Archie 1941 #1 Advance Review
Archie Comics 2018
Written by Brian Augustyn & Mark Waid
Illustrated by Peter Krause
Coloured by Kelly Fitzpatrick
Lettered by Jack Morelli
Archie has been around for over 75 years and has been through many significant moments in time, but never before have we seen the characters take on real-world events as they unfold. WWII is looming and Archie and many young men from Riverdale are close to enlistment age. If you’re a Riverdale teen, how would you cope with a looming world-changing event?
I was really struck by just how well this was written. Keeping all the personalities in check is one thing and over the years the kids have been portrayed in ways that match the times. Here however the guys are looking back and imagining the way they could have acted if this were a historical tale and not one of fiction. I think that’s what makes it feel so impactful because I see the personalities I grew up with but they are being portrayed in a slightly different manner. This is strong and powerfully written so much so that you will find yourself inside this world facing the decisions and problems alongside the characters and it will change you.
The opening is great as Jughead and Archie stroll down memory lane as they traverse the halls of Riverdale High. When they hear Archibald Andrews name they realise they are late, late for the graduation ceremony and Archie’s name signifying his diploma. Heh the perennially late Archie is cute, it’s funny it is something we associate with him. It is traits that we don’t see much of any more that I think appreciate immensely. This is old school and Kevin wasn’t around then so while we see Midge, Reggie and Moose and Veronica it’s really more peripherally. The centre stage however belongs to Archie with Jughead and Betty there alongside him.
There are times in history that mark the world and WWII was one of them. Add into the mix teenagers who just graduated from High School and are now expected to find their way in the world, to become who they are meant to be in other words grow up and become adults. Time put the toys away and find those other pursuits, adult pursuits. The only real problem is back then women were simply meant to find husbands and boys went to college to get that degree and a job while they also find their wife. Everything is so black and white except when you have no idea what you want to be now that you’ve grown up and there’s a war on that just happens to all consuming.
The interiors here couldn’t be any more perfect. The attention to detail here is utterly, sensationally marvellous I mean from the intricacy in posters to how we see what is on the screen or the folds in the clothing it’s like no detail no matter how small is overlooked. Though I am not sure about the decision for Jughead’s head wear but it certainly fits the time period (even if in some ways he looks like Dick Van Dyke). The utilisation of page layouts and how we see the angles and perspective in the panels shows off such a masterful eye for storytelling. While I want the backgrounds to be utilised in every panel that’s asking a little much be when they are there wow it’s something. With Kelly’s colours matching the work so beautifully they really manage to bring us back in time.
This really is something extraordinary. To see the kids placed in the real world and not some teenage soap opera where situations are overly exaggerated, one that has a direct impact upon their lives really hits you. Do yourself a favour and make sure you have this on order from your local brick and mortar shoppe or subscription service. This is Archie like you’ve never seen him before and you will never be the same after seeing this.
Archie Comics 2018
Written by Brian Augustyn & Mark Waid
Illustrated by Peter Krause
Coloured by Kelly Fitzpatrick
Lettered by Jack Morelli
Archie has been around for over 75 years and has been through many significant moments in time, but never before have we seen the characters take on real-world events as they unfold. WWII is looming and Archie and many young men from Riverdale are close to enlistment age. If you’re a Riverdale teen, how would you cope with a looming world-changing event?
I was really struck by just how well this was written. Keeping all the personalities in check is one thing and over the years the kids have been portrayed in ways that match the times. Here however the guys are looking back and imagining the way they could have acted if this were a historical tale and not one of fiction. I think that’s what makes it feel so impactful because I see the personalities I grew up with but they are being portrayed in a slightly different manner. This is strong and powerfully written so much so that you will find yourself inside this world facing the decisions and problems alongside the characters and it will change you.
The opening is great as Jughead and Archie stroll down memory lane as they traverse the halls of Riverdale High. When they hear Archibald Andrews name they realise they are late, late for the graduation ceremony and Archie’s name signifying his diploma. Heh the perennially late Archie is cute, it’s funny it is something we associate with him. It is traits that we don’t see much of any more that I think appreciate immensely. This is old school and Kevin wasn’t around then so while we see Midge, Reggie and Moose and Veronica it’s really more peripherally. The centre stage however belongs to Archie with Jughead and Betty there alongside him.
There are times in history that mark the world and WWII was one of them. Add into the mix teenagers who just graduated from High School and are now expected to find their way in the world, to become who they are meant to be in other words grow up and become adults. Time put the toys away and find those other pursuits, adult pursuits. The only real problem is back then women were simply meant to find husbands and boys went to college to get that degree and a job while they also find their wife. Everything is so black and white except when you have no idea what you want to be now that you’ve grown up and there’s a war on that just happens to all consuming.
The interiors here couldn’t be any more perfect. The attention to detail here is utterly, sensationally marvellous I mean from the intricacy in posters to how we see what is on the screen or the folds in the clothing it’s like no detail no matter how small is overlooked. Though I am not sure about the decision for Jughead’s head wear but it certainly fits the time period (even if in some ways he looks like Dick Van Dyke). The utilisation of page layouts and how we see the angles and perspective in the panels shows off such a masterful eye for storytelling. While I want the backgrounds to be utilised in every panel that’s asking a little much be when they are there wow it’s something. With Kelly’s colours matching the work so beautifully they really manage to bring us back in time.
This really is something extraordinary. To see the kids placed in the real world and not some teenage soap opera where situations are overly exaggerated, one that has a direct impact upon their lives really hits you. Do yourself a favour and make sure you have this on order from your local brick and mortar shoppe or subscription service. This is Archie like you’ve never seen him before and you will never be the same after seeing this.
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