Archie Comics/ComiXology Originals
Written by Alex de Campi
Illustrated by Devaki Neogi
Coloured by Lee Loughridge
Lettered by Jack Morelli
Josie, Valerie and Melody awaken from their cryo-sleep to learn that they're way off course! Meanwhile, a strange, hostile alien substance has gotten loose and has taken over the ship!
Oh I am really enjoying this story. Thankfully it really isn't like the cartoon was and that it has more of this whole Alien vibe going on instead. I don't know why we never did get a dark take on the girls but this is a whole lot better. While I do miss their crime solving ways this is a different set of problems that need solving so in a way we still get to see them kind of outsmart their foe by well being Pussycats. Also with Alan being Captain Hot Stuff and the introduction of a few more characters this issue I can definitely say with the utmost confidence that this truly is a nod, or homage, to my first experience with the pussycats.
The way that Alex is telling this is so phenomenally well done. I kind of like that Melody has this thing about being touched as it adds another dimension to her that she's been lacking before now. The idea that they are in space flying from one gig to the next in a cryo-sleep apparatus when something goes horribly wrong is a great scenario. There really are so many different ways this could play out and the one we are seeing here is among the routes I could possibly think of. The story & plot development we see through the sequences of events that unfold and how the reader learns information is extremely well done. The character development is simply stunning and the more we see the characters and the more we see how they act and react to situations show us new sides of their personalities. With the pacing here, which is super strong, we see the twists and turns and how they affect the ebb & flow of the book. Every aspect of the story that we see unfolding here is utterly sensational and it just grabs the reader, draws them in and engages them in some of the most unusual of ways. Trust me unusual is the right choice of word and if you need proof get over to Comixology and see.
The more I see Devaki's work the more impressed with it I become. The linework is nice and interesting and she has a style all her own. The way that the linework is utilised to bring out the attention to detail is nicely done. I am enamoured with the faces and facial expressions that we see throughout the book and alongside the body language we see really furthers the characterisation in ways words alone cannot do. Also the way that we see three different looks within this one issue is handled with aplomb! That horror, the red lights and the outer space rescue operation all have their own unique qualities we don't see in the others. The utilisation of the page layouts and how we see the angles and perspective in the panels show a good, strong, solid eye for storytelling. The colour work is wonderful and is a great representation of classic Archie comics. The choice of colours is absolutely fantastic an then to see the different hues and tones to create the shading and shadow work is really well done.
I am excited by this and for what's still to come. Now if only Sebastian would find a way to make an appearance I'd be super happy. Still this is one of the more original and unusual takes on the characters that I have ever seen and I want Alex to write more of these types of stories featuring the girls. This is supercalifragilisticexpialidocious!