Welcome to the Archie Comics Pubwatch for the month of November! I’m Lisa, reporting from a corner booth at Pop’s Chock’lit Shoppe, and here’s this month’s news! In this month’s Archie Comics Pubwatch, two new digests are announced, along with start dates for The Chilling Adventures of Sabrina and Riverdale!
Archie Announces Two New Digests To Begin Publishing in 2021
As announced during the Beyond Riverdale panel, Archie comics will begin publishing two new digests in 2021.
The first, World of Betty and Veronica Jumbo Comics, will naturally center on Archie’s two main squeezes and will launch on January 6th. It will feature double-length lead stories – in the first issue, this means Betty and Veronica teaming up to make a viral video that will get the attention of BTX, who’s holding a contest ahead of their Riverdale appearance.
The second, Archie 80th Anniversary Jumbo Comics Digest, will launch in February. A limited collectors series to celebrate Archie’s 80th anniversary, it will combine reprints of old stories and new ones.
Archie Comics Partners with WebToon to Create Online Comic Content.
As announced exclusively by Polygon, Archie Comics will become one of the first mainstream comic imprints to debut their content on the webcomic platform Webtoon. The Webtoon format will mean an interesting shift in layout for the comic company, which usually traffics in horizontal panels; the main output for Webtoon is vertical.
“The Webtoon platform and audience is perfectly suited for the Archie brand, and we’re excited to partner with them to create new stories that expand and build on the tales we’ve been sharing with fans for almost 80 years,” said Archie Comics Co-President Alex Segura told Polygon. “Archie’s goal is always to be accessible and everywhere, and this is another step in that direction. We’ll be sharing more details about the story….soon, and we can’t wait to hear what fans think about this major digital partnership.”
“We are thrilled to add [an] Archie series to our program as we are constantly looking to broaden our offerings on the platform for the US audience,” said David Lee, head of content for Webtoon, also to Polygon. “This story will provide an opportunity for Archie fans to experience the vertical scroll format on Webtoon and we appreciate Archie Comics for allowing us to be creative with our pitch.”
The new series is set to debut sometime in 2021.
South Side Serpents One-Shot to Be Released in January
For fans of Archie’s Riverdale imprint or just of the CW show itself, the South Side Serpents—a biker gang comprised of Toni Topaz, F.P. Jones and others—will receive their own one-shot comic in January.
In a Sons of Anarchy-esque plot, F.P., worried about the future of the Serpents, tries to recruit his son, Jughead, into helming the gang.
South Side Serpents will sport writing by David Barnett, with art by Richard Ortiz, Matt Herms and Jack Morelli. The main cover was drawn by Richard Ortiz, with a variant version by Tyler Boss.
The issue will street on January 27th.
Archie Comics Opens Holiday Spotlight Section On Website
Looking for holiday gifts for Archie-loving family members? Archie Comics’ official website has opened a holiday shop, and in addition to two limited edition prints signed by Archie artist Dan Parent—one an 80th anniversary print, the other a holiday-themed print—you can buy custom art from Parent, either a custom portrait or a personalized Archie drawing. The cost runs from $49.99 to $149.99, and those seeking holiday gifts are encouraged to order early.
Madam Satan Sells Out Its First Printing; Second Reprint to Feature Recolored Cover
As announced by Archie Comics, this one-shot from the Chilling Adventures of Sabrina universe has sold out of it first printing at Diamond Comic Distributors. The second version will receive a cool-toned recolor job from Julius Ohta. Those who desire to read the comic immediately will have to check their local shop or buy it digitally.
Stadium Comics Offers Exclusive Archieverse Ultimate Fallout #4 Homage Covers for Archie Christmas Spectacular #1
Much like Stadium’s GI Joe Figure Variant covers, Nuno Pereira has drawn these two Christmas-themed covers, which pay tribute to Ultimate Fallout #4. The original version has a run of 250 copies, and the variant 200. You may pre-order both books here.
Archie Comics New York Virtual Comic Con 2020 Panel Now Available.
For those who missed it, you can watch official video of the panel here!
The Chilling Adventures of Sabrina Sets Season 4 Debut
Netflix has announced that the fourth (and final) season of The Chilling Adventures of Sabrina will debut on the service on December 31st.
The show was cancelled this past July, which means this will be the last time viewers will get to watch the Spellman coven go wild.
Riverdale Announces Season 5 Premiere Date
You can’t escape this town. Season 5 premieres Wednesday, January 20 on The CW! #Riverdale pic.twitter.com/cNDYi2gzJ2
— Riverdale (@CW_Riverdale) October 29, 2020
Via the above Tweet on October 29th, it was announced that CW’s Riverdale will return on January 20th, 2021 for its fifth season.
Archie Comics Twitter Tweet of the Month
do you keep your comics in the fridge? pic.twitter.com/1mAorz8gLE
— Archie Comics (@ArchieComics) October 28, 2020
I admit that this one made me chuckle (And really, who doesn’t keep the TPBs somewhere handy like this?)
Sugar Sugar of the Month
Jughead’s Diner (TR)
Bill Golliher (art and writing); Dan Parent (art, cover and writing); Pat Kennedy (art); Pat Brosseau (art)
November 25, 2020
Look, I grew up on pure, unadulterated Archie-based cheese. And if you thought Archie Comics’ penchant for weirdness started with its Horror imprint, you don’t remember the 90’s, when the Ninja Turtles roamed Riverdale. In this particular case, Jughead ends up getting sucked into a food-centered alternate dimension (called Dinerville, natch) where he has to defend the populace against scummy real estate agent Sal Monella. Sal wants to buy up the property of every single person in town and control the local economy, but Jughead immediately puts up a fight. The fate of the place is decided in a bowling tournament between Jughead and Sal. Parent, the Pen of Archie, does his usual good job here, and the inventive plot by Golliher is very Saturday morning cartoons, in a good way. If you’re in the mood for ’90’s cheese, there’s no better title this month.
Hotdogs and Hotshots
World of Archie Jumbo Comics #104
Pat and Tim Kennedy (cover); Jack Morelli (art); Dan Parent (writing and art); Rosario “Tito” Peña (cover); Bob Smith (cover and art); Glenn Whitmore (art),
November 4, 2020
In Riverdale, it’s already time to ring in the holidays, and thus WOA’s Jumbo Comics for the month of November gives us a very Christmasy tale. The very charming umbrella story centering the issue is an ornament found at Pop’s while the gang is decorating. No one can figure out how it was crafted, but everyone has a special memory centering on it. It’s very, very charming and very, very sweet.
Archie and Friends Fall Festival #1
Jeff Shultz and Rosario “Tito” Peña (cover); Various (art and writing)
November 11, 2020
Or maybe you’re not quite in the mood for something Christmassy yet. If you’re still thinking of pumpkin pies, hay rides, crunchy fall leaves and warm apple cider instead of snowmen, hot cocoa and icicles, Archie Comics still has you covered. In this issue, the gang gets lost in a corn maze, tries to bake pumpkin pies, and in a highlight, tries to creep each other out with ghost stories.
Archie Milestones Jumbo Comic Digest #11
Various (art and writing); Stan Goldberg (cover)
November 11, 2020
The Archie Milestones series does an excellent job of encapsulating some of Mr. Andrews’ best moments from the eight (!) decades during which his adventures have been published. This volume promises a phalanx of winter and holiday tales.
Archie Unlimited Picks of The Month
If you have Archie Unlimited, here are a few highlights from this month’s offerings!
Archie Vs Predator II: This incredibly unexpected, gory and horror-filled crossover combines a touch of Beronica with a whole lot of human-hating gore. Spine-tingling, but not for the weak of stomach.
Archie Comics 80th Anniversary Presents Josie and the Pussycats: Are you looking for an entrée into the world of Josie McCoy and her pals as they search for their big break? This is a great place to start.
Archie Comics 80th Anniversary Presents Betty & Veronica: A fun and quick starter kit for those interested in the adventures of Archie’s best girls.
Archie Comics 80th Anniversary Presents Katy Keene: And for those who like New York sophistication, discover Katy Keene’s not-so-humble roots.
Picks From The Timecops
Betty and Veronica Spectacular Vol. 3 Various (art and writing) ; Dan DeCarlo, Rosario “Tito” Peña and Henry Scarpelli (cover) December 30th, 2020
This ’90s series continues to get its proper due with a handsome softcover volume. Lots of Betty and Veronica antics are to be had between its covers ’90s style.
Betty and Veronica Jumbo Comics Digest #289 Dan Parent (writing, art, cover); Jack Morelli, Bob Smith, Glenn Whitmore (art) December 2nd, 2020
Betty and Veronica’s adventures continue as they try to compete for glory in a gingerbread house contest at Pop’s.
Archie Milestones Jumbo Classics #12 Harry Lucey (cover); Various (art and writing) December 16th, 2020
The final volume of the Archie Milestones series winds up its long journey through Mr. Andrews’ adventures.
