Tag Archives: over the edge

Review: Archie #24

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JUL171404._SX360_QL80_TTD_*Spoilers for the end of “Over the Edge”!*

Riverdale returns to the screen this week and Archie Comics wrapped up their summer drama arc just in time. Archie #24 rounds out the “Over the Edge” event that conveniently spanned the Riverdale hiatus and kept fans new and old on the edges of their seats. Much like a classic Life with Archie, “Over the Edge” dialed everything up to 11, from the stakes (life or death) to the relationships (the entire Andrews family banned from the Cooper household?) to the consequences (Reggie Mantle in HANDCUFFS?).

There were very few laughs to be found in “Over the Edge”, but this issue sets us up for a return to life as usual, or as usual as it gets in Riverdale, with a sigh of relief all the way around.

As it turns out, no one died in the drag race of the century which kicked off the “Over the Edge” storyline. However, it’s fair to say almost everyone involved lost the life they’d grown accustomed to. After driving the car that pushed Betty Cooper over a cliff, Reggie is arrested. Archie sells the Mustang that started it all to help the Coopers make the needed renovations to their home. Renovations made necessary by Betty’s new wheelchair-bound state.

Archie24_09_colLast issue, the gang split up Betty’s enormous responsibilities among the Riverdale community. Now they shift gears to bake sales, Go Fund Me campaigns, and car washes—all to benefit Betty and the causes she holds dear. While Betty is plenty grateful, she’s also not one to let other people get their hands dirty on her behalf. From her friends to her parents to her physical therapist, Betty turns down offers to help, always adding “but thank you”, because she wouldn’t be Betty if she didn’t.

While the cover of Archie #24 teases Reggie in handcuffs as the main event, it’s almost a side-plot that will hopefully hold more weight in future issues. The entire town of Riverdale, unimpressed with Reggie to begin with, has decided to drag his name through the mud. Even his own father capitalizes on the drama surrounding his son to make a catchier headline in his paper.

Archie and Betty

Some things never change…

The real drama, as usual, exists between ol’ Cooper and Andrews. Betty takes a step back from her relationship with Dilton only to head home and shed some tears of frustration over her seemingly irreparable relationship with Archie. Mr. Cooper is having none of it, and actively lies to Betty about why Archie hasn’t been around since she got home from the hospital. In true Archie fashion, however, he finds a way to break the rules and let Betty know he’s still in her corner.

Writer Mark Waid continues capturing the true essence of the Riverdale crew. Archie’s self-awareness, Jughead’s lack thereof, and Betty and Veronica’s undying devotion to one another come through over the course of “Over the Edge.” But the truly remarkable relationship here is the one between Betty and Archie; the relationship that has kept the drama high since long before the first issue of the Archie re-brand, and it seems will keep us on an emotional rollercoaster until the end of time.

Archie #24 is the first for new-to-the-team Audrey Mok, but his art fits the upbeat style of previous issues. Mok’s Betty is particularly impressive, and the sequence with the most power is Betty’s breakdown, which requires no dialogue at all. That sequence alone makes this issue one to keep on the shelf.

Story: Mark Waid Art: Audrey Mok Colors: Kelly Fitzpatrick Letters: Jack Morelli
Story: 7.0 Art: 8.0 Overall: 7.5 Recommendation: Buy

Archie Comics provided Graphic Policy with a FREE copy for review

Review: Archie #22

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Archie22Main

*Warning Spoilers Below*

Archie #22 is the latest addition to the “Over the Edge” event in the relaunched Archie books, and it raises the stakes even further. Told in the same patchwork style as the previous issue, Archie #22 gives us flashbacks in to Betty Cooper’s origins, from her days as a screaming baby, to her childhood friendship with Archie, to the day she met Veronica. Unlike previous issues, the comedy is completely dropped from #22, keeping tension high throughout the book and giving the final moments the gravity they deserve.

Mark Waid’s script brings drama to the series in a way that’s been on hold since “Death of Archie” in 2014, the last major event when life or death played a part in the Archie universe. This time, however, there’s more “life” than “death”, as we finally discover that Betty has in fact survived the crash from issue #20. She flatlined at the end of issue #21, but in #22 the doctor’s bring her back from the brink. The accident still had a major impact on her, however, as the issue ends with a big reaveal: Betty can’t feel her legs.

While Betty’s fate is resolved here, there are still plenty of questions to answer. What consequences will Reggie face (Archie was released from questioning by police in issue #21, but they made reference to “dealing with” Reggie later)? Is Betty’s condition permanent? How will this effect Archie’s relationships with both Betty and Veronica? And is someone’s life still on the line?

Pick this one up for yourself–it looks like “Over the Edge” is building up to something bigger.

Story: Mark Waid Art: Pete Woods Lettering: Jack Morelli
Story: 9.0 Art: 9.0 Overall: 9.0 Recommendation: Buy

Archie Comics provided Graphic Policy with a FREE copy for review

Review: Archie #20

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Archie20-MainCover-666x1024Right on the tail of Riverdale‘s season finale, Archie Comics keeps up their momentum with a fresh storyline in their “All-New” Archie comics. The series rebooted in early 2016, so another reboot so soon would be largely pointless. “Over the Edge” continues the story that kicked off in issue #1, but raises the stakes from will-they-won’t-they to life-or-death.

It’s clear that at least some of Riverdale‘s appeal has rubbed off on artist Pete Woods, as Archie spends several pages gratuitously shirtless while he and Betty work on his classic jalopy. Much like every other element preserved from the original comics, the jalopy gets a backstory and becomes more important to our characters than ever before. One thing that hasn’t changed, however, is the vilification of Reggie Mantle, Riverdale’s ultimate bad guy.

Even in his own mini-series, the final words on Reggie declare him the “prince of darkness”, and this time he’s back with an attempt to steal Archie’s car (and possibly his girl.) *Spoiler – Highlight the text to read* However, all his plans are derailed when Betty speeds in to stop the plot, and they crash into each other mid-race. “Over the Edge” truly begins when Betty and Reggie go careening off the side of Serpent Hill. The story concludes with a line-up of the possible casualties of the storyline: Archie (already marked “safe” after this issue), Jughead, Betty, Veronica, and Reggie. *End Spoiler*

Writer Mark Waid has boosted the Riverdale gang to a new level of sophistication, without losing any of their timeless appeal. This continues in “Over the Edge”, as Veronica name-checks clothing designers, Betty remains fiercely protective of her friends, Jughead drops by with a bag of half-eaten burgers and Archie himself trips his way through life both literally and metaphorically. Waid remains easily one of the best things to happen to Archie since the whole universe rebooted in his “All-New Archie #1”, and the now infamous Lipstick Incident.

Archie Comics has raised the stakes before, most notably with their “Death to Archie” storyline, as well as their duel “Married Life with Archie” stories. “Over the Edge” seems more like a classic Life with Archie story, where life or death is teased for the sake of temporary drama, although the repercussions will only cause a small ripple in the universe as we know it. “Over the Edge” kicks off a little slow, but should slam into high gear by part 2 or 3.

Story: Mark Waid Art: Pete Woods
Story: 6.0 Art: 7.5 Overall: 7.0  Recommendation: Read

Archie Comics provided Graphic Policy with a FREE copy for review