Welcome to the Archie Comics Pubwatch for July! I’m Lisa, reporting from a corner booth at Pop’s Chock’lit Shoppe, and here’s this month’s news! In July’s Pubwatch, Salem gets another Archie Horror one-shot, and Archie starts to rolls out its Halloween lineup for 2024. Also, there are plenty of new variant covers and much more!
[Editor Note: Publishing this late, but better than never as Jenna totally dropped the ball on editing this!]
Salem takes center stage again in Chilling Adventures Present: Nine Lives of Salem
After the success of Chilling Adventures Present: Chilling Adventures of Salem, Archie is set to return to Salem’s world for a whole new Halloween adventure, Chilling Adventures Present: Nine Lives of Salem #1.
Plot details are scarce, but Salem’s apparently set to do battle against groups of magical creatures to level up his powers. This is set to change Salem permanently in some fashion.
“It brings me so much sick joy to return to the dark, twisted, and pawsitively riveting world of Salem. It makes me even giddier to return to that world with the same team that brought us the first Salem one-shot. Cullen and Dan have worked perfectly together to craft classic-style horror that not only spotlights Salem but expands his world and those within it. NINE LIVES OF SALEM explores Salem confronting sins of his past as a warlock, and how he handles them now, as an apex predator,” said Archie Comics Senior Director of Editorial Jamie L. Rotante in a press release published by Archie on their official website.
Added Cullen Bunn, the issue’s writer: “We’re setting our fiendish feline up as an occult investigator of sorts, the John Constantine of the Archie Universe. And, make no mistake, even with a cat as the protagonist, these stand-alone stories are dark and horror-filled. You can grab a copy and delight in the terror we’re unleashing in these pages.”
“I’m grateful to be back in the world of Archie Horror, and to sink my teeth into this terrifying story penned by the amazing mind of Cullen Bunn. This time around, I’ll be working on designs and layouts, then passing along finishing duties to the sublime hand of Ben Galvan. We’ve also whipped up some never-before-seen gruesome characters for this issue that you won’t want to miss,” said issue co-artist Dan Schoening.
Added issue co-artist Ben Galvan: “It’s always exciting for me to switch over from classic Archie to demonic Archie because it’s such a striking switch-up! Cullen’s mythical Americana mixed with Dan’s scary-beautiful style and detail guarantees some horrifying fun for the Archie Universe.”
Besides Bunn, Galvan, and Schoening, the issue will feature colors by Matt Herms and letters by Jack Morelli. The main covers are by Schoening and Robert Hack.
Chilling Adventures Present: Nine Lives of Salem #1 streets on October 16.
New Variant Covers from Stadium Comics, Great Wall of Comics, Comic Book Exclusives/Mellow Fellow Trading, and the Comic Corner.
It’s variant cover time!
Stadium Comics is back with a host of variant exclusives. First, Stadium’s got an exclusive homage tribute cover for Archie Comics: Judgement Day #3. This Fernando Ruiz cover is limited to 50 copies for the first edition and is going for $19.99 here. There is a metal cover variant limited to 15 copies which is being sold for $69.99 at the same link in a two-cover pack.
This cover for the facsimile repub of Betty and Me #15 was drawn by Marco D’Alfonso and is a tribute to the movie poster for Ferris Buller’s Day Off. Limited to 50 copies in this first edition you can get it for $19.99. The metal variant is limited to 15 copies and is only available in a two-cover pack at $69.99 at the above link.
Then there’s Nuno Pereira’s cover for Archie: The Decision #1. A tribute to the cover for Amazing Spider-Man #121, the first limited edition run of 50 copies and its 15 cover allotment of metal covers sold out, but Stadium Comics has printed a second run of 75 copies, available at $9.99 here. This edition will have 14 foil copies available as well, sold in a two-cover pack for $49.99, also at the same link.
Finally, there’s this Jughead: the Hunger-ey cover for Cursed Library: Alpha #1. Drawn by Bill Galvan, it’s limited to 50 copies in the first run, it’s up for $19.99 here. A metal variant, limited to 15 copies, is still available for $69.99 at the above link.
Great Wall of Comics has this Fernando Ruiz double-cover variant for Archie: The Decision #1. It sees Betty and Veronica posed in lingerie, trying to tempt Archie into picking them. Each cover is limited to 200 copies with a COA; you can buy a set with both covers for $36.99 or just one for $19.99 here.
The next two editions cover Sabrina Annual Spectacular #1. Dan Parent’s tattoo variant is limited to 200 copies and is available here for $19.99. Scribbling Sarah’s variant is limited to 200 as well and goes on presale July 31.
Comic Book Exclusives has some interesting fresh covers for new issues. First of all, feast your eyes on these alternate covers for Judgement Day #2. These Bill Galvan variants are based on the cover for Chamber of Chills #23 available at a 250 count regular edition for $10.00 or in a set with one of 30 foil variants for $35.00.
These Dan Parent-drawn Veronica covers for Betty and Veronica Summer Spectacular #1 pay tribute to a Lynda Carter pin-up photo. You can snag a regular variant, limited to 250 copies, for $12.00 or have one of 30 foil variants in a set for $24.99.
Parent has a sketch wrap-around cover of a whole bunch of Archieverse ladies. It also covers Betty and Veronica Summer Spectacular #1. A San Diego Comic-Con exclusive, it is now available online. You can have one of 50 foil copies for $30, one of 20 crystal foil copies for $50, or one of 10 confetti foil copies for $75.
This Kyle Willis Archie cover for Betty and Veronica Summer Spectacular #1 has already sold out.
Kincaid has a cover for Betty and Veronica Summer Spectacular #1. Featuring Betty and Veronica dolled up like a couple of Ghostbusters, one of 250 virgin variants is available for $15 here.
Bill Galvan’s has a fun tribute to Mario Kart’s cover for Archie and Friends: Hotrod Racing #1. You can pick up one of 250 general variants for $12 or get a two pack featuring one of 25 foil variants for $40.
Lastly, Raymond Gay has a variant for Wicked Trinity #1, loosely based on the poster for Mean Girls. The regular exclusive is limited to 250 copies and costs $12, one of 20 chrome foil covers for $25, and one of 5 crystal foil covers for $50.
To round things out, The Comic Corner has a Dan Parent variant for Betty and Veronica: Friends Forever: Fairy Tales. Featuring Betty in Princess Leia’s golden bikini, it’s a May the 4th exclusive and limited to 250 copies for $19.77.
Lastly is Lara Braga’s American Beauty-inspired cover for Archie’s Valentine Spectacular #1. It’s limited to 250 copies and costs $19.99 here. A foil variant is $59.99 and limited to 30 copies, and the metal variant is limited to 20 and costs $69.99.
Archie Comics Tweets of the Month
This month: Glenn Powell! Archie has a Skill Issue, Reggie is a brat, It’s Hot, and A freak is matched.
Sugar Sugar of the Month
Chilling Adventures Presents: Truth or Dare #1
Laura Braga (Art and Cover); Jack Morelli (Letters); Ron Robbins (Writing); Suspiria Vilchez (Cover); Ellie Wright (Colors)
July 17, 2024
If you like slasher films and have a fondness for teen films like Cruel Intentions, you’re going to go bananas for this one. It’s got the right amount of interpersonal action, drama, and liveliness to keep the pages turning. The art from Braga here is really fantastic, the writing is slippery and filled with surprises, and the plot truly engrossing.
Trula Twyst returns to Riverdale to take names, break hearts, and claim revenge; combining a game of truth or dare with psychological insights mined from her courses, she tries to wrench the gang apart. Will she succeed?
Hotdogs and Hotshots
Archie Comics: Judgment Day #3
Francesco Francavilla (Cover); Matt Herms (Colors and Cover colors); Megan Hutchison (Art and Cover); Jack Morelli (Letters); Reiko Murakami (Cover); Aubrey Sitterson (Writing); Luana Vecchio (Cover)
July 31, 2024
The series reaches a pitch-black conclusion with some very interesting complications. Can the powers gifted to him by Madam Satan through Alastair help Archie quell the hell surrounding him? Or are things about to get a whole lot worse if Alastair grabs hold of Archie’s body for good?
Betty and Veronica: Summer Spectacular #1
Jim Amash (Inks); Steven Butler (Art); Tom DeFalco (Writing); Holly G! (Cover Art); Jack Morelli (Letters); Rosario “Tito” Peña (Cover Colors); Glenn Whitmore (Colors)
July 3, 2024
The A-story here is adorable, funny and worthwhile, and adventurous. A collection of the very best of Betty and Veronica’s summertime antics, featuring a new tale in which Betty and Veronica’s swanky all-girls party is ruined by Archie, Cody Cloud, and their troupe of little leaguers!
Archie Jumbo Comics Digest #352
Jim Amash (Inks); Tania Del Rio (Writing); Holly G! (Writing); Jack Morelli (Letters); Dan Parent (Cover); Rosario “Tito” Peña (Cover Colors); Glenn Whitmore (Colors)
July 17, 2024
A really fun Sabrina-related tale featuring Amber Nightstone and her minions makes this one worthwhile. Sabrina’s plans to hold a cool monster movie night on the beach with her friends is ruined by Amber Nightstone! Can she fight back this attempted Monster Mash before it becomes a graveyard smash?
Picks From the Timecops
Archie Comics: The Cursed Library: Alpha #1
Craig Cermak (Art and Cover); Robert Hack (Cover); Matt Herms (Colors); Soo Lee (Cover); Jack Morelli (Letters); Reiko Murakami (Cover); Eliot Rahal (Writing); Magdalene Visaggio (Writing)
August 21, 2024
Archie Horror’s next multipart series continues the tale of Madam Satan, Jinx Holiday, and Danni Molloy. When Jinx’s dad – Old Scratch himself – wants her to come to hell and take over the ruling of the underworld for him, Danni does anything she can to save her best friend’s life – even if that means releasing and consorting with Madam Satan.
Kardak The Mystic: #1
Joe Corallo (Writing); Butch Mapa (Art and Cover); Jack Morelli (Letters); Skylar Patridge (Cover); Ellie Wright (Colors)
August 14, 2024
Another Golden Key hero is revived! Kardak The Mystic features magician John Cardy, who becomes Kardak after encountering a magical ruby. Unfortunately, there are conditions attached to said ruby, and a dark curse that may be threatening his life.
Archie: The Decision #1
Stephen Byrne (Cover); Tom King (Writing); Jack Morelli (Letters); Dan Parent (Art and Cover); Rosario “Tito” Peña (Colors and Cover Colors); Bob Smith (Inks)
August 28, 2024
Not an imaginary tale! Archie uses a coin to flip up a choice and finally pick for once and for all who will rule his heart: Veronica or Betty. Everyone’s got an opinion on this one, so expect cameos from a number of side characters.
Betty And Me #1: Facsimile Edition
Dan DeCarlo (Cover); Various (Colors/Art/Inks/Writing/Letters)
August 7, 2024
A facsimile issue featuring everyone’s favorite meme cover!
Archie Jumbo Comics Digest #353
Jim Amash (Inks); Bill Galvan (Art); Timmy Heague (Writing); Jack Morelli (Letters); Dan Parent (Cover Art); Rosario “Tito” Peña (Cover Colors); Glenn Whitmore (Colors)
August 21, 2024
Run for your life – it’s the teen slang issue!
Archie Horror Presents: Terrifying Tales [TPB]
Robert Hack (Cover); Various (Colors/Art/Inks/Writing/Letters)
August 14, 2024
A trade paperback capturing many recent Archie Horror one-shots. Included are Betty: The Final Girl, the first issue of Pop’s Chock’lit Shoppe of Horror, the first issue of The Cult of That Wilkin Boy saga, Jinx: A Cursed Life, Camp Pikins, Strange Science, and Madam Satan: Hell on Earth.
Archie Milestones Jumbo Comics Digest #25: Jughead’s Fun for Fall
Dan Parent (Cover); Rosario “Tito” Peña (Cover Colors); Various (Colors/Art/Inks/Writing/Letters)
August 7, 2024
It’s never too early to celebrate falling leaves, pumpkin pie, hay rides, and apple picking, which this collection of Jughead-centered fall stories does in spades!
World of Betty and Veronica Jumbo Comics Digest #34
Chris Cummins (Writing); Rex Lindsey (Art and Letters); Dan Parent (Cover Art); Rosario “Tito” Peña (Cover Colors); Glenn Whitmore (Colors)
August 14, 2024
Moose gets a dog! Will Riverdale ever be the same?
Archie’ s Scary Stories [TPB]
Dan Parent (Cover); Rosario “Tito” Peña (Cover Colors); Various (Colors/Art/Inks/Writing/Letters)
August 21, 2024
Get a jump on spooky season with this kid-friendly trade paperback containing lots of spooky Archie adventures!
Leftover Fries
Betty And Veronica Jumbo Comics Digest #327
