Punch and Jewelee

Origin

Childhood sweethearts, Punch and Jewelee grew up to become puppeteers by day and thieves by night. One day, while walking on the beach, Punch discovered a chest of strange, alien equipment. Using these strange weapons and tools, the pair became a full-time super-villain team. At some point, Punch went missing, and Jewelee was incarcerated in Arkham Asylum.

Creation

Punch and Jewelee were created by Steve Ditko. They made their first appearance in Captain Atom #85.

Team Evolution

Silver Age

The Silver Age introduced much of the pair's original and presumed current origin.

Bronze Age

The pair were folded into the mainstream DC Universe following the Crisis on Infinite Earths. Major details about their origins remained unchanged, though it was implied that in their first outing as villains they had originally battled King Faraday, and not Captain Atom.

Major Story Arcs

Captain Atom

Punch and Jewelee create a convoluted plan to steal the knowledge of several prominent scientists and sell it on the black market. They kidnap Alec Rois, which draws the attention of Captain Atom and Nightshade. They are able to capture Atom, but are ultimately defeated when Nightshade infiltrates their Coney Island headquarters. Punch is arrested, while Jewelee escapes.

Suicide Squad

While in prison, they are approached by Amanda Waller to become members of the Suicide Squad. They agree, and accompany the team on several missions. During the events of the Janus Directive they are among those sent to attack the Force of July, and later join in the assault on the Kobra satellite. They are among the Squad members who are left behind by Duchess during the assault on Apokolips, and, though resistant, accompany the second wave under Bronze Tiger. They retire from the Squad, and claim to be retiring from villainy, after learning that Jewelee is pregnant.

Retirement

Despite claiming to be retired, Punch repeatedly persuades Jewelee to continue carrying out various crimes, primarily attempting to steal items that will either protect or provide for their son. They are eventually re-imprisoned in Belle Reve.

Underworld Unleashed

They escape from Belle Reve during the massive breakout orchestrated by Neron. They are among the villains sent a mysterious candle which transports them to Hell, but they do not appear to accept Neron's offer to give them their heart's desire in exchange for their souls.

Checkmate

Punch and Jewelee are recruited by Mirror Master to take part in a villain-led Suicide Squad revival to discredit Amanda Waller by capturing a sentient power source from Myanmar. During the mission Punch is killed protecting Jewelee from soldiers, rendering Jewlee inconsolable. She shatters the Tattooed Man, who betrayed the team and indirectly caused Punch's death, in retribution.

I Am Suicide

Punch and Jewelee are recruited by Batman to take part in his raid on Santa Prisca. They pretend to turn themselves in to Bane, and are killed by the apparently treacherous Catwoman. When their bodies are dragged away they incapacitate the guards and create the life raft necessary for the team to escape. They are re-incarcerated at Arkham.

Alternate Versions

DC Super Friends

A version of the team appears as members of the Jester's League of America in an issue of this comic based on the toy line.

Trinity

Punch and Jewelee briefly act in tandem as the Fool of the Dark Arcana. They are later abandoned in favour of the Joker.

Other Media

Television

Batman: The Brave and the Bold

Punch and Jewelee appear in the episode "Menace of the Conqueror Caveman!" They are defeated by Batman, but later approached by Booster Gold to consider becoming his villains.