#IReadsYou Review: WORLD OF ARCHIE DOUBLE DIGEST #136

WORLD OF ARCHIE (JUMBO COMICS) DOUBLE DIGEST #136

ARCHIE COMIC PUBLICATIONS, INC.

STORY: Ian Flynn; Daniel Kibblesmith; with Mike Pellowski; Bill Golliher; Frank Doyle; and various

PENCILS: Holly G!; Steven Butler; with Stan Goldberg; Bill Golliher; Dan DeCarlo, Jr.; and various

INKS: Jim Amash; Lily Butler; with Bob Smith; Rudy Lapick; James DeCarlo; and various

COLORS: Glenn Whitmore; with Barry Grossman and various

LETTERS: Jack Morelli; with Bill Yoshida

COVER: Dan Parent with Rosario “Tito” Peña

192pp, Color, $9.99 U.S. (March 2024); on-sale January 10, 2024

Rating: All-Ages

“One Shot Worth a Million,” “The Perfect Specimen”

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 #132 reintroduces three characters from the “Golden Age” of Archie Comics (when it was known as M.L.J. Magazines, Inc.).  These characters return in two new stories.

The first new story is “One Shot Worth a Million.”  It is written by Ian Flynn; drawn by Holly G! (pencils) and Jim Amash (inks); colored by Glenn Whitmore; and lettered by the great Jack Morelli.  It introduces modern versions of two characters.

The first is “Fran Frazer,” who first appeared in MLJ'S Top Notch Comics #9 (cover dated: October 1940).  She was one of those female “roving-reporters” characters, and she roamed the world as a photo journalist.  She had a miniature camera, which she disguised as various fashion accessories, and Fran used it to collect evidence against the wicked and the corrupt.  Fran was usually accompanied by the second reintroduced character, Hal Davis.  The modernized Fran Frazer is a freelance photographer and journalist for “Strife Media.”  The modernized Hal Davis is her romantic rival and is also now an African-American character.

Fran Frazer in “One Shot Worth a Million”:

Why is Archie Andrews skulking around the docks in the dead of night?  Veronica Lodge wants to know.  Well, Archie is assisting freelance photographer and journalist, Fran Frazer, in her investigation of criminal syndicate activity at the docks.  And it involves Lodge Industry, which Veronica's father, Hiram Lodge, owns.

By the way, why is Veronica skulking around the docks?  Well, she is assisting Hal Davis, Fran's (romantic) rival.  Can Archie and Veronica stop bickering in time to help Fran and Hal unmask corruption at the docks?

The second new story is “The Perfect Specimen.”  It is written by Daniel Kibblesmith; drawn by Steven Butler (pencils) and Lily Butler (inks); colored by Glenn Whitmore; and lettered by the great Jack Morelli.

The story reintroduces “Young Dr. Masters,” a physician who engages in dangerous adventures and misadventures to help patients.  The character had his own comic book, The Adventures of Young Dr. Masters, which ran for two issues (cover dated: August and November 1964).  The series was apparently an adaptation of the 1962 novel, Young Doctor Masters (Belmont Books), written by Frank Haskell.  That Frank Haskell is not to be confused with Frank A. Haskell (1828-1864), the author and Union Army officer who served during the American Civil War.  The modernized Dr. Masters is a television doctor and author.

Young Dr. Masters in “The Perfect Specimen”:

During his television show, Dr. Masters announces that he is about to embark on a six-city book tour for his upcoming book, “The Perfect Specimen! Health, Beauty, and You!”  The tour will kick off in Riverdale, where Masters hopes to find the one “local teen” who “truly embodies the spirit of health and beauty.”  That person would be the “perfect specimen” to appear on the book cover and to accompany Dr. Masters on his book tour.

Betty and Veronica each believes that she is the “perfect specimen.”  Thus, begins their latest battle of the beauties, but can these two friends and rivals survive a health and beauty war of attrition?

THE LOWDOWN:  For many years now, Archie's marketing department has been sending PDF copies of some of their titles for review.  World of Archie (Jumbo Comics) Double Digest #132 is the latest.

“One Shot Worth a Million” and the “The Perfect Specimen” exemplify how Archie Comics has perfected the six-page humor story over the last several years.  Archie Comics has always been good at humor short stories and stand-alone tales, as they've been doing it for decades.  However, these new, tight, six-page tales that pepper Archie digests and single-issue anniversary specials are concise in their delivery of a beginning, middle, and end with a substantial plot.  But there is a problem...

Often, I come across six-page stories that would be better served by being at least twice their length.  That is the case with both these stories, but especially with “One Shot Worth a Million.”  Writer Ian Flynn mixes espionage, teen humor, and comic romance with flair in this story, a hybrid with potential that demands to expanded into a longer story.  The art team of Holly G! (pencils) and Jim Amash (inks) certainly have the storytelling chops to keep the humor and comic action humming along for longer than six pages.  Alas, it was not to be.

The rest of World of Archie Double Digest #132 is a mixture of winter-themed tales and high school hijinks, which Archie fans will always welcome.  I should warn you, dear readers.  I will always recommend classic-style Archie Comics.

I READS YOU RECOMMENDS:  Fans of classic-style Archie Comics will want World of Archie Double Digest.

B+

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

https://archiecomics.com/

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#IReadsYou Review: DARKLING #1

DARKLING #1

ARCHIE COMIC PUBLICATIONS, INC.

STORY: Sarah Kuhn

ART: Carola Borelli

COLORS: Ellie Wright

LETTERS: Jack Morelli

EDITOR: Jamie Lee Rotante

EiC: Mike Pellerito

COVER: Maria Laura Sanapo

VARIANT COVER ARTIST: David Mack

32pp, Color, $3.99 U.S. (January 2024); on sale in comic book shops November 22, 2023

Rating: Teen+

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 has also published superhero comic books.  Its most well-known superhero title followed the superhero team, “The Mighty Crusaders.”  The Mighty Crusaders title that was launched in the 1980s (cover dated: March 1983 to September 1985) ran for thirteen issues.  The Mighty Crusaders #4 (cover dated: November 1983) saw the debut of the new superhero character “Darla Lang/Darkling.”  The character was killed off in The Mighty Crusaders #11 (cover dated March 1985).

Darkling No. 1 brings Darla Lang/Darkling to modern comics.  This one-shot comic book is written by Sarah Kuhn; drawn by Carola Borelli; colored by Ellie Wright; and lettered by Jack Morelli.

Darkling #1 opens at Ivy Hollow University, which has a reputation for being haunted.  It is the witching hour, and Ivy Hollow student, Darla Lang, wants to connect with the supernatural world.  Darla hopes to find a way to free herself of the peculiar voluminous black cloak that has been attached to her since she was a baby.

During a stealthy, middle-of-the-night trip to Ivy Hollow Library, Darla meets fellow outcast student, Phoebe Hayashi.  A podcaster, Phoebe believes that she is on the trail of a creepy conspiracy involving missing students.  Will Darla find within the hallowed halls Ivy Hollow the answers to the questions about herself and her powers that she’s been seeking

THE LOWDOWN:   I have been reading comic books, on and off, for decades.  I have sporadically read Archie Comics titles over that time.  For many years now, Archie's marketing department has been sending PDF copies of some of their titles for review.  Darkling No. 1 is the latest.

After reading Darkling No. 1, I wish it were an ongoing series.  Writer Sarah Kuhn (Shadow of the Batgirl; Girl Taking Over: A Lois Lane Story) offers a delightful mystery tale set in the “dark academia” genre (or immersed in the “dark academia” aesthetic, if you choose).  Kuhn offers a breezy story that is both a highly-entertaining stand alone tale and also the beginning of something beautiful in YA comic books if Archie decides to continue it.  It's a world in which many readers will want their imaginations to live, at least part time.

Carola Borelli's art and storytelling are engaging, even gripping at times.  Borelli captures the thrills, chills, and clique-ish ills of Kuhn's script in a way that brings the world of Ivy Hollow University to life with variety and vividness.  Ellie Wright's colors and color effects are the finishing touches to the magical beats of Darkling No. 1, with the great Jack Morelli's lettering giving this story the vibe of a comic book that is perfect for all readers.

Darkling No. 1 will probably be a delightful surprise to everyone, except the creative and editorial teams of this work.  Dear readers, let's make this new Darkling a regular comic book thing.

I READS YOU RECOMMENDS:  Fans of Archie Comics' superhero titles will want to try Darkling No. 1.

[This comic book includes a two-page section on the making of Darkling No. 1.]

A

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

https://archiecomics.com/

https://twitter.com/archiecomics

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https://www.facebook.com/ArchieComicsOfficial?ref=tn_tnmn

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https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/8914136-archie-comics

The text is copyright © 2023 Leroy Douresseaux. All Rights Reserved. Contact this blog or site for reprint and syndication rights and fees.

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

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#IReadsYou Review: CHILLING ADVENTURES PRESENTS... Welcome to Riverdale #1

WELCOME TO RIVERDALE #1

ARCHIE COMIC PUBLICATIONS, INC./Archie Horror

STORY: Amy Chase

ART: Liana Kangas

COLORS: Ellie Wright

LETTERS: Jack Morelli

EDITORS: Jamie Lee Rotante

EiC: Mike Pellerito

COVER: Liana Kangas

VARIANT COVER ARTIST: Marguerite Sauvage

32pp, Color, $3.99 U.S. (December 2023); on sale in comic book shops October 11, 2023

Rating: Teen+

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.”

But Archie Comics has a dark side, as seen in the imprint “Archie Horror,” which has been around for a decade.  Part of the Archie Horror imprint is a series of one-shot comic books under the title Chilling Adventures Presents...  The latest is Welcome to Riverdale No. 1.  It is written by Amy Chase; drawn by Liana Kangas; colored by Ellie Wright; and lettered by Jack Morelli.  Riverdale, the hometown of Archie and its pals, is the creepy setting for this new tale.

Chilling Adventures Presents...  Welcome to Riverdale No. 1 opens as fun-loving teen, Ginger Snapp, arrives in Riverdale at the invitation of her friend, Nancy Woods.  Living in Hilldale, Ginger has read a lot about Riverdale, but she is still amazed by how wholesome and welcoming the town truly is.  But the overwhelming happiness and endless smiles do feel a bit uncanny, and meeting Riverdale's Mayor Glibb does not help Ginger shake her feelings of unease.

How can everyone in Riverdale be so nice and kind?  Well, there is a dark secret to Riverdale, and it is dark enough to earn the term “toxic positivity.”

THE LOWDOWN:   I have been reading comic books, on and off, for decades.  I have sporadically read Archie Comics titles over that time, including some Archie Horror titles, especially Chilling Adventures of Sabrina.  Over the last few years, Archie's marketing department has been sending PDF copies of some of their titles for review.  Welcome to Riverdale No. 1 is the latest.

Welcome to Riverdale No. 1 is a really good, but not great one-shot, but I do think it could be the beginning of something great if the story continues in the future.  For those of you who don't know, Ginger Snapp was a 1950s Archie Comics character that had her own book and was meant to be a female Archie Andrews-type.  Apparently, the publisher's hope was that the book, entitled Ginger, would replicate the success of the flagship Archie title.  Ginger ran for ten issues from 1951 to 1954.

Amy Chase's story for Welcome to Riverdale No. 1 is intriguing and is an engaging read.  However, the storytelling by artist Liana Kangas is a bit muddled in several places; it is as if she is trying to use surreal elements to give the story more depth.  It isn't so much a question of style as it is execution, and the Ellie Wright's coloring – uninspired as it seems – doesn't help.  None of this is bad work; as I said, it is intriguing, and it certainly has potential.

So, there is something to build upon in Welcome to Riverdale No. 1 – if someone is willing to put more thought behind it.

I READS YOU RECOMMENDS:  Fans of Archie Comics' “Archie Horror” imprint will want Welcome to Riverdale No. 1.

[This comic book includes a two-page section on the making of Welcome to Riverdale No. 1.]

B

★★★ out of 4 stars

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

https://archiecomics.com/

https://twitter.com/archiecomics

https://www.instagram.com/archiecomics/

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https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/8914136-archie-comics

The text is copyright © 2023 Leroy Douresseaux. All Rights Reserved. Contact this blog or site for reprint and syndication rights and fees.

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#IReadsYou Review: ARCHIE Valentine's Spectacular #1 2023

ARCHIE VALENTINE'S SPECTACULAR #1 (In-stories and on digital Wed., Feb. 1st)

ARCHIE COMIC PUBLICATIONS, INC.

STORY: Jamie Lee Rotante; Greg Crosby; Craig Boldman; Dan Parent

PENCILS: Holly G!; Pat Kennedy; Rex Lindsey; Dan Parent

INKS: Jim Amash; Jon D'Agostino; Rich Koslowski; Rudy Lapick

COLORS: Glenn Whitmore; Barry Grossman

LETTERS: 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. (March 2023)

Rating: All-Ages

“More Than Meets the Eye: Rise of the Sports King!”

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 frequently publishes themed one-shot comic books featuring Archie's characters (sometimes referred to as “the Archie Gang”).  One of them is the Archie Valentine's Spectacular No.1.  It features one new story and four reprint stories.  Entitled “More Than Meets the Eye: Rise of the Sports King!,” the new story stars Archie Comics' newest character, “Cassie Cloud.”  The story is written by Jamie Lee Rotante; drawn by Holly G! (pencils) and Jim Amash (inks); colored by Glenn Whitmore; and lettered by the great Jack Morelli.

Introducing Cassie Cloud in “More Than Meets the Eye: Rise of the Sports King!”:

The story opens at the "Valentine's Spectacular Dance."  The newest student at Riverdale High is Cassie Cloud, who recently transferred from Centerville.  Cassie is tall, confident, funny, and catching all the guys’ attention – much to the chagrin of the girls.  Betty and Veronica notice, however, that Cassie doesn't seem interested in the attention of the most popular boys in school, including Archie and Reggie.  So Ethel and Midge join them for some research into Cassie.

Why is the hot new girl hanging out with the likes of Dilton, Toño, Raj, Randolph, and even Simon a.k.a. “Prankenstein” – all known as nerds?  And do the girls have something to learn from her about learning to love the “short kings?”

THE LOWDOWN:   I have been reading comic books, on and off, for the better part of five decades.  I have sporadically read Archie Comics titles over that time, so I usually miss the publisher's introduction of new characters.  Thus, Cassie Cloud isn't the only character that is new to me in Archie Valentine's Spectacular No. 1.

I think she has a lot of potential, as set up in this nice five-page story that is “More Than Meets the Eye: Rise of the Sports King!”  Cassie is similar to classic Archie female characters like Betty and Veronica, but she is different enough, especially in terms of her interests, to create hopefully exciting new story scenarios across all Archie titles.  Writer Jamie Lee Rotante and artist Holly G! have created a winning story for this character, and hopefully, they will do more.

The rest of Archie Valentine's Spectacular No. 1 is comprised of reprints:  three “Veronica” solo stories and one “Jughead” solo.  One Veronica story, “Valentine's Day Dilemma,” finds Archie struggling to figure out what kind of Valentine's Day gift he could give to the rich girl (Veronica) who already has had a better version of anything he can afford.  In “Sweets to the Sweet,” Jughead is sure that he has the perfect way to scam the girls of Riverdale out of their Valentine's candy.

If you are like me and love classic-style Archie Comics, you will love these stories.  And Archie Valentine's Spectacular is for you.

I READS YOU RECOMMENDS:  Fans of classic-style Archie Comics will want to find a copy of Archie Valentine's Spectacular No. 1.

A-

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

https://archiecomics.com/

https://twitter.com/archiecomics

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https://www.facebook.com/ArchieComicsOfficial?ref=tn_tnmn

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https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/8914136-archie-comics

The text is copyright © 2023 Leroy Douresseaux. All Rights Reserved. Contact this blog or site for reprint and syndication rights and fees.

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

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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/

https://twitter.com/archiecomics

https://www.instagram.com/archiecomics/

https://www.facebook.com/ArchieComicsOfficial?ref=tn_tnmn

https://www.youtube.com/user/ArchieComicsOfficial

https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/8914136-archie-comics

The text is copyright © 2023 Leroy Douresseaux. All Rights Reserved. Contact this blog or site for reprint and syndication rights and fees.

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

#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"

https://archiecomics.com/

https://twitter.com/archiecomics

https://www.instagram.com/archiecomics/

https://www.facebook.com/ArchieComicsOfficial?ref=tn_tnmn

https://www.youtube.com/user/ArchieComicsOfficial

https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/8914136-archie-comics

The text is copyright © 2023 Leroy Douresseaux. All Rights Reserved. Contact this blog or site for reprint and syndication rights and fees.

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

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#IReadsYou Review: CHILLING ADVENTURES PRESENTS... Jinx: A Cursed Life #1

CHILLING ADVENTURES PRESENTS... JINX: A CURSED LIFE #1

ARCHIE COMIC PUBLICATIONS, INC.

STORY: Magdalene Visaggio

ART: Craig Cermak

COLORS: Ellie Wright

LETTERS: Jack Morelli

EDITORS: Jamie Lee Rotante; Vincent Lovallo; Stephen Oswald

EiC: Mike Pellerito

COVER: Craig Cermak

VARIANT COVER ARTIST: Reiko Murakami

32pp, Color, $2.99 U.S. (May 2023); on sale in comic book shops April 5, 2023

Rating: Teen+

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.”

But Archie Comics has a dark side, as seen in the imprint “Archie Horror,” which has been around for almost a decade.  The latest Archie Horror title focuses on Jinx Holliday, a modernized teenage version of the classic Archie character, Li'l Jinx.  Created by Joe Edwards, the high-spirited young girl first appeared in Pep Comics #62 (cover dated: July 1947).

Jinx Holliday makes her full-length horror comics debut in the one-shot comic book, Chilling Adventures Presents... Jinx: A Cursed Life #1.  It is written by Magdalene Visaggio; drawn by Craig Cermak; colored by Ellie Wright; and lettered by the great Jack Morelli.

It is a dark and stormy night when Chilling Adventures Presents... Jinx: A Cursed Life #1 opens.  That firecracker of a girl, Jinx Holliday, and BFF, Danielle “Danni” Malloy, are in a garage getting in some band practice for their two-piece garage band.  Then, here comes Archie Andrews.

Archie wants Jinx to help his pal, Jughead Jones, because he is acting weird, and Archie is sure Jughead is possessed.  He thinks Jinx can help with demonic possessions because … she is Satan's daughter!  Jinx and (reluctantly) Danni embark on a mission to save Jughead.  Is Jinx really the devil's daughter?  And if she is, is she better at necromancy than she is at rock 'n'roll?

THE LOWDOWN:   I have been reading comic books, on and off, for the better part of five decades.  I have sporadically read Archie Comics titles over that time, including some Archie Horror titles, especially Chilling Adventures of Sabrina.  Over the last few years, Archie's marketing department has been sending PDF copies of some of their titles for review.

Chilling Adventures Presents... Jinx: A Cursed Life, No. 1 is not great, but it is quite entertaining.  Writer Magdalene Visaggio throws in some nice surprises and hooks in the narrative.  The line work art of Craig Cermak serves the story well and is turned to eye candy by Ellie Wright's solid coloring.  The story and art combine to make the story pop, and that's the way to go with a comics story about demonic possession.  The pop catches both the story's humorous and edgy notes.

I rarely read modern-style Archie Comics' titles, but I would read some more of Jinx by this creative team.  Halloween 2023 will be here before we know it.

I READS YOU RECOMMENDS:  Fans of Archie Comics' “Archie Horror” imprint will want Chilling Adventures Presents... Jinx: A Cursed Life, No. 1.

[This comic book includes a two-page section on the making of Chilling Adventures Presents... Jinx: A Cursed Life, No. 1.]

B+

★★★½ out of 4 stars

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"

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Archie Comics Announces New "Madam Satan" from Archie Horror in September

ARCHIE HORROR UNIVERSE EXPANDS IN NEW MADAM SATAN TEAM-UP!

The chilling anti-hero stars in a book-length solo thriller MADAM SATAN: HELL ON EARTH, releasing in September

Press Release — Madam Satan, the long-running macabre anti-hero of the Archie Horror imprint from Archie Comics, is about to take her ongoing battle against Satan to the next level in CHILLING ADVENTURES PRESENTS... MADAM SATAN: HELL ON EARTH. The one-shot comic book releasing in September also establishes linked continuity among the Archie Horror titles for the first time with a surprise team-up.

Writer Eliot Rahal kicked off Madam Satan's solo story in a sold-out 2020 one-shot following her memorable run as an iconic Sabrina villain, and he has chronicled her escape from Hell in short stories appearing in two Chilling Adventures in Sorcery anthologies. In HELL ON EARTH, with art by Vincenzo Federici (TMNT: The Armageddon Game), those narrative threads come together in an explosive battle as the forces of Hell invade the mortal plane. 

"Honestly, I really can't believe they keep letting me do this," Rahal said. "When Archie asked me to write Madam Satan a few years ago I never imagined I'd get to work with the character for so long and over so much time. . . . Really, the only choice this time around was for me to let go and have fun. I hope everyone who reads it does, as well."

The events of HELL ON EARTH are so overwhelming that Madam Satan may be in over her head, and a chance encounter with another powerful figure could either save the day or seal her fate. It also places several Archie Horror characters in the same shared universe for the first time, after years of standalone one-shots occupying their own space.

"We're so excited to return to the world of Madam Satan," said Archie Comics Senior Director of Editorial Jamie L. Rotante. "Starting way back in 2020, Eliot has been weaving this beautiful and tragic narrative about the titular character's journey through Hell and back to Earth. This chapter allows it to take a new turn: Madam Satan is back in Greendale, and it seems that Hell has followed her there. Vincenzo's hauntingly gorgeous art amplifies all of the emotion within, while also punching you in the face with graphic and frightening images."

"The fact that I can return to her story with Vincenzo's incredible visuals and Ellie's brilliant colors is such a gift," Rahal said. "I'm so grateful." 

Federici drew Madam Satan's previous two chapters in Chilling Adventures in Sorcery and The Return of Chilling Adventures in Sorcery, bringing the story's demonic themes to life with his moody, atmospheric inks and dynamic layouts. 

"I'm truly excited to be here again!" Federici said. "When I was asked to work on a full Madam Satan one-shot I was like OH YEAH! because of my love for this character. With Madam Satan I can try new things on my page layouts and art style, so I'm always happy to be on this. It's amazing to have the opportunity to continue the story we worked on for the last two years and give her some good action moments. Eliot's script is super funny and I'm lucky to work with him!"

Archie Horror's narrative expansion continues through the rest of this year and the next with more stories exploring the dark corners of its shared universe. Rotante added, "This one-shot is filled with twists and turns both heart-wrenching and horrifying. But trust us, this isn't the end of Madam Satan's story."

HELL ON EARTH, with an open-to-order variant cover by Soo Lee, colors by Ellie Wright, and lettering by Jack Morelli, releases September 20, 2023 in comic shops nationwide. 

###

ABOUT ARCHIE COMICS:

Archie Comics is the leading mass market comic book publisher in the world and the home to a wide array of the most popular humor, action-adventure, and superhero characters in entertainment, including Archie, Jughead, Betty and Veronica, Reggie, Kevin Keller, Josie and the Pussycats, Sabrina the Teenage Witch, Li’l Jinx, and many more. Archie Comics have sold over 2 billion comics worldwide and are published around the world in a number of languages. In addition to comics, the Archie Comics characters are spotlighted weekly on The CW’s Riverdale TV series, and have been featured in animation, television, film, and music throughout its 80+ year history.

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#IReadsYou Review: BETTY & VERONICA FRIENDS FOREVER: Game On #1

BETTY & VERONICA FRIENDS FOREVER: GAME ON #1

ARCHIE COMIC PUBLICATIONS, INC.

STORY: Ron Robbins; Bob Bolling; Rex Lindsey; George Gladir

PENCILS: Dan Parent; Howard Bender; Bob Bolling; Rex Lindsey; Pat Kennedy

INKS: Bob Smith; Henry Scarpelli; Bob Bolling; Ken Selig

COLORS: Glenn Whitmore; Digikore Studios

LETTERS: Jack Morelli; Bill Yoshida

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

EiC: Mike Pellerito

COVER: Dan Parent with Rosario “Tito” Peña

32pp, Color, $2.99 U.S. (June 2023)

Rating: All-Ages

Betty and Veronica in “Sabrina is Be Glitched”

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 Andrews.

Archie Comics frequently publishes themed one-shot comic books featuring Betty and Veronica.  The latest, apparently the twentieth in the series, is Betty & Veronica Friends Forever: Game On #1 (#20).  It features one new story and three reprint stories.  Entitled “Sabrina is Be Glitched,” the new story is written by Ron Robbins; drawn by Dan Parent (pencils) and Bob Smith (inks); colored by Glenn Whitmore; and lettered by the great Jack Morelli.

Betty and Veronica in “Sabrina is Be Glitched”:

The story features appearances by Sabrina the Teenage Witch and by new Archie Comics characters, Amber Nightstone and Trick & Treat.  “Sabrina is Be Glitched” opens at “Riverdale Arcade.”  Inside, Archie is impressing his pals, Trevor and Sabrina, with his arcade game skills.

Using Trick & Treat and her own magic, Amber transports Archie and friends into a magical MMORPG (massively multiplayer online role-playing game).  Now, Betty and Sabrina must launch a bid to save Archie from Amber's tricks.  Veronica, Cassie, Jughead, and Kevin join the virtual reality mayhem.  But is the solution to this trap really about who trusts whom?

THE LOWDOWN:  Archie Comics often sends me PDF copies of their titles for review.  I received Betty & Veronica Friends Forever: Game On #1 about two weeks ago.  [This review has been delayed because thieves have stolen my car and have ransacked my home for my comic book and periodicals collection.]

“Sabrina is Be Glitched” is the brand new story that kicks off Betty & Veronica Friends Forever: Game On #1, which is a collection of tales of video games, digital drama, and virtual reality madness.  “Sabrina is Be Glitched” is not a great story, but it is entertaining.  The story shows that Amber Nightstone can become quite a foil for the Archie Gang.  Also, even this story reveals her potential as a star.  We'll see.

As usual, I must warn you, dear readers.  I will always recommend classic-style Archie Comics titles.  Betty & Veronica Friends Forever: Game On #1 is important because it features another early appearance of characters that can play a big role in the world of Riverdale.

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

B

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

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#IReadsYou Review: ARCHIE & FRIENDS All-Action #1

ARCHIE & FRIENDS ALL-ACTION #1 (#15)

ARCHIE COMIC PUBLICATIONS, INC.

STORY: Daniel Kibblesmith; Bill Golliher; Rich Margopoulos

PENCILS: Ryan Jampole; Pat & Tim Kennedy; Rex Lindsey

INKS: Ryan Jampole; Bob Smith; Rex Lindsey

COLORS: Glenn Whitmore; Rosario “Tito” Peña; Barry Grossman

LETTERS: Jack Morelli; Bill Yoshida

EDITORS: Jamie Lee Rotante; Vincent Lovallo; Stephen Oswald

EiC: Mike Pellerito

COVER: Ryan Jampole with Rosario “Tito” Peña

32pp, Color, $2.99 U.S. (May 2023); on sale in comic book shops April 5, 2023

Rating: All-Ages

Archie and the Gang in “Super Mecha Teens”

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 frequently publishes themed one-shot comic books featuring Archie's characters (sometimes referred to as “the Archie Gang”).  The latest, the fifteenth in the series, is Archie & Friends All-Action No.1.  It features one new story and two reprint stories.  Entitled “Super Mecha Teens,” the new story is written by Daniel Kibblesmith; drawn by Ryan Jampole; colored by Glenn Whitmore; and lettered by the great Jack Morelli.

Archie and the Gang in “Super Mecha Teens”:

The story opens in the near future at “The Weather Station,” the nerve center for the “Super Mecha Teen Project.”  Neo Riverdale is protected by “mechas.”  Each mecha is a giant robot controlled by two co-pilots whose minds are joined by a mental or neural link.  Cadet Archie Andrews is the project's newest cadet, and he is “universal co-pilot,” which means he has “perfect neural compatibility.”  Archie can be anyone's co-pilot.

But even future Archie is trapped in the eternal choice between Betty Cooper and Veronica Lodge.  Still, he is needed inside a mecha for battle.  Will it be Betty's mecha or Veronica's.  And if Cadet Andrews doesn't make a decision soon, Neo Riverdale is doomed.  If he can't pick his best girl, can he pick his best pal?

THE LOWDOWN:   I have been reading comic books, on and off, for the better part of five decades.  I have sporadically read Archie Comics titles over that time, and I have always enjoyed what I read.

Recently, Archie Comics has been introducing new characters via five-page stories.  “Super Mecha Teens” offers what seems like a new series with familiar characters in a new-for-them setting.  So will there be more “Super Mecha Teens?”  It would be nice, as it is an intriguing concept.

Writer Daniel Kibblesmith teases what could be a cool children's action comic book, one that would retain the eternal Archie Comics' love triangle:  Archie, Betty, and Veronica.  Ryan Jampole's art is pitch perfect for the concept.  So, yes, there is potential here.  Time will tell if we get more...

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

A-

★★★½ out of 4 stars

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

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

#IReadsYou Review: "ARCHIE HALLOWEEN SPECTACULAR" 2022

ARCHIE HALLOWEEN SPECTACULAR (2022)
ARCHIE COMIC PUBLICATIONS, INC.

STORY: Ian Flynn; Francis Bonnet; Bill Golliher; Dan Parent; Rich Margopoulos
PENCILS: Ryan Jampole; Pat & Tim Kennedy; Bill Golliher; Dan Parent; Gene Colon
INKS: Ryan Jampole; Jim Amash; Bob Smith; Rudy Lapick
COLORS: Glenn Whitmore
LETTERS: 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. (November 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.”

Archie Comics frequently publishes themed one-shot comic books featuring Archie's characters (sometimes referred to as “the Archie Gang”).  One of them is the Archie Halloween Spectacular, which Archie has been publishing since 2017.  This year's edition features four Halloween-themed reprint stories and one brand new story.  Entitled “Spirits of Halloween,” the new story stars Archie Comics' newest character duo, “Trick & Treat.”  The story is written by Ian Flynn; drawn by Ryan Jampole; colored by Glenn Whitmore; and lettered by the great Jack Morelli.

Archie Halloween Spectacular opens with Trick & Treat in “Spirits of Halloween.”  Meet Trick & Treat, a pair of impish magical creatures that come around every Halloween and eventually cause chaos.  Trick, a pumpkin-headed fellow who also sports bat wings, loves the three “S's” of Halloween:  suspense, screams, and scares.  Treat, a Caspar-like ghost, loves the three “C's”: costumes, creativity, and candy.

This year, the duo arrives in Riverdale for some Halloween fun and then, fall into disagreement.  Which imp's view of Halloween is the better?  They decide to make a wager of it, one that involves Archie and his rival, Reggie.  How much mischief will Trick & Treat cause Riverdale and Archie while everyone is out trick-or-treating?

THE LOWDOWN:   Trick & Treat are impish characters like “The Great Gazoo” from the animated television series, “The Flintstones” or “Jiminy Cricket” of Walt Disney's Pinocchio.  Although introduced as Halloween characters, I think Trick & Treat can cause trouble anywhere and anytime in the universe of the Archie gang.

The reprinted stories are comprised of two “Betty and Veronica” stories, and one of those guest-stars Sabrina the Teenage Witch.  There are also two “Archie” stories, including “The Secret Project,” a fun story featuring Archie and his pal, Jughead Jones.

Dear readers, I always 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 Halloween Spectacular 2022 a hearty recommendation.

I READS YOU RECOMMENDS:  Fans of classic-style Archie Comics will want to find a copy of the 2022 edition of Archie Halloween Spectacular.

B+

★★★½ out of 4 stars

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


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#IReadsYou Review: SABRINA ANNIVERSARY SPECTACULAR #1

SABRINA ANNIVERSARY SPECTACULAR #1
ARCHIE COMIC PUBLICATIONS, INC.

STORY: Dan Parent; George Gladir; Dexter Taylor; Frank Doyle
PENCILS: Dan Parent; Bob Bolling; Dexter Taylor; Stan Goldberg
INKS: Bob Smith; Rudy Lapick; Jon D'Agostino
COLORS: Glenn Whitmore; Barry Grossman
LETTERS: 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

Sabrina in “Celebration Vexation”

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).  2022 is the sixtieth anniversary of Sabrina's debut, and Archie Comics is honoring the character with the “60 Years of Magic” celebration.

The celebration includes a newly-released one-shot comic book entitled Sabrina Anniversary Spectacular #1.  The comic book reprints four Sabrina stories.  It also includes the new story “Celebration Vexation,” which introduces a brand new character, Amber Nightstone.  The new tale is written by Dan Parent; drawn by Parent (pencils) and Bob Smith (inks); colored by Glenn Whitmore; and lettered by the great Jack Morelli.

Sabrina Anniversary Spectacular #1 opens with “Celebration Vexation,” and it is Sabrina's 17th birthday.  Aunt Zelda and Aunt Hilda and Cousin Ambrose are throwing a party for their birthday girl, and of course, her cat, Salem, is present.  However, there is a party crasher, Amber Nightstone, who is also celebrating a seventeenth birthday.

Like Sabrina, Amber is also half-mortal and half-witch, and under the witch's “Code of Sorcery,” only one witch/mortal can achieve ultimate power.  And Amber wants to be the teen witch who gets to live in the mortal world.  So which of these female teen witches is going to have the best birthday?

THE LOWDOWN:  Sabrina Anniversary Spectacular #1 is an absolutely wonderful anniversary comic book special.  “Celebration Vexation” is one of writer-artist Dan Parent's best stories ever, and maybe he is the best modern Archie Comics storyteller.  Amber Nightstone, in this first look, seems to be a keeper as a character in the world of Sabrina, and I'm sure she can raise quite a bit of heck and hell in other Archie titles.

The four reprint stories include a one-page comic (“Sun Fun”), which finds Sabrina engaging a genie for some help, with painful results.  There is a “Little Sabrina” story (“Bats All, Folks”), which features Little Archie and Riverdale High regulars, Mr. Weatherbee and Miss Grundy.  Because of the new story, new character debut, and the quality of the reprinted stories, I highly recommend Sabrina Anniversary Spectacular #1.

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 Anniversary Spectacular #1.

A

★★★★ out of 4 stars

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


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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"


https://archiecomics.com/
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https://www.youtube.com/user/ArchieComicsOfficial
https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/8914136-archie-comics


The text is copyright © 2022 Leroy Douresseaux. All Rights Reserved. Contact this blog or site for reprint and syndication rights and fees.

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

Amazon wants me to inform you that the affiliate link below is a PAID AD, but I technically only get paid (eventually) if you click on the affiliate link below AND buy something(s).