Archie Comics Pubwatch: June 2023

Welcome to the Archie Comics Pubwatch for the month of June! I’m Lisa, reporting from a corner booth at Pop’s Chock’lit Shoppe, and here’s this month’s news! In June’s Pubwatch, we’ve got some debuting characters on the docket, a new title announcement, Netflix India releases a first look trailer for The Archies, two drawing tutorials from some of Archie’s greats, preview some new covers, and more!

Archie Comics to introduce two friends for Amber Nightstone In Sabrina the Teenage Witch Annual #1

According to this official announcement from Popverse, Jade Kazane and Sapphire Gill will join Amber as part of the Wicked Three. In Sabrina The Teenage Witch Annual Spectacular #1, the trio plan on kidnapping magic practitioners. The goal is to make themselves more powerful, but Sabrina Spellman’s not going to stand for that. She heads off in pursuit of them, using an unusual ally to bring the trio down.

“We saw such an enthusiastic reaction to new Sabrina villain Amber Nightstone that we had to go back and see who else she hangs out with. Enter The Wicked Trinity,” explained Archie Comics editor-in-chief Mike Pellerito in a statement made to Popverse, referring to the popularity of Sabrina Anniversary Spectacular #1, which was a huge hit for Archie last year. “Sapphire and Jade are two new witches who love to be bad, but in a different way from Amber so it makes for some fascinating story angles to come that we’re excited to explore. Jamie’s [L. Rotante’s] story is a great introduction to these two and Holly [G!]’s art is always magical.”

“I have always been so proud to muse that I may be the first fully functioning witch drawing Archie’s Teenage Witch! When I received Jamie’s script, I felt like I was dropped into this epic dangerous spellventure! I met these two new witches, Sapphire and Jade, and I just love their designs and energy,” she continued. “Jade is this feisty pixie, a force of nature — don’t judge her by her size! (Should I have said that in Yoda-speak?). Then there’s Sapphire; she isn’t anyone’s puppet. She wants a place at the table, working with other witches to get the power she craves. For Sapphire, I wanted to channel the energy of someone self-confident, so I picked Megan Thee Stallion!” said Holly!, who admits that the story is the first time in years she’s had the opportunity to draw Sabrina.

Added Jamie L. Rotante, “I’m always ecstatic when Mike asks me to write a new story, especially if I get the chance to help introduce new characters to the Archieverse,” Rotate said about her part in the story. ‘It’s an honor to get to work on a Sabrina story, and even more so to expand the witch world! Amber Nightstone’s introduction last year was such a fun and necessarily addition to the magic realm, and I cannot wait for everyone to meet her two new sidekicks — but something tells me Jade and Sapphire won’t hide in her shadows for long!”

The new story features writing from Rotante and pencils from Holly G! There’s no word in the article as to who provides inks, art, and letters for the new story. The issue will street on September 6.

Madam Satan Finds an Unusual Aly in Chilling Adventures Present…Madam Satan: Hell on Earth

It looks like Madame Satan is once again set to usher in autumn for Archie Comics. Per an official announcement released to Looper News, The September release for Archie Horror will be Chilling Adventures Presents: Madam Satan: Hell on Earth #1.

The issue picks up where last year’s Chilling Adventures Presents: Madame Satan #1 left off. Now on the run from Lucifer, Madame Satan tries to hide out in the seemingly-peaceful place in the suburbs. She finds a surprising ally there, and together they team up to put Satan to rest for good – by summoning the Eldritch Gods to take him out.

“When Archie asked me to write Madam Satan a few years ago I never imagined I’d get to work with the character for so long and over so much time. And the fact that I can return to her story with Vincenzo’s incredible visuals and Ellie’s brilliant colors is such a gift. I’m so grateful. Really, the only choice for me this time around was for me to let go and have fun. I hope everyone who reads it does, as well,” Eliot Rahal, the issue’s writer, told Looper.

“With Madam Satan I can try new things on my page layouts and art style, so I’m always happy to be on this. I especially like to draw her in her horned form, too, because of the great character design,” he said. “It’s amazing to have the opportunity to continue the story we worked on for the last two years and give her some good action moments. Eliot’s script is super funny and I’m lucky to work with him!” said Vincenzo Federici, who drew the issue’s art, in the same press statement.

“We’re so excited to return to the world of Madam Satan. Starting way back in her 2020 one-shot and continuing throughout the past two years’ CHILLING ADVENTURES OF SORCERY releases, Eliot has been weaving this beautiful and tragic narrative about the titular character’s journey through hell and back to earth,” Rontante said in a statement. “This chapter allows it to take a new turn: Madam Satan is back in Greendale, and it seems that Hell has followed her there. This one-shot is filled with twists and turns both heart-wrenching and horrifying. But trust us, this isn’t the end of her story. Vincenzo’s hauntingly gorgeous art amplifies all of the emotion within, while also punching you in the face with graphic and frightening images,” said Jamie L. Rotante.

Ellie Wright will handle the issue’s color work, with Jack Morelli handling the lettering. Federici also handles the issue’s main cover, with Soo Lee providing a variant cover (see above). Chilling Adventures Presents: Madam Satan: Hell on Earth #1 streets on September 20.

Netflix India releases a trailer for The Archies

The film still doesn’t have an official release date.

Vincent Lovallo and Ron Cacace Speak to Comics Beat about Bite-Sized Archie: Going Viral

Read the interview here!

Vincent Lovallo gives some Archie drawing tutorials and shares Bite Sized Archie icons; Glenn Whitmore gives a coloring tutorial; Craig Cermak shares Danni Malloy designs

Learn how to draw Jughead in this video from #BiteSizedArchie illustrator Vincent Lovallo! pic.twitter.com/R4PHVi69bo

— Archie Comics (@ArchieComics) June 14, 2023

@ArchieComics @pellertweeto
1/3 – One of the first things I learned working in the comics/coloring business is that when it comes to comic books: Cyan, Magenta, and Yellow are the primary colors. Not Red, Yellow, Blue. pic.twitter.com/vVZANZRJbs

— Captain Clockwork (@glenn_whitmore) May 30, 2023

My Danni Malloy character designs for @ArchieComics

Check out her drumming skills in Jinx: A Cursed Life #1, in comic stores tomorrow! pic.twitter.com/QzFQkkkmmz

— Craig Cermak (@craigcermak) May 16, 2023

In case anyone was interested, I have a giphy account and made a bunch of Bite Sized Archie stickers!https://t.co/7g0T767tHb

— Vincent Lovallo (@Vincredible_23) June 14, 2023

Jamie L. Rotante talks Big Ethel Energy with ICV2

Read the interview here!

New Variant Covers from Great Wall of Comics, Dan Parent, VA ComicCon and Stadium Comics

Thin white teenagers veronica lodge and betty cooper fly off on the back of a rocket ship. Veronica wears a white bikini, her dark hair flowing in the wind; betty wears a pin bikini and he blonde hair is in pigtails. The beach below them is rife with multicolored tentacles holding up various beach-related impliments like shells, sand buckets and spades. Behind them is a bright blue sky with a large white cloud and to the left is a large sun. Both girls smile.

Thin white teenagers veronica lodge and betty cooper fly off on the back of a rocket ship decorated with american flag designs. Veronica wears a bikini with red bottoms and a blue top with white stars on it, her dark hair tucked into an american flag patterned top hat. She wears a blue surcoat and holds a sparkler in her right hand. betty wears a red swimsuit, her blonde hair is in a ponytail. Betty is seated before Veronica and is driving the vehicle. The beach below them is rife with multicolored tentacles holding up various beach-related implements like American flags, beach balls, and fireworks. Behind them the fading night sky is filled with bright, multicolored fireworks. Both girls smile.

Blonde thin white teenager Betty cooper stands at the shoreline with a blue sky behind her. she smiles vivaciously at the viewer, her head slightly turned. She wears a red white and blue bikini and holds a surfboard decorated with an American flag design. Her blonde hair is held up by a blue hair tie.

Thin white brunette teenager veronica Lodge lounges on a beach. she wears a red, white and blue bikini and lies on a flag which is the same color as the american flag. Red sandals lie nearby, she holds a book in her hand and behind her sits a red, white and blue striped beach ball.

Sabrina Spellman, a white, blonde haired thin teenager, kneels on a beach before a blue ocean. She wears a white bikini with blue and red spatter designs on it. In front of her, a red shovel pours sand into a blue bucket without the aid of human hands. Behind Sabrina sits a sandcastle. The shy above her is fair with thin white clouds.

In a tribute to Phoebe Cates' pool scene in Fast Times at Ridgemont High, thin white brunette teenager veronica Lodge emerges from a swimming pool into a rain of blue behind a grey sky. She wears a red bikini and her dark hair is slicked back. She smiles at the observer.

Blonde white teenager Betty Cooper is swimming under water with a pink snorkel in her mouth. She wears an orange bikni. The ocean scene around her is completely normal - except or the fact that she's just found Archie Andrews' severed head in a treasure chest. On the inset, the rest of the archies' heads float, their eyes crossed out, dead.

Blonde white teenager Betty Cooper is dressed in the purple and pink outfit of Gwen Stacy's Spider-Gwen. Behind her is a multicolored paint spatter backdrop.

Blonde thin white teenager Betty Cooper is dressed in the purple and pink outfit of Gwen Stacy's Spider-Gwen. Behind her is a fusicha backdrop.

Think white teenager Veronica Lodge turns her head toward the reader and smiles. She wears a purple bra top and purple high-waisted hot pants, and a white dress shirt. On her wrists are many holdn bangles. Behind her the legend 'the Sensational Veronica' floats. The background behind her is of various shades of purple. She wears large golden teardrop earrings.

Blonde thin white teenager Betty Cooper watches Jughead Jones take a bite of a burger and cries. Jughead's reflection reflects in the lenses of her heart-shaped sunglasses, and tears trickle down from below the frame. Betty's hair is done up in a black ponytail and she wears a blue teeshirt. Behin her is a pattern of pink and black checks. She wears tiny ted heart-shaped earrings.

It’s new variant cover time!

Great Wall of Comics has a whole bunch of exclusive variant sets available, on the way, or sold out. The first covers Betty and Veronica: Friends Forever: Beach Party #1, was drawn by Dan Parent, and is another of his Dave Stevens home variants. The cover comes in two versions: the regular and a more patriotic edition. There were 25 virgin metal variants available, which sold out and were a part of a set of two packs with their regular editions. But you can buy a regular copy of each variant for $24.99 or in a two-pack for $44.99 here. It’s limited to 200 copies and comes with a COA.

Did you like the Sam Payne swimsuit variants we showed off last month for Betty and Veronica: Friends Forever: Beach Party #1, but were looking for something more patriotic? You’re in luck because all three covers are being printed with a secondary, red, white, and blue edition for the Fourth of July. Each cover is limited to 200 issues apiece for the regular variants and 25 copies for each metal variant. The metal variants are only available in double-cover packs and go for $69.99 each. The regular variants go for 24.99, and you can buy a pack of all three variants with all three metal covers for a total of $199.99 All come with COAS and can be ordered here.

The next cover is also by Parent and also covers Betty and Veronica: Friends Forever: Beach Party #1. It’s a parody of a memorable, Phoebe Cates-related scene in Fast Times at Ridgemont High. Each cover is limited to 200 copies, retails for $19.99 apiece, and came with a COA. They and the 25 metal variants available sold out during the preview.

Parent is also offering to hand-remarque his Kevin Keller pride variant of Archie and Friends: Hot Summer Movies #1. Each issue is $25. DM him at his Twitter here. He is also auctioning off his cover art for the issue over on Instagram.

And here are Stadium Comics’ variants for the month. Next up is a variant for Chilling Adventures Present…Camp Pickens #1 by Nuno Pereira, which in itself is a tribute to Dan DeCarlo’s cover for Betty #8. The limited metal variant, available only in a two-cover pack, was limited to 25 copies, cost $59.99, and has sold out. Pereira’s standard variant is still available. It’s limited to 250 copies apiece, costs $14.99, and is here.

Stadium is also offering this Betty Cooper/Spider-Gwen Pop Art mashup, covers Archie and Friends: Hot Summer Movies #1, and is a part of Nuno Pereira’s ongoing Pop art series for both Stadium and Archie Comics. There are two different versions of the cover: the standard version has a solid background and the metal variant has a splatter color background. The limited metal variant, available only in a two-cover pack, was limited to 5o copies, cost $59.99, and has sold out. Pereira’s standard variant is still available. It’s limited to 250 copies apiece, costs $19.99, and is here.

Penultimately is Stadium’s variant cover for Betty and Veronica: Friends Forever: Beach Party #1. It’s drawn by Bill Walko and is a homage to the cover of She-Hulk #43. It’s limited to 250 copies, and it too had a metal cover which was limited to 25 copies and available in a $59.99 two-pack which is already sold out. The regular variant retails for $14.99 in a two-pack and is available for pre-order here.

Our final issue comes from both VA ComicCon and My Bargain Comics. By Dan Parent, it is a tribute to Young Romance #150 and covers Archie and Friends: Hot Summer Movies #1 and was drawn by Dan Parent. It’s limited to 250 issues. Fans can pick between buying a regular variant for $29.95 here, or buying the metal variant for $79.99 here. There are only 20 copies of the metal version.

Archie Comics Tweets of the Month

Riverdale is a place for everybody! Happy #PrideMonth from Archie Comics! pic.twitter.com/OQELwBO4wf

— Archie Comics (@ArchieComics) June 1, 2023

Happy Monday. Here's a bunch of Archie house ads from the 60’s by the great Harry Lucey pic.twitter.com/RSDjDc6ZBW

— Mike Pellerito (@pellertweeto) June 5, 2023

Now seems like a perfect time for some Josie and the Pussycats puzzle fun! pic.twitter.com/at2nwzvFsD

— Archie Comics (@ArchieComics) June 3, 2023

Fun fact: In the 1970s, the world famous Palisades Park had an "Archie's Hot Rods" amusement ride! pic.twitter.com/Av5SydX9as

— Archie Comics (@ArchieComics) June 1, 2023

THERE IS NO CURE FOR ARCHIE FEVER! pic.twitter.com/tPzbNN3aIC

— Archie Comics (@ArchieComics) May 27, 2023

TFW you hear "Padam Padam" pic.twitter.com/ESIo7xMvgA

— Archie Comics (@ArchieComics) June 22, 2023

Resting Lodge face pic.twitter.com/hHHH23fGRA

— Archie Comics (@ArchieComics) June 19, 2023

Riverdale celebrates Pride month, Some vintage in-house Archie ads, a vintage Josie McCoy puzzle, pictures of the Archie attraction at Palisades Park, and ARCHIE FEVER CATCH IT, Resting Lodge Face and yes, Archie too has Padam Padam fever.

Sugar Sugar of the Month

Chilling Adventures Present: Camp Pickens #1
Carola Borelli (Art); Diana Camero (Art); Francesco Francavilla (Alternate Cover);Matt Herms (Colors); Blake Howard (Writing); Jack Morelli (Letters); Jordan Morris (Writing); Mike Norton (Art); Tim Seeley (Writing); Matt Talbot (Cover)
June 21, 2023

I’ve been having way too much fun with Archie Horror’s once-a-month drops. While this doesn’t top the sheer mayhem of last month’s Jinx issue, it definitely brings all of the thrills, chills, and spills inherent in the horrors of serial stabbers at summer camp to life. It even manages to pack some humor – mordant and not – into its offering. There are some truly chilling kills here alongside some blindsiding laughs.

It’s summer, and what better time to settle down with a slasher flick? In this case, the gang ends up in the woods with a bunch of vulnerable kids — and a killer stalking the usually-safe-seeming environs of Camp Pickens. It’s up to Jughead to protect the troops, but can they unmask the killer before it’s too late? Also a peek into the camp’s bloody history.

Hotdogs and Hotshots

Archie & Friends: Hot Summer Movies #1
Ben Galvan (Art and Cover); Bill Galvan (Art and Cover); Jack Morelli (Letters); Adrian Ropp (Writing); Glenn Whitmore (Colors)
June 6, 2023

We exclusively revealed this title for y’all in March, and now it’s available to be read! This is a fun and breezy issue that’s all about Archie-ized movies. The new story in this one features Jughead as an Indiana Jones-style adventurer!

Betty and Veronica Jumbo Comics Digest #315
Jim Amash (Inks); Ian Flynn (Writing); Holly G (Art); Jack Morelli (Letters); Dan Parent (Writing, Art, Cover); Bob Smith (Inks); Glenn Whitmore (Colors)
June 28, 2023

In this super-sporty edition, Ethel Muggs and Cassie Cloud team up against Veronica and Betty in an all-out volleyball war, but things turn messy when they try to score some attention from some fellas. Elsewhere, Archie’s date with the none-more-goth Darla Lang goes awry when things get too sunny!

Archie Jumbo Comics Digest #341
Lily Butler (Art); Steven Butler (Art); Tom DeFalco (Writing); Jack Morelli (Letters); Dan Parent (Art, Cover and Writing); Bob Smith (Art); Glenn Whitmore (Colors)
June 21, 2023

Look, I love it when Ethel Muggs wins, so you knew this would make it into today’s list of the best of the best of the month. A brand new viral dance is taking Riverdale by storm thanks to the micro-video platform Tik-I mean FlipFlop. Ethel Muggs wants to take on this dance for two, but instead of chasing her eternal crush Juggie, she wants to step in with her new flame Kai. Will she be able to cut a rug with him during Veronica’s pool party? Or will she actually end up dancing with Jughead just when she doesn’t want to?

In the Riverdale superheroverse, Pureheart the Powerful and Captain Flagg must defend the post office against Tom Twister.

Picks From the Timecops

Betty and Veronica Friends Forever: Beach Party #1
Jim Amash (Inks); Holly G! (Art); Jack Morelli (Letters); Jamie L. Rotante (Script); Glenn Whitmore (Colors)
July 5, 2023

We exclusively previewed it for you, and now you can take it home! During Veronica’s Babie-themed party at the Lodge Beach House, the mysterious Casey arrives and puts the teens in a tizzy. Who is he? Why is he here? Read and find out!

Archie Showcase Digest Presents: The Archie Library 15: Archie & Friends: Christmas In July
Dan Parent (Cover); Various (Writing/Art/Inks/Letters/Colors)
July 12, 2023

It’s never too early for Christmas, right (wait don’t go!). This collection combines all of Archie’s best Christmas-related adventures.

Archie Jumbo Comics Digest #342
Francis Bonnet (Writing); Rex Lindsey (Inks); Jack Morelli (Letters); Dan Parent (Art, Cover and Writing); Bob Smith (Inks); Glenn Whitmore (Colors)
June 21, 2023

Amazingly-named director Steven Squealberg is using the Lodge Mansion as a location for his new movie. The gang are all hanging out working on the film as extras. Unfortunately someone on the crew lifts something important and then Fu Chang is called in to help out.

Over in the Archie Superhero-verse, Mad Dr. Doom fights the Boy Buddies when he messes with everyone’s phones; but Little Archie might intervene at the worst possible moment.