#IReadsYou Review: JOSIE ANNUAL SPECTACULAR #1

JOSIE ANNUAL SPECTACULAR, NO. 1

ARCHIE COMIC PUBLICATIONS, INC.

STORY: Ian Flynn, Holly G!

PENCILS: Steven Butler; Dan DeCarlo; Holly G!

INKS: Lily Butler; Jim DeCarlo; John Costanza

COLORS: Glenn Whitmore; Bill Yoshida

LETTERS: Jack Morelli; Bill Yoshida

EDITORS: Jamie Lee Rotante; Vincent Lovallo; Stephen Oswald

EiC: Mike Pellerito

COVER: Steven Butler and Lily Butler with Rosario “Tito” Peña

32pp, Color, $3.99 U.S. (December 2024); on-sale November 6, 2024

Rating: All-Ages

Josie and the Pussycats in “Encore No More!”

In December 1962, Archie Comics introduced the character, Josie Jones, in Archie's Pals 'n' Gals #23 (cover dated: Winter 1962-1963).  Created by Dan DeCarlo, Josie Jones would become “Josie McCoy,” and she would join her friends, Melody and Valerie, in the band, “Josie and the Pussycats.”

Archie is releasing a trio of “annual spectaculars” that involve the machinations of a new character, “Mother Striga.”  She made her debut in Sabrina Annual Spectacular, No. 1.  Her story continued in the Archie Halloween Spectacular.  Striga's debut arc concludes in Josie Annual Spectacular, No. 1 (November 6, 2024).

Josie Annual Spectacular, No. 1 includes one new story and two reprint stories with the second reprint being a two-part tale.  The new story, the Mother Striga tale, is entitled “Encore No More!”  It is written by Ian Flynn; drawn by Steven Butler (pencils) and Lily Butler (inks); colored by Glenn Whitmore; and lettered by the great Jack Morelli.

Josie and the Pussycats in “Encore No More!”:

Alexandra Cabot makes an emergency call to her friend, Sabrina the Teenage Witch.  Apparently, Mother Striga has bewitched Josie and the Pussycats, and their concert at Eyegore Estates has turned into a real monsters ball.  Their music is brainwashing the monster-people.  Luckily, Sabrina believes that this state of affairs can play in her favor in ending the threat of Mother Striga.  But she'll need Alexandra's help to do it.

Meanwhile, Sabrina's cat, Salem Saberhagen, and Alexandra's cat, Sebastian, are reunited.  Now, it is up to them to do their part to free Josie and the Pussycats.

THE LOWDOWN:  I have been a fan of the Josie and the Pussycats franchise since I was a small child.  I am crazy about classic Josie comic books that were published from the 1960s to the early 1980s, and I still love the two 1970s animated television series based on the comics.

Josie Annual Spectacular No. 1 brings an end to the Mother Striga introductory story arc.  I imagine that the character will make a return, likely in an “Archie Horror” one-shot.  Writer Ian Flynn does good work getting a lot out of what amounts to a 15-page story that is serialized over three issues.  Honestly, he offers enough subplots and ideas for three full issues, but he ends this arc on a nice and unusual note.  I must mention that while “Encore No More!” is ostensibly a Josie and the Pussycats tale, Josie supporting character, Alexandra Cabot, and Sabrina are the leads.

I am really impressed with the art throughout this arc.  The team of Steven Butler (pencils) and Lily Butler (inks) deliver some really good-looking art.  Their compositions are like an homage to Josie and the Pussycats legend Dan DeCarlo, but with a stylish modern sensibility.  It really is eye candy.  The colors by Glenn Whitmore add a surreal touch to the art and to the story, while also giving the narrative a kind of low wattage occult edginess.  The lettering by the great Jack Morelli gives voice to the spicy dialogue which closes this story on a winning note... and a note of warning.

In these reviews, I always warn readers that I will always recommend classic-style Archie Comics titles.  Josie Annual Spectacular No. 1 is kinda new because it is classic-style Archie Comics with an eye towards reinvigorating it.  I recommend this entire “Mother Striga” line.

I READS YOU RECOMMENDS:  Fans of classic-style Archie Comics and of Josie and the Pussycats will definitely want to get a copy of Josie Annual Spectacular No. 1.

A

Reviewed by Leroy Douresseaux a.k.a. "I Reads You"

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#IReadsYou Review: SABRINA Annual Spectacular #1

SABRINA ANNUAL SPECTACULAR, NO. 1

ARCHIE COMIC PUBLICATIONS, INC.

STORY: Ian Flynn; Dick Malmgren; George Gladir; Frank Doyle

PENCILS: Steven Butler; Dick Malmgren; Bob Bolling; Dan DeCarlo

INKS: Lily Butler; Jon D'Agostino; Rudy Lapick;

COLORS: Glenn Whitmore

LETTERS: Jack Morelli; Bill Yoshida

EDITORS: Jamie Lee Rotante; Vincent Lovallo; Stephen Oswald

EiC: Mike Pellerito

COVER: Steven Butler and Lily Butler with Rosario “Tito” Peña

32pp, Color, $3.99 U.S. (October 2024)

Rating: All-Ages

Sabrina in “Awakening!”

Sabrina the Teenage Witch is an Archie Comics character that was created by writer George Gladir and artist Dan DeCarlo.  Sabrina Spellman first appeared in Archie's Madhouse #22 (cover-dated: October 1962).

Archie is releasing a trio of “annual spectaculars” that involve the machinations of a new character, “Mother Striga.”  She makes her debut in Sabrina's Annual Spectacular, No. 1.  Her debut story will continue in the forthcoming Archie Halloween Spectacular, No. 1 (October 2, 2024) and Josie and the Pussycats Annual Spectacular, No. 1 (November 6, 2024).

Sabrina Annual Spectacular offers four reprint stories and opens with the new five-page story that introduces Mother Striga, “Awakening!”  It is written by Ian Flynn; drawn by Steven Butler (pencils) and Lily Butler (inks); colored by Glenn Whitmore; and lettered by the great Jack Morelli.

“Awakening!” opens in the neighborhood of “Eyegore Estates,” the place that hosts all the things that go “bump in the night.”  Sabrina the Teenage Witch and her cat, Salem, are shocked to discover that everyone is acting like zombies... even the zombies.

Soon, Sabrina learns that her nemesis, Amber Nightstone, has unleashed an evil more powerful than she expected.  It's Mother Striga, the first witch and the mother of all witches!

THE LOWDOWN:  Over the last few years, Archie's marketing department has been sending PDF copies of some of their titles for review.  One of the most recent is the new one-shot comic book, Sabrina Annual Spectacular, No. 1.

In the the opening story, “Awakening!,” writer Ian Flynn teases big things to come, but this first chapter can really only tease.  The stars here are the art team of penciller Steven Butler, inker Lily Butler, and colorist Glenn Whitmore.  They create a playfully macabre and pop Gothic sensibility that really sells this story's setting, plot, and characters.  Whitmore's other-worldly, almost psychedelic colors are the perfect accompaniment to the Butlers' Charles Addams' like aesthetic in this story.  Also, Jack Morelli's lettering puts the finishing touch to this delightful tale.  Although “Awakening!” is only five pages long, it is really a classically cool comics story.

Two of the reprint stories are from Sabrina's creators, George Gladir and Dan DeCarlo.  The classic Sabrina story, “Haunt Taunt,” is written by Gladir and drawn by Bob Bolling and Rudy Lapick and originally published in Sabrina, the Teenage Witch #60 (cover dated: June 1980).  DeCarlo pencils “Strange Love,” written by Frank Doyle and published in Sabrina, the Teenage Witch #1 (cover dated: April 1971).

Dear readers, I will always recommend classic and classic-style Archie Comics stories.  

I READS YOU RECOMMENDS:  Fans of classic-style Archie Comics and of Sabrina the Teenage Witch will definitely want to get a copy of Sabrina Annual Spectacular, No. 1.

A

★★★★ out of 4 stars

Reviewed by Leroy Douresseaux a.k.a. "I Reads You"

https://archiecomics.com/

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#IReadsYou Review: JOSIE ANNIVERSARY SPECTACULAR #1

JOSIE ANNIVERSARY SPECTACULAR #1

ARCHIE COMIC PUBLICATIONS, INC.

STORY: Holly G!; Frank Doyle; Tom DeFalco

PENCILS: Holly G!: Dan DeCarlo; Kennedy Bros.

INKS: Jim Amash; Rudy Lapick

COLORS: Glenn Whitmore

LETTERS: Jack Morelli; Vincent DeCarlo; Bill Yoshida

EDITORS: Jamie Lee Rotante; Vincent Lovallo; Stephen Oswald

EiC: Mike Pellerito

COVER: Dan Parent with Rosario “Tito” Peña

32pp, Color, $3.99 U.S. (January 2024); on-sale November 8, 2023

Rating: All-Ages

Josie and the Pussycats in “Rock Cats”

In December 1962, Archie Comics published a comic book entitled She's Josie.  She's Josie #1 (cover date: February 1963) gave a starring role to a level-headed redhead named “Josie Jones” and focused on her fanciful life and times as a teenager.  Created by Dan DeCarlo, Josie first appeared in Archie's Pals 'n' Gals #23 (cover dated: Winter 1962-1963).

Josie Jones would become "Josie James," and later, she would take the name by which most readers and fans know her, “Josie McCoy.”  She's Josie was renamed Josie with issue #17 (cover dated: December 1965).  The series became Josie and the Pussycats with issue #45 (cover date: December 1969), in which Josie and her friend, Melody, formed a band called the Pussycats.  The two friends added bassist, Valerie Smith, the new girl in school and one of the first major African-American comic book characters.  The trio donned leopard print band uniforms that came with long tails and cat-ear headbands.  Hanna-Barbera adapted this new-look Josie into the Saturday morning animated television series, “Josie and the Pussy Cats” (1970-71), and the follow-up, “Josie and the Pussycats in Outer Space” (1972-73).

2023 is the year Archie Comics is celebrating the sixtieth anniversary of Josie's debut.  Archie has just published the one-shot comic book, Josie Anniversary Spectacular, No. 1.  The comic book features one new story, “Rock Cats.”  It is written by Holly G!; drawn by Holly G! (pencils) and Jim Amash (inks); colored by Glenn Whitmore; and lettered by the great Jack Morelli.

Josie and the Pussycats in “Rock Cats”:

The story opens with Josie and the Pussycats: Josie McCoy, Valerie Brown, and Melody Valentine being launched into space aboard the first Lodge/Cabot rocket for an extraordinary concert event.  It's a first – Pussycats in orbit!  There is trouble in space, however, and soon the girls have lost contact with their fans back on Earth.  Can a passing space fan save the day and the concert? 

The story features a host of characters from the world of Archie Comics.  From Josie and the Pussycats, there is Alan M. Mayberry, Alexander Cabot III, Alexandra Cabot, and Pepper Smith.  The “Archie Gang” includes, Archie Andrews, Betty Cooper, and Veronica Lodge, to name a few.  Plus, there is a special appearance by Cosmo the Merry Martian.

THE LOWDOWN:  I have been a fan of the Josie and the Pussycats franchise since I was a small child.  I am crazy about classic Josie comic books from the 1960s to the early 1980s and of the 1970s animated series.

Josie Anniversary Spectacular No. 1 offers a new story in “Rock Cats” that manages to hit upon a number of familiar Josie elements, although it is only five pages long.  I must admit that I like writer-artist Holly G!'s visual nod to the rocket ship that the legendary comic book artist and illustrator, Alex Toth, designed for the “Josie and the Pussycats in Outer Space” animated series.

Josie Anniversary Spectacular, No. 1 also reprints two vintage Josie stories drawn by Dan DeCarlo, Josie's creator.  They are “A Gym Dandy” from She's Josie #1, and “The Ghostly Guardian” from Josie and the Pussycats #61 (cover dated: April 1972).  This comic book also includes a story starring one of the original She's Josie's supporting characters, Pepper Smith, who has made something of a comeback.  It is a modern story entitled “Only the Strong Survive” from World of Betty and Veronica Jumbo Comics Digest #18 (cover dated: August 2022).

I must warn you, dear readers.  I will always recommend classic-style Archie Comics titles.  Thus, I am happy to recommend Josie Anniversary Spectacular, No. 1, and I am pleased that Archie Comics has published it.  Here's to a brighter future for Josie and the Pussycats.

I READS YOU RECOMMENDS:  Fans of classic-style Archie Comics and of Josie and the Pussycats will definitely want to get a copy of Josie Anniversary Spectacular No. 1.

A

Reviewed by Leroy Douresseaux a.k.a. "I Reads You"

https://archiecomics.com/

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--------------------------

#IReadsYou Review: BETTY & VERONICA FRIENDS FOREVER: Beach Party #1

BETTY & VERONICA FRIENDS FOREVER: BEACH PARTY #1

ARCHIE COMIC PUBLICATIONS, INC.

STORY: Jamie L. Rotante; Dan Parent; Francis Bonnet; Craig Boldman; Tania Del Rio; George Gladir

PENCILS: Holly G!; Dan Parent; Jeff Shultz; Rex Lindsey; Bill Gollhier; Dan DeCarlo

INKS: Jim Amash; Bob Smith; Rex Lindsey; Rudy Lapick

COLORS: Glenn Whitmore

LETTERS: Jack Morelli; Rex Lindsey; Vincent DeCarlo

EDITORS: Jamie Lee Rotante, Vincent Lavallo, and Stephen Oswald

EiC: Mike Pellerito

COVER: Holly G! with Rosario “Tito” Peña

32pp, Color, $3.99 U.S. (August 2023)

Rating: All-Ages

Betty and Veronica in “Babbi's Riverdale Beach Party”

Eternal high school student and teenage boy, Archie Andrews, and his friends made their debut in M.L.J. Magazines' Pep Comics #22 (cover dated: December 1941), and before long, Archie was the publisher's headliner character.  In 1946, the company changed its named to Archie Comic Publications, also known as “Archie Comics.” Two of Archie Comics' main characters are Betty Cooper and Veronica Lodge, best friends and also rivals in their love for Archie.

Archie Comics frequently publishes themed one-shot comic books featuring Betty and Veronica.  The latest, apparently the twenty-first in this series, is Betty & Veronica Friends Forever: Beach Party #1 (#21).  It features one new story and five reprint stories.  Entitled “Babbi's Riverdale Beach Party,” the new story is written by Jamie L. Rotante; drawn by Holly G! (pencils) and Jim Amash (inks); colored by Glenn Whitmore; and lettered by the great Jack Morelli.

Betty and Veronica in “Babbi's Riverdale Beach Party”:

The story opens at Veronica's beach house, which she has decorated so that it looks like Babbi's beach house.  Who is “Babbi?”  She is this story's stand-in for the beloved fashion doll, “Barbie.”  Many of the young women at the party are hugely influenced by Babbi, but not everyone attending is crazy about the iconic Babbi.  That includes Cassie Cloud, so when her brother, Casey Cloud, gets caught up in Babbi fever, she has something to say.

Archie, Reggie, Jughead, Trevor, Kevin, and Eliza are among the Archie gang appearing in this story.  Plus, a special guest star is just around the corner.

THE LOWDOWN:  Archie Comics often sends me PDF copies of their titles for review.  While I don't get to review all of them, I enjoy these single issue titles like Betty & Veronica Friends Forever: Beach Party #1.

First, I enjoyed “Babbi's Riverdale Beach Party” because Holly G!'s art is so pretty.  Next, there is a delightful scene of Kevin Keller openly lusting after new character Casey Cloud.  Third, the whole Barbie/Babbi angle is quite nice, and in the end, the story left me wanting more.  Because of the appearance of a special guest, the story ends in the middle of Veronica's “Babbi” party, so, at least to me, it feels like we missed out on potentially the best parts of the story.

As usual, I must warn you, dear readers.  I will always recommend classic-style Archie Comics titles.  Betty & Veronica Friends Forever: Beach Party #1 offers a new character, but the story feels old school and classically fun.

I READS YOU RECOMMENDS:  Fans of classic-style Archie Comics will want Betty & Veronica Friends Forever: Beach Party #1.

B+

Reviewed by Leroy Douresseaux a.k.a. "I Reads You"

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#IReadsYou Review: ARCHIE & FRIENDS Hot Summer Movies #1

ARCHIE & FRIENDS HOT SUMMER MOVIES #1 (#16)

ARCHIE COMIC PUBLICATIONS, INC.

STORY: Adrian Ropp; Rich Margopoulos; George Gladir; Dan Parent

PENCILS: Bill Galvan; Gene Colan; Dan DeCarlo: Dan Parent

INKS: Ben Galvan; Rudy Lapick; Jim DeCarlo; Dan Parent

COLORS: Glenn Whitmore; Dan Parent

LETTERS: Jack Morelli; Bill Yoshida

EDITORS: Jamie Lee Rotante; Vincent Lovallo; Stephen Oswald

EiC: Mike Pellerito

COVER: Bill and Ben Galvan

32pp, Color, $3.99 U.S. (July 2023); on sale in comic book shops June 7, 2023

Rating: All-Ages

“Riverdale Jones and the Burger of Density”

Eternal high school student and teenage boy, Archie Andrews, and his friends made their debut in M.L.J. Magazines' Pep Comics #22 (cover dated: December 1941), and before long, Archie was the publisher's headliner character.  In 1946, the company changed its named to Archie Comic Publications, also known as “Archie Comics.”

Archie Comics published the series, Archie & Friends, from 1992 to 2012 for 159 issues.  Since 2019, Archie has been publishing a new iteration of Archie & Friends as a series of themed one-shot comic books.  The latest is Archie & Friends Hot Summer Movies No.1, the sixteenth issue in the series.  It features one new five-page story, two reprint stories, and gallery of humorous illustrated cards.  Entitled “Riverdale Jones and the Burger of Density,” the new story is written by Adrian Ropp; drawn by Bill Galvan (pencils) and Ben Galvan (inks); colored by Glenn Whitmore; and lettered by the great Jack Morelli.

“Riverdale Jones and the Burger of Density”:

The story opens in Riverdale, specifically Pop's Diner.  Archie and Betty are concerned about the state of Jughead Jones, who has just devoured Pop's thickest and juiciest burger creation yet.  However, Jughead's mind is far away.  He is once again the hero burgerologist, Riverdale Jones, and he is deep in the heart of the rain forest, where he hopes to find the most delicious, exotic burger.  With his faithful pet, Hot Dog, by his side, can Riverdale find a legendary hamburger that may be every bit as formidable as the one Jughead already ate?

THE LOWDOWN:   Over the last few years, Archie's marketing department has been sending PDF copies of some of their titles for review.  One of the most recent is Archie & Friends Hot Summer Movies No. 1, (which is titled Archie & Friends #1 (#16), in the indicia).

“Riverdale Jones and the Burger of Density” is a nice, short send-up and tribute to Indiana Jones.  With the impending arrival of the film, Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny, this is the perfect time for Archie Comics to spoof the beloved movie adventurer and archaeologist.  If I understand correctly, Jughead has been “Riverdale Jones” in the past, but if that is the case, I have not been able to discover the specific issue or issues in which Riverdale appeared.

Anyway, writer Adrian Ropp and artists Bill Galvan and his son, Ben Galvan, have created a sweet comics confection that alone is worth the price of admission.  Plus, as a bonus, this comic book offers “E.T. Travesty,” a tale drawn by the classic Archie Comics artist, Dan DeCarlo.

I READS YOU RECOMMENDS:  Fans of classic-style Archie Comics will want to find a copy of Archie & Friends Hot Summer Movies No. 1.

B+

Reviewed by Leroy Douresseaux a.k.a. "I Reads You"

https://archiecomics.com/

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#IReadsYou Review: ARCHIE & FRIENDS: Thrills and Chills #1

ARCHIE & FRIENDS: THRILLS & CHILLS #1
ARCHIE COMIC PUBLICATIONS, INC.

STORY: J. Torres; Tom DeFalco; Frank Doyle; Mike Pellowski
PENCILS: Rex Lindsey; Pat & Tim Kennedy; Dan DeCarlo
INKS: Rex Lindsey; Bob Smith; Rudy Lapick; Jon D'Agostino
COLORS: Glenn Whitmore; Digikore Studios; Barry Grossman
LETTERS: Rex Lindsey; Jack Morelli; Bill Yoshida
EDITORS: Jamie Lee Rotante; Vincent Lovallo; Stephen Oswald
EiC: Mike Pellerito
COVER: Dan Parent with Rosario “Tito” Peña
32pp, Color, $2.99 U.S. (October 2022)

Rating: All-Ages

Eternal high school student and teenage boy, Archie Andrews, and his friends made their debut in M.L.J. Magazines' Pep Comics #22 (cover dated: December 1941), and before long, Archie was the publisher's headliner character.  In 1946, the company changed its named to Archie Comic Publications, also known as “Archie Comics.”

In 1992, Archie Comics began publishing the title Archie & Friends, and it would run for 159 issues, ceasing publication in 2012.  Since 2019, Archie has published a number of single-issue Archie & Friends titles built around a theme, such as Archie & Friends: Beach Party, Archie & Friends: Fall Festival, and Archie & Friends: Superheroes.

Archie & Friends: Thrills & Chills #1 is the newest Archie & Friends themed release and is issue #14 in the series.  Described by Archie Comics as a “collection of thrill rides, exciting adventures, and odd occurrences,” Thrills & Chills #1 contains four stories – one new story and three reprints.

“Return to Mirrordale” is the opening story.  It is written by J. Torres; drawn and lettered by Rex Lindsey; colored by Glenn Whitmore.  Archie, Betty, Veronica, and Reggie are visiting a local carnival when Archie starts acting strangely.  It seems that he is very frightened of the “House of Mirrors,” but the others insist on going inside even if Archie won't.  Soon, Betty, Veronica, and Reggie will discover the absolute weirdness of the mirrors inside.

THE LOWDOWN:   The current Archie & Friends series presents art and stories in the classic Archie Comics style.  Archie & Friends: Thrills & Chills #1 even includes a “Sabrina the Teenage Witch” story (“Carnival Capers”) that is drawn by the progenitor of the classic Archie Comics house style, the late Dan DeCarlo (1919-2001).

In fact, the theme of the four stories in Archie & Friends: Thrills & Chills #1 is wacky fun at the carnival.  The lead and new story for this issue, “Return to Mirrordale” is a delight and could have been longer than its five pages in length, which does leave it with untapped potential.  This story is also a sequel of sorts to “Welcome to Mirrordale,” a story about an alternate dimension that appeared in Archie #647.  I hope that the creative team of Return to Mirrordale,” J. Torres and Rex Lindsey (or another team), return to “Mirrordale” at some point in the future.

Dear readers, I have to be honest.  I have enjoyed what little of the modern Archie Comics that I have read, but I grew up on classic-style Archie Comics.  Thus, I will always recommend such Archie titles, so I am giving Archie & Friends: Thrills & Chills #1 a hearty recommendation.

I READS YOU RECOMMENDS:  Fans of classic-style Archie Comics will want to find a copy of  Archie & Friends: Thrills & Chills #1 and copies of other Archie & Friends comic books.

B+

★★★½ out of 4 stars

Reviewed by Leroy Douresseaux a.k.a. "I Reads You"


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#IReadsYou Review: World of BETTY AND VERONICA Jumbo Comics Digest #18

WORLD OF BETTY AND VERONICA JUMBO COMICS DIGEST #18
ARCHIE COMIC PUBLICATIONS, INC.

STORY: Ron Robbins; Tom DeFalco; Frank Doyle, and others
PENCILS: Jeff Shultz; Pat & Tim Kennedy; Dan DeCarlo; Stan Goldberg; and others
INKS: Jim Amash; Al Milgrom; Rich Koslowski; Rudy Lapick; Jon D'Agostino; and others
COLORS: Glenn Whitmore; Barry Grossman
LETTERS: Jack Morelli; Bill Yoshida
COVER: Dan Parent with Rosario “Tito” Peña
EiC: Mike Pellerito
ISSN: 2766-2160; (October 2022)
192pp, Color, $8.99 U.S. (August 31, 2022 – direct market)

Rating: All-Ages

New stories: “Wooden it Be Nice?”; “Only the Strong Survive”

World of Betty and Veronica (Jumbo Comics) Digest is part of “The Archie Digest Library” series.  Debuting in early 2021, World of Betty and Veronica Digest is a mini-trade paperback-like series that features stories reprinted from across the publishing history of Archie Comics.  The stories focus on two of Archie Comics' main characters, Betty Cooper and Veronica Lodge, best friends and also rivals in their love for Archie Andrews.  Sometimes, however, these digests open with an original story.

World of Betty and Veronica (Jumbo Comics) Digest #18, the latest edition, contains two brand new five-page stories.  The first is a “Betty and Veronica” tale entitled “Wooden it Be Nice?”  It is written by Ron Robbins and is drawn by Jeff Shultz (pencils).  The second is a “Pepper Smith” story entitled, “Only the Strong Survive”  It is written by Tom DeFalco and drawn by Pat & Tim Kennedy (pencils).  Both stories are inked by Jim Amash; colored by Glenn Whitmore; and lettered by Jack Morelli.

Betty and Veronica in “Wooden it Be Nice?”:

Betty, Veronica, Archie, Jughead, Cheryl Blossom, and the rest of the gang are at the annual Riverdale Fall Carnival.  A stray basketball starts a series of events that finds Betty transformed into a wooden puppet?!  Can Betty find a way to leave this crazy circumstance and end up in Archie's arms, instead?  Guess-starring Sabrina the Teenage Witch.

Pepper Smith in “Only the Strong Survive:

Pepper tells Josie and Valerie (of the Josie and the Pussycats) that their band mate, Melody Valentine, relies too much on the boys who are obsessed with her doing things for her.  Pepper decides to help Melody become more self-reliant – an independent and resourceful young woman.  Pepper believes that she can achieve this by taking Melody on a camping trip.  Pepper is about to discover that Melody is inept at everything … except attracting eager teenage boys.

THE LOWDOWN:  World of Betty and Veronica (Jumbo Comics) Digest is a Betty & Veronica title, of course.  Most of the stories in issue #18 focus on Betty and Veronica as a duo or feature each girl in solo stories.  However, digest series publications also cover the history of Archie Comics, so this issue also includes stories starring such characters as Archie Andrews, Cheryl Blossom, and Ethel Muggs, to name a few.

As for the new stories, “Wooden it Be Nice?” is a fun take on the Pinocchio story, and it is timely because of the recent release of Disney's new live-action Pinocchio film on the Disney+ streaming service.  “Only the Strong Survive” stars Pepper Smith.  She is an early character from the world of Josie McCoy who was phased out in the 1969 revamp that created the title, Josie and the Pussycats.  As this new story and others have shown, Pepper and Melody make a good comedy duo.  Melody's playfulness and naivete make an excellent foil for Pepper and her assertiveness.

As a Josie and the Pussycats super-fan, I must inform you that there are three Josie reprint stories in World of Betty & Veronica Jumbo Comics Digest #18.  There are “The Emissary,” “Club Crisis,” and the one-page “What's in a Name.”  “Club Crisis” is drawn by Josie's creator, the late Dan DeCarlo.

As usual, I must warn you, dear readers.  I will always recommend classic-style Archie Comics titles.  With the addition of two new stories, World of Betty and Veronica (Jumbo Comics) Digest #18 is most definitely worth finding.

I READS YOU RECOMMENDS:  Fans of classic-style Archie Comics will want World of Betty and Veronica (Jumbo Comics) Digest #18.

A-

★★★½ out of 4 stars

Reviewed by Leroy Douresseaux a.k.a. "I Reads You"


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#IReadsYou Review: ARCHIE MILESTONES DIGEST #16

ARCHIE MILESTONES (JUMBO COMICS) DIGEST #16
ARCHIE COMIC PUBLICATIONS, INC.

STORY: Dan Parent; Angelo DeCesare; Kathleen Webb; Craig Boldman; Greg Cosby; Mike Pellowski; and others
PENCILS: Dan Parent; Dan DeCarlo, Stan Goldberg; Rex Lindsey; and others
INKS: Bob Smith; Henry Scarpelli; Rudy Lapick; Rich Koslowski; Jeff Shultz; Al Milgrom; and others
COLORS: Glenn Whitmore; Barry Grossman
LETTERS: Jack Morelli; Bill Yoshida; and others
COVER: Dan Parent with Rosario “Tito” Peña
EIC: Mike Pellerito
ISSN: 2641-5402; (October 2022)
192pp, Color, $8.99 U.S. (August 24, 2022 – direct market)

Rating: All-Ages

New story: “Movie Melée!”

Archie Milestones (Jumbo Comics) Digest is part of “The Archie Digest Library” series.  Archie Milestones Digest celebrates over 80 years of Archie Comics' history, one decade at a time.  Each issue of Archie Milestones Digest features Archie Comics stories published in a particular decade and also features a brand new “throwback story” written, drawn, and set in the featured decade.

Archie Milestones (Jumbo Comics) Digest #16, the latest edition, focuses on the 2000s.  This issue's new throwback story is “Movie Melée!”  It is written by Dan Parent; drawn by Parent (pencils) and Bob Smith (inks); colored by Glenn Whitmore; and lettered by the great Jack Morelli.

Archie in “Movie Melée!”:
Archie Andrews is sharing his uncle's cabin in the woods with old pals Betty Cooper, Veronica Lodge, and Jughead Jones and with newer pals, Chuck Clayton and Nancy Woods (two African-American characters).  After some hiking, the friends decide to relax in the cabin and watch movies.  Luckily, Archie gets DVDs in the mail via “Netfilms” (obviously a stand-in for “Netflix”), and Archie picks are the first seven installments of the “Blood Camp” horror film series.  But as Archie is want to do, he doesn't pay attention to the details, and soon, he is being haunted by DVDs.

THE LOWDOWN:  Archie Milestones Digest is not only an Archie Andrews title.  It is also an Archie Comics title, so this edition includes stories focusing on Betty and Veronica (as a pair and as solo acts), Jughead, Dilton Doiley, and the pop group, The Archies.  There is a story from the Archie & Friends comic book series and also some decades-old stories, including one, “The Case in Brief,” drawn by the co-creator and designer of many Archie Comics characters, Bob Montana (1920-75)

“Movie Melée!” is funny, and writer-artist Dan Parent offers a snarky tale of something the 2000s did bring about – the beginning of the rapid demise of the bricks-and-mortar video rental stores.  The story manages to encapsulate the way things were early in the 2000s and what was coming late in the 2000s.  “Movie Melée!” is a clever bit of fun and is what I would expect from one of the best modern Archie Comics creatives.

Aside from the fun of the throwback story, Archie Milestones Digest #16 offers a reprint of a milestone Archie Comics publication from the 2000s, the 500th issue of Archie.  This digest reprints the main stories from Archie #500 (October 2000), “The Big Five-Oh-Oh!” and the three-part “Happy Anni-Worse-ary.”

As usual, I must warn you, dear readers.  I will always recommend classic-style Archie Comics titles.  And Archie Milestones Digest looks like the kind of digest series that I can't help but recommend.

I READS YOU RECOMMENDS:  Fans of classic-style Archie Comics will want Archie Milestones (Jumbo Comics) Digest #16.

A-

★★★½ out of 4 stars

Reviewed by Leroy Douresseaux a.k.a. "I Reads You"


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#IReadsYou Review: BETTY & VERONICA Double Digest #306

BETTY & VERONICA (JUMBO COMICS) DOUBLE DIGEST #306
ARCHIE COMIC PUBLICATIONS, INC.

STORY: Tania Del Rio; Tom DeFalco; Frank Doyle; Angelo DeCesare; George Gladir and others
PENCILS: Jeff Shultz; Bill Galvan; Dan Parent; Dan DeCarlo and others
INKS: Jim Amash; Bob Smith; Rudy Lapick; Rich Koslowski and others
COLORS: Glenn Whitmore
LETTERS: Jack Morelli; Vince DeCarlo; Bill Yoshida and others
COVER: Bill Golliher with Rosario “Tito” Peña
EIC: Mike Pellerito
ISSN: 10440321; (October 2022)
192pp, Color, $8.99 U.S. (August 10, 2022 – direct market)


Rating: All-Ages

New stories: “Sunny with a Chance of Rescue!;” “Mall Madness!”

Betty & Veronica (Jumbo Comics) Double Digest is part of “The Archie Digest Library” series.  Debuting in the spring of 1987, Betty & Veronica Double Digest is a mini-trade paperback-like series that features stories reprinted from across the publishing history of Archie Comics.  The stories focus on two of Archie Comics' main characters, Betty Cooper and Veronica Lodge, best friends and also rivals in their love for Archie Andrews.  Sometimes, however, these digests open with an original story.

Betty & Veronica (Jumbo Comics) Double Digest #306, the latest edition, contains two brand new five -page stories.  The first is a “Betty and Veronica” tale entitled “Sunny with a Chance of Rescue!”  It is written by Tania Del Rio and is drawn by Jeff Shultz (pencils) and Jim Amash (inks).  The second is a “Pepper Smith” story entitled, “Mall Madness!”  It is written by Tom DeFalco and drawn by Bill Galvan (pencils) and Bob Smith (inks).  Both stories are colored by Glenn Whitmore and lettered by the great Jack Morelli.

Betty and Veronica in “Sunny with a Chance of Rescue!”:

It's summer, and Betty and Veronica are racing to Riverdale Beach.  It's time for their favorite summer activity – boy watching!  The summer lifeguard trials provide the perfect opportunity for the duo to check out the cute guys training to be lifeguards for the season, and their friends, Toni and Shelia, are joining in on the fun.  However, Betty and Veronica's decision to get up close and personal could lead to a need for rescuing.

Pepper Smith in “Mall Madness!”:

Pepper and Josie McCoy (of Josie and the Pussycats) are at the local mall shopping for bathing suits.  However, when word gets out that Josie's band mate, Melody Valentine, is also shopping for a bathing suit, things get hectic.  Now, Pepper and Josie have to escape … the mall madness!

THE LOWDOWN:  Betty & Veronica Double Digest #306 is a Betty & Veronica title, of course.  Thus, most of the stories feature Betty and Veronica as a duo or stories that focus on either Betty or Veronica.  This title also offers stories featuring other characters, as is the case in one of the two new stories included in this edition.

“Sunny with a Chance of Rescue!” is a Betty and Veronica story that offers the girls equal space as writer Tania Del Rio has them in a perfect partnership.  The story only works with them playing off each other's similarities.  It is one of the best new Archie Comics stories of the year, with artist Jeff Shultz perfectly capturing the classic Archie Comics vibe.

The second new story focuses on “other characters,” specifically Pepper Smith, a character from She's Josie, the precursor title to Josie and the Pussycats.  Tom DeFalco pens a surprisingly spry tale that plays of the offbeat luck of Pussycat, Melody, while using Pepper and Josie to drive the action.  Artist Bob Galvan expertly recalls the graphical style of Josie's creator, Dan DeCarlo, in this winning story.

The rest of this comic book offers one tale of Betty and/or Veronica after another, for your enjoyment.  As a Josie fan, however, I must inform you that there are three other Josie stories in Betty & Veronica Double Digest #306.  There is the two-part, “Lend Lease Part I & II,” and “Home is Where the Heart Is,” in addition to a reprint of some Josie pin-up art.

As usual, I must warn you, dear readers.  I will always recommend classic-style Archie Comics titles.  However, this 306th edition of Betty & Veronica Double Digest is a standout simply because it offers two quality new stories, so I am recommending it.

I READS YOU RECOMMENDS:  Fans of classic-style Archie Comics will want Betty & Veronica (Jumbo Comics) Double Digest #306.

A-
★★★½ out of 4 stars

Reviewed by Leroy Douresseaux a.k.a. "I Reads You"


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-------------------

#IReadsYou Review: BETTY & VERONICA Double Digest #304

BETTY & VERONICA (JUMBO COMICS) DOUBLE DIGEST #304
ARCHIE COMIC PUBLICATIONS, INC.

[This review was originally posted on Patreon.]

STORY: Tania Del Rio; Angelo DeCesare; Frank Doyle; George Gladir; Dick Malmgren; Dan Parent; Mike Pellowski; Barbara Slate; Hal Smith; Dexter Taylor; Kathleen Webb
PENCILS: Bill Golliher; Dan DeCarlo; Gus Lemoine; Stan Goldberg; Tim Kennedy; Bill Kresse; Rudy Lapick; Dan Parent; Fernando Ruiz; Jeff Shultz; Chic Stone; Dexter Taylor; Bill Vigoda
INKS: Jim Amash; Jon D'Agostino; Jim DeCarlo; Vince DeCarlo; Mike Esposito; Bill Kresse; John Lowe; Al Milgrom; Henry Scarpelli; Chic Stone
COLORS: Glenn Whitmore; Barry Grossman
LETTERS: Jack Morelli; Vince DeCarlo; Bill Kresse; Dexter Taylor; Bill Yoshida
COVER: Dan Parent with Francis Bonnet
EIC: Mike Pellerito
ISSN: 10440321; (July 2022)
192pp, Color, $8.99 U.S. (June 1, 2022 – direct market)

Rating: All-Ages

New stories: “Smells Like Teen Spirits!”

Betty & Veronica (Jumbo Comics) Double Digest is part of “The Archie Digest Library” series.  Debuting in the spring of 1987, Betty & Veronica Double Digest is a mini-trade paperback-like series that features stories reprinted from across the publishing history of Archie Comics.  The stories focus on two of Archie Comics' main characters, Betty Cooper and Veronica Lodge, best friends and also rivals in their love for Archie Andrews.  Sometimes, however, these digests open with an original story.

Betty & Veronica (Jumbo Comics) Double Digest #304, the latest edition, contains one brand new story, “Smells Like Teen Spirits!”  It is written by Tania Del Rio; drawn by Bill Golliher (pencils) and Jim Amash (inks); colored by Glenn Whitmore; and lettered by Jack Morelli.  It stars Sabrina Spellman with Betty and Veronica.  A teenage witch, Sabrina was created by writer George Gladir and artist Dan DeCarlo, and first appeared in Archie's Madhouse #22 (cover-dated: October 1962).  2022 is the sixtieth anniversary of the character, and Archie Comics is honoring the character with the “60 Years of Magic” celebration.

Sabrina in “Smells Like Teen Spirits!”:

The story opens at Riverdale Beach, and Sabrina is looking for a particular new pop-up shop among the beach's boardwalk shops.  Sabina hopes the new shop, “Perfume Pop-Up,” also sells empty perfume bottles.  She needs a thick new one to contain a troublesome potion she made that is about to break out of the flimsy old perfume bottle in which it is currently contained.

Unfortunately, all it takes is a moment for Betty and Veronica to expose themselves to the potion.  Now, unfortunate and unexpected things are happening to them, and Sabrina has to fix this awful situation without Betty and Veronica noticing.

THE LOWDOWN:  Although Betty & Veronica (Jumbo Comics) Double Digest #304 is a Betty & Veronica title, it is also a celebration of Sabrina the Teenage Witch.  In addition to the new story, “Smell Like Teen Spirits!,” which is the story that opens this issue, the next six stories feature Sabrina as the star or co-star.

The rest of the Sabrina stories include classic old-school Sabrina characters like her Aunt Hilda and Della, the Head Witch, with Archie and the gang joining the fun.  Another delight, two of the stories are drawn by Sabrina's co-creator, the late Dan DeCarlo.

As usual, I must warn you, dear readers.  I will always recommend classic-style Archie Comics titles.  And this 304th edition of Betty & Veronica Double Digest is doubly recommended because we get Betty & Veronica and the Archie Gang and Sabrina Spellman.

I READS YOU RECOMMENDS:  Fans of classic-style Archie Comics will want Betty & Veronica (Jumbo Comics) Double Digest #304.

A-
★★★½ out of 4 stars

Reviewed by Leroy Douresseaux a.k.a. "I Reads You"


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---------------------

#IReadsYou Review: BETTY & VERONICA Double Digest #303

BETTY & VERONICA (JUMBO COMICS) DOUBLE DIGEST #303
ARCHIE COMIC PUBLICATIONS, INC.

[This review was originally posted on Patreon.]

STORY: Dan Parent; Francis Bonnet with Bob Bolling; Frank Doyle; George Gladir; Bill Golliher; Mike Pellowski; Hal Smith; Dexter Taylor; Kathleen Webb
PENCILS: Dan Parent; Rex Lindsey with Bob Bolling; Doug Crane; Jon D'Agostino; Dan DeCarlo; Stan Goldberg; Tim Kennedy; Rudy Lapick; Jeff Shultz
INKS: Bob Smith; Rex Lindsey with Jim Amash; Jim DeCarlo; Vince DeCarlo; Mike Esposito; Rich Koslowski; Rudy Lapick; John Lowe; Al Milgrom; Henry Scarpelli; Ken Selig
COLORS: Glenn Whitmore with Barry Grossman
LETTERS: Jack Morelli; Rex Lindsey with Jon D'Agostino; Teresa Davidson; Vince DeCarlo; Phil Felix; Rod Ollerenshaw; Vickie Williams; Bill Yoshida
COVER: Bill Galvan and Ben Galvan with Rosario “Tito” Peña
EIC: Mike Pellerito
ISSN: 10440321; (June 2022)
192pp, Color, $8.99 U.S. (April 27, 2022 – direct market)

Rating: All-Ages

New stories: “New Trails, Trials, and Tribulations!” and “A Million Dollars Short”

Betty & Veronica (Jumbo Comics) Double Digest is part of “The Archie Digest Library” series.  Debuting in the spring of 1987, Betty & Veronica Double Digest is a mini-trade paperback-like series that features stories reprinted from across the publishing history of Archie Comics.  The stories focus on two of Archie Comics' main characters, Betty Cooper and Veronica Lodge, best friends and also rivals in their love for Archie Andrews.  Sometimes, however, these digests open with an original story.

Betty & Veronica (Jumbo Comics) Double Digest #303, the latest edition, contains two brand new stories.  The first is a “Betty & Veronica” story entitled “New Trails, Trials and Tribulations!”  It is written by Dan Parent; drawn by Parent (pencils) and Bob Smith (inks); colored by Glenn Whitmore; and lettered by the Great Jack Morelli.  The second original is a “Cricket O'Dell” story entitled “A Million Dollars Short!”  It is written by Francis Bonnet; drawn and lettered by Rex Lindsey; and colored by Glenn Whitmore.

“New Trails, Trials and Tribulations!”

Betty, Veronica, Archie, and Jughead are ready to do some hiking.  Then, the gang discovers that their favorite hiking trail, Pike Trail, has been washed out by a flood.  They need to find a new one, but every other trail is riddled with problems.  Will Betty and Veronica and friends be able to find the perfect trail and enjoy the great outdoors?

“A Million Dollars Short!”

Betty and Veronica are having lunch when Veronica realizes that she has misplaced her purse … which has a million-dollar gold coin in it!  Luckily, Cricket O’Dell is also having lunch and she offers to use her sense of smell for money to track down the missing purse.  With Veronica at the wheel of her car, and Betty in the backseat, Cricket shouts out directions, sending them tearing through Riverdale as Cricket follows her nose towards the scent of the missing money.  Will they be able to track down the missing coin?

THE LOWDOWN:  “New Trails, Trials and Tribulations!” and “A Million Dollars Short!” are both only five pages long, and the latter is really a “Betty & Veronica” story guest-starring Cricket O'Dell (a recurring character who is a friend of Betty and Veronica).  Still, this is a welcomed ten new pages of classic-style Archie Comics, and I had a blast reading them.

There are also two stories featuring Josie McCoy (of Josie and the Pussycats), and both are drawn by the ultimate “Josie” comic book artist and her creator, Dan DeCarlo.  The easiest way to make me like any Archie “Jumbo Comics” digest is to include Josie, and the ten-page “The Photographers” and the six-page “Forget It” make me “over the moon” about Betty & Veronica Double Digest #303.

This edition of the digest also contains multiple pin-up illustrations featuring Betty or Veronica or both of the girls.  There are also several stories that seem to predate the “Silver Age” of comic books.  So I heartily recommend this 303rd edition of this digest, but I must warn you, dear readers.  I will always recommend classic-style Archie Comics titles.

I READS YOU RECOMMENDS:  Fans of classic-style Archie Comics will want Betty & Veronica (Jumbo Comics) Double Digest #303.

A-
★★★½ out of 4 stars

Reviewed by Leroy Douresseaux a.k.a. "I Reads You"


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------------------------

BETTY & VERONICA Jumbo Comics Double Digest #299

BETTY & VERONICA (JUMBO COMICS) DOUBLE DIGEST #299
ARCHIE COMIC PUBLICATIONS, INC.

STORY: Bill Golliher with Craig Boldman; Frank Doyle; George Gladir; Al Hartley; Sid Jacobson; Dick Malmgren; Mike Pellowski; Hal Smith; Dexter Taylor; Kathleen Webb
PENCILS: Bill Golliher with Dan DeCarlo; Holly G!; Al Hartley; Pat Kennedy; Dan Parent; Jeff Shultz; Dexter Taylor
INKS: Jim Amash with John Costanza; Jon D'Agostino; Jimmy DeCarlo; Hy Eisman; Mike Esposito; Alison Flood; Rick Koslowski; Rudy Lapick; Al Milgrom; Henry Scarpelli; Dexter Taylor
COLORS: Glenn Whitmore with Barry Grossman
LETTERS: Jack Morelli with Vince DeCarlo; Dexter Taylor; Bill Yoshida
COVER: Jeff Shultz with Rosario “Tito” Peña
192pp, Color, $7.99 U.S. (February 2022)

Rating: All-Ages

“Holiday Lights!”

Betty & Veronica (Jumbo Comics) Double Digest is part of “The Archie Digest Library” series.  Debuting in the spring of 1987, Betty & Veronica Double Digest is a mini-trade paperback-like series that features stories reprinted from across the publishing history of Archie Comics.  Sometimes, however, these digests open with an original story.

Betty & Veronica (Jumbo Comics) Double Digest #299 opens with the original story, “Holiday Lights!”  It is written by Bill Golliher; drawn by Golliher (pencils) and Jim Amash (inks); colored by Glenn Whitmore; and lettered by Jack Morelli.

As “Holiday Lights!” opens, Betty and Veronica are planning their big Christmas party, which will take place at Veronica's family home, the Lodge estate.  Veronica has planned for a “killer light display” across the entire estate, and she wants it to be the biggest light display in Riverdale.  The party guests begin to arrive:  Moose & Midge, Toni & Kevin, Jughead, Dilton, Archie, and more.  Can the guests, however, discover the true spirit of Christmas beyond the light display?

THE LOWDOWN:  “Holiday Lights” is only five pages long, but it is a delightful tale.  It's easy to digest moral is a perfect fit for Christmas and for the end of the year holidays.

Like the concurrently released, World of Archie Double Digest #115, Betty & Veronica Double Digest #299 offers other Christmas-themed and holiday-themed stories.  There is also a two-part, movie studio-set mystery tale, “Mystery at the Studio” by classic-style Archie Comics creative stalwarts, writer George Gladir and artists Stan Goldberg (pencils) and Rudy Lapick (inks).  This digest also has some Betty solo comics and some Veronica solo comics … for those who want to enjoy the girls apart.

I must warn you, dear readers.  I will always recommend classic-style Archie Comics titles.

I READS YOU RECOMMENDS:  Fans of classic-style Archie Comics and of Christmas-themed comics will want Betty & Veronica Double Digest #299.

B+
7 out of 10

Reviewed by Leroy Douresseaux a.k.a. "I Reads You"


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--------------------

#IReadsYou Review: WORLD OF ARCHIE Jumbo Comics Double Digest #115

WORLD OF ARCHIE (JUMBO COMICS) DOUBLE DIGEST #115
ARCHIE COMIC PUBLICATIONS, INC.

STORY: Ron Robbins with Frank Doyle; Craig Boldman; Bill Golliher; George Gladir; Tim Kennedy; Al Hartley; Mike Pellowski; Rich Margopoulos; J. Torres; Dexter Taylor
PENCILS: Pat & Tim Kennedy with Dan DeCarlo; Harry Lucey; Rex Lindsey; Bob Bolling; Dan Parent; Stan Goldberg; Bob White; Tim Kennedy; Al Hartley; Fernando Ruiz; Samm Schwartz; Henry Scarpelli; Dexter Taylor
INKS: Jim Amash; Bob Smith; Jon D'Agostino; Mike Esposito; Bob White; Rod Ollerenshaw; Rick Koslowski; Rudy Lapick; Samm Schwartz; Dexter Taylor; Henry Scarpelli; Joe Sinnott
COLORS: Glenn Whitmore with Barry Grossman; Rod Ollerenshaw; Digikore Studios
LETTERS: Jack Morelli with Bill Yoshida; Vickie Williams; Samm Schwartz; Dexter Taylor
COVER: Bill Golliher and Jeff Shultz with Rosario “Tito” Peña and Jack Morelli
192pp, Color, $7.99 U.S. (February 2022)

Rating: All-Ages

“Santa Con Carne”

World of Archie (Jumbo Comics) Double Digest is part of “The Archie Digest Library” series.  Debuting in late 2010, World of Archie Double Digest is a mini-trade paperback like series that features stories reprinted from across the publishing history of Archie Comics.  Sometimes, however, these digests offer original stories.

World of Archie (Jumbo Comics) Double Digest #115 opens with an original story, “Santa Con Carne.”  It is written by Ron Robbins; drawn by Pat & Tim Kennedy (pencils) and Jim Amash (inks); colored by Glenn Whitmore; and lettered by Jack Morelli.

“Santa Con Carne” opens on Christmas Day.  Archie, Betty, Veronica, and Trevor are enjoying the “Christmas Day Santa Con” and are surprised to meet the real Kris Kringle.  It seems he has a problem.  Something important to jolly old St. Nick is missing, and the culprit may be someone familiar to Archie and his friends.

THE LOWDOWN:  “Santa Con Carne” is both a strange and delightful story, and I think of it that way because the second half of the story reminds me of Winsor McCay's acclaimed comic strip, Little Nemo in Slumberland.  The surreal elements in “Santa Con Carne” are also similar to the flights of fancy found in Aki Irie's magical manga, Ran and the Gray World.  This story is five pages long, and I wished it was longer because it has potential.

Meanwhile, the rest of World of Archie Double Digest #115 is comprised of other Christmas and Christmas-themed and holiday-themed comics.  There are also other winter-set tales, and it would not be Archie Comics without some high school set misadventures.

I should warn you, dear readers.  I will always recommend classic-style Archie Comics.

I READS YOU RECOMMENDS:  Fans of classic-style Archie Comics and of Christmas-themed comic books will want World of Archie.

B+
7 out of 10

Reviewed by Leroy Douresseaux a.k.a. "I Reads You"


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------------------------

#IReadsYou Review: SHE'S JOSIE

SHE'S JOSIE
ARCHIE COMIC PUBLICATIONS, INC.

STORY: Frank Doyle
PENCILS: Dan DeCarlo
INKS: Rudy Lapick
LETTERS: Vincent DeCarlo; Bill Yoshida; Victor Gorelick
EDITOR: Jamie Lee Rotante
COVER: Audrey Mok
ISBN: 978-1-64576-993-4; paperback; 5.25 x 7.96 (May 18, 2021)
224pp, Color, $10.99 U.S., $13.99 CAN

Josie and the Pussycats began as a 1963 teen-humor comic book entitled She's Josie (She's Josie #1, cover date: February 1963).  Published by Archie Comics, it was created by Dan DeCarlo and focused on the fanciful life and times of a teenager, the sweet and level-headed redhead, Josie Jones, later Josie James and Josie McCoy.  The title was renamed Josie with issue #17 (cover dated: December 1965).

The series became Josie and the Pussycats with issue #45 (cover date: December 1969), in which Josie and her friend, Melody, formed a band called the Pussycats.  The two friends added bassist Valerie Smith, the new girl in school and one of the first major African-American comic book characters.  The trio donned leopard print band uniforms that came with long tails and cat-ear headbands.  Hanna-Barbera adapted this new-look Josie into the Saturday morning animated television series, “Josie and the Pussycats," which ran for two seasons.  Josie's comic book series ended with Josie and the Pussycats #106 (cover date: October 1982)

Earlier this year, Archie Comic Publications, Inc. (a.k.a. “Archie Comics”) published a trade paperback, entitled She's Josie.  The book returns to the time before Josie became Josie and the Pussycats.  She's Josie reprints the story contents of the original She's Josie series, issues #1 to #9, which were published in 1963 and 1964.  This paperback is apparently the first chronological collection the early She's Josie issues.

She's Josie reveals a world-famous rock star when she was an average high school teen.  With her best friends, the witty Pepper and the ditzy Melody, Josie gets caught up in all sorts of misadventures.  Joining this trio is Josie's boyfriend, Albert; Pepper's boy friend, Sock, and the rich and rotten Cabot twins, Alex and Alexandra, plus others in this chronological collection of She's Josie

THE LOWDOWN:  I am a huge fan of Josie and the Pussycats and have been since I was five or six-years-old.  It was the Hanna-Barbera animated television series, “Josie and the Pussycats in Outer Space” (1972-73), that helped to launch my love of science fiction and eventually of comic books.  [I saw the original series, “Josie and the Pussycats” (1971-72), a few years after I saw the outer space revamp.]

Over the last 20 years or so, I have been collected early Josie and also Josie and the Pussycats comic books, but She's Josie provides me with my first opportunity to read the very early comic book stories featuring the characters.  Reading these comic books was a little odd because the Josie characters with which I am familiar, Josie's boyfriend, Alan M, and band mate, Valerie, are not present in these early stories.  However, future Pussycat, Melody, is present – ditzy as ever.  Alexander and Alexandra Cabot are present, although Alex plays a much bigger role in these first nine issues than his sister does.

Each issue features a story divided into four chapters, and with the exception of She's Josie #4, those four chapters combine for one story.  Some of the stories are quite dated, but their plots and subject matter deal with obstacles and dilemmas that teenagers still face and likely will for some time.  She's Josie #2 focuses on a visiting instructor's bid to bring Josie's male and female high school classmates together in order to participate in a theatrical production he is mounting.  The behind-the-scenes melodrama of this high school musical theater will illicit some chuckles or perhaps, remind some readers of episodes of the late Fox TV series, “Glee” (2009-15)

My favorite issue is She's Josie #6 with its “Tower of Trouble” story about a reputedly haunted house and the crooks hiding inside it.  This could be the plot of an episode of a Scooby-Doo cartoon, and Scooby-Doo taught me to love haunted house-set comedy.  I find “Tower of Trouble” to be good from start to finish.  I also like She's Josie #3, which has to do with a jewelry heist and stolen sweaters.

Many issues are inconsistent – some good chapters, others are either misfires or dull.  Some of the stories are instantly forgettable, and sometimes, the stories make the characters seem like nothing more than second rate clones of Archie Andrews and his friends.  In the moment of reading them, however, there a few stories that are just delightful.  Overall, Josie and the Pussycat fans, like myself, will be pleased.  Honestly, She's Josie is an indispensable volume if you are a fan of all things Josie.  I highly recommend it … and I hope there is a second volume...

I READS YOU RECOMMENDS:  Fans of Josie and the Pussycats will want to have this low-priced collection, She's Josie.

B+
7 out of 10

Reviewed by Leroy Douresseaux a.k.a. "I Reads You"


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#IReadsYou Review: SCOOBY-DOO, Where Are You? #105

SCOOBY-DOO, WHERE ARE YOU? #105 (2010)
DC COMICS – @DCComics

STORY: Sholly Fisch; Barney Topper
PENCILS: Walter Carzon; Dan DeCarlo
INKS: Horacio Ottolini; Dan Davis
COLORS: Silvana Brys; Paul Becton
LETTERS: Saida Temofonte; Jenna Garcia
EDITORS: Courtney Jordan; Joan Hilty (reprint)
COVER: Walter Carzon and Horacio Ottolini with Silvana Brys
32pp, Color, $2.99 U.S. (October 2020)

Ages 8+

“Clearing the Troll Posts”

Welcome, dear readers, to my continuing journey through the Scooby-Doo, Where Are You? comic book series, which began publication in 2010.  I renewed my subscription (for a second time), and this is the seventh issue of my third subscription run that I have received.

Scooby-Doo, Where Are You? #105 opens with “Clearing the Troll Posts,” which is written by Sholly Fisch and drawn by Walter Carzon and Horacio Ottolini.  Mystery Inc.:  Scooby-Doo, Shaggy, Fred, Daphne, and Velma discover that Daphne's favorite “vlogger” (video blogger), “Screengirl,” is in trouble.  It seems that she is being trolled by the monstrous “Internet Troll” who is trashing Screengirl's tech.  Can Mystery Inc. unravel the mystery of the Internet Troll, or is there more to this i-haunting than some trolling?

The second story, “Scare Wear,” is, as usual, a reprint and is written by Barney Topper and drawn by Dan DeCarlo and Dan Davis.  [This story was originally published in Scooby-Doo #51 (cover date: October 2001).]  Mystery Inc. is excited about seeing pop star, Ashley Stunn, who is also a fashion icon.  Ashley's outfits, designed by Tim Goodfiger, are a sensation... but those outfits are also haunted!  And the spooks are threatening Ashley's well-being.  Can Mystery Inc. unravel the threads of this designer mystery?

“Clearing the Troll Posts,” the new story in Scooby-Doo, Where Are You? #105, does not amount to much, and it is hardly worth talking about.  However, the reprint story, “Scare Wear,” is of interest because its pencil art was produced by the late Dan DeCarlo (1919-2001), the great Archie Comics artist who developed Archie Comics' house style, the visual and graphic style that would shape the art of Archie Comics for over 40 years.

DeCarlo and is one of the creators of such popular Archie Comics' franchises as Sabrina the Teenage Witch, Josie and the Pussycats, and Cheryl Blossom.  It was because of his lawsuit against Archie Comics over the rights to Josie and the Pussycats that got DeCarlo banished from the publisher.  Before he died, DeCarlo drew comics for other publishers, including two Scooby-Doo comics stories, one of which is “Scare Wear.”

I recommend Scooby-Doo, Where Are You? #105 to fans of Scooby-Doo comic books, and, this time, especially to fans of the late, great Dan DeCarlo.  So, until next time, Scooby-Dooby-Doo!

B
6 out of 10

Reviewed by Leroy Douresseaux a.k.a. "I Reads You"


The text is copyright © 2020 Leroy Douresseaux. All Rights Reserved. Contact this blog or site for syndication rights and fees.

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Review: JOSIE AND THE PUSSYCATS #1

JOSIE AND THE PUSSYCATS VOL. 2 No. 1 (2016)
ARCHIE COMICS – @ArchieComics

[This review was originally posted on Patreon.]

STORY: Marguerite Bennett and Cameron Deordio
ART: Audrey Mok
COLORS: Andre Szymanowicz
LETTERS: Jack Morelli
COVER: Audrey Mok
VARIANT COVERS: Derek Charm, Colleen Coover, Veronica Fish, Francesco Francavilla, Robert Hack, Gisele Legace, Alitha Martinez, Marguerite Sauvage,
32pp, Color, $3.99 U.S. (November 2016)

Josie and the Pussycats began as a 1963 teen-humor comic book entitled She's Josie (cover date:  February 1963).  Published by Archie Comics, it was created by Dan DeCarlo and focused on the fanciful life and times of a teenager, the sweet and level-headed redhead, Josie.  The title was renamed Josie with issue #17 (cover dated:  December 1965).

It became Josie and the Pussycats with issue #45 (cover date:  December 1969), in which Josie and her friend, Melody, formed a band called the Pussycats.  The two friends added bassist Valerie Smith, the new girl in school and one of the first major African-American comic book characters.  The trio donned leopard print band uniforms that came with long tails and cat-ear headbands.  Hanna-Barbera adapted this new-look Josie into the Saturday morning animated television series, “Josie and the Pussycats,” which ran for two seasons.

The comic book ran until Josie and the Pussycats #106 (cover date:  October 1982), but the characters made appearances in other Archie Comics after that and was even the subject of an American manga makeover about a decade ago.  Josie and the Pussycats are remade, redesigned, and re-imagined again, this time as part of Archie Comics new-look line of comic books.  This new Josie and the Pussycats is written by Marguerite Bennett and Cameron Deordio; drawn by Audrey Mok; colored by Andre Szymanowicz, and lettered by Jack Morelli.

Josie and the Pussycats #1 opens in the bar, “Win Some Booze Some,” in Riverdale.  The owner, Pepper, has allowed her pal, Josie, to try out her folksy vocals, but customers are not interested, and even Josie's frenemy, Alexandra, stops by to rub it in.  Josie would so like to perform at the charity benefit concert for the Riverdale Animal Shelter, but it is for bands only.  Despondent, Josie does not realize how close she is to having a band, but will she know how work it when she gets one?

I have to keep it real.  I only have a passing interest in the new-look Archie Comics, and that interest is not strong enough to make me read even the review PDFs I get from Archie Comics.  However, I have been in love with Josie and the Pussycats since I was a tyke, so I gave this new look a look.

It isn't bad.  Actually, this first issue is average, at best.  Honestly, my Josie is drawn by Dan DeCarlo and the other Archie Comics artists who mimicked DeCarlo's style for four decades of Josie comics.  New-look Josie artist, Audrey Mok, draws beautiful covers, but her interior art for Josie and the Pussycats #1 but does not rise to the level of her cover art for issue #1.  The story is OK, and I might come back for the second issue and maybe a third issue if the second issue entices me.

But this ain't my Josie.  This really isn't Josie, but to be fair, I won't grade this series, yet.

[This issue reprints the Josie and the Pussycats story, “Pussy Footing,” which was written by Dick Malmgren; drawn by Dan DeCarlo (pencils) and Rudy Lapick (inks); and lettered by Bill Yoshida.]

Now, these are my girls.  I think “Pussy Footing” was one of two Josie chapters in Josie and the Pussycats #45.  I love it.  Now, I need to get to eBay.

Reviewed by Leroy Douresseaux a.k.a. "I Reads You"


The text is copyright © 2016 Leroy Douresseaux. All Rights Reserved. Contact this blog for reprint and syndication rights and fees.

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Review: CHILLING ADVENTURES OF SABRINA #4

CHILLING ADVENTURES OF SABRINA #4
ARCHIE COMICS – @ArchieComics @ArchieHorror

STORY: Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa
ART: Robert Hack
LETTERS: Jack Morelli
COVER/VARIANT COVER: Robert Hack
32pp, Color, $3.99 U.S. (September 2015)

“The Crucible” Chapter Four: “Harvey Horrors”

Rated Teen + (Violence and mature content)

When writer George Gladir and artist Dan DeCarlo created Sabrina the Teen-Age Witch and her world in the early 1960s, did they imagine or could they have imagined how much it would all change decades later?  It's a chilling thought.

The comic book series, Afterlife with Archie, is a re-imagining of the world of Archie Comics as a zombie apocalypse, and it is a hit with readers.  Last year, Sabrina the Teen-Age Witch, a traditionally lighthearted, Archie Comics publication, also received a horror comics makeover.  Now, we have Chilling Adventures of Sabrina, written by Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa, drawn by Robert Hack, and lettered by Jack Morelli.  It is a genuine and genuinely good horror comic book.  Say what!

This darker series is set in the 1960s, with the current story line largely taking place in 1967.  Sabrina Spellman is a 15-year-old who lives in Greendale with her aunts, Hilda and Zelda (two witches of the Satan-serving variety), and her cousin, Ambrose (a warlock).

Chilling Adventures of Sabrina #4 (“The Crucible” Chapter Four: “Harvey Horrors”) opens after Sabrina's interrupted “Unholy Baptism,” in which she was preparing to accept the life of a witch.  Now, Sabrina's boyfriend, Harvey Kinkle, a fellow student and football stud at Greendale High School, is running for his life.

In the tragic aftermath, Sabrina struggles to accept what seems like fate.  In the meantime, her aunts warn her that she must face the coven.  However, a sympathetic teacher at Greendale High, Evangeline Porter a.k.a. Madam Satan, may have a way to make things better for Sabrina.

Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa and Robert Hack have created a horror comic book that it is so good that they could make it work without using a well-known Archie Comics character.  That they have re-imagined Sabrina the Teen-Age Witch simply makes the book that much more wickedly divine and salacious.

The bucolic 1960s setting is appropriate as this comic book has the occult and ominous vibe of such 1970s occult films like Carrie, The Omen, Race the Devil, and Rosemary's Baby, among others.  Every time I read this comic book, I also think about Rob Zombie's recent half-ridiculous/half-brilliant, Satanic art movie, The Lords of Salem.

Chilling Adventures of Sabrina is mad and brilliant.  If EC Comics and the 1950s copy-cat horror comics that the publisher influenced had created graphic novels, they would look like this first story arc of Chilling Adventures of Sabrina, “The Crucible.”  Sometimes, the witchery is so shocking in this comic book, I think that Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa and Robert Hack might need some inquisition face-time, or perhaps to be dunked a time or two.

[This issue includes a bonus Sabrina the Teen-Age Witch story, “Double Date,” from writer by Dick Malmgren and artist Dan DeCarlo.]

A

http://archiehorror.com/

Reviewed by Leroy Douresseaux


The text is copyright © 2015 Leroy Douresseaux. All Rights Reserved. Contact this blog for reprint and syndication rights and fees.