Welcome to the Archie Comics Pubwatch for the month of February! 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, Archie Comics announces some new titles and a brand-new Editor in Chief!
Mike Pellerito be announced as the new EiC of Archie Comics
Via an announcement on the official Archie Comics website, Mike Pellerito was named Editor-in-Chief of Archie Comics on February 2, 2022.
“I am beyond thrilled to name Mike Pellerito as Archie’s new Editor-in-Chief and see him step up to this iconic role,” said Archie Comics Publisher and CEO Jon Goldwater.
“It’s an immensely important position not only at this company but for the American publishing industry at large. There are very few companies that can remain independent for over 80 years while keeping their core business intact—and that’s exactly what we’ve done and will continue to do with Mike leading the charge. I couldn’t be prouder to see Mike take over the very exclusive role that began with my father John L. Goldwater, before being passed to his son Richard, and was most recently held by our dear friend Victor Gorelick. The legacy of our company is in the right hands and the best is yet to come!”
“It’s an honor to be named Archie’s new Editor-in-Chief, as I worked under our previous EiC Victor Gorelick for many years, and grew to cherish the time we had together and our friendship. The Archie Comics characters have always felt like they’re living, breathing, people to me, and it’s my job to make sure that our fans and readers continue to connect with them and feel the same way, so stepping into this role feels like coming home again, even though I never left! Whether it’s your first time reading an Archie Digest that you bought at the grocery store check-out aisle or if you’re a die-hard fan picking up the Archie Meets Riverdale crossover from a comic shop, every time you flip open the cover it should feel like you’re visiting a group of friends that you’ve known forever. I’m so grateful to Jon and everyone at Archie for this opportunity to continue to shine a light on the company’s legacy and build on what came before as we reach new heights and bring in new readers,” said Pellerito in a statement.
Archie Comics Editor and Writer Brian Augustyn passes away at 67
Still processing the news that Brian Augustyn passed away. Wonderfully talented, skilled editor and writer and honestly an even better person. We worked together, along with his co-writer and best friend Mark Waid, on Archie: 1941 and Archie: 1955, both fantastic experiences. 1/ pic.twitter.com/ezk41Na42l
— Mike Pellerito (@pellertweeto) February 1, 2022
Per a Tweet from Mike Pellerito, Gotham By Gaslight and Archie editor and author Brian Augustyn has passed away. IGN confirms his death. We offer our condolences to Augustyn’s family. The author co-wrote Archie: 1941 and Archie: 1955 during his time with the comics giant.
Archie Meets Riverdale crossover event set to street in April
Have you ever wondered how the comic version of Archie Andrews would react to his Riverdale counterpart? Lay your curiosity to rest. This April, Archie Meets Riverdale will hit newsstands nationwide. Per the Archie Comics website, Daniel Kibblesmith will handle the writing and Pat & Tim Kennedy the art. Bob Smith will handle the inks, Matt Herms the color work, and Jack Morelli the letters. Derek Charm will draw the main-line cover, with Ben Caldwell (see above) doing the variant. Expect humor, chaos, and a little bit of romance.
The issue will hit bookstores near you on May 11.
Fun With Little Archie and Friends #1 to hit newsstands in April
Do you like your Riverdale shenanigans pint-sized? Archie Comics returns to the world of Little Archie Andrews with Fun With Little Archie and Friends Special #1. The issue features stories from Shannon Watters, J Torres, and Jamie L. Rotante, with art from Erin Hunting, Adrian Ropp, and Agnes Garbowska. Matt Herms provides color work, and Jack Morelli letters. Erin Hunting handles the main cover, and Brittney Williams the variant. The stories, written with an eye to young readers, features younger versions of our teen protagonists — and even participate in an Animal Crossing parody.
The issue will be released on April 13.
New Exclusive Variant Covers Available from Stadium Comics, VA ComicCon, and Great Wall of Comics
All of this month’s variants are for Betty And Veronica: Friends Forever: Power-Up #1. That means a whole lot of video gaming fun is afoot. There are two new variant covers up for pre-order at Stadium Comics, featuring Veronica as Lara Croft from the Tomb Raider series and Betty as Cammy from Street Fighter. Both covers were created by Nuno Pereira. 250 copies of each variant exist, with 100 metal variants made apiece, available exclusively in a 2-cover pack with the Bill Galavan main cover version, both of which have sold out. Each of the standard-issue variant covers costs $14.99 and can be pre-ordered here.
Great Wall of Comics offers a Dan Parent virgin variant covers featuring the whole gang as characters from Super Mario Bros. Each cover is limited to 400 copies and comes with a COA. You can buy one issue for $24.99 here.
Finally, further variants are offered by VA Comicon, which offers this Dan Parent exclusive (and my personal favorite of the group). It’s got Veronica and a Power Glove. The cover is limited to 250 each and has sold out.
Archie Comics Tweets of the Month
— Archie Comics (@ArchieComics) February 9, 2022
Everything is canon.
Nothing is canon.
Don't worry about it.— Archie Comics (@ArchieComics) February 16, 2022
Inexplicable events and the limits of canonical plausibility.
Sugar Sugar of the Month
Archie: Love And Heartbreak Special One-Shot
Stephanie Cooke (Writing); Paulina Ganucheau (Cover); Sina Grace (Writing); Matt Herms (Colors); Jack Morelli (Letters); Thomas Pitilli (Cover, Writing and Art); Lisa Sterle (Art); Iolanda Zanfardino (Art)
February 9, 2022
I’m delighted to report that Archie Comics did indeed threepeat the successes they’ve had with their Halloween-themed and holiday-themed anthology issues. Archie: Love and Heartbreak is excellent not just because it shows the validity of different kinds of love, but because it pays them all equal attention. This issue features three different (possible) romances, all of which take place at the Riverdale Carnival. Jughead describes his ideal date to Betty and as they romp through the fair their relationship turns flirtatious; Archie and Veronica’s date goes south after they have a tiff, leading Veronica and Dilton to spend the evening out together (all the segments were strong, but this one was my favorite). Kevin Keller, meanwhile, goes on a blind date with a guy named Devon and might end up in love. The gorgeous art and pitch-perfect writing by all parties involved (including some great color work by Matt Herms) satisfied my high expectations.
Archie’s Valentine’s Spectacular #1
Dan Parent (Art and Cover); Jack Morelli (Letters); Jamie L. Rotante (Writing); Bob Smith (Art); Glen Whitmore (Colors)
February 2, 2022
This is another “I knew I was going to rec this issue the second I read the blurb” situations. Considering his romantic history, it was kind of inevitable that Archie Andrews was going to hook up with a gal like Taylor Swi — I mean Taylor Sweet someday, wasn’t it? Archie kept their romance a secret, but Taylor’s latest song, “Gingerbread Boy,” is totally about him! Fortunately, no one knows. He spills the secret to Jughead, but surely his best buddy can keep a secret, right? Yet with Betty, Veronica, and everyone else grooving to the music, can he possibly keep their brief connection on the down-low? Of course he can’t. This is a perfect combination of pop culture referencing and wonderful Archie-style humor. A total win.
Hotdogs and Hotshots
World of Betty and Veronica Jumbo Comics #12
Jim Amash (Art); Bill Galvan (Art); Bill Golliher (Writing); Jack Morelli (Letters); Rosario “Tito” Peña (Cover); Jeff Shultz (Cover); Glen Whitmore (Colors)
February 2, 2022
This one is just plain fun on the bun. Betty and Veronica compete for the attention of…a guy who’s not Archie?! Gasp! When a new skating instructor comes to town, Veronica tries to attract his attention by acting like a total skating neophyte. Meanwhile, Betty decides to meet him on equal footing by using her prodigious skating skills. May the best teen win.
Picks From The Timecops
Betty And Veronica: Friends Forever: Power-Ups #1
Tania Del Rio (Writing); Ben Galvan (Art); Bill Galvan (Art and Standard Cover); Jack Morelli (Letters); Rosario “Tito” Peña (Cover); Glenn Whitmore (Colors)
March 9, 2022
A series of video game-centric stories featuring Betty and Veronica pushing themselves to the limit and trying to help their friends out. In the issue’s lead story, Betty, Veronica, and Jughead find themselves immersed in a MMORPG.
Betty and Veronica: Decades: the 1960s (TR)
Dan DeCarlo (Cover); Rosario “Tito” Peña (Cover); Various (Art and Writing)
March 23, 2022
Looking to collect a bunch of ’60s set Betty and Veronica tales in one fell swoop? This TR collects some of the best stories published about their friendship (and rivalry) during that decade. Artists and writers in the TR include Dan DeCarlo, Harry Lucey, and Rudy Lapick.
World of Archie Jumbo Comics Digest #118
Jim Amash (Art); Francis Bonnet (Cover); Ian Flynn (Writing); Bill Galvan (Art); Pat and Tim Kennedy (Cover); Dan Parent (Cover and Writing); Rosario “Tito” Peña (Cover); Jack Morelli (Letters); Bob Smith (Inks); Glenn Whitmore (Colors)
March 30, 2022
A rare story centered around Jughead’s Uncle Herman? Why not! Herman hires Jughead to help him fix the roof of the Wilkins family, but chaos soon sets in as all three fellas compete to get the job done. The issue also features Archie teaming up with hero Steel Sterling after the superhero hops into Archie’s car while the teens are working for a ridesharing service.
World of Betty and Veronica Jumbo Comics Digest #13
Bill Golliher (Cover); Jack Morelli (Letters); Dan Parent (Art; Writing); Rosario “Tito” Peña (Cover); Bob Smith (Inks); Glenn Whitmore (Colors)
March 9, 2022
I’m a sucker for a good Sabrina story, and this one — where she babysits a child while sick and accidentally sneezes the kid into a storybook — sounds like fun.
Archie Jumbo Comics Digest #328
Bill Galvan (Art); David Gallaher (Writer); Bill Golliher (Cover); Rex Lindsey (Art); Jack Morelli (Letters); Dan Parent (Cover); Rosario “Tito” Peña (Cover); Ron Robbins (Writing); Bob Smith (Inks); Glenn Whitmore (Colors)
March 16, 2022
In this issue’s duel lead stories, the gang goes all out for their upcoming spring formal and Steel Sterling finds himself mentoring Pureheart the Powerful!
Second Looks
Archie Showcase Digest: Battle of the BFFs
Betty and Veronica Jumbo Comics Digest #302
