I name two comic book characters. You then have to connect the two using only shared appearances in comic books (official appearances in comics only - no cameos like Terry Austin sneaking Popeye into the background of a panel and no outside comic book appearances, like cartoons and the like). You have to do so using less than six comics total. Covers and pin-ups do not count - only actual appearances in the same comic book story (so it doesn't count if they each appeared in separate stories inside the same anthology). Mythological characters, public domain characters (other than public domain comic book characters, they're free game) and real people (by the way, unless a fake name is used for a real person, like Ronald Raygun or whatever, you can use the person even if they are not officially named in the comic) are unique to their own comic book appearances (so DC's Thor is different than Marvel's Thor, DC's Ronald Reagan is different from Marvel's Ronald Reagan, etc.). But a licensed character is the same in all of their various comic book companies (so the Marvel Red Sonja is the same as the Dynamite Red Sonja) and approved appearances by a real person can go across comic book companies, as well (so, for instance, you can use Marv Wolfman from his Teen Titans appearance to connect with Marv Wolfman in his Fantastic Four appearance - you just can't use modern appearances by Jack Kirby from one company to connect to Jack Kirby appearances from Marvel Comics, since obviously Kirby can no longer give approval for his appearance). Approval tends to be the key.

Every week, whoever connects the two characters in the least amount of turns gets to pick the next week's match (in the event of a tie, the winner is chosen randomly). Last week was George H.W. Bush to Leonardo. Steve F. was one of a bunch of people to get it in three moves. Here is how Steve connected the two...

George H.W. Bush appeared with the Punisher in Punisher #27

The Punisher appeared with Archie Andrews in Punisher Meets Archie

Archie appeared with Leonardo in Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Meet Archie

Steve's challenge is...

Winston Zeddemore to Winston Manchester (Skyhawk)

NOTE: Two people connected the two characters in two moves. The first used Authority #14, as some databases show Bush 41 being in that issue. He is not. The other one used a very interesting link that I'll keep secret as it could be used in the future for other links. It's a very clever link, but re-reading the book in question, I don't think the Turtles appear in the same story as the person that they're trying to be connected to. Same BOOK, yes, but not the same story (which is a requirement). It's a close call, I'll definitely admit, but I don't think it is the same story. But to make it up to the reader who suggested that link, the next time he ends up tied for a win with the smallest amount of moves, he'll automatically win without having to go to a random draw.

E-mail me your answers at bcronin@comicbookresources.com. Do NOT post your answers in the comments section!

Whoever connects the two characters in the least amount of comics gets to pick the connection for next time around (I'll pick a random winner in the event of a tie)!

Remember, only authorized appearances in comic books count (for instance, all the Marvel characters in Savage Dragon/Destroyer Duck do not count)!