Afterlife With Archie #1
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Afterlife With Archie #1

Writer: Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa Artist: Francesco Francavilla Publisher: Archie Comics Release Date: October 9, 2013 Cover Price: $2.99 Critic Reviews: 17 User Reviews: 21
9.0Critic Rating
8.7User Rating

New Ongoing Series!
"Escape From Riverdale." This is how the end of the world begins! Harvey Award-winning writer Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa (Archie Meets Glee) and Eisner-winning artist Francesco Francavilla (Batman) take Archie and the gang where they've never been before - to the grave and back! A horrific accident sets off a series of grim events and Sabrina the Teenage Witch must try to repair the unspeakable evil her spell has unleashed. Gasp in horror as Riverdale faces an impending zombie Arch-pocalypse in this brand-new, spine-tingling ongoing series - but be warned, kiddies, this one's not for the faint of heart!

  • 10
    Shadowhawk's Shade - Abhinav Jain Oct 27, 2013

    Sure, sure, high praise, hyperbolic praise, right, right. But you know what, I definitely loved this issue. I'd never thought that I'd ever read an Archie comic like this. It was amazing on every single level. Frankly, I do want more. Afterlife with Archie #1 is my first Archie comic in some ten years, probably more, and this homecoming has been completely unexpected and… gut-punching. Read Full Review

  • 10
    Comic Spectrum - Shawn Hoklas Oct 13, 2013

    To say that I was pleasantly surprised by this book would be an understatement. I'm so on-board with this series and hope that it can continue for the foreseeable future with this creative team at the helm. I've already read this issue twice and plan on reading it one more time before the second issue hits. Who knew an Archie book could be one of my favorite books of the year?! Read Full Review

  • 10
    Comic Vine - Tony 'G-Man' Guerrero Oct 7, 2013

    How could something so wrong feel so right? It didn't seem like crossing ARCHIE characters and zombies could fit together but Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa and Francesco Francavilla make it work perfectly. It could be easy to dismiss the idea as a gimmick to cash in on the zombie genre but the zombie craze isn't what it used to be. Instead, we get a fascinating meshing of these two worlds and, as horror stories should, it will make you feel completely uneasy in the pit of the stomach. If you're even slightly familiar with Archie and the gang and enjoy a good horror or zombie story, you owe it to yourself to check this out. You'll definitely want to sink your teeth into it. Just be sure to keep it away from the children. Read Full Review

  • 10
    Critical Blast - RJ Carter Oct 12, 2013

    This is more than just a zombie story. There's a depth of characterization here not seen outside of the standard Archie fare. While the Life with Archie series, which follows two alternative future paths split by the decision of Archie to marry either Veronica or Betty, is certainly more adult in nature, I haven't seen a version of the high school Archie gang yet where Veronica and Betty engage in risque repartee while arguing over who will be Archie's date to the dance. Add to this Reggie Mantle's role in events, a whole new visual look to the Archie characters (aside from being zombified, that is), and just the fully-realized emotional expressions of each character, and Afterlife with Archie immediately rockets to not just the top of my Archie reading list, but it's the first time that an Archie book has broached my personal Top Five must-read titles of all publications. I have to give this my highest recommendation. Read Full Review

  • 9.6
    IGN - Benjamin Bailey Oct 10, 2013

    This issue is drawn by Francesco Francavilla, in case you need that extra push towards purchasing it. Francavilla is, without a doubt, one of the best artists working in comics today. He is also the perfect guy to drawn an Archie comic filled with homages to classic horror stories. Afterlife with Archie looks downright terrifying. It oozes darkness from every panel. Some scenes are actually unsettling; they'll make you uncomfortable. I for one never thought I'd get that sort of experience out of an Archie comic, but this one delivers, no doubt. It looks amazing, channels genuine horror and is the perfect comic to read before Halloween. Read Full Review

  • 9.2
    Graphic Policy - Brett Schenker Oct 15, 2013

    I went into this first issue with some series reservations and walked out with one of my favorite debut issues of the year and a series that's on my monthly “read” list. Read Full Review

  • 9.1
    Analog Addiction - Tony Couto Oct 15, 2013

    Afterlife With Archie #1 doesn't feel like a gimmick, but a truly stellar horror tale from start to finish. Read Full Review

  • 9.0
    Comic Booked - Kelly Cassidy Oct 10, 2013

    This was probably a book I wanted to like but was afraid I wouldn't, and I didn't. I loved it. I think Miss Grundy is going to turn out to be the hero in the long run, based on a flashback scene, but because of that scene I'm also expecting to be proven wrong. Seeing Archie in his Captain Pureheart costume at the halloween contest was a brilliant way to acknowledge that character from the past but not making it the focal point. If you want something fun and different but yet familiar at the same time, pick up this book. Read Full Review

  • 9.0
    Bloody Disgusting - Lonmonster Oct 9, 2013

    Afterlife with Archie may not redefine zombies as we know them, but it offers a solid story with gorgeous art. The Afterlife with Archie team masterfully employs all the tropes and conventions horror fans of come to love. This is a horror comic through and through, and its one you should be reading. Read Full Review

  • 9.0
    Comics: The Gathering - fdwhite May 14, 2014

    If you haven’t read this series yet, now is the time. The first arc is over. Pick up the old monthlies, pick up the upcoming trade paperback, just read it. Read Full Review

  • 9.0
    Comic Book Resources - Steve Sunu Sep 26, 2013

    Aguirre-Sacasa and Francavilla are a deadly combination in more ways than one. Not only does "Afterlife With Archie" #1 wildly succeed as a truly scary horror comic, it is a prime example of the comics medium's potential as an adaptable art. The issue is easily one of the strongest series debuts of the year and well worth a read for horror comic fans. Read Full Review

  • 9.0
    Newsarama - Richard Gray Oct 8, 2013

    Afterlife with Archie is the Archie book for people who don't read Archie Comics, or perhaps the fringe group of horror fans that have always wanted to read an Archie comic. Peppered with references to pop culture, it's a genuine horror story and proof positive that a good Elseworlds-style mash-up doesn't require a line-wide reboot, but is simply a matter of taking two top creators and letting them run wild. Read Full Review

  • 8.5
    AIPT - David Brooke Oct 9, 2013

    Francavilla kills it on the art as always. He uses a lot of oranges and purples, which is great considering the Halloween theme, and manages to make the smallest of panels pop. What can you say about Francavilla without repeating the many positive posits that have already been said? The guy is a genius when it comes to pacing and mood as if you're on a fluffy cloud or floating in a dream. The story flows nicely, due to pacing and layouts, and it's due to his uncanny ability to draw the readers eye as naturally as possible. Read Full Review

  • 8.0
    The Comicbook Dispatch - soycornholio Aug 19, 2021

    Why did it take me so long to read Afterlife w/ Archie #1 by Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa? Simple: I did not know it existed! This issue has everything from monsters, classic characters, and even a shocking death (that kind of weirdly hit me). If you are a fan of the classic Archie series and art style, be warned that this is NOT the same. For starters, it is for teenage readers, and two, the art work has a hauntingly beautiful quality to it. I would recommend reading this issue via any online publication you have (especially if you are a fan of the CW series Riverdale or Archie in general)! Read Full Review

  • 8.0
    All-Comic - Tyler Goulet Oct 9, 2013

    This is one of a handful of number one issues released today and its possible that it just might be one of the best. Its new, but its different. It's characters you remember, but with a bit of a darker twist. Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa and Francesco Francavilla make an excellent pair for this particular yarn and its something thats highly recommended. If you havent read an Archie for years, it might be time to check back in. This is going to be a helluva story. Read Full Review

  • 8.0
    Den Of Geek! - Mike Cecchini Oct 7, 2013

    I'd be willing to call Afterlife With Archie #1 a perfect comic if it didn't take the death of poor Hot Dog to kick off the proceedings. Sorry, folks...anyone who knows me knows that I just can't deal when doggies die. Couldn't it have been from Big Ethel giving ol' Jughead a hickey or something? But really, this comic has to be seen to be believed. Check out the trailer and see if this doesn't get your attention! Read Full Review

  • 8.0
    Eye On Comics - Don MacPherson Oct 20, 2013

    I picked up this first issue on something of a lark, and I didn't know if I'd be checking out subsequent issues. Not only will I be buying the whole series, but I'll be eagerly anticipating each and every issue. It's not just a weird genre mashup, but represents some strong storytelling in the medium. Read Full Review

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