I have a lot going on in my world right now. We’re moving from Jersey to (most likely) Maryland, so my brain is overtaxed with lists.
So many lists.
Lists that give birth to their own lists, all of them color-coded with various highlighters, and organized in a constantly shifting order of importance.
In fact, this description from Devil’s Bride best captures my brain right now: “Within minutes, she was immersed in lists—initial lists, then derived lists and eventually lists for cross-checking.” I have so many lists and things to remember, it’s unreal.
As a result, my brain is not willing or is simply unable to do the standard world building it usually does when I’m reading. I’ve tried to read a few different books since the process of Doing Things to Check Items Off the List began, and my brain just shuts down: “No words. Words bad. Too many words. No words now.” I end up staring at the text and can’t immerse myself in anything, despite very much needing a mental break.
Enter: comics. Specifically, the reboot of the Archie series, with the story by Mark Waid and art by Fiona Staples – whose name you might recognize as the artist behind Saga, which Carrie loooooved (as has everyone else I’ve mentioned it to). I’ve been reading some recommended manga, too, and am working on reviews of those titles, but I wanted to share this because there’s SO MUCH GOOD.
I’ve re-read the issues I own a few times, partly because they’re short and partly because when I re-read I pick up things I missed the first time. Plus, I read them on the Comixology app on my phone, which I didn’t think I’d like, but because of the Guided View option, which leads you to a close up of each frame in the right order, I can zoom in and out as needed.
(NB: the above link to Comixology should include an option to get $5 off your first order of $10 or more if you’re a new account subscriber. According to the link creation text, I also get a reward, but I’m not sure what that reward is. I’m hoping it’s a list of something because at this time I can only think in bullet points and check boxes.)
I’ve also purchased digital copies of older Archie series titles on Comixology, and I read them on my phone, too. The old issues and the new reboot of familiar characters are addictive, partially because for me, the Riverdale universe is very heavily submerged in nostalgia. I read them all summer when I was younger. I could buy a book of them at the local grocery store for $3. They’re in the grocery checkout now, and I STILL think longingly of beach chairs with two Double Digests in my bag.
Were they sometimes very sexist and silly? Yup. I mean, look at this.
(And pardon the pink tinge – I took screencaps with Twilight running and forgot they’d be pinkish. Sorry about that.)
PINUPS. There were PINUPS. Because of course there were. I didn’t remember their existence until I saw them again in the digital issue I bought.
And the fashion! Check the hair, y’all.
But do I love the reboot? OH YES. I love that the creators are starting over with the characters, and taking the established story in new directions, beginning with Veronica moving to Riverdale. But it was a letter in the back of issue three that really gave me all the joy, and left me very excited for each subsequent issue.
So here is the List of Things I Like About the Archie Reboot. (Seriously, if you need a list, just ask. I’m your girl.)
Thing the first: I love the art.
Fiona Staples rules. I mean, look at this – this is the cover of the 2nd issue, featuring Betty Cooper, who at the start of the reboot has just broken up with Archie, her boyfriend since grade school.
And this is the cover of issue three, featuring Jughead:
I love Staples’ style, the way she renders expressions, the way sharp angles and lines form the characters’ faces. I love it.
Thing the second: the characters – all of them, including new ones!
There’s Archie and Jughead, Reggie and Betty and Veronica, and Dilbert and rest of the familiar crew from the original series.
But there’s also new characters, like Betty’s best friend Sheila, who is so close to her that there’s a big picture of her with Betty hanging in the hallway of Betty’s house – for a moment I thought maybe she was Betty’s sister.
And later:
And this is Veronica, who has just humiliated herself and is trying to avoid showing it. Check out the people in the cafeteria:
The old Riverdale was incredibly white. The new Riverdale reflects reality.
I wish some of the main characters were characters of color. But I do I love that the high school looks like any public high school, even though those high school students are way too involved in the success of one dude, and his romantic life. IT’S WEIRD. It’s part of Archie-verse, I guess, but it’s weird.
Part the third: the letter from Mark Waid
Each issue features a new comic, and then Waid introduces a very old Archie from the original issues of the series published in 1942 – boy, do they look different.
The letter in the latest issue is what made me excited to keep reading each issue. In it, Waid explains that,
“the Betty/Veronica/Archie ‘Love Triangle’ wasn’t always as it’s commonly thought of today, with the two girls battling over Archie’s vacillating affections. In the earlier days of the series, there was no real ‘competition’; Betty pined for Archie, but Archie had eyes only for Ronnie. If Betty ever felt ‘led on’ by young Mr. Andrews, it was mostly because he treated her more like a pal and less like a girlfriend, leaving her hoping for more. Poor Betty was always the underdog in the early Archie series, content to play the long game rather than dust it up with the rich girl. It was only more recently that ‘Betty versus Veronica’ became the default, and with all love and respect to the 1960s and 1970s, we decided with this new series you’re reading that Archie’s eternal ‘I want them both’ indecisiveness was maybe not his most endearing trait, so we’ve rethought it. (I also can’t figure out, and this may be my failing, how to tell stories about two girls who flip back and forth between ‘best friends’ and ‘romantic rivals’ twelve times a day, so that also informs how we’re rebuilding everyone’s relationship.” (Emphasis mine).
SO WAIT. They’re taking the things I really disliked about the Archie universe OUT OF THE REBOOT?!
I am so here for this. A re-imagined Riverdale that looks more like an actual high school, characters drawn with a lot of subtle emotion, and a story that will remove the really bothersome parts of the Archie series? YAY!
And there’s the new Jughead, too! The first issue dropped today, but it’s been teased in the back of the Archie issues since the start:
Chip Zdarsky is half of the team behind Sex Criminals, which Carrie also loved. And Kokatu also reviewed issue 1 of Jughead and pronounced it “so damn good.” I can see why – Jughead kind of steals all the scenes he’s in, because there isn’t a verifiable reason for Archie to be so admired and supported by his classmates. Jughead is relentlessly smart, smooth, and sarcastic, and he’s being set up to be my favorite kind of supporting hero.
The new issue is terrific, too – Jughead is laconic and snarky and uninterested in expending too much energy, but when the new principal starts serving crappy food, Jughead’s stomach dictates drastic action.
There are, alas, a few caveats: a subscription digitally via Comixology is $3.99 per issue, which is automatically billed when the issue is released. So even with the “Save $5 off a $10 order” coupon here, you can’t pre-pay for the whole subscription and hit the $10 minimum unless you buy a bunch of other things.
Which could happen – there’s a lot of cool manga, comics, and series on Comixology. To say nothing of the freaking cool free comics I downloaded yesterday, including Priya’s Shakti, in which a mortal woman teams up with the Goddess Parvati to combat sexual violence in India.
But I know $3.99 per issue each month is a good chunk out of many book-buying budgets, especially when that $4 buys a single issue of a comic, plus a comic from 1942.
I thought I’d dislike the price, but I’m surprised by how many times I have reread the issues I own. I really like it, and I’m looking forward to more each month of both Archie and Jughead. If you have fond memories of Archie comics like I do, you might really, really like this reboot. Smart writers and talented artists are doing some terrific storytelling.
Archie 2015- is available from Comixology and at your local comic shop.
Jughead 2015- is also available digitally from Comixology, and from your local shop.
Unlike you Sarah, I never cared for the Archie comics. I thought they were too silly and the love triangle that wasn’t because he couldn’t make up his mind irritated me no end. I never understood why they wanted him in the first place and kept hoping the girls would throw his dumb ass over and either get together themselves or hook up with others. Not that they had much to choose from…ahem.
From the late 70s through the mid/late 80s my brother collected every Spiderman (all 3 series and every crossover), the X-Men, Avengers, Fantastic Four, and I don’t recall what else. So I read those. Honestly, every month he went to the store and came home with a dozen or more.
However, thanks to Carrie’s rec, I am now firmly established in the Saga camp and will check these out just for Fiona’s work. It helps that Waid is not just rebooting the artwork but the storyline as well.
On a side note, if you do move to MD, keep Baltimore County in mind. They have one of the best public library systems around and generally carry 75-80% of the books mentioned/ reviewed here. Just sayin’.
Good luck with the move and the lists, which sound like your very own tribbles.
The Archie universe has really been shaking up over the years, with gay characters(the wedding of whom caused a conservative maternal group to launch a protest), interracial romance(Archie hooked up with Valerie from Josie and the Pussycats in a crossover issue), zombies and even a “death of Archie” special edition.
Since the comics are still some what independently owned(there was some huge drama concerning that a few years ago), the freedom to change with the times has proven to be a winner, both financially and creatively. Best of luck with the move,Sarah!
I loved the Archie comics! And just so you know, the hubs tells me that Betty was always hotter than Veronica. Not only that, he claims he can walk into any group of men anywhere in the country and ask, “Mary Ann or Ginger?” And they’ll immediately know what he’s talking about (men being what they are, poor dears) and most will reply, “Mary Ann.” And the modern version is “Claire or Gloria?” Again, ironically, most men pick Claire.
I’m loving the Archie reboot* – and the Archie Horror comics are AMAZING as well! Fiona Staples is insanely talented.
*Totally biased, since I’ve always loved the Archie universe. In fact, even our Fantasy Football team divisions are Betty v. Veronica.
OMG The lists are like tribbles. Tribbles on crack- but thank you for the good wishes, y’all. I appreciate it.
I can’t say enough good things about Fiona’s artwork. The way she draws people is just fascinating and terrific and I notice something new each time I re-read. But I agree, KitKat9k, the love triangle was SO BORING.
I just moved from Long Island to Southern Maryland -St. Mary’s County- a month ago. It is a bit of a culture shock but its been nice. It is much* less expensive here for one thing! Hope your move goes smoothly!
@ SB Sarah – good luck with the move. My advice: Get a folder or box (!) for your lists and mark it “do not pack.” I had professional movers pack *everything* during one of our moves including my lists and a full wastebasket from my office.
I loved the Archie comics while growing up! Good thing I never had a daughter. She would be Veronica. I may have to hit the comic/used bookstore for one of the re-boots. Fiona Staples’ art is keeping up with the times.
@Heather H: I feel so clueless but must ask, who are Claire and Gloria?
@ChrisK: ok, St Mary’s county is beautiful but a lot of it is rural. No wonder you experienced culture shock coming from Long Island. Hope you’re happy here.
@kitkat I was also lost with Claire vs. Gloria (still am but will google) but I got the MaryAnn vs. Ginger option. So, for us, The Professor or … Gilligan?? Likewise with Archie, not many good choices. Maybe Moose?
I love lists! Try Trello if you want to track it electronically. Works across devices & is free to use. I also like the app Errands.
Love Archie comics always have, always will.IDW has some good ones also.
I can relate Sarah, I moved to a different state this past spring/early summer. I think I read maybe one book that entire time because my brain was just too bogged down with ‘The Big Move’ to get into my book zone. I felt like I stepped off the planet for a few months, it was stressful! I have a folder that is my move diary, lists, notes, post-it notes, etc., that I’ve now shoved to the back of my office closet because I cannot bring myself to get rid of those lists yet. lol Good luck with your move, I feel your pain.
@kitkat9000 & @kellys:
Claire Dunphy (blonde Julie Bowen, playing an on-the-surface wholesome All-American gal) and Gloria Pritchett (originally-brunette Sofia Vargara – portraying the neo-vampy Latina trophy wife married to Claire’s much older father) on “Modern Family”.
@KellyM: I haven’t gotten to the Post-it note stage yet, but I will. Soon. And yes – my brain is entirely fogged over with Things to Remember and Write Down. I hope you really like your new place, though. Congrats on making it through the move!!
@LauraL:
That is really good advice. I have a binder with zip top bags fastened inside it, but I may have to make a very clear “DO NOT MOVE” section to keep all my many lists in the right places! Thank you!
I too always loved reading Archie during childhood summers — usually at my aunt’s little cabin on the lake, where there is still a decent collection of those classic comics. I’m excited for this new take, especially since it sounds like Betty (I’ve always been team Betty, all the way) maybe won’t be spending quite as much time pining over Archie, whom I always thought was a moron for putting up with Veronica, but whatever. So excited to go grab a copy!
Check out Afterlife with Archie, too! Beautiful art and the characters are written with depth, plus the story is really suspenseful and gripping.
Shout-out to the other Maryland residents on here! We live in Anne Arundel County. Interesting to hear about the Balt. County library having most of the books reviewed here, because I have not had that experience in AA Co. But our library system isn’t bad and they are getting better about acquiring new children’s books, which makes my daughters happy. If you need any Maryland-specific help/info/advice about the best time to go to the DMV/whatever, we are here for you!
kitkat9000 expressed my exact feelings about those Archie comics. Although I really couldn’t stand that slimeball, Rex. Did he make it into the reboot? Or was he just too sexist to redeem?
One thing I will say for Veronica and Archie… the pair of them taught me about French kissing. I vividly remember V was chewing gum, she and A kiss and when the kiss is over A has the gum. I asked my mother about it because I was clueless. I might have been nine years old and when I was nine, nine-year-olds did not know about French kisses. Mom explained, but also took the comics away from me.
I was 100% devoted to Marvel Comics. I still would be except they beacame to danged expensive.
Nice review! Though I have to add that characters such as Sheila (which you mentioned), Maria and Trev weren’t actually new characters made for the reboot, rather they made some appearances towards the end of classic Archie