Archie meets KISS debuts this week in comic book stores. The world’s most famous rock and rollers rock Riverdale when monsters invade Archie’s hometown. It’s wacky enough to work. Every few years the comic book industry gets creative with a crossover that makes you say ‘huh!”

There are plenty more but these are the out there crossovers that I remember:

  Star Trek/X-Men Odd but in theory, it wasn’t impossible for Marvel’s mutants to encounter the Enterprise crew. The X-Men had survived outer space adventures in the Shiar Empire. The Star Trek crew had travelled in Earth’s past. X-Villain Proteus and Star Trek villain Gary Seven were the cause for the Marvel mashup with gorgeous art by Marc Silvestri.

  Superman versus Muhammad Ali DC’s most iconic superhero took on Earth’s most celebrated athlete in a boxing match for the fate of the world? I was very young when I saw this comic at the grocery store in my hometown. I can’t remember what book I asked my mom to buy me instead – if only.

Avengers/David Letterman Yes, it happened in Avengers #239, Earth’s Mightiest Heroes were guests on Late Night with David Letterman back when he was on NBC. That issue was part of a Marvel marketing stunt called Assistant Editors Month.

Call the issues an editor gone wild or a wacky marketing idea too far – they get attention and a special place in comic history. Those are some of the memorable comic crossovers that baffled my brain – what are yours?