515/ |url-status=dead }}</ref> Marvel also continued with intercompany crossovers, starting with a meeting between the Punisher and the [[DC Comics]] character [[Batman]] in August 1994.<ref name="Slug"/><ref name="Wizzy"/> In 2017, Tucker said that ''Archie Meets the Punisher'' remained one of Marvel's most [[Out of left field|left-field]] books.<ref name="Slug">{{cite book |last=Tucker |first=Reed |date=October 2017 |title=Slugfest |location= New York City|publisher=[[Da Capo Press]]|page=183 |isbn=978-0306825477 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=hoyYDgAAQBAJ}}</ref>

The comic continued to surprise readers decades after it was published. As late as 2015, young fans and fans new to comics would still ask Lash if the comic really existed.<ref name="CBC"/>

==Notes==
{{reflist|group=note}}

==References==
{{Reflist}}

{{Archie Comics titles}}
{{Punisher}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Archie Meets The Punisher}}
[[Category:Archie Comics titles]]
[[Category:1994 comics debuts]]
[[Category:1994 comics endings]]
[[Category:Intercompany crossovers]]
[[Category:Punisher titles]]
[[Category:Marvel Comics one-shots]]
[[Category:Superhero crossover fiction]]