The Archie people were gracious enough to send us the solicitiations of the books they’re shipping in August. There is some interesting stuff coming down the pike. A few standouts include The Best of Archie softcover, a cheap trade with a bunch of classic stories inside with a whopping 416 pages! We also have the return of The Man for R.I.V.E.R.D.A.L.E. For video game fans, we see the continuation of the Sonic: Genesis storyline which continues to have awesome throwback covers. Over in Mega Man, we get the first appearance of Time Man, who previously had only shown up in the Mega Man: Powered Up game for the PSP. These things along with the usual Archie suspects means we’re going to have an Absolutely Alliterative Amazing Archie August!
ARCHIE #624 “GEEK FACE-OFF!”
Dilton reunites with his former best friend from tech camp, Mark Zuckerberg, to dispute his right to Facebook in court. Even though the judge rules in Dilton’s favor, the Blossom twins own 99% of the profits. Once the air is cleared, Dilton and Mark are friends again and the tide has turned in their favor.
SCRIPT: Dan Parent
ARTIST: Dan Parent, Jack Morelli
COVER: Dan Parent
Shipping Date: 8/10/2011
On Sale at Comic Shops: 8/24/2011
Newsstands: Week of 8/30/2011
Comic, 32 pgs, 40 lb. glossy stock, Full-Color
$2.99 US
ARCHIE & FRIENDS #157
“THE MAN FROM R.I.V.E.R.D.A.L.E. – THE NOSE KNOWS!” & “ENTER THE DEMON”
P.O.P. operatives A.R.C.H.I.E., R.E.G.G.I.E., and J.U.G.H.E.A.D. face off against the infamous C.R.U.S.H. agent Dr. Nose after he subdues Pop and captures V.E.R.O.N.I.C.A. In this thrilling story, the gang must battle explosive robots and corporate espionage to save the day! Dr. Demon is up to no good again in “Enter the Demon,” but can he get to Lodge Industries’ secret weapon before P.O.P. does?
SCRIPT: Frank Doyle
ARTIST: Bob White, Mario Acquaviva, Sal Contrera
COVER: Bob White
Shipping Date: 8/3/2011
On Sale at Comic Shops: 8/17/2011
Newsstands: Week of 8/23/2011
Comic, 32 pages, 40 lb. glossy stock, Full-Color
$2.99 US
ARCHIE & FRIENDS DOUBLE DIGEST #8
“PUREHEART THE POWERFUL EVILHEART’S REVENGE”
Who would have thought Reggie could get any worse than he already is? Archie’s Pureheart is faced with the battle of his life when Evilheart faces off against him to win the affections of Betty and Veronica.
SCRIPT: Frank Doyle
ARTIST: Bob White, Mario Acquaviva
COVER: Barry Grossman
Shipping Date: 8/10/2011
On Sale at Comic Shops: 8/24/2010
Newsstands: Week of 8/23/2011
Digest, 160 pages, 30 lb. newsprint, Full-Color
$3.99 US
ARCHIE DOUBLE DIGEST #221
“BALL IN THE HALL,” “COMP-EATING,” “E-CON-NOMICS,” & “PHONE A FRIEND”
In “Ball in the Hall,” Archie and Sayid search the school for the prankster behind the dangerous bouncing ball. Jughead races through a hotdog contest in “Comp-Eating” only to walk away when he’s almost at the finish line. Even though Archie wants to win, ol’ Jughead is in it for something else entirely. It’s hard to make it in the comics business, and as Chuck and Archie learn in “E-Con-Nomics,” you have to stay away from the merchandise if you hope to profit from your own. Be careful, Archie. With the arrival of his new smart phone/“best friend” in “Phone a Friend,” it might not be long before there’s no one left in Riverdale to call.
SCRIPT: Tom DeFalco, J. Torres
ARTIST: Gisele, Pat Kennedy
COVER: Pat Kennedy
Shipping Date: 8/3/2011
On Sale at Comic Shops: 8/17/2011
Newsstands: Week of 8/23/2011
Digest, 160 pgs, 30 lb newsprint, Full-Color
$3.99 US
B&V FRIENDS DOUBLE DIGEST #217
“That Suits Me Fine!”
A day at the beach for Betty and Veronica quickly turns into a fashion competition when Betty’s homemade swimsuit grabs all the attention. With Veronica left in the shadows, she decides to reverse the situation and creates a bathing suit of her own. Too bad no one told Ronnie glue is not an acceptable substitute for needle and thread before she ran into the ocean.
SCRIPT: Mike Pellowski
ARTIST: Fernando Ruiz, Jim Amash, Barry Grossman
COVER: Dan DeCarlo
Shipping Date: 8/17/2011
On Sale at Comic Shops: 8/31/2011
Newsstands: Week of 9/6/2011
Digest, 160 pgs, 30 lb newsprint, Full-Color
$3.99 US
BETTY & VERONICA #255
“BEACH BLANKET BASH-UP,” “CHISEL FIZZLE,” & “THE BEST OF BUDS”
The heat is on! Betty and Veronica go head to head in a contest that will decide who wins Archie’s fiery affections. Round after round the girls battle it out to find that sometimes working against each other has worse consequences than a volleyball loss. Sometimes, the best art is created when you least expect it. In “Chisel Fizzle,” Betty and Veronica help ‘the next Michelangelo’ with his craft. Finally, in “The Best of Buds,” Archie’s #1 girls take a trip down memory lane and recall what makes them the best of friends.
SCRIPT: Paul Kupperberg, Craig Boldman, George Gladir
ARTIST: Jeff Shultz, Jim Amash
COVER: Fernando Ruiz
Shipping Date: 8/10/2011
On Sale at Comic Shops: 8/24/2011
Newsstands: Week of 8/30/2011
Comic, 32 pages, 40 lb. glossy stock, Full-Color
$2.99 US
BETTY & VERONICA DOUBLE DIGEST #194
“THE BIG PUZZLE” & “RUNNING GAG”
While Veronica is away fundraising for her country club’s charity, Betty will try for all the time she can with Archie. But poor Betty is alone again once Veronica sees photographs of their adventures and steals him back for an event honoring her. In “RUNNING GAG,” Betty and Veronica take some much needed nature time to hike and stay fit but after learning of a bear sighting, their walk is anything but relaxing.
SCRIPT: George Gladir, Mike Pellowski
ARTIST: Pat Kennedy
COVER: Fernando Ruiz
Shipping Date: 8/31/2011
On Sale at Comic Shops: 9/14/2011
Newsstands: Week of 9/20/2011
Digest, 160 pgs, 30 lb newsprint, Full-Color
$3.99 US
JUGHEAD #209
“BUILDING A BETTER JUGHEAD”
Jughead and Moose make an unlikely team, but when Jughead needs a place to stay, he finds a soft bed, and some hard exercise at Moose’s house. It’s too bad sharing their conflicting routines means bruises and weight gain.
SCRIPT: Craig Boldman
ARTIST: Rex Lindsey
COVER: Fernando Ruiz, Rich Koslowski
Shipping Date: 8/31/2011
On Sale at Comic Shops: 9/14/2011
Newsstands: Week of 9/20/2011
Comic, 32 pgs, 40 lb. glossy stock, Full-Color
$2.99 US
JUGHEAD DOUBLE DIGEST #173
“BFFs…NOT!” and “Food for Thought”
Jughead and Veronica are at it again. In “BFFs…NOT,” they learn that the most turbulent friendships can find a common ground – even if it’s by insulting each other. In “Food for Thought,” Jughead tries to decide what he wants to do for a career. How does his decision bring together two business rivals?
SCRIPT: Paul Kupperberg, Mike Pellowski
ARTIST: Tod Smith, Jim Amash, & Barry Grossman
COVER: Tod Smith, Fabio Redivo
Shipping Date: 8/17/2011
On Sale at Comic Shops: 8/31/2011
Newsstands: Week of: 9/6/2011
Digest, 160 pgs, 30 lb. newsprint, Full-Color
$3.99 US
LIFE WITH ARCHIE #13
“ARCHIE MARRIES VERONICA” & “ARCHIE MARRIES BETTY”
Dilton’s doctoral thesis reveals the existence of an infinite number of parallel realities while Archie’s reality is slowly crumbling around him. Veronica leaves him to find someone more suitable and Jughead finally finds a way to balance work at the Chocklit Shoppe and his marriage to Midge. An exonerated Reggie begins to think of his future, and it seems to include Betty! In “Archie Loves Betty,” Archie finds comfort in teaching and scouting musical talent for Ambrose’s club, the Chowhouse. All the while, Hiram Lodge’s world is dark when Veronica’s plane to their Paris office goes missing, allowing Fred Mirth to continue his dastardly scheme to take over Lodge Industries. Will Mr. Lodge mobilize fast enough to save his company, his daughter, and maybe the world?
SCRIPT: Craig Boldman
ARTIST: Rex Lindsey
COVER: Norm Breyfogle
Shipping Date: 8/31/2011
On Sale at Comic Shops: 9/14/2011
Newsstands: Week of 9/20/2011
Comic, pgs, lb. glossy stock, Full-Color
$3.99 US
MEGA MAN #5
“Time Keeps Slipping” Part One:
The evil Dr. Wily may be in jail, but that doesn’t mean the adventures are over for Mega Man! Federal agents are investigating Dr. Light for ties to the Robot Masters’ rampage while sinister figures lurk in the shadows. And why does Dr. Wily look so smug in his jail cell? Don’t miss the beginning of the newest Mega Man adventure! Featuring a painted cover by fan favorite artist Greg Horn!
SCRIPT: Ian Flynn
ARTIST: Chad Thomas, Rick Bryant, John Workman and Matt Herms
COVER: Greg Horn
VILLAIN VARIANT COVER: by Patrick “Spaz” Spaziante
Shipping Date: 8/24/2011
On Sale at Comic Shops: 9/7/2011
Newsstands: Week of 9/13/2011
Comic, 32 pgs, 40 lb. glossy stock, Full-Color
$2.99 US
SONIC THE HEDGEHOG #228
“Genesis” Part Three:
The most talked-about story in Sonic comic history continues as Sonic brings a curious new face into his adventures: Miles Prower, the boy genius! As Sonic and his friends continue the good fight against the evil Dr. Robotnik, the perils get more perilous, old memories begin to resurface, and the Death Egg orbits. Don’t miss the penultimate issue to this anniversary special event!
SCRIPT: Ian Flynn
ARTIST: Tracy Yardley!, Terry Austin, John Workman and Matt Herms
COVER: Patrick “Spaz” Spaziante
Shipping Date: 8/17/2011
On Sale at Comic Shops: 8/31/2011
Newsstands: Week of 9/6/2011
Comic, 32 pgs, 40 lb. glossy stock, Full-Color
$2.99 US
SONIC UNIVERSE #31
“Inside Job” Part Three:
Scourge the Hedgehog, evil doppelganger to Sonic, is half-way to his goal: put together a gang and bust out of Zone Jail! But first he’ll need to win the loyalty of two of the most dangerous members of the Destructix. If he can survive that, the rest is easy: fighting an army of Zone Cops and rival inmates!
SCRIPT: Ian Flynn.
ARTIST: Tracy Yardley!, Jim Amash, Phil Felix and Steve Downer
COVER: Tracy Yardley, Jim Amash & Matt Herms (After Spaz)
Shipping Date: 8/3/2011
On Sale at Comic Shops: 8/17/2011
Newsstands: Week of 8/23/2011
Comic, pgs, lb. glossy stock, Full-Color
$2.99 US
WORLD OF ARCHIE DOUBLE DIGEST #10
“LOVE ME BABY, MUMBAI” PART 2
In the conclusion of “LOVE ME BABY, MUMBAI,” Archie and the gang call it a wrap on Raj’s movie and learn that there are always two choices to make when it comes to love and compromise. Will Raj and Betty find romance or will their Bollywood flirtations end before they even begin?
SCRIPT: Tania del Rio
ARTIST: Bill Galvan
COVER: Bill Galvan, Al Milgrom
Shipping Date: 8/24/2011
On Sale at Comic Shops: 9/7/2011
Newsstands: Week of 9/13/2011
Digest, 160 pgs, 30 lb newsprint, Full-Color
$3.99 US
GRAPHIC NOVELS:
The Best of Archie Comics (softcover)
Various authors/illustrators
978-1-8797-9484-9
$9.99/$10.99CAN
5 ¼ x7 ½”
Trade Paperback
416 pp
Direct Market On-sale: 7/27/2011
An essential introduction to new readers and a must-have companion for longtime Archie fans – The Best of Archie Comics features the best Archie tales in a stunning 416-page full-color $9.99 volume.
For 70 years, Archie Comics has been a vital and constant presence in American entertainment and pop culture, selling over 1.5 billion comic books. Archie — the lovable Riverdale teen who constantly finds himself in funny, entertaining and action-packed situations, and his closest friends Betty, Veronica, Jughead and Reggie – continues to be the bestselling kid’s magazine line in North America at retail.
The Best of Archie Comics features classic tales from some of the biggest creative names in the company’s history, including Bob Montana, Harry Lucey, Dan DeCarlo, Sam Schwartz, Stan Goldberg, Dan Parent and more. Hand-picked by Archie historians and experts, the stories collected in The Best of Archie Comics 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.
The Best of Archie Comics is the flagship title of Archie’s 70th anniversary and will receive intense publicity, marketing and sales support through 2012.
Knuckles the Echidna Archives Vol. 1
Written by Ian Flynn, Illustrated by Patrick “Spaz” Spaziante
978-1-8797-9481-8
$9.95/$10.95CAN
5 x 7 3/8”
Trade Paperback
160 pp
Direct Market On-sale: 8/24/2011
Knuckles Archives is Archie’s new SEGA-licensed book series spun off of Archie’s #1 best-selling Sonic Archives line. Knuckles serves as a companion piece to Sonic Archives—each references the other when stories intertwine.
Published in the popular full-color digest format that has done so well in children’s graphic novel sections, this super-sized 160-page title collects comic books Sonic’s Friendly Nemesis: Knuckles #1-3 and Knuckles the Echidna #1-3.
Knuckles is a highly popular character in the Sonic universe. In this volume, dive in as Knuckles investigates the mysteries of his origins and the wonders of the Floating Island and tries to solve the riddle of Archimedes! Brace for the harrowing adventure as Knuckles comes face to face with the dreaded Dark Legion and has his first encounter with Enerjak.