Welcome to the Archie Comics Pubwatch for March! I’m Lisa, reporting from a corner booth at Pop’s Chock’lit Shoppe, and here’s this month’s news! In March’s Pubwatch, a fresh Sabrina comic emerges, the Archie gang gears up for summer, and the Archie gang gains favor with Diamond comics! Also, there are plenty of new variant covers and much more!
Archie Comics joins Diamond Comics Distributors’ Deluxe Publishing Tier
Per this press release from Diamond Comic Distributors, the company will now have preferred placement in Diamond Select catalogs and preferred customer service on their website. This goes into effect in the company’s March 2024 catalog.
“Archie is elated to expand our partnership with Diamond and join the Deluxe Publisher Tier,” said Jonathan Betancourt, Archie Comics SVP, in the statement. “We have continued to grow after nearly a century of publishing, and our biggest stories are still to come in the years ahead. Our sincere thanks to retailers and the entire Diamond team for their support.”
“Archie is not only one of the biggest brands in comics, they’re one of the most recognizable brands across all media, and I couldn’t be more thrilled to expand our partnership with them,” said Tim Lenaghan, Chief Purchasing Officer for Geppi Family Enterprises. “We’re excited for their plans for the remainder of 2024 and looking forward to amplifying their message across the industry.”
Retailers and fans can take advantage of these exclusives now.
The Wicked Trinity get their own one-shot in June
Having been introduced in Sabrina Annual Spectacular #1 this past fall, Amber Nightstone and her friends Jade Kazane and Sapphire Gill, are back and ready to rule the roost with their own solo one-shot issue. Inspired by the film The Craft, the trio rebels against the magical order to form a three-person coven. Unfortunately, their own egos and ambitions could tear them apart.
“When Editor-In-Chief Mike Pellerito came up with the idea of the Wicked Trinity—Amber Nightstone, Jade Kazane, and Sapphire Gill—I was immediately intrigued. I even had the good fortune to work on the script for Jade and Sapphire’s first appearance in last year’s SABRINA ANNUAL SPECTACULAR comic for younger readers. What I especially loved about these magical teens is that they could seamlessly transcend from classic-Archie stories into more mature, even horror stories. I was eager to start developing their world with a modern sensibility, taking cues from the great work of Kelly Thompson and Veronica Fish on our SABRINA THE TEENAGE WITCH series, and Sarah Kuhn and Carola Borelli on our recent DARKLING one-shot. Inspired by series like Charmed and films like The Craft, I knew there was so much potential to build up this coven in a story that beautifully blends magical fantasy with horror,” said Archie Comics Senior Director of Editorial Jamie L. Rotante in an exclusive statement about the comic’s release published by Bloody Disgusting.
“Real witches writing real witches—that’s how we do things over at Archie Comics! I was named after a famous witch—Samantha from Bewitched—and so I grew up absolutely obsessed with everything witchcraft, devouring every book series I could about teen witches. That makes WICKED TRINITY a dream project for me. The power and energy of teen girls is absolutely unmatched (just look at the engine behind fandom culture) and being able to harness that metaphorically for a story like this is such a delight. Everything I write focuses on the power of female friendship, and this story is no exception. And what’s better than a morally grey female character? I struggle to think of anything. Cat familiars, maybe? Also, I’m totally a practicing witch now. So maybe if you read this, you’ll find yourself imbued with magical powers, too,” said issue writer Sam Maggs in the same statement.
“I can’t wait for people to be re-introduced to The Wicked Trinity! Witches, fashion, and Archie Comics; this is truly a magical trifecta and I’m so happy to have the opportunity to put my own personal stamp on this. I love to create stories in which girls find their own power, both from within themselves and through their friendships and coven. If you’re a fan of my Modern Witch tarot, you’ll find this comic just as magical,” agreed artist Lisa Sterle.
The issue’s writing will be provided by Maggs, with art and a cover by Sterle (above), color work by Ellie Wright, lettering by Jack Morelli and an alternate cover by Soo Lee.
The Wicked Trinity #1 streets on June 12.
Archie Introduces Poolnoodle in Archie & Friends: Blockbuster Movies
Is everyone ready to spend a little time with the Merc with the chlorine? Archie and Friends Blockbuster Movies #1 is set to introduce Riverdale’s favorite superhero Dead – I mean PoolNoodle! The superhero has all of the snark of Deadpool – but none of the blood, gore or guts.
“Between all the blockbuster movies with escalating premises and the rampant cross-property projects, going to the movies can be a little overwhelming,” issue writer Ian Flynn told Smashpages, which carried the official release statement about the issue. “One thing Archie is great at is looking at the world and making these problems more manageable and even a little bit funny. (Although, let’s be honest, if they let me do a Crusaders ‘Cross the Cosmos’ event, it’d look something like this.)”
The issue also sports art by Steven Butler, inks by Lily Butler, a cover by both with colors by Rosario “Tito” Peña, interior color work by Ellie Wright and lettering by Jack Morelli. Archie and Friends Blockbuster Movies #1 streets on June 5.
Amy Chase talks to Stone Soup Digest about Chilling Adventures Present: Pop’s Chock’lit Shoppe of Horror: Fresh Meat
Right here.
Mike Pellerito Reviews the History of the Jaguar for 13th Demension
Here.
New Variant Covers from Stadium Comics, Great Wall of Comics, Comic Book Exclusives/Mellow Fellow Trading, Happy Comics Company, Hamilton County Indiana, Sam Payne and Hero’s Comic Shop
It’s new variant cover time!
First up is Stadium Comics, which is back with two homage variant exclusives. There’s a tribute to the cover of Vault of Horror #18 by Bill Walko, which covers Chilling Adventures Presents: The Cult of that Wilkin Boy: Initiation. Only 50 copies existed of the variant’s first run, with 15 metal virgin variants extent. The metal version sold out as part of a two-issue pack at $69.99. You can buy a regular variant for $19.99 here!
Stadium also offered up this extremely limited Veronica Lodge Pop Art virgin variant by Laura Braga for Archie and Friends: Hot Rod Racing #1. Limited to 50 copies, it also sported a 15-copy metal variant. Both have sold out at $19.99 and $69.99 in a two-cover pack, respectively, but you can look at the book here.
Great Wall of Comics has this tryptich virgin variant for Betty and Veronica Friends Forever: Fairytales #1. Drawn by Dan Parent, it’s got Veronica, Sabrina and Betty all dolled up as Snow White, Little Red Riding Hood and Alice in Wonderland, respectively. Limited to 200 copies it comes with a COA and is available here for $59.99.
Comic Book Exclusives has this tribute to the cover of Prince’s Purple Rain album for Archie and Friends: Hot Rod Racing #1 by Dan Parent. Featuring Veronica and a silhouetted Archie. It’s limited to 220 copies. Parent sold them at King Kon Show in New Jersey, and some issues were sold on WhatNot. Any further copies should surface sometime in April here.
There’s a whole bunch of Dan DeCarlo variants being offered up at Happy Comics Company. The pop-art Betty cover as well as the Betty and Veronica cover tops Chilling Adventures Present: Pop’s Chock’lit Shoppe of Horror: Fresh Meat #1. The solo Veronica and the Archie and Veronica cover top Archie and Friends: Hot Rod Racing #1. All covers are metal variants, and are limited to 25 copies each. Ungraded, each issue goes for $40.00 apiece. Graded by the CGC to a 9.8, they cost $75 apiece.
And as promised, here are the links for those Hamilton County, Indiana covers drawn by Stuart Sayger for Betty and Veronica: Friends Forever: Sleepover #1 which celebrate the oncoming total lunar eclipse on April 8. You can purchase each cover unsigned at $19.99, signed with a COA at $24.99, and signed and remarked with a COA for $59.99 at Sayger’s official website here.
The 616 comics are offering up two exclusives from Josh Burns. The first covers Betty and Veronica: Friends Forever: Sleepover #1. The blue variant is limited to 250 copies and is worth $25 with a COA. You can get it here. The purple variant is limited to 150 copies and also comes with a COA. It costs $40 and you can get it here.
Burns’ other two variants are for Archie and Friends: Hot Rod Racing #1. The blue Daisy Thunder variant is limited to 250 copies and costs $24.99 here. The pink variant is limited to 150, costs $39.99 and is available here. Both come with COAS.
Sam Payne is offering a Cheryl Blossom variant for Archie: Judgement Day #1 on her official website for $21.99. For a limited amount of time, those who preorder will receive a copy of Payne’s variant for Josie and the Pussycats #1 from 2016.
Finally, Ken Wheaton is offering this exclusive for Betty and Veronica: Friends Forever: Sleepover #1 at Hero’s Comic Shop in Elmira Heights. You can find their hours and more info here.
Archie Comics Tweets of the Month
We love Dilton but he also makes us kind of nervous. pic.twitter.com/gpv7E7NLe1
— Archie Comics (@ArchieComics) March 12, 2024
Happy #LeapDay from Archie Comics! pic.twitter.com/jqO08DDBdg
— Archie Comics (@ArchieComics) February 29, 2024
Leap day and Dilton being a powerful, unstoppable force, as you do.
Sugar Sugar of the Month
Betty and Veronica: Friends Forever: Sleepover #1
Jack Morelli (Letters); Dan Parent (Writing, Art, Cover); Rosario “Tito” Peña (Cover Colors); Bob Smith (Inks); Glenn Whitmore (Colors)
March 6, 2024
Some issues are just pure fun on the bun, and the best offering March had for us gives out nothing but pure, unfiltered joy wrapped in magical dust. Betty, Veronica and all of their nearest and dearest must struggle with a sudden burst of unexpected magic during a sleepover in this slumber party-related digest.
The magic stems from Alexandra Cabot – whose backstory happens to be laden with the same – and worse, she has no idea how to cap it. The shenanigans are fun, the writing is cool, and the end result worthwhile.
Hotdogs and Hotshots
Chilling Adventures Present: Pop’s Chock’lit Shoppe of Horror: Fresh Meat #1
Ryan Cady (Writing); Amy Chase (Writing); Adam Gorham (Cover); Liana Kangas (Art); Aaron Lea (Cover); Jack Morelli (Letters); Jordan Morris (Writing), Chris Panda (Art); Federico Sabbatini (Art); Ellie Wright (Colors)
March 20, 2024
Though this trilogy is slightly less engaging than the one that preceded it, it’s still worth a good read. Return to the scene of one of Archie Horror’s biggest hits of the past year as three more writers and three more illustrators weave a web of horrifying stories surrounding everyone’s favorite seemingly wholesome malt shop.
Betty and Veronica Decades: The 1970s
Dan DeCarlo (Cover Art); Rudy Lapnik (Cover Inks); Rosario “Tito” Peña (Cover Colors); Various (Colors/Art/Inks/Writing/Letters)
March 27, 2024
A fun, fast collection of ’70s coolness! Platform shoes, disco nights, and all the Archies shenanigans you can shake a stick at pop up in this collection of Bets and Ronnie’s best adventures from the 1970s.
Archie Milestones: Jumo Comics Digest #23: Jughead’s Spring Time Bash
Rex Lindsey (Cover); Rosario “Tito” Peña (Cover Colors); Various (Colors/Art/Inks/Writing/Letters)
March 20, 2024
In springtime, a young man’s fancies turn to thoughts of — burgers, milkshakes, and rock and roll! This collection is all Jughead, all the time, and every story is spring-related.
Picks From the Timecops
Chilling Adventures Present: The Cult of That Wilkin Boy: Intiation #1
Cullen Bunn (Writing); Luis Antonio Delgado (Cover); Ben Galvan (Inks); Robert Hack (Cover); Matt Herms (Colors); Dan Schoening (Art and Cover); Jack Morelli (Letters)
April 24, 2024
After last year’s excursion into mayhem and deals with the devil, Bingo Wilkin has settled into life as a music manager. After trading multiple souls for success, he still craves more – life back atop the charts. Let’s just say it won’t be an easy ride to get there…
Archie and Friends: Hot Rod Racing #1
Craig Boldman (Writing); Lily Butler (Inks and cover inks); Steven Butler (art and cover); Vincent Lovallo (Cover); Jack Morelli (Letters); Rosario “Tito” Peña (Cover Colors); Glenn Whitmore (Colors)
April 3, 2024
The gang’s old friend Daisy Thunder reenters the picture and challenges them to a race. Will they take the checkered flag or will Daisy come out on top?
Archie Modern Classics Melody
Dan Parent (Cover Art); Rosario “Tito” Peña (Cover Colors); Various (Colors/Art/Inks/Writing/Letters)
April 24, 2024
A big collection of some of Archie’s best and most recent stories from its digests.
Archie Showcase Digest #18: Halfway to Halloween
Dan Parent (Cover); Various (Colors/Art/Inks/Writing/Letters)
April 24, 2024
Would you believe it’s almost Halloween? Well, it will be in six months. This Milestones Digest celebrates Archie at his spookiest and Riverdale at its most creepy.
Betty and Veronica Jumbo Comics Digest #323
Jim Amash (Inks); Francis Bonnet (Writing); Tania Del Rio (Writing); Bill Galvan (art); Bill Golliher (art); Jack Morelli (Letters); Dan Parent (Cover); Rosario “Tito” Peña (Cover Colors); Glenn Whitmore (colors)
April 10, 2024
Betty and Veronica team up with their friends to rescue Dr. Masters from a kidnapper! Then Jola Kitt joins the girls in their quest to find Bingo Wilkin’s missing dog.
Archie Jumbo Comics Digest #349
Jack Morelli (Letters); Dan Parent (Writing, art, cover); Rosario “Tito” Peña (Cover Colors); Bob Smith (Inks); Glenn Whitmore (colors)
April 3, 2024
Archie goes to outer space (again) when our titular teen is blasted off into the wild unknown. Will he find love again, or just a bad trip?
World of Archie Jumbo Comics Digest #139
Francis Bonnet (Cover Inks); Jack Morelli (Letters); Dan Parent (Writing, Art; Cover); Rosario “Tito” Peña (Cover Colors); Bob Smith (Inks); Glenn Whitmore (Colors)
April 17, 2024
A multiple POV story shows readers what it’s like to live, go to school with, and even date Archie Andrews.
