Archie Comics 2016
On Sale Sept. 28th 2016
Written by Marguerite Bennett & Cameron Deordio
Illustrated by Audrey Mok
Coloured by Andre Szymanowicz
Lettered by Jack Morelli
It’s the new Archie world and that means it’s time for a new Josie and the Pussycats series. Unlike the Archie series where everything has been pretty much status quo this series takes a different approach. This first issue is the origin of how the girls formed Josie and the Pussycats.
Marguerite and Cameron do an extremely good job with the characterization here. I like that Josie is how she is now unlike the girl we’re used to seeing. Shy and somewhat awkward at this stage she’s yet to blossom into that strong confident person she’s portrayed as in the older comics or the cartoons. Now this is just my conjecture so take that for what it is but I have a feeling we’ll see the characters grow and evolve into those classic roles that’ve made them so famous.
From what I can gather the girls aren’t in High School anymore as Josie and Melody share an apartment in Riverdale. I’ll say if they are anything it’s college students and i’m okay with that since it seems to be the right age category for them to try to form a band and then possibly that record deal which would make them international superstars. Okay that last bit would be wishful thinking but still isn’t that the goal of forming a band and being into music, the endgame anyway?
We do get a great look at Melody after her introduction. It’s also the segway to meeting Valerie and discovering how the girls and a love of animals bring them all together. I have to say I love the intelligence of Val as she’s portrayed here and equally as impressive is the way Melody can be seen as that modern day airhead who’s loveable even in the midst of one of her signature tangent runs. How exactly do they all meet and what is Val’s job when they do well AHA I can’t tell you that as you have to read the issue to find out what all three have in common to bring the band together.
The interiors here are great I love the high quality comic book art that Audrey brings to this. While not the realism I was looking for it’s the next best thing as it’s that really sharp lined and great comic book style that keeps it new, fresh and far from the original Archie art style. Plus her eye for storytelling is pretty darn strong and the flow through the page layouts really shines. There’s also a nice cameo if you are paying attention. Personally I want more backgrounds but that’s just me and what I feel they really bring to the table.
While the entire cast of characters we all know aren’t quite introduced to us here we do get a look at Alexandra, though I miss her white streak, and Alan. I’m waiting on Alexander and Sebastian and hopefully they won’t be far behind.
I think this successfully combines a new modern feel to the classic girl group. Now if they find themselves being amateur detectives as they travel the world playing music and spotlighting modern issues well then I’ll gladly dance the jig! In the meantime this is one heck of a successful re-launch of the book and I haven’t been this excited about the Pussycats in heaven knows how long!