Archie Comics 2015
Written by Chip Zdarsky
Illustrated by Erica Henderson
Coloured by Andre Szymanowicz
Lettered by Jack Morelli
Jughead, Betty, Archie and Kevin travelled to the town of Sunnyside to find out more about Principal Stanger’s mysterious background. While there, they discovered that Stanger’s previous reign as a principal resulted in students joining the army during a school dance and subsequently disappearing. Now knowing the full extent of Stanger’s nefarious intentions, the gang has got to get back to Riverdale in time for the upcoming Hallowe’en dance—where Stanger’s plan is going to finally play out! Unfortunately, they discover something even more frightening back in Riverdale: Pop Tate’s Shoppe is no more! How far will Stanger’s evil grasp reach? How much more can Jughead take before he finally snaps? How many more Dragoncide video game sequels are going to come out? All these answers and more… plus fun costumes!
Chip’s portrayal of Jughead has been my favourite iteration of the character ever! Sure he’s still seen as that video game playing slacker without a care in the world, we should all be so lucky to let things slide like he does, but with Stanger he’s fired up and more focused than ever before. This has led to seeing him as this smart, capable and determined young man whose future is anything he wants it to be.
Through all the convincing he’s had to do with to his friends that this new Principle has been up to no good it’s come with dreams that show us the lighter fun side of the Archie world that’s been a staple. The way that Chip manages to balance both the lighthearted and serious has been a true joy to see. Plus I mean c’mon it’s Jughead one of the best all time creations ever!
I do like how things play out this issue. Jughead feels finally defeated with the closing of Pop’s and seems to have given up. Betty unwilling to let it go and with Dilton onboard finally it almost seems like they have to convince Juggy what has to happen. Until by happenstance, and very clever writing I might add, Jughead has a revelation and a new idea on how to finally get his school, and some friends, out of Stanger’s evil clutches.
With the plan in action, the best part of which is now Dilton’s dancing and pirate costume almost a nod to a version of the Phantom, watch what happens when America’s teenagers do whatever they have to to save their way of life! Hands down best opening arc i’ve seen in quite some time. The characterization was beyond incredible, the pacing superb and the overall effect left me wanting more!
While I like Erica’s work i’m still going with this isn’t suitable for this series. Sure she has a great eye for how the book should flow. And the use of pages and panels were well done. However this isn’t “updated”, “realistic” or even anywhere close to better than the original work done by classic Archie artists. I feel a little cheated by it to be honest. For me this isn’t what the whole relaunch promised things would be and i’d rather have classic than whatever interpretation this is where it feels more generic than ever before.
Chip certainly makes this worth reading though and to look past the interiors for me.