Archie Comics 2019
Written by Michael Uslan
Pencilled by Dan Parent
Inked by J. Bone
Coloured by Glenn Whitmore
Lettered by Jack Morelli
PREVIOUSLY IN THE MARRIED LIFE...
In the Archie Marries Veronica universe, Archie and Veronica have to act soon, before their marriage crumbles! And they know exactly where to turn for help: marriage counselor Betty Cooper! But their marriage was thrown an unexpected curveball when Hiram Lodge took a fatal heart attack. Meanwhile, the political landscape in Riverdale heats up as Congressman Moose Mason runs for re-election against newcomer Cheryl Blossom. However, Cheryl’s not one to play nice—and she’s sent Ambrose Pipps on a mission to do a smear campaign against Moose. With tensions on the rise, Mr. Weatherbee proposes a solution: Betty Cooper for Congresswoman! Then, in the Archie Marries Betty world, Archie and Betty have returned to Riverdale thanks to a mysterious call from Dilton Doiley. And they’re celebrating their tenth anniversary in style—by renewing their wedding vows! While they’re rekindling their romance, Veronica Lodge and Reggie Mantle are renewing their friendship, and vowing to remain copacetic despite their divorce—or at least that’s what Reggie’s led Veronica to believe!
There are plenty of things about this that are absolutely wonderful! While I suppose this is an all-ages book it really is geared towards adults in my humble opinion. I am not sure if we are supposed to have favourites but as a fact of life we all do and the first one, Archie and Veronica's marriage, is mine. There is something about this and the way it's being told that makes me wish we'd see this a whole lot more. As in monthly more. There is the aspect of Ronnie going back to work to run her fathers company, Archie's feeling of inadequacy and then with their kids at school that lends itself to some first class storytelling that piques the curiosity and interest.
Through both tales the story & plot development is fantastic and the character development is phenomenal as they navigate their way through, around and bonded with each other. The way we see the situations arise in the natural course of things so the story feels like it's natural and not forced or written to be a certain way. With the pacing introducing us to the twists and turns that are riddled throughout both stories the way the ebb & flow has been created makes for stupendous reading! I love how the characterisation is being done, with interactions, dialogue, decisions made and the whole acting to and because of the situations that arise.
The interiors here are what it's all about. Dan and his familiarity with these characters and how he's able to capture the complex simplicity of the franchise is so incredible to witness. While it does surprise me that Veronica has a more conservative, dare I say matronly, look definitely makes a statement. How he's envisioned these characters as adults has been sensational. The utilisation of the page layouts and how we see the angles and perspective in the panels shows his masterful eye for storytelling. That we see backgrounds thrills me like you wouldn't believe. The colour work here is beautifully done as well. The way we see shading and shadows through the hues and tones is marvellous. I must say whomever this Tina is she looks awfully familiar as in real life person familiar and that drives me nuts so of course it's amazing.
Well now the last page is something I could never have seen coming in a million years, so kudos on that. Still it begs the question who is Dilton? This whole hipster look he's got going on with that beard and bald head under a baseball cap. Oh I am intrigued and I am thinking way too much about what he's doing there and how he's seeing what he is on this phone/tablet whatnot. Now when is Dilton getting his own series so we can explore all the craziness that he's involved with and we could use a thousand examples in a myriad of books. That and where is Kevin? Why isn't Kevin seen in a bigger role or even really around at all?
Oh this book is super duper amazing and I cannot wait till next issue!