Once again, the fine people at Archie have given us a look at the products they have in store for September! The monthly books don’t contain any surprises, aside from Archie’s 625th issue not having any real details available.One wonders if anything special is in store for the book. Surely not a relaunch with a new #1 (I hope not, anyway)! Oh that left a bad taste in my mouth. To cleanse the pallet, the very nice looking Best of Archie Deluxe Hardcover looks especially nice. Unlike other hardcovers, this one seems to back up it’s slightly higher price tag with a truly beefy page count. Is there anything you’re looking forward to? Read on, you may find something to your liking!
ARCHIE #625
SCRIPT: Frank Doyle
ARTIST: Fernando Ruiz
COVER: Dan Parent
Shipping Date: 9/14/11
On Sale at Comic Shops: 9/28/11
Comic, 32 pages, 40 lb. glossy stock, Full-Color
$2.99 US
ARCHIE DOUBLE DIGEST #222
“FANTASY TIME, PARADE REST”
Archie and Dilton share a love of reading in “FANTASY TIME” but Archie will have to leave his head in the books instead of in dreams if they’re are going to come true. After Veronica is named Homecoming Queen, she enlists her friends to build the biggest, most spectacular parade float Riverdale has ever seen. Their work is a success but they’re too tired to enjoy it in “PARADE REST.”
SCRIPT: George Gladir
ARTIST: Stan Goldberg
COVER: Dan Parent
Shipping Date: 9/7/11
On Sale at Comic Shops:9/21/11
Newsstands: Week of/2011
Digest, 160 pgs, 30 lb newsprint, Full-Color
$3.99 US
ARCHIE & FRIENDS DOUBLE DIGEST #9
“DINNER FOR ONE”
Betty dons her Superteen costume and goes head to head with the consumer, only to find his appetite is too much for her. About to admit defeat, Jughead comes to her rescue and challenges the evil Consumer to a battle of the stomachs. Can Riverdale’s bottomless pit defeat the insatiable Consumer? Find out in the conclusion of “DINNER FOR ONE.”
SCRIPT: Frank Doyle
ARTIST: Dan DeCarlo
COVER: Dan DeCarlo
Shipping Date: 9/14/11
On Sale at Comic Shops:9/28/11
Newsstands: Week of/2011
Digest, 160 pgs, 30 lb newsprint, Full-Color
$3.99 US
BETTY #194
“HOW SWEET IT WAS”
All of Betty’s dreams come true when Archie asks her to be his date at the dance. But she’s forced to wake up when she can’t afford to buy a new dress. Never one to sulk, Betty gets a job and with Archie at her side. She may not dance the night away, but she still gets Archie in the hilarious conclusion. In the second feature, KATY KEENE, Skipper Mason goes on a monkey chase and gets more than he bargained for. LIL JINX makes an appearance in “SOUNDS FISHY,” and Archie goes classic in “ERRANT BOY” FROM 1957. Finally, everyone’s favorite witch shows up in SABRINA “STRANGE LOVE.”
SCRIPT: Frank Doyle
ARTIST: Fernando Ruiz
COVER: Dan DeCarlo
On Sale at Comic Shops: 9/14/11
Newsstands: Week 9/28/11
Comic, 32 pages, 40 lb. glossy stock, Full-Color
$2.99 US
B&V FRIENDS DOUBLE DIGEST #218
“MY BROTHER’S KEEPER”
In “MY BROTHER’S KEEPER” Betty tries to show Veronica the error of her superficial ways by helping those in need. Too bad Betty just proves Veronica right and gets left in the rain. Maybe Veronica will learn one day, but that won’t be any time soon for the spoiled Ms. Lodge.
SCRIPT: Frank Doyle
ARTIST: Fernando Ruiz
COVER: Dan DeCarlo
Shipping Date: 9/21/11
On Sale at Comic Shops:10/5/11
Digest, 160 pgs, 30 lb newsprint, Full-Color
$3.99 US
JUGHEAD DOUBLE DIGEST #174
“THE DARK SAGA,” LET’S GO GEO”
When Gladys tells Jughead he looks like teen vampire heartthrob, Basil Loverton, he wants to know more about the new movie craze. Taking it as a compliment, he plays into it on his date with her the next night. Unfortunately, Gladys isn’t the only one who thinks Jughead looks like her idol and a mob of fans swarm poor Juggie like wild animals. He manages to get away but must end his tortured romance before it even begins – just like a teen vampire. In “LET’S GO GEO,” Dilton shows Archie and Jughead a new internet scavenger hunt. Leave it to Jughead to find a way to include food and follow along as “Geo Snacking” is born.
SCRIPT: George Gladir
ARTIST: Pat Kennedy
COVER: Fernando Ruiz
Shipping Date: 9/21/11
On Sale at Comic Shops:10/5/11
Digest, 160 pgs, 30 lb newsprint, Full-Color
$3.99 US
KEVIN KELLER #3
“KEVIN KELLER in LET’S GET IT STARTED…”
Kevin Keller is the new kid in Riverdale and the gang has made him feel right at home. When Wit Masters, a trivia game show for rival high schools comes around, Dilton and the crew want Kevin to represent them for the win. Too bad Kevin has a fear of public speaking. Will he pull it off and get Riverdale the winning championship for the third year in a row or will he choke in front of the big lights? Follow along as Kevin, his family and everyone you know and love from the Archie Universe face this challenge together.
SCRIPT: Dan Parent
ARTIST: Dan Parent
COVER: Dan Parent
Shipping Date: 9/28/11
On Sale at Comic Shops: 10/12/11
Comic, 32 pages, 40 lb. glossy stock, Full-Color
$2.99 US
MEGA MAN #6
“TIME KEEPS SLIPPING” Part Two: Dr. Wily has vanished! Roll has been kidnapped! Dr. Light is in federal custody! What’s Mega Man to do?! The blue bomber teams up with Cut Man and Ice Man to investigate the ruins of Wily’s castle and search for clues, but what dangers await within? And who are these two, new, powered-up Robot Masters?!
SCRIPT: Ian Flynn
ARTIST: Chad Thomas, Gary Martin, John Workman and Matt Herms
COVER: Patrick “SPAZ” Spaziante
Shipping Date: 9/28/11
On Sale at Comic Shops: 10/12/11
Comic, 32 pages, 40 lb. glossy stock, Full-Color
$2.99 US
SONIC THE HEDGEHOG #229
“GENESIS” Part Four: Our 20th Anniversary of Sonic celebration ends with this blockbuster issue! Sonic tackles the treacherous Metropolis Zone alone, while Sally leads her friends through the perils of the Oil Ocean Zone! At the end of the gauntlet lies the Death Egg and an epic battle! Will the world ever be the same again?!
SCRIPT: Ian Flynn
ARTIST: Tracy Yardley!, Terry Austin, John Workman and Matt Herms
COVER: Patrick “SPAZ” Spaziante
Shipping Date: 9/21/11
On Sale at Comic Shops: 10/5/11
Comic, 32 pages, 40 lb. glossy stock, Full-Color
$2.99 US
SONIC UNIVERSE #32
“INSIDE JOB” Part Four: The explosive finale to the Scourge Arc! Sonic’s evil twin is running with the Destructix, and they’re fighting for their lives to escape Zone Jail! If the rioting prisoners don’t get them, the Zone Cops will! In the mad dash for freedom, who will escape – and who will be left behind?
SCRIPT: Ian Flynn
ARTIST: Tracy Yardley!, Jim Amash, Phil Felix and Steve Downer
COVER: Tracy Yardley! & Ben Hunzeker
Shipping Date: 9/7/11
On Sale at Comic Shops: 9/21/11
Comic, 32 pages, 40 lb. glossy stock, Full-Color
$2.99 US
WORLD OF ARCHIE DOUBLE DIGEST #11
“WHAT THE DO DID,” “THE ULTIMATE PEP TALK”
Pop tells the boys women change their hair after traumatic events and after breaking a date with Betty for another girl, Archie’s guilt gets the better of him when he’s sees her with a new hairstyle. He invites her to a night on the town but it all backfires for poor Betty when Archie enlists the help of a specialist for her supposed depression. Betty won’t be changing her hair again anytime soon after this fiasco in “WHAT THE DO DID.” On the eve of his 25th anniversary at Riverdale High School, Coach Kleats recounts some of the highs and lows of his career only to reveal that obstacles often come from within.
SCRIPT: Craig Boldman
ARTIST: Stan Godlberg
COVER: Fernando Ruiz
Shipping Date: 9/28/11
On Sale at Comic Shops:10/12/11
Newsstands: Week of/2011
Digest, 160 pgs, 30 lb newsprint, Full-Color
$3.99 US
GRAPHIC NOVELS:
ARCHIE FRESHMAN YEAR BOOK 2
Archie and his friends have forever been chronicled in the latter portion of their high school journey, but after many long years, the story of how “the gang” all met up was finally told in the first volume of Archie Freshman Year Book 1: The High School Chronicles. But that wasn’t the whole story!
In this second volume, Eisner-winning writer Batton Lash answers more questions that fans have been asking for decades about the early years of life at Riverdale High. See what happens when Jughead and his family move, Betty and Veronica become internet celebrities, and Reggie breaks out and finds himself a new group of “Pals ‘n’ Gals.” Catch Chuck’s first real foray into the world of comics and find out whatever happened to Pencilneck G.
SCRIPT: Batton Lash
ARTIST: Bill Galvan, Al Milgrom
COLORS: Glenn Whitmore
Direct Market On-sale: 9/7/2011
6 x 9” Trade Paperback 128 pgs
978-1-8797-9471-9
$9.95 US
ARCHIE: THE MARRIED LIFE BOOK 1
This giant graphic novel collects from Life with Archie Magazine 1-6 the most critically acclaimed storyline in Archie Comics history, following two separate paths for Archie as a newlywed if he had married Betty Cooper or if he had married Veronica Lodge. Archie Marries Betty features the newlyweds as they move to the city to pursue their dreams and are faced with seemingly endless disasters engineered by a sinister figure from the past, and also includes the moving story of the death of their former teacher Miss Grundy. Archie Marries Veronica showcases the newlywed couple struggling to balance business and conscience while trying to keep Mr. Lodge’s sensibilities from destroying their ideals, their hometown – and their marriage. Find out what happens to all of your favorite Riverdale characters! Based on an outline by Emmy® award-winning Batman producer Michael Uslan, written by comic book veteran Paul Kupperberg and featuring the fluid and lush artwork of longtime Batman artist Norm Breyfogle.
SCRIPT: Michael Uslan, Paul Kupperberg
ARTIST: Norm Breyfogle, Andrew Pepoy, Joe Rubenstein
COLORS: Glenn Whitmore
Direct Market On-sale: 9/14/2011
6 5/8 x 10 3/16” Trade Paperback 320 pgs
978-1-9369-7501-3
$19.99 US
BEST OF ARCHIE COMICS DELUXE EDITION
This gigantic 432-page hardcover edition is an essential introduction to new readers and a must-have companion for longtime Archie fans, featuring the best Archie tales in a beautiful full-size volume. Includes classic tales covering every decade of Archie’s history from some of the biggest creative names in the company’s history, including Bob Montana, Harry Lucey, Dan DeCarlo, Samm Schwartz, Stan Goldberg, Dan Parent and more. Hand-picked by Archie historians and experts, the stories collected in The Best of Archie Comics Deluxe Edition take readers on a veritable pop culture tour of America, from the World War II era to the swingin’ 60s to the present – including anecdotes, memories, historical highlights, exclusive content and more from Archie creators. This large hardcover deluxe edition is printed on quality paper and contains an additional 16 pages of extras not found in the smaller digest paperback version. The Best of Archie Comics Deluxe Edition is the flagship title of Archie’s 70th anniversary and will receive intense publicity, marketing and sales support through 2012.
Various authors/illustrators
Direct Market On-sale: 9/28/2011
6 5/8 x 10 3/16” Hardcover 432 pgs
978-1-9369-7502-0
$29.99 US
MEGA MAN – VOLUME ONE “LET THE GAMES BEGIN”
MEGA MAN is the hit new action-adventure series from Archie Comics! Dr. Light wanted to build a better tomorrow with his new Robot Masters, but the evil Dr. Wily reprogrammed them to take over the world! Now it’s up to one little robot to save us all – MEGA MAN! Don’t miss the first heroic adventures of Rock, a simple helper robot who takes up the fight for the greater good! This volume contains Rock’s transformation into Mega Man, his first battles with the famous Robot Masters, and his titanic clash with Dr. Wily!
MEGA MAN VOL. 1 collects MEGA MAN #1-4 plus variant covers, exclusive sketches and special features!
SCRIPT: Ian Flynn
ARTIST: Patrick “SPAZ” Spaziante, Chad Thomas, Ben Bates, Jamal Peppers, Rick Bryant, Gary Martin, John Workman and Matt Herms
COVER: Patrick “SPAZ” Spaziante
Direct Market On-sale: 9/14/2011
978-1-8797-9485-6
5 x 7 3/8” Trade Paperback 112 pgs
$11.95 US
SONIC ARCHIVES VOL.16
The best-selling SONIC ARCHIVES graphic novel series continues! The hunt for the evil Ixis Naugus goes into full swing as Sonic and his best friend Tails continue the World Tour Saga! Can the power of friendship overrule the wills of interdimensional machine-gods? What is the sinister secret of Sand Blast City? And are those duck-bill platypus warriors riding crododiles?! You won’t want to miss all of the first time appearances for characters like the Iron King and Queen, Jack Rabbit and his Sand Blast Freedom Fighters, and the debut of the Secret Service!
SONIC ARCHIVES VOLUME 16 collects SONIC THE HEDGEHOG #59-62 featuring digitally re-mastered art and special features!
SCRIPT AND ARTIST: Various
COVER: Patrick “SPAZ” Spaziante
978-1-8797-9479-9
5 x 7 3/8” Trade Paperback 112 pgs
$7.95 US
SONIC UNIVERSE – VOLUME ONE
“THE SHADOW SAGA”
Enter the SONIC UNIVERSE with the first ever Graphic Novel collection of the new hit comic series! SHADOW THE HEDGEHOG, the dark and grim Ultimate Lifeform, embarks on his first mission for the Guardian Units of the Nation! He will travel across time and space, fighting deadly killer robots and facing down beings of god-like power! SONIC UNIVERSE VOL. 1 collects the entire “Shadow Saga” storyline from Sonic Universe #1-4 plus exclusive sketches and special features!
SCRIPT: Ian Flynn
ARTIST: Tracy Yardley!, Jim Amash, Teresa Davidson and Jason Jensen
COVER: Patrick “SPAZ” Spaziante
978-1-8797-9486-3
5 x 7 3/8” Trade Paperback 112 pgs
$11.95 US