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KC Carlson & friend
by KC Carlson
SUNSHINE!
Archie #1 cover by Mike Norton
On Monday, I got a quick three-minute slip top of the new Archie #1 by mark Waid as well as Fiona Staples. (Thanks, Bob!) The skies had opened up into a miserable downpour while I sat in Westfield Comics’ westside store turning the pages quicker than Jughead eats burgers. When — all of a sudden — whatever ended up being crystal clear. This comic book was great! (Not that I had any type of doubts…)
If Archie #1 was a song, it would be “The Coolest tune In The World” this week on bit Steven’s Underground Garage. as well as while you may believe that may be pushing things a bit, Archie #1 is rock ’n’ roll, of a sort. For a number of pages of the comic we are shown — definitively for the very first time ever — that Archie can rock with the very best of them as well as is really (after a minor bit of nerves) an remarkable rock guitarist!
It’s a determine of the power of the excellent storytelling as well as cartooning of both mark as well as Fiona that I really heard music in my head while reading this sequence (and not “Sugar Sugar”!).
That’s not all! The characters in this new comic are teens of today. full of heartbreak as well as pride as well as hormonal angst as well as just not-knowing-what-the-hell-anything-means-anymore! as well as yet, somehow eerily, they’re still the Archie characters that numerous of us have understood because we were six. Now, like then, they are mentor us essential life lessons (when we’re not paying any type of attention), in addition to reminding us oldsters about great (and bad) times from our youth. Man, I hope today’s youngsters accept it for the special gift it is.
There’s still excellent humor in the series. mark understands the quirky characters inside as well as out as well as is putting them all though much more of a wringer that we’re utilized to seeing, however that’s good, too. Fiona’s interpretations of the familiar characters are both instantaneously recognizable as well as incredibly revealing. And, guy — did she nail Betty! inspect out the panel where a “furious w/Archie” Betty is reacting to Archie playing a bum guitar note. That’s whatever you requirement to understand about her character in a single panel.
Don’t touch my guitar! Archie rocks your world: From Archie #1. Art by Fiona Staples.
Probably the funniest thing about this very first problem is that mark as well as Fiona are retelling a variation of the extremely very first (loose) Archie story arc from the very first few stories from 1941. (The extremely very first story from Pep Comics #22 is likewise helpfully reprinted in this very first issue.) Obviously, there’s a great deal much more going on this time around around than in those early stories, however the fundamental backstory/plot is the same. The millionaire Lodge household is moving to Riverdale, as well as everybody at Riverdale High is going crazy wondering what new trainee Veronica Lodge will be like. Spoiler: Don’t hold your breath! She doesn’t even appear in #1!
It’s likewise good to be carefully reminded that the glue that holds the Archie world together isn’t necessarily the redhead. (Although the literal glue has a cameo in #1!) It’s the laconic/sardonic man with the funny hat, who, in spite of having his eyes closed constantly, sees whatever so clearly. as well as you believed he just liked to eat… That guy’s new book is just around the corner… Can’t wait.
Archie #1 cover by Fiona Staples
And don’t wait! The very first printing of Archie #1 (regular cover) has apparently already offered out at the supplier level — before it went on sale! A second printing is already in the works. Archie #1 is on sale in comic shops today!
BTW, this is essential to Archie #1: #lipstickincident . have fun!
A trick WARS story SO trick THAT few keep in mind IT
I had a few spare hours over the July 4th weekend to dive into the the comics archives, still woefully unsorted after our major relocation cross-country (now practically 3 years ago). I won’t bore you with the irritation of finding a run of, say, 6 to 10 problems missing from a box they ought to have been in, as well as understanding that they got jammed into a different box (of over 450) as well as kicking myself for not notating that on the box. Stupid… stupid…
What If? #114
Anyway, discovered a specific timely treasure that I believed I’d show you. It’s imagined above – What If v.2 #114, cover dated Nov. 1998. As you can see by the description of its contents on the cover (Secret Wars: 25 Years Later…), it’s somewhat timely thinking about Marvel’s present publishing schedule. It’s written by Jay Faerber, pencilled by Gregg Schigiel, as well as inked as well as edited, respectively, by my old DC buddies Jose Marzan Jr. as well as Frank Pittarese.
This specific story was published in 1998, however the original trick Wars took location over 1984-1985, which would make the present trick Wars best around 30 years after the original. So, not an precise connection with the present project, but, you understand — close sufficient for rock ’n roll.
In this story, the original trick Wars heroes (and villains) never returned from Battleworld as well as were stuck there for 25 years. It’s exposed that throughout the years the hostilities between the heroes as well as villains has ceased, as well as after a time, people started coupling up as well as (*cough*) having children. since what else is there to do…
Here’s your useful checklist of the players:
Thor + the Enchantress = Balder
Captain America + Rogue = Crusader (Sarah)
Wolverine + storm = Torrent (Kendall)
Hawkeye + She-Hulk = Mustang (CJ)
Human Torch + the Wasp = Firefly (Matthew)
Doctor Doom + the Enchantress = Malefactor (Vincent)
Molecule guy + Volcana = Tucker Reese
Absorbing guy + Titania = Trudy Creel
Wrecker + ??? = man who fights Mustang
the Lizard + ??? = “Lizard-thing”
You can tell who the major characters of the story are — they have actual superhero or villain names.
You’ll note that the Enchantress bore both Vincent Von Doom (the elder brother) as well as Balder before disappearing — producing the thematic central plot of the opposing half-brothers as well as their continuous conflict. There weren’t sufficient super-powered women on Battleworld back then to go around to be moms for everybody. Enchantress does not appear in this story, as well as it is uncertain what her precise fate was.
Obviously, there’s not sufficient space in this single-issue story to get as well deep into the backgrounds of the opposing kids, who are brought together by Vincent Von Doom. It’s likewise fascinating to note that the original trick Wars characters are mainly (with a couple of exceptions) pushed to the background here, as the intent of the story is to showcase the super-powered sons as well as daughters.
The trick Wars youngsters in action! Art by Gregg Schigiel as well as Jose Marzan Jr.
These other trick Wars characters are stated to have died (many have memorial statues): Reed Richards, Bulldozer, Spider-Woman (Julia Carpenter), Dr. Octopus, Cyclops, Captain marvel (Monica Rambeau), Magneto, as well as (apparently — the Hulk states so) Kang the Conqueror.
Other characters from the original trick Wars are not doing so well. Spider-Man is being slowly consumed by the Venom symbiote. James “Rhodey” Rhodes is either missing or dead, as professor X is now in the Iron guy armor (which eliminates the requirement for a wheelchair). Ultron is discussed in passing as having trained Vincent Von Doom, as well as Klaw is visible (but not identified) in a fight scene or two. It is likewise discussed that the Hulk has disappeared years back as well as not been seen since. Not discussed at all: Colossus, Nightcrawler, Lockheed, as well as the Thing. (Who I believe gets left out since he had an prolonged non-What If? Battleworld experience in his own title before ending up back on Earth. Not that that ought to matter in a What If story, however I certainly delight in over-explaining whatever — so there you go.)
There are much more characters (and info!) than actual plot in this 32-page story, however it’s an interesting sufficient premise to potentially warrant future adventures. BUT… this was likewise the last problem of volume 2 of What If, as well as the series as well as idea went away for a number of years, up until revived as yearly groupings of private problems adapting the “What If?” idea to recent “event” titles as well as storylines.
Considering that it was the last problem of a extremely long run of a not-very-high-profile marvel series, it’s not truly unexpected that nobody that I showed this problem to over the last few days had ever heard of (or remembered) it. I’m guessing that not so numerous people really purchased it. I was amazed to discover it myself. It’s an problem that I obviously purchased as well as then filed it away without ever reading it. type of a fun thing to re-discover in the midst of the present hoopla at marvel these days. things were so much easier back then.
Surprised that Jonathan Hickman (or somebody) didn’t revive this idea for this large 2015 go-round of the trick Wars saga. Of course, there’s still time…
(so to speak)…
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KC CARLSON: Been reading Archie Comics because the early 1960s. checked out my very first ones under a tree, by a lake, with a huge glass of lemonade, in the middle of summer. Which is where you ought to be reading this new #1. What ideal timing!
WESTFIELD COMICS is not accountable for the dumb things that KC says. particularly that thing that truly irritated you. I’m speaking about you, Reggie!