New look, same teen (thank goodness!).
Creative Staff:
Story: Mark Waid
Art: Fiona Staples
Colors: Andre Szymanowicz and Jen Vaugn
Letters: Jack Morelli
What They Say:
COMIC SUPERSTARS MARK WAID AND FIONA STAPLES REIMAGINE AN ICON! Change is coming to Riverdale in this can’t-miss kick-off to Archie’s new ongoing series! Familiar faces return in new and unexpected ways in this must-have #1 issue! As the new school year approaches, you’d think Archie Andrews would be looking forward to classes and fun—but nothing is as it seems in the little town of Riverdale. But is this a one-off or a sign of bigger changes awaiting for America’s favorite teens—and the entire town? Find out in this exciting and remarkable first issue!
Content: (please note that content portions of a review may contain spoilers):
Rumors fly around Riverdale High: Archie Andrews and Betty Cooper—Riverdale’s power couple—have broken up! No one knows the story, except that Archie and Betty refer to it as the “Lipstick Incident.” Since people, like nature, abhor a vacuum, the students concoct their own ideas as to what this incident might entail, but no one is talking, not even Archie’s best friend, Jughead.
While most mourn the loss of the couple, others see this as an opportunity to move in (namely, Reggie Mantle). The Archie and Betty boosters devise a “genius” plan to get the two back together using the homecoming dance as their opportunity. Thankfully, Jughead volunteered to count the ballots for homecoming king and queen, so what could possibly go wrong?
The new creative team of Mark Waid, Fiona Staples, Andre Szymanowicz, Jen Vaugn, and Jack Morelli hit all the right marks in this issue that reboots the long-running, popular series. The issue feels fresh and exciting while at the same time capturing the core elements that made Archie a classic.
Waid’s script is excellent, and there is a definite rhythm between his words and Staple’s art. The issue starts with Archie breaking the fourth wall and speaking directly to the reader, introducing us to Riverdale, the main characters, and the general situation. The story shifts point of view from quasi second person to third person omniscient several times during the issue, and by all rights it shouldn’t work. It should come off as clunky, arbitrary, and confusing, but somehow this creative team pulls it off. The narrative rhythm flows so easily and naturally that I didn’t even realize that there was a POV shift until I started writing this. That’s the key to good writing: breaking the rules in such a way that we don’t even realize that they’re being broken.
Of course, equal credit goes to the art team. As I mentioned before, there exists a definite rhythm between the words and the art. The panel placement and size in particular go to create a sense of flow. Perhaps my favorite sequence in the entire issue is Archie explaining to the reader who Betty is what their relationship was. We are treated to various flashback panels that show us their relationship and its decomposition. Staples uses juxtaposed panels to great effect, creating something almost like a diptych. In one pair we see Archie and Betty on a Ferris Wheel. Archie has his arm around her shoulders, and Betty leans into his embrace, her eyes closed, her smile small and content. Archie speaks directly to the reader, saying, “We’ve been a couple since kindergarten. Until last week.” The paired panel next to it shows Archie, alone on the Ferris Wheel, his head in his hands. He finishes the thought begun in the first panel, saying, “Until the lipstick incident.”
Staples masterful use of panel placement, body language, and facial expressions do a great deal to sell the scene, but the colors are what truly make it work. The first panel is washed in cool, light colors—the colors of a beautiful spring day. The second panel is darker, cast in purples and blues. Even Archie’s shirt looks darker. It all subtly highlights and establishes the mood of the scene and it plays to the strengths of the comic medium.
There are other, equally effective panels throughout the issue, but if I go on I’ll end up describing the whole comic, panel-by-panel. I’ll just say that this is a comic created by people who understand the medium and make excellent use of its strengths.
Of course, technical brilliance isn’t enough to make a work memorable. A story has to have a heart. It has to have characters we relate to thrust into situations that challenge their beliefs and identity, and we certainly have that here. One of the reasons why Archie has endured for over 71 years is that we can all relate to the characters and their situation, and this comic is no different.
In Summary:
I’d be lying if I said that I was worried about this reboot. I’ve been a fan of Mark Waid and Fiona Staples for quite some time now, and I knew that they had the right chops to make this work. If you’re a lifelong Archie fan and are on the fence about this work, then hop off it and give this a try. Everything you loved about the classic stories is here in spades. And if you haven’t tried Archie before, now is the perfect time to start. Professor Josh gives this an…
Grade: A+
Age Rating: N/A
Released By: Archie Comics
Release Date: 8 July 2015
MSRP: $3.99
