Dripping with angst, Riverdale: One-Shot reads as an effective primer for what’s shaping up to be a very “The CW” Archie production.
Creative Staff:
Story: Various
Art: Various
Colors: Various
Letterer: Various
What They Say:
A MUST-HAVE ONE-SHOT — THE PERFECT PRIMER FOR THE CW’s RIVERDALE SERIES! Learn the secrets and hidden tales from the summer before the eternal love-triangle begins in this special issue, which features four short stories focusing on the major players and events in the Riverdale series: Spend some time at Archie’s summer construction job and learn how it leads him to a fateful encounter with the alluring music teacher, Ms. Grundy. Discover the truth about Betty’s Los Angeles romance. Find out more about Veronica’s mysterious life in New York, before the shocking event that would send her family scrambling. And meanwhile, there’s Jughead, on the fringes of Riverdale, a witness to the terrible event that sets everything in motion: A tragedy that befalls Jason Blossom. You dare not miss this special issue in advance of the upcoming ongoing Riverdale series, written by Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa (Afterlife with Archie, Chilling Adventures of Sabrina) and the writers of the CW Riverdale series, with stunning art by Alitha Martinez!
Content: (please note that content portions of a review may contain spoilers):
Archie-mania seems to be inflicting the US as of late, and I’m all about it…mostly. Starting with the highly successfully Archie reboot by Fiona Staples and Mark Waid, numerous other comics highlighting Riverdale’s titular characters have hit the shelves to generally warm reception. The fervor for Archie and his friends has grown so much that major TV network The CW is now airing a show all about the gang and…it’s different. Like any artistic rendition, some liberties have been taken in Smalltown, USA, and I’m not sure all of them are welcomed. Major changes include the steering of Jughead away from asexuality, the sexualizing of a MUCH younger Ms. Grundy, and the classic Archie love triangle being transformed into a love square(?). Overall the tone of the show is much more melodramatic than what the fanbase may be used to seeing, and this comic matches that tone thusly. Written in four short stories connected by a tragic event, this comic provides a little background to the new show, though I feel that the stories tend to fall flat in providing much in terms of narrative that couldn’t be referenced to in the show or inferred by the viewing audiences already.
Up to bat first is the posterboy himself, Archie. Written by Brian E. Paterson with art by Elliot Fernandez, this short comic shares with us Archie’s summer before the events of the TV show. Feeling rather lonely, Archie decides to spend the summer helping his father in the construction business, earning a little spending money as well as a little muscle. This new and improved physique is where the trouble begins a-brewin’, starting with hot (what?), young (whaaaaat?) music teacher Ms. Grundy. What starts out as harmless rides back home from the construction site quickly evolves into a steamy romance between teacher and student, a romance that couldn’t end in anyway but paranoid shame. Neglecting relationships with some of the most important people in his life like Jughead and Betty, Archie presses on with this doomed relationship in a way only a stereotypical teenager can, that is until the 4th of July. Archie’s portrayal as a lonely, borderline depressed kid feels very odd here, especially considering his history as the peppy glue holding the gang together. I am curious as to how he will navigate this minefield of romantic endeavor once the school year starts and both Betty and Veronica are back in his life.
Next up is Betty, the story that feels closest to historical authenticity, though it is also the least “thrilling” out of all of them. Off in Los Angeles on an internship, Betty is enjoying her summer in the big city despite how much she misses home (and Archie). Meeting some new friends, gaining success at her internship. and experiencing a little relationship drama of her own, Betty cultivates some healthy confidence in herself. Returning to Riverdale at the end of the summer, Betty hopes to finally keep Archie to herself as well as finding out her sister’s role in the tragic death connecting her friends together. The only part of this story that got my heckles up was the sheer expense at the L.A. version of the classic Pop’s Diner, Mel’s. BURGERS WERE 25 DOLLARS. 25! That better be the best damn burger you will ever eat at that price, it’s ridiculous and I hope a sensible young woman like Betty Cooper can see that.
Veronica’s story is the most interesting of the lot, as it completely changes her character framework. Daughter of a filthy rich family and always sporting the haute couture of the day, Veronica has always been the upper crust flare to Riverdale’s blue collar roots, but not anymore. Veronica begins her story flaunting her wealth in that pseudo-humble way the 1% likes to do, framing their struggles and inconveniences in a way us common folk can relate to; which makes what happens on that universally fateful night of July 4th rather satisfying at first. Celebrating Independence Day as anyone of her ilk would be wont to do, the Lodges hold a luxurious gala in preparation for the fireworks display when some other fireworks decide to pop off instead. Arrested on charges of embezzlement and fraud, Veronica’s father is taken from her life, as well as any semblance of her lifestyle she could have kept. Yes, it’s a prototypical riches to rags story, but it is effective enough to set up what mindset Veronica may have upon arriving in Riverdale, her new home. It will be interesting to see what Veronica’s new life has in store and any other parities it may share with her typical comic depiction.
Jughead is last to the plate, and may have the most “The CW” story of them all. Being very introverted and brooding, Jughead spends most of his days either alone at Pop’s or alone at the Starlight Drive-in, the theater he is spending his summer working at. Being an aspiring writer, Jughead’s summer is leaving him in a bit of a rut, with a lack of inspiration souring the poor guy’s mood even more than it normally seems. Jughead’s story is just flooding with that Hot Topic brand of emotional turmoil that simply doesn’t resonate with me. He spends a large portion of his story reminiscing about his past with his best friend Archie, and lamenting its downfall; though not in any grandiose way, the two buddies simply drifted apart as their interests changed. This is exacerbated, however, on the 4th of July when the two were supposed to take a roadtrip together to Centreville to watch the fireworks like the old times. Of course at this point Archie is in the trance of hormonal teenage love with the (still) shockingly beautiful Geraldine Grundy. With his jilting, and the death of Jason Blossom fresh in his mind, Jughead has found his inspiration and the writing begins.
In Summary:
Lead by the creative mind behind Afterlife with Archie, Riverdale: One-Shot lays the groundwork for the TV drama in a way that is refreshing, yet not really in the wheelhouse for those that are not fans of teenage melodrama. The art is generally well done, though can be a little hit and miss with the character designs, with the first Archie being drawn looking several years out of high school at times. The stories can feel a little middling at times as well, with Veronica’s story feeling the weakest creatively, despite how much of a 180 degree turn it is from her standard. At 4.99, it isn’t a terrible buy for folks looking for another side to Archie, though if you aren’t planning to watch the show the purpose of this comic may be lost on you.
Grade: B-
Age Rating: Teen
Released By: Archie Comics
Release Date: March 1st, 2017
MSRP: $4.99 USD
