Archie Comics 2019
Written by Bill Golliher
Pencilled by Dan Parent
Inked by Rich Koslowski & Bob Smith
Coloured by Glenn Whitmore
Lettered by Jack Morelli
Betty and Veronica are your guides in this collection of stories about all things creepy, unearthly and downright spooky!
I love these, they are so much fun to read! There is the light hearted air around it that really just finds a way to seep into your bones. Bill has found a lot of ways to tell stories that we identify with in some way shape or form. Who among us hasn't wished to spend the night in a supposed haunted house with your best friend and no one stops you?!? Alright we can skip over the part where these kids run rampant and do literally anything they want as their parents seem to be nowhere to be found. To be honest this was me in High School, I told them where I was, where I would be and who I would be with and that honesty granted me the freedom to be me. Much like the kids in Riverdale and again there is a connection.
I love the way that these characters interact with one another. Clearly when Betty tells Veronica something there is a lot she leaves out and of course when things happen she calls her out and then everything is okay and both do the one has in store for them. This is the way that best friends behave, unfettered, totally not bothered and loyal to a fault. Also that they create, see find, situations that they work together to find solutions to well this is the kind of stuff that we need more of. Sometimes of course things don't quite go the way they think but then again what happens is sometimes just what is supposed to.
I am quite impressed as always with the way that each of these stories is complete. Short stories always remain a mystery to me and the sheer fact that Bill can write them and make feel natural and complete as they are. Even better is the fact that the personalities shine brightly and of course fit them beautifully. Sometimes you laugh out loud and others you just smile and grin either way this just works at brightening up your day. That is what the Archie's are all about really, an escape that make makes you happy, feel good and that reminder that we can all be better people and friends.
Why isn't Dan lauded more with accolades and awards? The man is a genius with his pencils and how he can keep this linework so strong, smooth and filled with detail. The faces and facial expressions along with their body language do wonders in furthering the characterisation. Oh and Reggie, gosh we just don't see him enough and the range of emotion and feeling we get from him is utterly fantastic! He's also something of a fashion designer as well keeping the kids in new looks that keep up with the times. The utilisation of the page layouts and how we see the angles and perspective in the panels show a masters eye for storytelling. The colour work from Glenn as always is so well done. The light sources and the way that we see the vibrancy of colours and how they work with each other it's just so perfect and iconic looking.
The best of all-ages books are here at Archie and have been for a number of years and it's the standard by which all others try to live up to. This is one of those series that just warms the heart and teaches a lesson at the same time, there are life lessons here that remind of Mister Rogers. The kind of stuff that we absorb whether we know it or not. This is the epitome of excellent craftsmanship, skill, talent and the creativity and imagination of some of the finest storytellers around.