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crookedtreehouse's review
2.0
[a:Mark Waid|5363|Mark Waid|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1281876586p2/5363.jpg] and [a:Fiona Staples|304633|Fiona Staples|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1379339265p2/304633.jpg] relaunch of Archie a few years ago was a master stroke. They took the long existent property, breathed fresh life into the characters, and freed up and modernized the art style, creating a perfect template for newer writers to take over. I expected Archie Comics would either give the books to some more big names and have them continue on, or else gather some hungrier, young writers who might put more bumps in the road, but take some interesting detours on the reinvention.
Instead, [a:Nick Spencer|255466|Nick Spencer|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1341368514p2/255466.jpg], who's known for his Marvel titles, but isn't precisely beloved, took over and, along with [a:Mariko Tamaki|483588|Mariko Tamaki|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1387259250p2/483588.jpg], whose known for her incredible indie work and some inspired runs for DC and Marvel, try some complicated storytelling methods in their Archie run, and end up falling flat.
The premise of this volume of Archie, that Archie and Sabrina meet, and date in secret, much to the chagrin of Betty and Veronica, is super interesting. And while I didn't care at all for the Is Reggie's Dad Dead? Let's Ask Inspector Jughead angle, it wasn't terrible. But instead of letting the story unfold, we are first presented with the fourth part of the story, then the first, then the third, then the second, and finally the ... fifth?
I grew up in the 90s. I loved Pulp Fiction, Momento, and Go, and all those indie flicks that are told out of order to mess with storytellng conventions. And if you told me Mariko Tamaki was going to present a book that way, I'd be intrigued. But an Archie book? Not so much. And Nick Spencer is a perfectly adept Paint By Numbers Writer. Whenever he takes big risks, such as his Captain America run, it ends up being a huge whiff. This book was an inoffensive whiff.
The first issue mooted the entire rest of the run. And the injection of the Sabrina magic world into the Riverdale that Waid and Staples and Fish and co. all set up just doesn't work.
I got to the end of the book unsure who it was for. Kids? People who grew up with Archie who are now in their thirties and forties and saw the aforementioned films? People who like the CW Riverdale and Netflix Sabrina TV series?
I don't have a definitive answer.
The art is great. [a:Sandy Jarrell|6884625|Sandy Jarrell|https://s.gr-assets.com/assets/nophoto/user/u_50x66-632230dc9882b4352d753eedf9396530.png] and [a:Jenn St. Onge|6869174|Jenn St. Onge|https://s.gr-assets.com/assets/nophoto/user/u_50x66-632230dc9882b4352d753eedf9396530.png] truly live up to the legacy set down by Staples and Fish. I just wish the story had better supported their hard work.
Instead, [a:Nick Spencer|255466|Nick Spencer|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1341368514p2/255466.jpg], who's known for his Marvel titles, but isn't precisely beloved, took over and, along with [a:Mariko Tamaki|483588|Mariko Tamaki|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1387259250p2/483588.jpg], whose known for her incredible indie work and some inspired runs for DC and Marvel, try some complicated storytelling methods in their Archie run, and end up falling flat.
The premise of this volume of Archie, that Archie and Sabrina meet, and date in secret, much to the chagrin of Betty and Veronica, is super interesting. And while I didn't care at all for the Is Reggie's Dad Dead? Let's Ask Inspector Jughead angle, it wasn't terrible. But instead of letting the story unfold, we are first presented with the fourth part of the story, then the first, then the third, then the second, and finally the ... fifth?
I grew up in the 90s. I loved Pulp Fiction, Momento, and Go, and all those indie flicks that are told out of order to mess with storytellng conventions. And if you told me Mariko Tamaki was going to present a book that way, I'd be intrigued. But an Archie book? Not so much. And Nick Spencer is a perfectly adept Paint By Numbers Writer. Whenever he takes big risks, such as his Captain America run, it ends up being a huge whiff. This book was an inoffensive whiff.
The first issue mooted the entire rest of the run. And the injection of the Sabrina magic world into the Riverdale that Waid and Staples and Fish and co. all set up just doesn't work.
I got to the end of the book unsure who it was for. Kids? People who grew up with Archie who are now in their thirties and forties and saw the aforementioned films? People who like the CW Riverdale and Netflix Sabrina TV series?
I don't have a definitive answer.
The art is great. [a:Sandy Jarrell|6884625|Sandy Jarrell|https://s.gr-assets.com/assets/nophoto/user/u_50x66-632230dc9882b4352d753eedf9396530.png] and [a:Jenn St. Onge|6869174|Jenn St. Onge|https://s.gr-assets.com/assets/nophoto/user/u_50x66-632230dc9882b4352d753eedf9396530.png] truly live up to the legacy set down by Staples and Fish. I just wish the story had better supported their hard work.
the_romance_bookie's review
adventurous
dark
mysterious
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
twiinklex's review
3.0
The story is a bit all over the place here because there's so much going on and multiple unresolved storylines. Gorgeous artwork and colours as always though!
On a whole, Nick Spencer's trilogy in this series is a fun read and worth checking out just for the aesthetics alone.
My review of Archie
My review of Archie & Katy Keene
On a whole, Nick Spencer's trilogy in this series is a fun read and worth checking out just for the aesthetics alone.
My review of Archie
My review of Archie & Katy Keene
noeliasreadings's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Han cambiado el dibujo en algunas partes que parecía como más de un público más pequeño pero es que a mi me ha gustado también entonces feliz.
Esta historia está mucho mejor que la primera y además me ha gustado que incluyan la primera aparición de Sabrina y Archie en los cómics porque no lo sabía y ha molado, aunque se notaba antiguo por las cosas que pasaban y ciertos personajes pero bueno.
Esta historia está mucho mejor que la primera y además me ha gustado que incluyan la primera aparición de Sabrina y Archie en los cómics porque no lo sabía y ha molado, aunque se notaba antiguo por las cosas que pasaban y ciertos personajes pero bueno.
reading_cat's review
4.0
Beautiful graphics, stunning through the two flashback issues, nice story, which leaves a lot of traces into what could be further explored. But, I do have the distinct impression I started this series right from the middle. Which was only a bit obvious during the first and last issue of the volume. Have to find the rest, I guess...
mittenstrings's review
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
birdmanseven's review
4.0
Modern Archie has been on a hot streak for a good, long while and this volume ranks up there with the best of them. I like the Archie/Sabrina pairing for the different side it brings out of each character.
For more, tune in to Comic Book Coffee Break: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lu61J1yAbvI&list=PLKuqjNEr0e3yLLG0RFwHef8QBVXxeOaJ5&index=6
For more, tune in to Comic Book Coffee Break: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lu61J1yAbvI&list=PLKuqjNEr0e3yLLG0RFwHef8QBVXxeOaJ5&index=6
twylghast's review against another edition
adventurous
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0