A perfect sendoff to over 70 years of great comics.
Creative Staff:
Story: Tom DeFalco
Art: Dan Parent, Fernando Ruiz, Tim Kennedy, Pat Kennedy
Inks: Rich Koslowski
Colors: Glenn Whitmore
Letters: Jack Morelli
What They Say:
On the eve of the game-changing ARCHIE #1, an all-star cast of Riverdale’s finest creators join forces to celebrate one of the longest-running comic series ever in the much-loved Archie style! Take a look back at Archie’s wonderful life and the many lives he’s lived in a zany, heartfelt and hilarious adventure that will be a must-have for fans old and new—and a can’t-miss, one-of-a-kind collector’s item. A dazzling journey through the world of Archie with plenty of winks and nods to what’s come before, ARCHIE #666 caps off a legendary run of comic excellence while opening the door to the next thrilling chapter—featuring six covers celebrating Archie’s vibrant history.
Content: (please note that content portions of a review may contain spoilers):
This may be the end for Archie. After an accident in a hallway, Principal Weatherbee slaps everyone’s favorite teen with his 666th detention and an ultimatum: repair and repaint the hallway by the end of Saturday or else face expulsion. To make matters worse, Archie made dates with both Betty and Veronica on Saturday, and if they find out, he may be more than a figurative dead man by the end of the issue.
While this issue doesn’t spell the end of Archie as a character, it does spell the end of an era. After 666 issues, Archie is closing shop to be rebooted by Mark Waid and Fiona Staples. Few comics make it this far and fewer still become such cultural icons, and that in itself merits a celebration. When the rest of the Riverdale cast learns of Archie’s predicament, they reminisce about some of his adventures, such as when he “borrowed” the Center City mascot and hid it in Principal Weatherbee’s office, or when he organized a giant taffy pull for the children’s hospital (all of which end with suitably wacky results). They decide to pull together to help Archie repair the hallway, and it’s a very sweet, funny scene that manages to not come across as too saccharine or schmaltzy. It hits just the right note, providing a fitting sendoff to this run.
One aspect in particular that I enjoyed about this issue was the chapter titles. They all harken back to dramatic, superhero titles: “This Teen, This Trauma,” “A World Without Archie,” and “If This Be My Destiny.” The titles provide a nice, melodramatic touch that fits the comic’s tone and comedic sensibilities.
Archie #1 hit the stands in 1942, and over 666 issues and 72 years, it managed to entertain generations of comic readers. There’s something classic and comforting about these characters and the lives they lead, and this comic celebrates that. It eschews the maudlin and approaches the story from a place of joy and gratitude with an eye towards the future. This may be an end to an era, but it’s certainly not the end of Archie.
In Summary:
Archie 666 represents the end of an era. While I’ll miss the classic Archie style of artists like Dan Parent, Fernando Ruiz, Tim Kennedy, and Pat Kennedy, I’m also excited to see where Mark Waid and Fiona Staples (two of my favorite people in comics) take everyone’s favorite red-headed teen. As for this issue, it hits all the right notes without drifting too far into sentimentality. As far as sendoffs go, you can’t get any better than this. Professor Josh gives this an…
Grade: A+
Age Rating: N/A
Released By: Archie
Release Date: 3 June 2015
MSRP: $3.99
