COMIC BOOK REVIEW: Archie #2

This is HUGOT!

Granted, life goes on… now what? That’s what the creative team of the newest Archie attempts to explore in Archie #2. Similar to the premier issue, it has four chapters and a bonus issue with some notes by one of the best comic historians ever, Mark Waid (not only he writes well, he knows more comic historical tidbits than many of us assume).

Similar to the first issue, contemporary topics are highlighted to make sure Mark Waid fulfills his end of the bargain of post-modernizing the franchise, as well as fusing it with his love of great Silver Age comic story telling that makes Archie Comics a force to be reckoned with longtime fans and readers, as well as newcomers. Granted, Archie needs some economic sustenance to fulfill something important. True, money is something to be earned. And, he and other dudes in Riverdale must find a part-time employment. Clichés…maybe, but Waid as often provides a number of great dialogues and fourth-wall remarks whenever the main protagonist did do some serious works, with typical disastrous results, naturally. Even so Waid’s scripts shine further when our awkwardly bumbling teenage narrator ultimately works on a construction site of the newest players of the series, the Lodges. The words are precise and direct, quirky and resonating, and even defeatist but encouraging that truly encapsulating the zeitgeist of today’s generational taste.

In addition, the second issue deals with the aftermath of “lost” love. Betty Cooper, our favorite blonde gal, just can’t admit of the mistakes she committed prior and since the premier issue. She may have a “new” replacement, but in the hands and minds of the sage like Mark Waid, “true” love never ever leaves; whoever she replaces. Simply put, look how Betty repulses Trevor, and moreover, who actually fixes Archie’s jalopy… the answer is yours to explore upon. And, we can agree here how funny Betty puts her dresses as feminine as possible. Such is the beautiful synchronization of Waid and the equally talented Fiona Staples. Furthermore, Waid’s characterization of Jughead is briefly but significantly highlighted why the burger-munching king got his moniker in the first place, even more his personal outlook. Seriously speaking, Jughead’s case is one tough cookie to crack upon. More so, I believe Waid likes to make a critical nitpicking on those who believe money can both bring “happiness” and “solve” everything. Experience is the best mentor, indeed, Jughead/Mark Waid! But what better way to end this interesting issue by Waid’s silent treatment of the portrayals of Betty’s silent but obvious wish, including the prior smirking of the lady in town: “Ronnie”.

Let’s go to Fiona’s art. In all levels, she maintains her consistency from last issue. Instead of the moodiness that is so visible in the premier chapter, Staples’s illustrations match Waid’s precise dialogues with her equally spot-on drawings of the characters involved, most particularly Betty’s inner and outer emotional portrayals that are obviously signs of a hurt or brokenhearted longtime lover. What stands out in her department is the sequential paneling of Archie’s almost catastrophic awkwardness that leads to the hilarious destructive consequences on the working site itself; and Betty’s dressing up, which as if Fiona was born to illustrate the first-hand experiences of doing so, and the face of Ronnie that is personally more gorgeous than most illustrations of Veronica Lodge in my Archie comics reading experiences, including the spin-offs. And, why should we forget Fiona’s wacky interpretation of the 21^st century jalopy at all?

Since Fiona also draws Saga, sometimes there are a couple of characters in Archie since the first part look like many Saga characters as well. And, sometimes, her shading is a bit inconsistent from thin to thick, particularly in the facial portrayals. But nevertheless, I hope Fiona can transcend further of differentiating her creator-owned characters to her Archie-verse protagonists, but I learn that she stays until the next issue. We can only cross-fingers on the artist’s possible ascendancy.

Archie #2 continues the great writing and artistic pageantry of the reinterpretation of the beloved Archie comic series to the millennial generation. Though Fiona’s leaving (hopefully temporarily) after the third one, Waid’s consistent excellent writing is the main draw to further explore other characters in Riverdale. What makes me intriguing here is Waid’s radical transformation of Archie’s best friend, which just happens that Jughead will be the main focus in the next chapter. This is something worth waiting (and reading).