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REVIEW: Archie: Collector’s Edition is REDEFINING the Classics

 
Archie Collectors Edition cover
Archie Collectors Edition cover
Archie Collectors Edition cover

 
Overview
 

Story by: Mark Waid
 
Art by: Fiona Staples
 
Publisher:
 
FG RATING
 
 
 
 
 
4.5/ 5


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To sum it all up..

Rebooting in the comic industry is indeed a norm nowadays. Some of the justifications behind this act are to bring in new readers to the fold, to have a fresh start, and obviously, economics. This is the case with the Archie comics that officially finished at issue #666, and is now restarted under the new […]

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Posted January 7, 2016 by

 
FULL REVIEW
 
 

Archie Collectors Edition coverRebooting in the comic industry is indeed a norm nowadays. Some of the justifications behind this act are to bring in new readers to the fold, to have a fresh start, and obviously, economics. This is the case with the Archie comics that officially finished at issue #666, and is now restarted under the new creative team led by award-winning comic extraordinaire Mark Waid and Fiona Staples. Their three-issue run is both critically and commercially received well and due to that success, it is fitting to compile the first story arc as ARCHIE: COLLECTOR’S EDITION.

Fore and afterword
This collection has additional features: Fiona Staples writes the introductory section, while Mark Waid finishes with the afterword. The former admits that she was a bit hesitant to be part of the rebooting process until the legendary superhero writer came around to be the scribe of the all-new Archie comic line.

On the other hand, the latter unequivocally states of his love of the Archie comics, particularly the leading characters. He reassures both old and new readers alike that this Archie reboot is worth reading and hopes they can stick around as the story continues to unravel beyond the third issue. T

This collection also highlights the cover gallery of all Archie cover variant arts from issues #1 to #3. It also presents the behind-the-scene artistic process of the creative team, from Staples’ thumbnails up to the coloring and lettering touches. It also gives readers a preview of the fourth chapter that introduces a sample of Annie Wu’s illustrations on Fiona’s signature artwork.

Archie Collectors Edition 01
New (ish) gang
In that regard, the rebooting of the Archie comics is actually timely, and the creative team performs outstandingly in its respective narrative and artistic sequential paneling executions. For an instance, Mark Waid utilizes the fourth-wall effectively. The writer also reinvents, if not reinterprets, some of the beloved casts’ personas to make the story more relevant to the present generation, alongside the presentations of the socio-cultural zeitgeists to make the connection with the new readers.

But the biggest shift in this new Archie series is Jughead. He still loves to eat burgers with absolute gusto, but his personality and world-view perspective are way too different from the bumbling archetype. Betty Cooper and Veronica Lodge are still blonde and brunette respectively, and represent the middle and upper class just the same. But, their personalities are way more contemporary and even more grounded than their classic representations.

To some degree, one can say the author is critiquing the prevailing shallowness the media is serving the hoi polloi: for example, the reality television phenomenon in the guise of Veronica’s high society’s attributes. Of course, what is an Archie story without elements of romantic comedy? This one has aplenty and actually circles on the main cast and his former flame, that further complicates upon the arrival of the third party.
Archie Collectors Edition 03

Finishing what was started
Alas, Fiona stays only until the third chapter, and Black Canary artist Annie Wu takes over for the rest of the series. Mark would stay around for more Archie stories to come; especially when the ultimate Jughead plan has come into fruition, unless someone throws a wrench in.

On a personal note, I really wish Fiona stays longer in the new Archie series, or perhaps returns to the fold after her Saga stint. Judging on Wu’s artistic take on her drawings, she simply cannot replicate her predecessor’s illustrations at all. On the other hand, some of Fiona’s characters are lookalikes of her Saga characters. Sometimes, I mistake some of her Archie casts with Saga’s counterparts. This collection also possesses no Golden Age Archie comic stories, alongside with Waid’s historical contextualization and explanations that are featured at the end of each issue.

Regardless, ARCHIE: COLLECTOR’S EDITION is a great starting point for the new Archie series that presents the fusion of some of the classic elements of the yesteryears and the contemporary sensibilities that dominate the present.

The new creative team reinterprets and reboots the beloved Riverdale characters to connect with the new generation of Archie readers, alongside with the retention of the humor, values, dynamism, and wholeheartedness that define the ageless appeal of the Archie series. This reboot actually reinvigorates the entire series while it respects the fundamental/traditional aspects that encapsulate the Archie run. GOOD READ!


Paul Ramos

 


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