Welcome to the Archie Comics Pubwatch for April! I’m Lisa, reporting from a corner booth at Pop’s Chock’lit Shoppe, and here’s this month’s news! In April’s Pubwatch, the Archie gang plays truth or dare, Big Ethel Energy comes to a conclusion, and some previews are afoot! Also, there are plenty of new variant covers and much more!
The Gang plays Truth or Dare in July
No, in case you were wondering — this one-shot issues from the Archie Horror umbrella doesn’t involve people making weird faces. July’s one-shot will have Trul Twyst playing some mind games with the gang – mind games they may or may not end up surviving.
“Truth or Dare is smart, sexy, and a beautiful homage to teen psychological thrillers, serving early 2000s vibes while being firmly modern and set in the present day,” says “Equal parts Girl, Interrupted and Cruel Intentions with a dash of Saw, >behavioral psychologist hobbyist Trula Twyst takes the lead, putting familiar Archie characters in dangerous situations and threatens to upend the Riverdale school hierarchy from within,” said Archie Comics’ senior director of editorial Jamie L. Rotante in a statement attached to the title’s launch announcement in The Popverse.
“I’ve always been a big fan of the horror genre and drawing a story like Truth or Dare is so fun and inspirational, it allows me to work on the expressiveness of the characters and the atmosphere. Ron’s script kept me hooked until the last page; I hope you all enjoy it!” said issue artist Lara Braga.
“At its core, Truth or Dare is a horror story about a teenager not just desperate to fit in, but to be the queen bee. Trula has her fair share of trauma to back up that damaged mentality. It’s up to our gang to make sure that nobody gets hurt, and that Trula gets the help she needs, but just like in real life, things can take an unexpected turn,” said issue writer Ron Robbins.
Aside from Robbins and Braga, Ellie Wright handles the colors and Jack Morelli the letters for Truth or Dare #1. Covers are provided by Suspiria Vilchez (above) and Braga.
Chilling Adventures Presents: Truth or Dare #1 streets on July 17.
Archie Previews Archie Comics: Judgement Day#1 for Bloody Disgusting
Click through to read the preview. We also exclusively debuted the covers for issue #3 of the miniseries, which you can see here.
Big Ethel Energy concludes
You can read the final strip right here.
Aubrey Sitterson and Megan Hutchinson preview Archie Comics: Judgement Day for AIPT Comics
Read it here!
New Variant Covers from Dave Fox, Stadium Comics, Great Wall of Comics, Comic Book Exclusives/Mellow Fellow Trading, The 616 Comics, Jetpack Comics, Lily and Steve Butler and Sam Payne
It’s new variant cover time!
First, Dave Fox offers this exclusive cover for Chilling Adventures Presents: The Cult of that Wilkin Boy: Initiation. It’s limited to 250 copies and costs $15 here. Fox is also selling a print of his artwork limited to 50 copies and costing $20 here. Both can be bought as a package for $30 here.
The 616 Comics has two sets of Josh Burns variants. The first set are for Chilling Adventures Presents: The Cult of that Wilkin Boy: Initiation and feature Madam Satan. The purple virgin variant is limited to 150 and comes with a COA. It costs $39.99 here. The grey and black variant is limited to 250, comes with a COA, and is $24.99 here.
The other set covers Betty and Veronica Friends Forever: Fairytales #1. This Betty Cooper variant is limited to 150 copies with a golden background and costs $39.99 here. The yellow background edition is limited to 250 copies and costs $24.99 here. And the castle background edition is also limited to 250 and costs $24.99 here. All three come with COAS.
Stadium Comics is back with a host of variant exclusives. First of all, this Betty Cooper Pop Art cover is for Betty and Veronica Friends Forever: Fairytales #1. Drawn by Laura Braga, you can pick up the pink variant for $19.99 here! It’s limited to 50 copies. The blue variant was limited to 15 copies and was printed on metal. Part of a two-cover set, it cost $69.99 and sold out.
Stadium also created a second edition of its Veronica Lodge Pop Art virgin variant by Laura Braga for Archie and Friends: Hot Rod Racing #1. Limited to 75 copies, it also sported a 10-copy metal variant. The latter has sold out at $69.99, but you can buy the former for $9.99 here.
On the homage variant side, Stadium has this sold-out variant for Archie Comics: Judgement Day #1. A tribute to Archie’s Pal Jughead #79, and featuring the Creature from the Black Lagoon, it was drawn by Fernando Ruiz. Limited to 50 copies with only 25 metal variants, both have sold out but can be viewed here.
Then there’s this cover for Archie and Friends: Blockbuster Movies #1. A tribute to the poster for Pulp Fiction, it was drawn by Ryan Jampole. Limited to 50 copies, It sold out at $19.99. The virgin variant was limited to 25 copies in a metal version and was only available in a two-cover pack at $69.99 . It can be viewed 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.
They also have this upcoming Betty and Veronica-related Star Wars variant for Archie and Friends: Blockbuster Movies #1. Limited to 200 copies, it was drawn by Dan Parent and goes on sale April 28 here.
This Scarface inspired Jughead-centered cover is also for Archie and Friends: Blockbuster Movies #1. Limited to 200 copies, it was also drawn by Parent and can be purchased for $19.99 here.
Lastly, Sam Payne’s Betty-centered cover for Betty and Veronica Friends Forever: Fairytales #1 is limited to 2oo copies. It’s going for $24.99 here.
Comic Book Exclusives has the leftovers from its WhatsApp sale of the Purple Ronnie cover for Betty and Veronica Friends Forever: Sleepover Party #1 by Dan Parent ready for purchase. You can currently purchase one of 30 foil variants at $24, one of 20 virgin metal variants at $40, One of 15 lava foil variants at $32, or a signed copy from Parent with a COA at $15.
Next up is this Scott & Ken cover for Chilling Adventures Presents: Pop’s Chock’lit Shoppe of Horrors: Fresh Meat. A plain signed variant with a COA is worth $15 and limited to 250 copies; unsigned, it’s worth $10. There are also 12 glow-in-the-dark variants at $45 and 25 foil variants at $30
They’ve also added a fresh purple variant for their Bill Galvan EC Horror homage, which covers Archie All Action #1. There are 25 holo foil variants at $24.99 and 10 Purple lava variants at $39.99
They also have several foil variants from their Josie and the Pussycats Grateful Dead homage covers at $20 for one of 25 foil variants and $40 for one of 10 lava foil variants.
Jetpack Comics is offering this Matt Talbot variant for Chilling Adventures Presents: The Cult of that Wilkin Boy: Initiation. It’s $7.99 unsigned and $8.99 signed, limited to 250 copies, and you can get it here.
Lily and Steven Butler are offering this exclusive Daisy Thunder variant for Archie and Friends: Hot Rod Racing #1 via their Ebay website for $20.
Lastly, Heroes Comic Shop in Elmira Heights is offering this version of Archie and Friends: Hot Rod Racing #1 Created by Chris Bell, it’s limited to 200 and is only available at the store.
Archie Comics Tweets of the Month
Here's how I described the baby in panel 3 for @Vincredible_23 to draw. I think he did a smashing job. https://t.co/LVv4noyVFL pic.twitter.com/q25hLxK0ht
— Ron Cacace (@Rawnzilla) April 12, 2024
i am a man of my word https://t.co/LB3CzgGBxn
— Ron Cacace (@Rawnzilla) April 5, 2024
Just a reminder that today is #TaxDay. Sorry. pic.twitter.com/jZKodPQIj5
— Archie Comics (@ArchieComics) April 15, 2024
Out today! I hate drawing bicycles ! See how I sacrifice for my art? Enjoy! @ArchieComics pic.twitter.com/Z0H8bbnMHg
— DAN PARENT ! (@parentdaniel) March 27, 2024
Abigail (2024) pic.twitter.com/cWyag3uyqQ
— Archie Comics (@ArchieComics) April 25, 2024
Fact: All of the songs on #TheTorturedPoetsDepartment are about Archie. pic.twitter.com/BjyL11JlXN
— Archie Comics (@ArchieComics) April 20, 2024
Dan Parent hates drawing bikes, Ron Cacace with some fun Bite Sized Archie bits, and References!
Sugar Sugar of the Month
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
Archie Comics has been doing a great job introducing new characters to the fold. Daisy Thunder is another immediate favorite of mine, filled with spirit and verve. She also drives a plot that’s a lot of fun and keeps folks young and old alike invested in a thrilling race for vehicular glory.
We discover that she’s the gang’s old friend, who has reentered the picture to challenge them to a race. Will they take the checkered flag or will Daisy come out on top? That’s up to the reader to find out.
Hotdogs and Hotshots
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
Only a notch below the first edition, The latest adventure of Bingo Wilkin ends with an extremely powerful final sequence that’s perfectly stunning. 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…
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
Utilizing many of the best of Archie’s sprawling cast of characters, this one features a multiple POV story showing readers what it’s like to live, go to school with, and even date Archie Andrews.
Picks From the Timecops
Archie Comics: Judgement Day #1
Francesco Francavilla (Cover); Matt Herms (Colors); Megan Hutchison (Art and Cover); Jae Lee (Cover); Jack Morelli (Letters); Reiko Murakami (Cover); Aubrey Sitterson (Writing)
May 22, 2024
Archie Comic’s first multi-issue arc in a long time, this psychological horror piece sees Archie coping with demonic entities in the middle of an apocalypse – or is he?
Betty and Veronica: Friends Forever: Fairy Tales #1
Goldie Chan (Writing); Ben Galvan (Art and Cover); Bill Galvan (Art and Cover); Jack Morelli (Letters); Glenn Whitmore (Color)
May 1, 2024
In this collection of fairytale-based stories, the new tale from Goldie Chan features Cassie Cloud and Randolph and tells a story about change, beauty, and kindness.
Archie Giant Comics Frenzy
Dan Parent (Cover Art); Rosario “Tito” Peña (Cover Colors); Bob Smith (Cover Inks); Various (Colors/Art/Inks/Writing/Letters)
May 22, 2024
A big collection of some of Archie’s best and most recent stories.
Archie Milestones Digest #24: Jughead Summer Fun
Dan Parent (Cover); Various (Colors/Art/Inks/Writing/Letters)
May 29, 2024
It’s officially past Memorial Day, which means it’s time for summer – and time for Jughead to step out with his very own set of summer-based adventures!
Archie Jumbo Comics Digest #350
Bill Golliher (Cover); Jack Morelli (Letters); Dan Parent (Writing, Art); Rosario “Tito” Peña (Cover Colors); Bob Smith (Inks); Glenn Whitmore (colors)
May 8, 2024
This issue’s new story is all about Moose, and everyone’s feelings about Moose – when everyone gets to explore at a barbecue he’s holding to celebrate the beginning of summer.
World of Archie Jumbo Comics Digest #140
Bill Golliher (Cover Inks); Jack Morelli (Letters); Dan Parent (Writing, Art; Cover); Rosario “Tito” Peña (Cover Colors); Bob Smith (Inks); Glenn Whitmore (Colors)
May 22, 2024
Are you ready to rumble? Riverdale is holding a charity professional wrestling battle royal, and a masked trio is ruling the ring. Who are these three titans, and what are they trying to accomplish?
Leftover Fries
Betty and Veronica Jumo Comics Digest #324
World of Betty and Veronica Jumbo Comics Digest #32
