Archie Comics 2015
Written by Mark Waid
Breakdowns by Ryan Jampole
Finishes by Thomas Pitilli
Coloured by Andre Szymanowicz
Lettered by Jack Morelli
Hiram Lodge’s mayoral campaign has been heating up, and it has attracted mixed attention throughout Riverdale. After a smear campaign drove Lodge’s opponent Greg Collier—an established teacher at Riverdale High AND Betty Cooper’s uncle—out of town,
everyone’s got an opinion, and for once in her life Veronica Lodge may just find herself unpopular. People aren’t too thrilled with Archie, either, especially not his former girlfriend/ best friend Betty, and EVERYONE’s starting to notice...
First there was the lipstick incident then Veronica moved to town and it seemed that Archie and Betty were destined to be constantly at odds with one another. Now can the two former lovebirds and best friends survive the school talent show? It’s time for battle of the bands and all this after Veronica’s dad had Betty’s Uncle driven out of town. Could this be the birth of the Archies or is this going to blow up in all their faces?
I love what Mark’s doing with this series it takes everything we thought we knew and flips the script making Riverdale the new Mayberry which Uncle Scrooge has moved into. The characterization here is phenomenally well done as all the traits we’ve come to love are there along with new aspects we’ve not seen before. There’s a greater depth to the kids than we’re used to seeing and the situations seem to be less half hour comedy and more actual events. Also breaking that fourth wall with Archie is cute and endearing and that he’s the only who does suits this series just fine.
Betty’s jealousy factor throughout the run thus far has been wonderful to see. That finally comes to a head this issue and after this arc perhaps it’s the perfect beginning of the Betty and Veronica series. Before that can happen however Veronica, not one to wait for things to happen on their own, enlists Archie and Jughead into creating a band for the school’s talent show in an attempt to gain popularity with all the students. Her singing sparks that rage and jealousy in Betty, who lives next door, into forming her own band. This is when the hilarity ensues. Who’s in which band well you’ll have to read the issue to find out.
I’m still waiting for the interiors to be less traditional and go the realistic style which was supposed to happen. Still I do like them they have a great feel and tone to them here. They flow nicely through the book and help tell the story extremely well. The use of backgrounds here are smartly done and the dress code for these kids is great.
The end of this issue means this isn’t over quite yet even if we did get to see the battle of the bands this issue. Who won well that’s a mystery you’ll have to solve. I love life in Riverdale it’s where I wish I grew up.