Archie Comics 2019
Written by Micol Ostow
Illustrated by Thomas Pitilli & Joe Eisma
Coloured by Andre Szymanowicz & Matt Herms
Lettered by John Workman & Janice Chiang
Take a deeper dive into some of the skeletons buried in and around Riverdale as well as hidden and unexpected connections to the Farm and the Game. Everyone is hiding something in this companion to the third season of the massive hit CW series Riverdale.
One of the things that I really like about this is that while it is an extension of the television show, which is surprisingly more like Dynasty than you think, it still manages to retain some of what makes Archie Archie, well at least the original version we all know and love. That Micol can manage to blend the two versions here is quite the feat and I admire that immensely. The two stories here prove how diverse and yet insular at the same time and it takes this kind of skill and talent to make this come to life like it does.
I may not ever get used to Jughead being so intense in his belief’s and his commitment to sleuthing and uncovering the truth it is rather interesting. I mean it is kind of better than his being some kind of beatnik, and if you think that doesn’t fit I would bet my bottom dollar he’s a version of Maynard G. Krebs or vice versa. Regardless this new passion he has, to know, whatever the subject may be, anything and everything gives him a new depth and interest factor. Micol uses this characterisation extremely well and all this with Archie’s looming trial well it provides a distraction as well as gives everyone the chance to be who they are beautifully.
So the story here is something to be admired actually and it’s a perfect foil for getting the kids thinking they need to get involved in something they’ve seen well illegally or at least suspicious. It reminds me of several different things and all of them actually sensational to fitting in to this book.
The interiors for the first one is nicely done. I like the attention to detail that we see and even when she’s trying to fit in Veronica always looks high fashion is perfectly done. The utilisation of the page layouts and how we see the angles and perspective show a really good, strong eye for storytelling. The way we see backgrounds utilised is fantastic as is the colour work here. I am enchanted by the visuals here as I am the story.
There is always time for fun that’s for sure. And to hear the words Brigadoon and Xanadu used in references in the second story that is freaking amazing. I mean sorry but younger generations usually scoff at the idea of watching older films and well that they are used here is just one of the perfect things that I cannot help but love and admire that they are still known makes me so happy. So yeah the setting is perfect and then the dialogue is utterly fantastic.
Then there is the whole like mother like daughter that’s happening and well yeah it’s great to see the kids doing what kids do best and help each other so they can reach their goals. This is the heart-warming part that is essentially what made us all fans of the franchise in the first place.
Joe’s art on the interiors here is nice stuff. I love his linework and how the past pictures kind of match up with the kids today is really something. He has this great eye too for how to get the kids so blended with their original and television counterparts. His work is what ties the second story together so nicely through the utilisation of the page layouts and how we see the angles and perspective in the panels. The colour work too is nice to see and the way the photographs are aged but not sepia is also appreciated.
This is why I love the Archie line of books, past, present and future because they know how to adapt, evolve and be more than we ever dreamed while keeping their roots firmly grounded.