
Archie Comics 2015
Written by Chip Zdarsky
Illustrated by Erica Henderson
Lettered by Jack Morelli
A travesty hit Riverdale High when the new principal, Mr. Stanger, outlawed burgers in the cafeteria. But Jughead’s not one to sit idly by and let change happen that easily--ok, actually that’s exactly what Jughead would do, but not this time! He found a loophole in the system and the new principal isn’t standing for it. Has Jughead become Public Enemy #1? Or will he be the force of change that Riverdale High needs? Either way, he’s going to take a nap first.
I’m really enjoying the way that Chip is portraying Jughead. This is the kind of irreverent fun that you think of when it comes to Jughead. That easy going almost slacker-esque way that we’ve become so familiar with gets a deeper and deeper look into how he thinks. Having gone from one of the richest kids in town to the poorest and how he has dealt with it all is something that we’ve never seen before.
There’s a certain amount of charm, cunning and intelligence that Jughead possesses that lies beneath the surface which we’ve never been privileged to see before. Chip really is having fun here and it shows. There’s always been something about Jughead that’s made him a perennial favorite among fans and here we’re finally getting to see more of him that not only cements that love but also deepens it.
Aside from the absolute fun that was his dream in detention, something he’s done his very best to avoid getting, Chip’s given Jughead his very own nemesis if you will. Something that gives him drive and purpose beyond a trip to Pop’s for a burger and shake. Suddenly there’s this whole new dimension to Jughead that we’ve never seen before and at the same time is kind of exciting. I also have to admit that I love the fact that inbetween seeing him deal with real life is that dream was sheer perfection.
The imagination is a lovely thing and Jughead’s is over the top. Archie’s ancestor from a time in the far future who comes back to ask him for aid yeah that’s something you don’t see every day. I liked how that all played out it was fun, quirky and completely over the top much akin to Jughead himself. Though I have to say that seeing him in action in his dream using the brains that most never see him display yeah it just adds to the book in ways that are extremely entertaining.
As much fun as the story is I am as equally disappointed in the interior artwork here. While Erica has a great style and her work is nice it isn’t really fitting for this to me. Not quite the style of art that the original had or the whole new updated style that Archie possesses it’s very I dunno not in synch with the new updated version that’s supposed to be happening. The dream was great for this artwork but the everyday stuff well I just wish it had that more realistic look, feel and vibe to it.
The writing is very much up to date in the new line of Archie books but sadly the art isn’t.