Archie Comics 2019
Written by Alex de Campi
Illustrated by Robert Hack
Coloured by Kelly Fitzpatrick
Lettered by Jack Morelli
Our trios (new and old) are getting to know each other better—like Classic Betty and Veronica discovering that the newer versions of themselves actually AREN’T both trying to win over Archie’s affections. There’s a lot to take in in this brave, new world, but they’ve got a more pressing issue to deal with: Predator-Archie is quickly turning back into a Predator, and time is running out. Fortunately, the Riverdale Halloween Dance may be just the cover the gang(s) need.
Well now this is what I am talking about! The way that these groups meet each other and the fact that Dilton as smart as he is kind of brought them here unbeknownst to him is sensationally well done. This encounter sets the stage for what’s to come and I have Alex sets it all up beautifully. I adore that the “original” Archie characters are meeting up with the new version and the fact that a flip phone was the key factor was just brilliant. The whole lets get to know one another business has some of the best dialogue around and add into that the strength of characterisation and this is why I love Alex’s work and am constantly impressed by her talent and skill.
I love the way that this is being told. The way that we see the story & plot development alongside the character development as they weave their way through each other, hooking up and departing so that they are essentially one and not two is extremely well done. The way that we see the information doled out and revelations revealed through the pacing manages to create this nice ebb & flow to the book. Also that as we read we don’t realise just how quickly the book is moving until we hit the last page is delightful. I wanted more when we hit the last page and I was more than a little disappointed that it was over. The story is so good and interesting and well pretty bloody making it feel more Predator than Archie at times. In the end however, it is all Archie at the heart of things and to be able to feel that throughout all this is an amazing feat to accomplish.
Roberts work on the interiors is both amazing and a little disappointing. Backgrounds need to be utilised more pure and simple and when we the characters end in a panel I am a little taken aback. On the flip side the linework is beautifully done and how the varying weights are utilised to create some marvellous attention to detail is great to see. So the mixed bag of results really make scratch my head. Also while Kelly’s colour work is exceptional I do wonder why all these black shadows bleed so much on white clothing making them look like they’ve been at war. Can we talk about that moment Archiekin’s turns his head and we see the Predator popping out because that is one of the penultimate moments ever created and it’s thing of beauty. The utilisation of the page layouts and how we see the angles and perspective in the panels show a strong eye for storytelling. I am thoroughly enjoying the colours and the varying hues and tones in them to create shading and shadows the blues, reds, the funky Predator skin tones all work incredibly well.
With this being issue two of five that means that we have to see the beginning of the end already in play. After all Dilton used that helmet to call home on behalf of Predator Archie and that was a mistake, although to be fair he couldn’t have known any better. Still since he is wearing the helmet it’s where he’s going to be where they come charging in. if the kids can’t work together and do it quickly then this Riverdale may suffer the same fate as the other one did!