Welcome to the Archie Comics Pubwatch for August! I’m Lisa, reporting from a corner booth at Pop’s Chock’lit Shoppe, and here’s this month’s news! In August’s Pubwatch, Archie becomes a superhero – again – and the final part of Mother Striga’s introductory series is announced. Also, there are interviews, plenty of new variant covers, and much more!
Archie flies high again in Archie is: Mr. Justice #1:
Archie Andrews has had a long-term superhero secret identity as Pureheart the Powerful, but Archie Comics has changed things up and are giving him a new mantle to bear this November. Archie will become Mr. Justice in, well, Archie Is: Mr. Justice #1. But, unlike Archie’s many previous superheroic exploits, this will be a much more serious comic in tone – more Superman and less Poolnoodle…I mean Deadpool.
This will start off a fresh Archie Premium Event miniseries which is set to span from November 2024 to February 2025. Like one-shot holiday issues such as December 2022’s Christmas outing, each issue will sport a different writer and artist team and be told from different character’s points of view.
“Mr. Justice is the story that plays with the absolute sincerity of the Archie cast of characters, through the filter of a much more cynical superhero world. I think, understandably, we’ve spent years being jaded by the idea that someone with power would be GOOD, but that’s totally who Archie Andrews is. However, his world is full of people who care a lot more about money and power than he does,” Issue #1 writer Tim Seeley told Gizmodo in an exclusive statement.
“This is a much more modern take on the ‘Archie as a superhero’ idea. It’s an examination of an incorruptible soul in a corrupt world. Archie is the perfect character to put in that environment because he’s the original ‘good guy.’ It’s been fun to read and even more fun to draw!” Issue #1 artist Mike Norton added.
“I’m honored to work with this incredibly talented team of creators to craft something totally unique for Archie Comics—a longform story presented from multiple points of view from different creative teams. And I’m doubly honored to have the amazing team of Tim Seeley and Mike Norton to kick off this initiative. This isn’t just another superhero story. This is a story that’s about hope in a world that feels increasingly hopeless. And in this timeline, Archie is our beacon of hope,” Archie’s senior editorial director Jamie L. Rotante said in the same announcement.
The first issue is set to be from Jughead’ perspective. Other artists and writers announced for the series in an official press release by Archie Comics include Amanda Diebert, Blake Howard, Kenny Porter, Maria Laura Sanapo, and Brent Schoonover.
Issue #1 will also feature the talents of Glenn Whitmore on colors and Jack Morelli on letters. Main covers will be provided by Reiko Murakami, Francesco Francavilla, and Matt Talbot (seen above).
Archie Is: Mr. Justice #1 streets on November 20.
The end of Mother Striga’s Introductory Arc occurs in Josie and the Pussycats Annual Spectacular #1:
The end of Mother Striga’s introductory arc – begun in September’s Sabrina Annual Spectacular – will conclude in Josie and the Pussycats Annual Spectacular #1. The issue sees the band relying on Sabrina and Alexandra Cabot when they play a monster’s ball.
Archie Comics lands a mention on Last Week Tonight With John Oliver:
The reference took place during Oliver’s August 12 Episode!
Butch K. Mapa talks redesigning Kardak the Mystic for AIPT Comic’s Anatomy of a Design:
Read the full story here.
Chris Cummins press round-up for his first Archie story:
On his X, formerly known as Twitter: here.
And with Philly Magazine: here.
Tom King and Dan Parent interview for The Comicon about Archie: The Decision:
Read it here!
Jamie L. Rotante explains the Archie Horror story beats leading up to The Cursed Library:
In this X thread: here!
Eliot Rahal and Craig Cermak talk The Cursed Library: Alpha with The Comicon:
The Archie and Me Podcast interviews Jamie L. Rotante, Ron Robbins, Ian Flynn, Butch Mapa, and Joe Corallo:
The Rotante interview is here, the Robbins here, the Mapa and Corallo here, and the Flynn interview here.
New Variant Covers from Stadium Comics, Great Wall of Comics, Comic Book Exclusives/Mellow Fellow Trading, and Nirvana Comics:
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 The Cursed Library: Omega #1. This Bill Galvan 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. The cover’s the third in their line of Haunted Archie exclusives as drawn by Galvan.
This pop art cover for the facsimile repub of Veronica#28 was drawn by Nuno Pereira. Limited to 50 copies in this first edition you can get it for $19.99. The metal variant is limited to 20 copies and is only available in a two-cover pack at $69.99 at the above link.
Great Wall of Comics has this Fernando Ruiz variant for Sabrina Annual Spectacular #1. The 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 edition covers Josie and the Pussycats Annual Spectacular #1. Richard Ortiz’ variant is comprised of three covers and is limited to 200 sets and is available here for $59.99.
Comic Book Exclusives has some interesting fresh covers for new issues. First of all, feast your eyes on this alternate cover for Betty and Me #16. These Dan Parent variants are based on the infamous original cover (available in a special foil variant at $39.49, limited to 5o). The Parent take is limited to a 250 count regular edition for $15.94.
Next are these Dan Parent-drawn covers with Cheryl Blossom as Poison Ivy and Veronica as Catwoman. They both cover Archie: Judgement Day #3. The Veronica cover is already gone, but you can pick up Cheryl in a regular variant, limited to 250 copies, for $14.94.
Dan Parent also has a foil version of his cover for Betty and Veronica #260. Limited to 30, it’s going for $21.94.
Last of all is this Ryan Kincaid cover for Betty and Veronica Summer Spectacular #1. Limited to 250 virgin variants, it’s available for $15.94 here.
To round things out, Nirvana Comics has an Andrew Pepoy variant for Archie: The Decision #1. It’s limited to 250 copies and retails for $19.99.
Archie Comics Tweets of the Month
This month, Archie messes up a picture, a meme is noted, and so is another. Archie fails at the Olympics and is a target of snark, a lot (totally deserved for this one). Reggie is evil, Punk Jughead is recalled, and last of all, Mike Pellerito is touched by the impact Archie has on others.
Sugar Sugar of the Month
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
The charmingly arch tone of the Jinx Holiday side of the Archiverse springs to life in The Cursed Library. It’s a fun pay-off for anyone who’s been tracking Jinx’s progress through the Archie Horror continuity and has some great chills along with lots of laughs.
This issue kicks off Archie Horror’s next multipart series and is the next Archie Comics Premium event. It 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.
Hotdogs and Hotshots
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, but still a little bit disappointing thanks to its ending! 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. But points off for that cop-out of an ending that, while funny, does not give us an actual ending. For shame, Tom King, for shame. Yet the comedy here makes it worthwhile.
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
In an absolutely adorable new story, Moose gets a dog! Will Riverdale ever be the same? This has some adorable art and a magnificent story.
Picks From the Timecops
Archie Comics: The Cursed Library: Omega#2
Craig Cermak (Art and Cover); Matt Herms (Colors); Inhyuk Lee (Cover); Jack Morelli (Letters); Julius Ohta (Cover); Skylar Patridge (Cover); Eliot Rahal (Writing); Magdalene Visaggio (Writing)
September 18, 2024
Danni’s quest to save Jinx from hell continues apace as Danni ends up in a mirror universe and Madam Satan fights the man.
Sabrina the Teenage Witch Annual Spectacular: #1
Lily Butler (Inks); Steven Butler (Art); Ian Flynn (Writing); Jack Morelli (Letters); Glenn Whitmore (Colors)
September 4, 2024
Sabrina’s yearly annual features the debut of new big time baddie Mother Striga, and more Amber Nightstone!
Veronica #28 (Facilimie Edition)
Dan DeCarlo (Cover); Angelo DeCesare (Writing); Alison Flood (Cover); George Gladir (Writing); Stan Goldberg (Art); Rudy Lapick (Art); Henry Scarpelli (Art)
September 25, 2024
Archie’s second facsimile edition is of this iconic Veronica cover!
Archie: Riverdale High Raucous (TP)
Bill Galvan (Cover); Various (Colors/Art/Inks/Writing/Letters)
September 25, 2024
A collection of Archie’s most notable school adventures!
Archie Jumbo Comics Digest #354
Francis Bonnet (Writing); Bill Golliher (Cover Inks); Rex Lindsey (Art); Dan Parent (Cover Art); Rosario “Tito” Peña (Cover Colors); Glenn Whitmore (Colors)
September 25, 2024
It’s Halloween in Riverdale, which means a night at the Eyegore Mansion gets a little hairy – especially because they have to live with a rogue Trick and Treat messing things up.
World of Betty and Veronica Jumbo Comics Digest #35
Jim Amash (Inks); Holly G! (Art); Bill Golliher (Writing); Jack Morelli (Letters); Dan Parent (Cover Art); Rosario “Tito” Peña (Cover Colors); Glenn Whitmore (Colors)
September 18, 2024
Power Teen, Superteen, and Wonder Teen X combine their forces to try to stop a rogue ghost unleashed from a broken urn at Riverdale Cemetery from causing havoc.
Archie Showcase Digest Presents: The Archie Library #20 – Archie’s Halloween Special
Bill Galvan (Cover Art); Rosario “Tito” Peña (Cover Colors); Various (Colors/Art/Inks/Writing/Letters)
September 11, 2024
A digest collection of Archie’s best Halloween stories!
Leftover Fries
World of Archie Jumbo Comics Digest #143
