Otherwise, this is a very solid issue; jam-packed enough to keep you guessing and to keep you reading. Just be prepared to face the death of at least one of your favorites.

Like I said, what I love about this issue is all of this: the attention and focus it pays to Betty and Veronica being the heroes. Archie Vs. Predator is not without its self-aware horror references or tropes, but even better than seeing those paid tribute is seeing how they're subverted. I don't believe anyone really knew what to expect from this mini-series, let alone how it might conclude, and even when I got to the last page I stared at it for a while before I could figure out how to react: definitely an oh my god moment that's stunning, horrifying, and somehow also hilarious. Considering how much I was looking forward to this mini-series when it was first announced, I don't think it could have had a better ending — as a finale this issue is solid from start to finish and does a wonderful job showcasing what makes Betty and Veronica the real heroes of Riverdale.

There is a lot to like about this issue. The story is split up into chapters to let each of the four different pencillers featured really shine; Dan Parent's expressive and dynamic slapstick, Fernando Ruiz's rich, detailed-packed paneling, Tim and Pat Kennedy's stylized, fast-paced compositions. The artists here are well-chosen, their styles all very distinct yet perfectly in-synch with each other. Rich Koslowski's inks and Glenn Whitemore's colors do even more to tie this whole story together as a cohesive and stunning whole, and then" there's Tom DeFalco's story itself.

Best of all, this issue makes great use of characters that aren't Archie to help bring it to conclusion; I've mentioned before how much it means to me when Betty and Veronica are used appropriately to save the day, but it's not just them, either. Kevin Keller (!), Dilton Doiley, and other beloved " and more minor, in some cases " Archie characters step forward to lend a hand, including Josie and the Pussycats. Especially with all the recent pushes in Archie Horror (which I love, by the way, don't think I'm knockin' it!) it's always nice to have the reminder amidst all the grim and dark media we get in other places that Archie is not a company that views drama and absurdity as things that should never overlap. So it is fun, exciting, and yes, a little silly, but I don't think that's at all a bad thing.

And Archie #1 is solid, beautiful both to read and to look at, not only on a technical level but because even one issue in it's already, clearly, an Archie relaunch developed by Archie fans. Yes, it's diverse, and it's also fun, thoughtful, heartfelt, dramatic… it's exactly everything an Archie ongoing should be.

While issue #2 holds different stakes than #1 did — it lacks the urgency of a homecoming dance, although the issue's climax is Betty's birthday — at the same time, it gives us much, much more. We see more intricate examination of these characters and their newly defined relationships, of their lives and personalities, of where we can expect the story to take them; we can understand these characters without confusion, but there are still plenty of questions to carry with us forward as well, so make sure you check in again next month. But first, absolutely read Archie #2, because if you loved the first issue, imagine: it only gets better from here on out.

Basically, Veronica's addition to the cast has already set the stage to a whole new level of nuanced dynamics and reactions like the domino effect it should be, but all very subtle and realistic. Better yet, it's unpredictable, which aside from humanity is one of the things you most want from your comics. Yes " even Archie!

Basically, Veronica's addition to the cast has already set the stage to a whole new level of nuanced dynamics and reactions like the domino effect it should be, but all very subtle and realistic. Better yet, it's unpredictable, which aside from humanity is one of the things you most want from your comics. Yes " even Archie!

The circumstances of the break-up are pitch perfect; I only wish we could have seen a little more into Betty's brain(yes, yes, I know the book is called Archie). She's clearly not into a "high femme" sort of look for herself based on her regular fashion choices, but that doesn't mean she's opposed to experimenting with it, or wearing a dress now and then " but is her current look based on her own preferences alone, or has Archie dissuaded her from dressier indulgences before as well? Hard to say, but maybe these questions will be answered in future issues; I look forward to seeing Betty's perspective, past and present, though it's also clear we'll be seeing more development into the Archie/Veronica relationship (!) next, as well Betty, Jughead, and Reggie (!!) scheming to derail it. I could not be more sold.

Even setting that aside, however it all feels very natural within the Riverdale Waid is establishing " a sincere and increasingly layered narrative of teenagers questioning why things have worked out this way and getting no answers back.

All in all, the new Archie continues with its down-to-Earth charm, wry and occasionally slapstick wit, and surprising emotional relatability. Yes, it's fun and compelling, but on top of what was already enjoyable I feel like Veronica Fish especially has brought something unique and completely new to the book with her " hard to define, but something tangible and personal I feel a connection to, truly the adult equivalent of what I felt submerging in Riverdale as a child. Team Archie is really doing a stellar job revitalizing that feeling, but for everyone, independent of nostalgia alone. It may seem like I spend these reviews gushing and refusing to say anything critical, but the fact is simply that I have yet to be disappointed.

Now that we've left the #LipstickIncident behind us, Archie presents us with our next mystery hashtag, #WhatDidReggieDo. We can assume that, probably, his record is unrelated to his penchant for extremely reckless driving or using fake IDs to get into 18+ clubs with older women, since he still does both those things without any evident shame, but like with the #LipstickIncident it seems silly to dwell too hard on the speculation since it's no doubt meant to be something surprising. What I feel like the question that #WhatDidReggieDo really leaves us with is, will the reveal serve to make him more narratively sympathetic, or more narratively repulsive? Based on the way this arc is going my guess would be either the former, or the latter as a lead in to the former, but whatever it is does have Reggie upset enough to sabotage his situation himself rather than wait for the axe of blackmail to fall. Ominous!

This was a very sweet issue, and while the dilemma and resolution did seem a bit rushed, this issue reads more as a bridge between storylines rather than specifically the beginning to a new one, although I'm sure there's hints as to what we might be able to expect next: personally, I'm hoping for Betty and Sayid. I did love seeing more development between Archie and Veronica, however, and am pretty interested in all the little plot hooks and dynamic shifts this issue gave us " here's hoping Mr. Lodge has a little more nuance to him in future issues, now that at least one hurdle in Archie and Veronica's way has been vaulted.

Jughead #1 is worth your time, if you're new to the characters or creative team and weren't convinced already. "Accessible" is the keyword of this relaunch no matter how you layer it, and while I will always say that being an Archie fan helps in the sense that you might recognize something " a character or a reference made " you don't need to have even heard of Archie to pick up this book and enjoy it just as much.

Jughead #1 is worth your time, if you're new to the characters or creative team and weren't convinced already. "Accessible" is the keyword of this relaunch no matter how you layer it, and while I will always say that being an Archie fan helps in the sense that you might recognize something " a character or a reference made " you don't need to have even heard of Archie to pick up this book and enjoy it just as much.

This issue presents a situation even more dire than what could have been inferred from issue #1 alone, and the confrontation of Jughead's cavalier attitude and eccentric problem-solving strategies by an obstacle that is perhaps more serious than he gave it credit for is a conflict I'm intrigued by " how a student learns to differentiate an abusive teacher from simply a difficult one, and what that conclusion may thus imply for them and their peers. Jughead, as we see, is an adaptive thinker, motivated so far by immediate inconvenience to create short-term solutions; it's a good, clear dilemma and again, I'm hooked already.

I can't quite predict how this story-line will conclude, but I also like that; it's enjoyable just seeing it unfoldbit by bit, seeing the characters move around like game pieces. Jughead has a great momentum to it, and I think it will only continue to pick up speed.

Archie Comics has been setting an impressive standard for inclusiveness in the past few years, making changes and additions and improvements that make Riverdale as a whole more diverse, welcoming, and accessible to everyone, and it's wonderful to continue to see this reflected in the talent they are bringing on for the New Riverdale titles and other projects; Archie " and of course Jughead " continue to lead the way through their excellent and dedicated example.

In fitting superhero fashion, the issue concludes with an homage to the classic Spider-Man No More moment, and the tone of the cliffhanger gives the impression that this story arc will see resolution within the next issue or two. Like I mentioned going into this review, it's actually pretty hard to guess where the plot is going to go; the tension and intrigue has been very effectively yet inscrutably built up by now, definitely leaving the reader hungrily craving more. Until next time!

The twist at the end of this issue may have Afterlife fans scratching their heads or leaning forward in their chairs, but the story of Sabrina is determinedly distinct enough that I can say with certainty: This is going somewhere very different, and it's going to be extremely interesting and terrifying to see.