Welcome to the Archie Comics Pubwatch for the month of January! I’m Lisa, reporting from a corner booth at Pop’s Chock’lit Shoppe, and here’s this month’s news! In January’s Pubwatch, Bingo Wilkins continues his bloody march toward fame! Also, there are plenty of new variant covers and much more!
Bingo Wilkins is back with The Cult of That Wilkin Boy: Initiation in April
After launching Bingo Wilkins into the Archie Horror-verse with The Cult of that Wilkins Boy last year, it looks like Archie’s going to follow Bingo’s next move with a fresh sequel one-shot, The Cult of that Wilkins Boy: Initiation.
The issue takes place after the events of The Cult of that Wilkins Boy, which saw Bingo sell his soul to the devil to achieve fame. And fame he did get – in the form of a team of zombielike followers. Now he’s a music manager – charming other Riverdalians out of their own souls for fame and fortune. But that isn’t enough – he craves a return to the spotlight. But it’s not going to be that easy to regain his fame.
“I’m so excited to have the chance to write a new Bingo story. INITIATION stands completely on its own as a fun, dark little horror tale. But, for those who have read THE CULT OF THAT WILKIN BOY, it continues the tale of deviltry and supernatural shenanigans in an exciting way. Returning to this world, I wanted to tell a tale that was a natural progression for Bingo but was also an amplification of the nightmarish horror that surrounds him!” Issue writer Cullen Bunn said in an official press release.
“When we released THE CULT OF THAT WILKIN BOY last year, we knew we had something special. I mean, how could we not with a team like Cullen and Dan? What was so apparent was that people were drawn to this story because of its concept and the gorgeous storytelling and art style, and as such, were willing to learn more about the character of Bingo Wilkin in the process. In this year’s release, we’re taking Bingo’s harrowing journey a step further, in a Behind the Music-esque exploration of man’s rise, fall, and rise again. Plus even more demons than ever before, both literally and metaphorically!” Archie Comics Senior Director of Editorial Jamie L. Rotante said in the same release.
The issue will feature Bunn’s writing and art by Dan Schoening with inks from Ben Galvan, colors by Matt Herms and letters by Jack Morelli. The main cover was created by Schoening with Luis Antonio Delgado and an alternate cover by Robert Hack.
The Cult of that Wilkins Boy: Initiation streets on April 24.
Daisy Thunder joins the Archie gang in Archie And Friends: Hot Rod Racing #1
Archie’s been slowly interweaving new characters into its universe over the past couple of years, and another new character will be added to the lineup in April. In Archie and Friends: Hot Rod Racing #1, Daisy Thunder will arrive on the scene.
Introduced as a member of the South Side Serpents and a former child frenemy of the gang. The daughter of a racecar driver, she’s been busy traveling the globe. “In the intervening years, she’s had an amazing life, owing to her father’s career as a globe-hopping professional racecar driver. He’s ready to settle down and enjoy a slower pace, but it turns out Daisy’s not wired that way,” explained issue writer Criag Boldman. Daisy is back to challenge the gang to a hot rod race that spans the whole of Riverdale. But can they succeed in beating Daisy?
Aside from Boldman, the issue’s new story features art from Steven Butler with inks from Lily Butler, colors by Glenn Whitmore and letters from Jack Morelli. Steven Butler, Lily Butler, and Rosario “Tito” Peña provide the main cover.
Archie and Friends: Hot Rod Racing #1 streets on April 3.
Jamie L. Rotante talks about Sabrina The Teenage Witch: Holiday Special and Darkling for her Daily Dead Column
Right here.
Dan Parent talks Archie with Mint Lounge
Right here!
New Variant Covers from Stadium Comics, Great Wall of Comics, Comic Book Exclusives, Happy Comics Company, and Mellow Fellow Trading
It’s new variant cover time!
First up is Great Wall of Comics with this variant for Archie Valentine’s Day Spectacular #1. Drawn by Dan Parent, it’s limited to 200 copies .comes with a COA and is available here for $19.99. Great Wall of Comics is also offering an exclusive blank cover for Betty and Veronica: Friends Forever Sleepover #1 which is limited to 250 copies and costs $19.99 here.
Comic Kingdom Creative has this exclusive cover for Sabrina the Teenage Witch Holiday Special #1, created by Kunkka. It has a run of 300 virgin covers and is available for $26 ungraded here.
Stadium Comics is back with three homage variant exclusives. First, there’s this tribute to the cover of the Go-Gos album Beauty and the Beat by Bill Galvan, which covers Betty and Veronica: Friends Forever Sleepover #1. Only 250 copies exist of the variant, with 20 metal variant cassette cover replicas extent. The metal version sold out as part of a two-issue pack at $59.99. You can buy a regular variant for $14.99 here!
Stadium also has Galvan’s homage to The Princess Bride, a variant for Archie’s Valentine’s Day Spectacular #1. There are multiple buying options here; the regular variant is limited to 250 copies; the foil variant with an unmasked Archie to 20, and the virgin foil to 15. Both the foil and virgin variants have sold out; the standard is available here; for $14.99.
Finally, Stadium carries is this variant for Archie’s Valentine’s Day Spectacular #1 drawn by Laura Braga. This tribute to the cover of Archie’s Girls Betty and Veronica #40 by Harry Lucey. The main variant is limited to 250 issues, and there is an already sold-out virgin metal variant which was limited to 25 copies. You can buy it for $14.99 in a standard edition here.
Next is this Sabrina Spellman variant for Archie’s Valentine’s Day Spectacular #1 by Leanne Hyunh. Availible at Comic Book Exclusives, it’s limited to 200 copies apiece and costs $15.99. You can buy it here.
Amanda Conner and Jimmy Palmiotti are offering up a variant at Happy Comics Company. It covers Archie’s Valentine’s Day Spectacular #1. Limited to 250 copies apiece, you can pick it up here for $19.99; graded by the CGC to a 9.8, they cost $75 apiece here .
Mellow Fellow are offering up multiple reprint covers for classic Archie issues in limited editions. The Betty and Veronica mermaid cover is by Fiona Staples and covers Betty and Veronica #267 from 2013. There will be 30 foil versions, 12 green metal variants; 5 green marble variants; 2 birch wood variants, and 1 virgin cedar wood variant. Mellow Fellow also has up a set of foil variant covers from Andrew Pepoy’s Archie #646, also from 2013. There will be 30 foil versions, 12 virgin metal variants; 5 gunmetal variants; 2 birch wood variants and 1 virgin cedar wood variant. Lastly, they have Dan Parent’s cover for Archie #660. 30 foil covers, 12 virgin metal, 5 black gold, 3 birch wood, and 1 virgin cedar wood cover will be available. All covers will go on sale on WhatNot on January 31, with the remainder ending up on Comic Book Exclusives soon after.
Dan Parent has created a special double-cover variant for Archie’s Valentine’s Day Spectacular #1. If you want to snag one, they’re $25, limited to 250 issues, and are available remarqued’ . DM Parent for prices and availability here!
Finally, Sam Payne is offering this variant for Archie’s Valentine’s Day Spectacular #1 inspired by the title card for the Batman: The Animated Series episode Mad Love. It’s limited to 250 copies, is available signed by the artist, and you can buy one for $21.99 here.
Sugar Sugar of the Month
Jim Amash (Inks); Lily Butler (Inks); Steven Butler (Art); Ian Flynn (Writing); Holly G! (Art); Bill Golliher (Cover); Daniel Kibblesmith (Writing); Jack Morelli (Letters); Rosario “Tito” Peña (Cover); Glenn Whitmore (Colors)
January 1o, 2024
I’m a big advocate of returning classic character Fran Frazer, and her return story does a great job making her feel real and personable and making her seem capable but realistically fallible.
Fran and her sometimes boyfriend and occasional rival Hal Davis investigate a corruption case involving Archie and Veronica, which requires Veronica and Archie to do a bit of recon work. Can they get along, especially when Archie expresses romantic interest in Fran? The adventure proves to be quite a lot of fun, and Fran as always shines when placed at center stage.
In the b-story, Betty and Veronica find the most perfect health specimen in Riverdale after being challenged to do so by Young Doctor Masters, but chaos soon sets in. Overall it’s a fun little experience that’s great to pour over.
Hotdogs and Hotshots
Betty and Veronica Jumbo Comics Digest #321
Jim Amash (Inks); Bill Galvan (Art); Bill Golliher (Cover Inks); Jack Morelli (Letters); Dan Parent (Writing, Art and Cover); Rosario “Tito” Peña (cover colors); Ron Robbins (Writing); Bob Smith (Inks); Glenn Whitmore (Colors)
January 31, 2024
Both of the stories here are quite cute. In the first new story, Moose turns to Betty and Veronica to help spruce up his look when he worries about losing Midge to the more stylish Reggie!
Elsewhere, in a fun okay-for-kids tale, Betty and Veronica find a portal (?!) beneath Pop’s Chocklit Shoppe (!!!) that may lead them into something supernaturally sticky (???).
Picks From the Timecops
The Jaguar #1
Keryl Brown Ahmed (Writing); Jack Morelli (Letters); Reiko Murakami (Alt Cover); Maria Sanapo (Cover); Tango (Art); Ellie Wright (Colors and Cover Colors)
February 21, 2024
Impact Comics heroine Jaguar returns to print in the guise of Ivette Velez, a zoologist in the middle of investigating a murder.
Archie’s Valentine’s Day Spectacular #1
Jim Amash (Inks); Ian Flynn (Writing); Holly G! (Art); Jack Morelli (Letters); Dan Parent (Cover); Rosario “Tito” Peña (Cover Colors); Glenn Whitmore (Colors)
February 7, 2024
Betty and Veronica must cope with newcomers Hearts, Flowers and Candies as yet another Riverdale Valentine’s Day goes haywire!
Archie 1000 Page Comics Triumph
Dan Parent (Cover); Rosario “Tito” Peña (Cover Colors); Various (Colors/Art/Inks/Writing/Letters)
February 21, 2024
A big chunk of Riverdalian joy collects a whole lot of stories in one neat package.
Archie Showcase Digest Presents #17: Archie’s Valentine’s Special
Dan Parent (Cover); Rosario “Tito” Peña (Cover Colors); Various (Colors/Art/Inks/Writing/Letters)
February 14, 2024
A whole digest of Valentine’s Day themed stories!
Archie Jumbo Comics Digest #348
Jim Amash (Inks); Bill Golliher (Inks); Pat Kennedy (Art); Dan Parent (Writing and Art and cover); Ian Flynn (Writing); Jack Morelli (Letters); Rosario “Tito” Peña (Colors); Bob Smith (Inks); Glenn Whitmore (Colors)
February 28, 2024
Bingo Wilkins has a viral video hit, but the wages of fame make his upcoming anniversary with girlfriend Samantha difficult. Cue Achie and Jughead offering up their services. Also: Archie helps out The Shield.
World of Archie Jumbo Comics Digest #137
Steven Butler (Art); Lily Butler (Inks); Tom DeFalco (Writing); Bill Golliher (Cover Inks); Jack Morelli (Letters); Dan Parent (Writing, Art and Cover); Rosario “Tito” Peña (Cover Colors); Bob Smith (Inks); Glenn Whitmore (Colors)
February 7, 2024
Jughead has the worst Valentine’s Day ever when he’s trapped at Pop’s Chocklit Shoppe – which has once again been overrun by monsters. In the second new story, Archie goes to the tabloids while trying to figure out which celeb Young Dr. Masters is dating.
