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A review by w0nd3rl4nd
Archie, Volume 1 by Mark Waid
5.0
I’ve loved Archie comics since I could first read. I used to snag a copy of a digest to read at the grocery store while my parents shopped, and would end up sneaking the title in with the groceries so I could finish it. So when I found out Archie got a 21st century reboot, with artwork done by the amazing Fiona Staples, seven year old Allison shrieked.
And I was not disappointed by the work of Staples and writer Mark Waid.
Not only was Archie updated with Uber, hashtags, fake I.D.s, and luncheons with Taylor Swift, but it was updated to reflect real, modern problems that teenagers face. Archie and Betty have a past, Jughead and his family have real monetary issues, and Veronica is your typical wealthy suburban princess you went to high school with, who had killer wardrobe you were envious of.
The characters are another reason I loved this reboot. They are all fleshed out, with believable personalities and problems. Instead of perfect teenagers, living in perfect Riverdale, they are flawed with jealousy and selfishness, but still doing their best to navigate high school with their friends. The drama among the characters is both heartbreaking and hilarious.
These flaws and issues also make the graphic novel contain real conflict. Tomboy Betty wants to remain true to herself, but also wants friends and people to like her. Veronica puts up a front that she doesn’t care what Riverdale High thinks of her, but we see that she does, and especially cares what Archie thinks of her. You go from Team Betty to Team Veronica easily because Waid does a fantastic job making you sympathize for both girls.
And Archie is literally a typical teenage boy who just wants to get along with everyone and be happy. He’s insecure, but means well, and just wants to keep his normal life.
My only criticism of the series is the change in artists. Nothing was wrong with Annie Wu or Veronica Fish as illustrators, but I definitely am biased and prefer Staples to be the only illustrator for the series. I did like Wu’s work for the middle of the volume, but Fish’s felt a little too cartoony at times. However the change in artists didn’t deter me from the story at all. Waid still maintained the heart of Archie through his writing.
This is the reboot I didn’t even know I wanted for Archie, but I see how needed it was. I love this, and cannot wait for the next volume, as well as the spinoff of Jughead that comes out this summer. I want more!
And I was not disappointed by the work of Staples and writer Mark Waid.
Not only was Archie updated with Uber, hashtags, fake I.D.s, and luncheons with Taylor Swift, but it was updated to reflect real, modern problems that teenagers face. Archie and Betty have a past, Jughead and his family have real monetary issues, and Veronica is your typical wealthy suburban princess you went to high school with, who had killer wardrobe you were envious of.
The characters are another reason I loved this reboot. They are all fleshed out, with believable personalities and problems. Instead of perfect teenagers, living in perfect Riverdale, they are flawed with jealousy and selfishness, but still doing their best to navigate high school with their friends. The drama among the characters is both heartbreaking and hilarious.
These flaws and issues also make the graphic novel contain real conflict. Tomboy Betty wants to remain true to herself, but also wants friends and people to like her. Veronica puts up a front that she doesn’t care what Riverdale High thinks of her, but we see that she does, and especially cares what Archie thinks of her. You go from Team Betty to Team Veronica easily because Waid does a fantastic job making you sympathize for both girls.
And Archie is literally a typical teenage boy who just wants to get along with everyone and be happy. He’s insecure, but means well, and just wants to keep his normal life.
My only criticism of the series is the change in artists. Nothing was wrong with Annie Wu or Veronica Fish as illustrators, but I definitely am biased and prefer Staples to be the only illustrator for the series. I did like Wu’s work for the middle of the volume, but Fish’s felt a little too cartoony at times. However the change in artists didn’t deter me from the story at all. Waid still maintained the heart of Archie through his writing.
This is the reboot I didn’t even know I wanted for Archie, but I see how needed it was. I love this, and cannot wait for the next volume, as well as the spinoff of Jughead that comes out this summer. I want more!