#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: ARCHIE: The Decision #1

ARCHIE: THE DECISION, NO. 1

ARCHIE COMIC PUBLICATIONS, INC.

STORY: Tom King

PENCILS: Dan Parent

INKS: Bob Smith

COLORS: Rosario “Tito” Peña

LETTERS: Jack Morelli

EDITORS: Jamie Lee Rotante; Vincent Lovallo; Stephen Oswald

EiC: Mike Pellerito

COVER: Dan Parent with Rosario “Tito” Peña

VARIANT COVER ARTIST: Stephen Byrne

32pp, Color, $3.99 U.S. (October 2024); on sale in comic book shops August 28, 2024

Rating: All-Ages

“Everyone Flips Out!”

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.”

For decades, Archie's affections have been split between two girls:  nice girl, Betty Cooper, who debuted with Archie in Pep Comics #22, and spoiled rich girl, Veronica Lodge, who first appeared in Pep Comics #26 (cover dated: April 1942).  Now, in a new comic book, Archie finally chooses between the two.  It all happens in Archie: The Decision, No. 1.  The story is written by Tom King; drawn by Dan Parent (pencils) and Bob Smith (inks); colored by Rosario “Tito” Peña; and lettered by the great Jack Morelli.

As Archie: The Decision, No. 1 (“Everyone Flips Out!”) opens with the declaration, “I, Archie Andrews, am finally going to decide between Betty and Veronica!!”  How is Archie going to make this momentous decision?  He's going to flip a coin, but when the coin flip goes awry, Archie and best pal, Jughead, go on a mad chase.

And what of Betty and Veronica?  Well, each has mixed feelings, but neither is going to give up the chance of finally being “the one.”  Will Archie really be able to make “the Decision?”  This issue also features appearances by classic Archie Comics characters, including Reggie, Moose, Dilton, Midge, Ethel, Nancy, Chuck, Mr. Weatherbee, Miss Grundy, Josie and the Pussycats, Sabrina the Teenage Witch, and “Hot Dog” the dog, to name a few.

THE LOWDOWN:   For several years, Archie's marketing department has been sending me PDF copies of some of their titles for review.  One of the most recent is Archie: The Decision, No. 1.

Apparently, acclaimed comic book writer, Tom King, is a big Archie Comics fan, so he proposed writing a kind of ultimate story about Archie finally choosing between Betty and Veronica.  Archie Comics obviously jumped at the chance to have a big name like King's write a comic book for them.

The resulting book, Archie: The Decision, No. 1, is not on the level of other Tom King first issues, such as The Omega Men #1 (2015), The Sheriff of Babylon #1 (2016), and Mister Miracle #1 (2018), which were all published by DC Comics.  King offers a thin plot and executes it into a 21-page chase story that is filled with cameo appearances by a host of Archie Comics characters.  In fact, two of my childhood faves, Josie and the Pussycats and Sabrina the Teenage Witch, each get one page to themselves.  But this special one-shot comic book isn't among Tom King's best work.  It's his love letter to Archie Comics, seemingly mostly written to himself.

Even artist Dan Parent doesn't really offer a “Wow!” factor.  If there is such a thing as a modern superstar Archie Comics artist, it's Parent.  Archie: The Decision, No. 1 isn't his best work; it isn't even his best recent work.  It's pleasingly pleasant, which is probably the best thing I can say about King's script.  Colorist Rosario “Tito” Peña and letterer Jack Morelli do really good work.

So Archie: The Decision, No. 1 is a big deal in one way, and not so much in many other ways.  Still, it is a classic-style Archie Comics title, so I'll take it rather than leave it.

I READS YOU RECOMMENDS:  Fans of classic-style Archie Comics will want to find a copy of Archie: The Decision, No. 1.

[In a bonus feature, Tom King and Dan Parent pick their favorite Archie Comics stories.]

B

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

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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"

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

Archie Comics November 2023 Comics Solicitations

Archie Comics November Solicits Appearing in "September Previews" (Diamond Distributors)

DARKLING (ONE-SHOT)

From the outside, Darla Lang looks like a normal college student—save for the peculiar voluminous black cloak she wears everywhere. Her peers and professors chalk this up to Darla’s eccentric, introverted, slightly creepy persona, but Darla is a young woman with a secret… and a mission. Darla’s cloak is actually a mystical artifact that she can use as a melee weapon, trapping her enemies inside and teleporting them away. Darla’s power and connection to the supernatural world have always been a curse, and now she’s enrolled in Ivy Hollow University which harbors some dark secrets of its own. Will Darla find within its hallowed halls the answers to the questions about herself and her powers that she’s been seeking? Darkling mixes superheroics with dark academia from writer Sarah Kuhn (Shadow of the Batgirl, Girl Taking Over: A Lois Lane Story) and artist Carola Borelli (Spider-Woman).  

Script: Sarah Kuhn

Art: Carola Borelli

Colors: Ellie Wright

Letters: Jack Morelli

Cover: Maria Sanapo

Variant Cover: David Mack

On Sale Date: 11/22

32-page, full color comic

$3.99 U.S.

JOSIE ANNIVERSARY SPECTACULAR (ONE-SHOT)

BRAND NEW STORY: “ROCK Cats!” Josie & the Pussycats are about to put on the concert of a lifetime… in space! Then, celebrate 60 years of Josie McCoy with some iconic classic stories! 

Script: Holly G!

Pencils: Holly G!

Inks: Jim Amash

Colors: Glenn Whitmore

Letters: Jack Morelli

Cover: Dan Parent, Rosario “Tito” Peña

On Sale Date: 11/8

32-page, full color comic 

$3.99 U.S.

ARCHIE JUMBO COMICS DIGEST #345

TWO BRAND NEW STORIES! First, CHRISTMAS IS CANCELED!? When Ethel reads a rumor online that Santa won't be delivering presents to Riverdale this year, everyone is up in arms! Could this be true or is it just internet misinformation? Then, the Shield enlists Archie in finding a dangerous artifact before the winter celebration becomes a disaster!

Script: Ron Cacace, Ian Flynn

Art: Rex Lindsey, Pat Kennedy,Lily Butler

Colors: Glenn Whitmore

Letters: Jack Morelli

Cover: Francis Bonnet, Dan Parent

On Sale Date: 11/8

192-page, full color digest

$9.99 U.S.

ARCHIE SHOWCASE JUMBO COMICS DIGEST #16: CHRISTMAS STOCKING

Get ready for some more festive fun with Archie and Friends!  From ho-ho-ho hijinks to merry mayhem, these fun Christmas-themed stories have it all! 

Script: Various

Art: Various

Cover: Dan Parent, Rosario “Tito” Peña 

On Sale Date: 11/29

192-page, full color digest

$9.99 U.S.

BETTY AND VERONICA JUMBO COMICS DIGEST #319

TWO BRAND NEW STORIES!  First, The Shield is looking for the perfect holiday gift. Lucky for her Betty and Veronica are there to help her shop–and stop some shoplifters! Then, on the eve of her interview for membership in the Mighty Crusaders, a battle with a new super-villain ruins Pow-Girl’s costume so she must turn to Betty & Veronica to save the day.

Script: Ian Flynn, Tom DeFalco

Pencils: Bill Galvan, Stephen Butler

Inks: Jim Amash, Bob Smith

Colors: Glenn Whitmore

Letters: Jack Morelli

Cover: Dan Parent, Rosario “Tito” Peña

On Sale Date: 11/15

192-page, full color digest

$9.99 U.S.

WORLD OF ARCHIE JUMBO COMICS DIGEST #135

TWO BRAND NEW STORIES! First, a week before Christmas, Pow-Girl and Pureheart the powerful discover a band of super-villains are gathering supplies for a major caper and race to uncover the sinister scheme before it can threaten the good people of Riverdale. Then, a tunnel of love ride at the Riverdale Winter Carnival allows riders to see their romantic futures, including some surprising couples!

Script: Tom DeFalco, Dan Parent

Pencils: Steven Butler, Dan Parent

Inks: Jim Amash, Bob Smith

Colors: Glenn Whitmore

Letters: Jack Morelli

Cover: Dan Parent, Rosario “Tito” Peña

On Sale Date: 11/22

192-page, full color digest

$9.99 U.S.

WORLD OF BETTY & VERONICA JUMBO COMICS DIGEST #30

TWO BRAND NEW STORIES! First, a week before Christmas, Pow-Girl and Pureheart the powerful discover a band of super-villains are gathering supplies for a major caper and race to uncover the sinister scheme before it can threaten the good people of Riverdale. Then, a mystery game taking place at the holiday party at the Lodge Mansion gives Penny Parker some real suspicions. High society will be reeling after this party! 

Script: Dan Parent, Bill Golliher

Pencils: Dan Parent, Bill Golliher

Inks: Bob Smith, Jim Amash

Colors: Glenn Whitmore

Letters: Jack Morelli

Cover: Dan Parent, Rosario “Tito” Peña

On Sale Date: 11/1

192-page, full color digest

$9.99 U.S.

ARCHIE COLOSSAL DIGEST PACK  

Bask in the shimmering glow of this giant-sized collection of hilarious, heartwarming, and hijinks-filled stories starring Archie, Betty, Veronica, Jughead, and all your favorites from Riverdale!

Script: Various

Art: Various

Cover: Dan Parent, Rosario “Tito” Peña 

978-1-64576-869-2

$19.99 US / $19.99 CAN

4-7/8 x 6-9/16”

NC

768 pp, Full Color

Direct Market On-Sale Date: 11/15

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

#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: 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: BITE SIZED ARCHIE Volume 1

BITE SIZED ARCHIE VOL. 01
ARCHIE COMIC PUBLICATIONS, INC.

STORY: Ron Cacace
ART: Vincent Lovallo
EiC: Mike Pellerito
COVER: Vincent Lovallo
ISBN: 978-1-64576-913-2; paperback; 6 3/8” x 8” (March 2022)
112pp, Color, $12.99 U.S., $16.99 CAN (April 27, 2022)

Rating: All-Ages

Bite Sized Archie is a webcomic, the first for the classic Archie Comics character, Archie Andrews.  The series is published as weekly episodes, with each being comprised of four panels.  Bite Sized Archie is drawn in a style similar to chibi (a Japanese style of caricature) and with a 1960s retro Archie Comics aesthetic.  The creative team is comprised of writer Ron Cacace and artist Vincent Lovallo.

Bite Sized Archie Vol. 1 collects the first year of the webcomic.  The book contains 52 strips, beginning with Strip 1: “Jughead's Game of the Year Awards” from December 20, 2020 to Strip 52: “Plenty to Digest” from December 3, 2021.

Bite Sized Archie Vol. 1 hopes you’re hungry for laughs.  Jughead Jones hands out video game awards and also ponders diners, drive-ins, and dives online at “Jughead's Diner Reviews.”  Archie is so bored that he doesn't notice the infinity war just outside “Pop's Chock'lit Shoppe.”  Reggie Mantle deals with a black eye – one online and one on his face.

Jughead struggles with a “TV dinner” and with a failing printer, but Sabrina Spellman and her magic can only help him with one of them … maybe.  Archie offers Josie McCoy (of Josie and the Pussycats) some professional advice.  Archie finds himself trapped between Betty Cooper and Veronica Lodge.  Toni Topaz, Kevin Keller, and Jughead warn us about the dangers of tweeting.  Cheryl Blossom meets Spider.  And Chuck Clayton has the comic book convention blues.  It's all in a day (or year) in the life of Archie Andrews and friends.

THE LOWDOWN:  Bite Sized Archie is basically a daily newspaper comic strip, but produced for the digital age.  It's cute and one can say that the creative team of Ron Cacace and artist Vincnet Lovallo is doing something nice for people who can never get enough of the wonderful world of Archie Comics.

Bite Sized Archie Vol. 1 is not something I would normally search out, but I would (and did) enjoy it once I found it.  In fact, the quickest way to make me interested in any Archie Comics publication is to include anyone from Josie and the Pussycats.  And Bite Sized Archie Vol. 1 is the perfect way to introduce young readers to the world of Archie Andrews.

I READS YOU RECOMMENDS:  Fans of Archie Comics will want Bite Sized Archie Vol. 1.

[This book contains an afterword by Ron Cacace and “Behind the Panels,” which focuses on the process of artist Vincent Lovallo.  Extras include bonus features, character sketches, and behind-the-scenes conversations from the creative team .]

B+

★★★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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#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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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"


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I Reads You Review: ARCHIE #634

ARCHIE #634
ARCHIE COMICS – @archiecomics

SCRIPT/PENCILS: Dan Parent
INKS: Rich Koslowski
LETTERS: Jack Morelli
COLORS: Digikore Studios
COVER: Dan Parent
32pp, Color, $2.99 U.S.

Archie Marries Valerie: Part 4 of 4 – “Here and Now!”

In Spring 2014, I started reading the Archie comic book series for the first time in years.  Archie #631 began a storyline that focused on a hypothetical romantic relationship between Archie Andrews and Valerie Smith of Josie and the Pussycats.  Apparently, the two characters had been paying special attention to one another for some time.

After Valerie and her family move to Archie’s hometown of Riverdale, the two become closer.  When the relationship takes a turn towards the really serious, Valerie goes for a walk down Memory Lane.  This is a magical street somewhere in Riverdale that allows characters to see possible futures.

Archie #634 (“Here and Now”) concludes the “Archie Marries Valerie” story arc.  The issue opens to find Archie and Valerie quite happy and touring as a musical act.  Things change dramatically when the two introduce their young daughter, Star, into their act.  Suddenly, the family finds itself getting unwanted attention.  Also, Memory Lane shows Valerie other possible futures.

When Archie #634 was originally published last year, it sold out before I could get to the comic book shop.  A year and a half later, I took advantage of a Mile High Comics sale to finally get a copy.  I was surprised to find that I enjoyed the story now as much as I did last year.  I wish that it would run longer, if for no other reason than to have regular Josie and the Pussycats, a childhood favorite about which I am still crazy in love.

Cheers to Dan Parent, the writer and lead artist behind this comic book.  As a big Josie and the Pussycats fan, I appreciate this story, but, in general, this is also a fun Archie comic book to read.

I’ll repeat myself:   if you ever read and liked Archie, you will read and like Archie again with this storyline.

A

www.archiecomics.com

Reviewed by Leroy Douresseaux

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I Reads You Review: ARCHIE #631

"Jungle Fever"
ARCHIE #631
ARCHIE COMICS

SCRIPT/PENCILS: Dan Parent
INKS: Rich Koslowski
LETTERS: Jack Morelli
COLORS: Digikore Studios
COVER: Dan Parent
32pp, Color, $2.99

The CBS Saturday morning animated series, Josie and the Pussycats in Outer Space (originally broadcast during the 1972-73 television season), was very important to me. It was the singular work that introduced me to and got me interested in comic books, science fiction, and all-things-fantasy. By the time I discovered that there was such a thing as a Josie and the Pussycats comic book, the title had been discontinued.

During a recent infrequent visit to a comic book shop in the region, I was scanning the shelves for a copy of Rocketeer Adventures Vol. 2 #1, when I spotted the cover of Archie #631. I saw its depiction of Archie Andrews cradling Pussycat Valerie Smith as the two kissed, and I quickly snatched the comic off the shelf.

Apparently, Archie and Valerie have been eyeing each other for some time, much to the chagrin of Archie’s longtime, dual love interests, Betty Cooper and Veronica Lodge. Now, Valerie, her parents, and her little, brother Trevor AKA “Trev,” are moving to Archie and gang’s hometown of Riverdale. Now, that Archie and Valerie are closer, their fledgling romance takes flight. Not everyone is happy, but maybe Archie’s friends and Valerie’s band mates will just have to deal.

The Archie Comics creator of which I’m most acquainted is Dan DeCarlo, and I think of him when I think of Archie Comics. I can, however, learn to really like Dan Parent, who scripts and pencils Archie #631. He modernizes the characters and settings, but retains the eternally retro charm that is inherently Archie. The story moves at a lively pace and the dialogue and characterizations are funny and even a bit peppery, while staying in the zone that is Archie Comics’ version of “all ages.”

I bought Archie #631 because Josie and the Pussycats are in it, but I didn’t plan on really liking it. Dan Parent makes me want more.

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