Archie Comics Triple Digest: "Archie," "Archie in Hell," & "Sabrina the Teenage Witch" #1

A new era begins and I am excited to talk about these three issues. Let’s dive right in.

Top level thoughts: I had a blast with all three debuts, even if I have my problems. Each one is distinct in their own rights, with unique takes on the characters while still seeming to have a unified sense of design. It speaks to the power of the “Archie look” that even though the fashion and tone and artist’s styles all vary, each book feels like an Archie comic.

I’m a fan of this approach, too. No shared universe. No big crossover plans. Just three solid titles that could appeal to different readers and will hopefully find their audiences. Good stuff all around! What about the nitty gritty though? You want to know whether I changed my mind about any of the titles. Well…here’s the “actually read the damn things” power ranking:

1. Archie in Hell
2. Archie
3. Sabrina

If you read my update from a few weeks back, you’ll notice that my ranking is a little different now. Because I have quite a lot to say about “Sabrina” and its drop, I’ll save it for the end. First, “Archie,” written by Ben H. Winters, illustrated by Fábio Moon, colored by Jason Wordie, and Lettered by Andworld Design!

Originally I was going to take the comics in ranking order but, uh, “Archie” #1 is probably going to be out, or just about to be out, by the time you’re reading this. It’s going to be hard for me not to keep saying “I wish I knew what W. Maxwell Prince” would have done because I can see just how perfect his idiosyncratic writing style would be for America’s Teenager and Fabio Moon’s art. However! Winters is a natural at capturing the easy-going americana that is “Archie.”

This is a very earnest take on the character and his friends. It’s upbeat, it’s sit-comy, but it’s also self-aware of the reputation that Archie Comics has as being this trapped in amber unreality. The first story in the issue, ‘Rude Awakening,’ plays with this expectation beautifully, allowing Moon to indulge in some of the same visual flights of fancy he does in “Daytripper.”

Wordie’s colors are a wonderful fit, sinking into Moon’s art to give it that bright and soft, almost nostalgic feel. I particularly like the way he shades the characters. It’s hard to tell where the inking ends and the coloring begins. And Andworld’s lettering! Bouncy yet restrained, clear and simple, we’re in good hands with Andworld guiding us across the page.

The magic of “Archie” #1 is in its effortless ability to acclimate readers new and old to the tropes of the Archie world. ‘Rude Awakening’ does some of this, though that’s more a mission statement on how Winters & Moon are approaching this era. Homage to the past, bringing us into the present. ‘Yes, We Cannes!,’ by contrast, gives us a better idea of Archie’s friends, who they are, and who he is in relation to them.

Reggie is a bit of a self-aggrandizing musclehead, Veronica is an ambitious and spoiled schemer, Dilton is a pie-in-the-sky nerd, Jughead is the laid-back, faithful friend and Betty is the supportive friend-next-door. Even with their differences and friction points, they’re clearly friends with Archie and that’s all we really need to know right now.

The last story, ‘Jughead’s Journal: Part 1,’ is all about the future. Taking a small cue from the broodier aspects of Cole Sprouse’s interpretation on Riverdale, these scant few pages of pensive pondering by Jughead about life after high school and the carefree days at Pop’s close the issue on a note of bittersweetness and foreboding. It’s distant and it's minimal but that touch of darkness reminds us that nothing lasts forever, not even the world of Archie…but there’s still plenty of time before one has to worry.

For now, sit back with your friends; enjoy a shake and some burgers; and cherish the time you’ve still got.