Ah career planning, that dreaded time in every teen’s life where they have to decide where to go after high school. In this tale, it seems that Juggie is contemplating the life of a fireman. That’s all well and good, but I believe Jughead is fighting his destiny by not being a restaurateur. In Life with Archie, he’s a great cook in not one, but two possible futures! Oh well, to each his own. Along with the lead story, you get a total of 160 pages of Jughead goodness. Check out the preview, if you like what you see, your local comic shop is just a phone call away…

JUGHEAD DOUBLE DIGEST #170
“Food for Thought” and “A Matter of Taste”
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? Finally in a “Matter of Taste” Jughead accompanies Betty and Archie to the county fair. While he was there he decides the food booths are much more fun than the games, until he finds a way to combine the two.
SCRIPT: George Gladir, Mike Pellowski
ARTIST: Pat Kennedy, Mike DeCarlo, Bob Bolling, Jim Amash,
COVER: Pat Kennedy
Shipping Date: 5/4/2011
On Sale at Comic Shops: 5/18/2011
Newsstands: Week of: 5/24/2011
Comic, 32 pgs, 40 lb. glossy stock, Full-Color
$2.99 US

To find a comic shop near you, call 1-888-comicbook or visit ComicShopLocator.com

In this issue: Betty takes a big step to being Riverdale’s hottest librarian (just ask Reggie), and then B&V try to convince Nancy not to be a stereotype. I kid of course. The book is full of laughs and jokes, and stories. Despite the solicitation text below, I am rather sure that since this is a double digest the page count is actually 160 pages. Now, if they could just do something with that incredibly cumbersome title…

B&V FRIENDS DOUBLE DIGEST #214
“Librarians on the Loose” and “Jumping to Conclusions”
Did you ever think librarians were boring people? In “Librarians on the Loose,” Betty discovers it’s not just about checking in and out books! Join Betty and Dilton as they take on a globe trotting mission to collect old and valuable books! Finally in “Jumping to Conclusions,” Betty, Veronica and their friend Nancy find out all the cool stuff they did as kids isn’t as easy when you’re a teenager. In fact, it could be dangerous!
SCRIPT: Bill Golliher, Mike Pellowski
ARTIST: Stan Goldberg, Jeff Shultz, Rich Koslowski
COVER: Pat Kennedy
Shipping Date: 5/4/2011
On Sale at Comic Shops: 5/18/2011
Newsstands: Week of 5/24/2011
Comic, 32 pages, 40 lb. glossy stock, Full-Color
$2.99 US

Now this is going to be fun. It turns out Archie and Jughead are brothers (kind of)! Will Jug eat Mr. Andrews out of house and home, or will Mr. Andrews & Mr. Jones team up their Snidely Whiplash style mustaches and bring the hammer down on their disrespectful sons?  Who knows, but based on this preview, it’s going to be hilarious. Enjoy!

JUGHEAD #207
“In the Family” – Part 1
When Jughead moves in with Archie, he not only brings Hot Dog but he brings all the problems that made him leave his own home! How will Mr. Andrews react to losing his favorite chair to a dog and having a freezer full of dog treats that he accidentally eats?
SCRIPT: Craig Boldman
ARTIST: Rex Lindsey
COVER: Fernando Ruiz
Shipping Date: 5/4/2011
On Sale at Comic Shops: 5/18/2011
Newsstands: Week of 5/24/2011
Comic, 32 pgs, 40 lb. glossy stock, Full-Color
$2.99 US

I reviewed the last issue of this book, and it wasn’t half bad. That’s the only thing willing to give this one a shot. I love Archie, but Justin Beaver, really? It is kind of clever how the made the R in his logo look like a beaver’s tail. Still, it’s an anthropomorphic representation of Justin Bieber as as frakking beaver! Well, I shouldn’t judge before I read the whole story, but knee-jerk reactions and the internet go hand in hand. At any rate, check out the preview and draw your own conclusions!

ARCHIE & FRIENDS #155
“Little Archie Pets” Part 2 – “EEEE-Ger Beaver”
The pet adventure concludes! Sabrina’s cat Salem has given all the gang’s pets the power to communicate with one another. As the Power Pets enjoy a day at the zoo they are treated to a concert featuring Justin Beaver who is an instant sensation for both pets and owners alike!
SCRIPT: Angelo DeCesare
ARTIST: Fernando Ruiz
COVER: Fernando Ruiz
Shipping Date: 5/4/2011
On Sale at Comic Shops: 5/18/2011
Newsstands: Week of 5/24/2011
Comic, 32 pages, 40 lb. glossy stock, Full-Color
$2.99 US

I have been waiting for this book ever since it was announced at New York Comic-Con. Today, not only did the standard first look come out, but there is also a really cool motion comic-style trailer. The art and coloring on these are amazing! It looks like the official character art by Capcom in comic form! I’ll admit that I am not a fan of the writer/artist team on this book, not being a fan of the Sonic books. I’m willing to give it the benefit of the doubt though, and you should too. If you’ve ever played a Mega Man game, you may already know the story, but even so, the obvious care taken in this book is infectious! If you want to get in on the ground floor, Archie is offering a subscription on their site. For now, enjoy the Super Fighting Robot goodness!

MEGA MAN #1
“Let the Games Begin!” Part One: The future looks bright when brilliant and benevolent Dr. Light unveils his latest creations: the Robot Masters! But when the nefarious Dr. Wily steals them for his own sinister purposes, there is no one left to stop him. No one – except Mega Man! Don’t miss the first issue of this brand new ongoing series!
SCRIPT: IAN FLYNN
ARTIST: PATRICK “SPAZ” SPAZIANTE, JOHN WORKMAN, MATT HERMS
COVER: PATRICK “SPAZ” SPAZIANTE
1 IN 5 SKETCH VARIANT COVER: CHAD THOMAS
Shipping Date: 4/27/2011
On Sale at Comic Shops: 5/4/2011
Newsstands: Week of 5/17
Comic, 32 pages, 40 lb. glossy stock, Full-Color
$2.99 US

The “Adventures in the Wonder Realm” is coming to a close! I’ve mentioned before how much I’ve enjoyed Archie and pals pretty much playing fully realized versions of old Nintendo games. This one is no exception. Just in the preview pages it looks like there’s a version of Ice Climber! The preview pages actually have some really funny jokes this time around.  Who knew that Jughead was just as much of a peeper as Archie? Anyway, check it out and I hope you dig it. Maybe this issue will reveal what Jughead’s “S” stands for? Probably not, but it is odd that everyone where’s their first initial except for Jug…

ARCHIE & FRIENDS DOUBLE DIGEST #5
““Adventures in the Wonder Realm” Part 5
The thrilling conclusion to Archie’s Adventures in the Wonder Realm is here! As Archie, Jughead, Betty, Veronica and their new friend Cheroby desperately fight to get home, they must cross dangerous lands and battle terrifying creatures. This all leads up to the final showdown with the dreaded Black Knight!
SCRIPT: STEPHEN OSWALD
ARTIST: JOE STATON, AL MILGROM
COVER: JOE STATON, AL MILGROM
Shipping Date: 4/27/2011
On Sale at Comic Shops: 5/4/2011
Newsstands: Week of 5/17/2011
Digest, 160 pgs, 30 lb newsprint, Full-Color
$3.99 US

Casting Betty & Veronica as teen spies is a pretty inspired move, and I am sure this will be an enjoyable story, but I wanted to point out something I’ve noticed. Dilton Doiley is kind of all-powerful in the world of Riverdale. Think about it, not only is he a certified genius, but he also knows the secrets of everyone in the entire town. If he ever decided to use his powers for evil, he could ruin the lives of all of our friends in Riverdale. Thankfully, he seems content to keep his secrets and help out his pals. I wouldn’t cross him, though. At any rate, enjoy the preview!

VERONICA #206
“Spy Girls – Back in Action” Part 1
Part one of a two part spy crossover! Pranks and bad behavior are running wild in Riverdale! Agents Betty and Veronica soon discover the problems could be caused by coded messages hidden on the popular kids show Funtime USA! And the main culprit looks to be a lovable clown named Klutzy. Things look to get worse when Funtime USA makes a live stop in Riverdale! Continues next month in BETTY #192.
SCRIPT: DAN PARENT
ARTIST: DAN PARENT
COVER: DAN PARENT
Shipping Date: 4/27/2011
On Sale at Comic Shops: 5/4/2011
Newsstands: Week of 5/17/2011
Comic, 32 pgs, 40 lb. glossy stock, Full-Color
$2.99 US

Archie gave us a first look for another upcoming trade paperback, which in my opinion is pretty cool. Good ol’ Chuck Clayton is working at Riverdale’s Pep Comics (a cool bit of self-reference there), when all of a sudden, a meteor shower hits the town, and the shop itself! Instead of getting Tom Welling moping around for 10 seasons, we get comic characters come to life! I didn’t read these when they were originally serialized, but I know that among the characters to show up are the Red Circle/MLJ/Archie/Whatever they’re called now super heroes! The Web, the Shield, the Comet… too cool! I’ll be picking this one up, and so should you. Even though the story only just starts in these preview pages, the self-referential humor was enough to get me hooked!

NIGHT AT THE COMIC SHOP
“Comic Cosmosis,” “Comic Cosmosis” Part 2, “Meteor Madness” and “Interdimensional Insanity”
Something strange is going on in the basement of PEP Comics! When portals from other dimensions begin to appear and open, what comes out is a who’s who of classic characters! Join Sam Hill, Bentley of Scotland Yard, Gloomy Gus and Super Duck and other classic characters from Archie Comics past as they arrive in Riverdale to see new things and have new adventures. But the problem is these characters don’t want to leave Riverdale and if they stay it will be nothing but trouble!
SCRIPT: FERNANDO RUIZ
ARTIST: FERNANDO RUIZ, BILL GALVAN, AL MILGROM, JIM AMASH
COVER: FERNANDO RUIZ
Shipping Date: 4/18/2011
On Sale at Comic Shops: 5/4/2011
Soft Cover, 6”x9”, 128 pgs, glossy stock, Full-Color
$9.95 US

This is pretty cool.  A few months ago, Archie was running a story where Archie finds himself inadvertently becoming a super spy! Now that admittedly great story is collected in trade form! You can thrill to the adventures of the Man from R.I.V.E.R.D.A.L.E. as he takes on Mad Doctor Doom (not the one you’re thinking of). Get a little skeeved out when mistress of disguise, Sharry, the Spy Girl disguises herself as Miss Beazley! Trust me on this, the preview pages below doesn’t even scratch the surface of the fun the story contains.  Take a look!

THE MAN FROM R.I.V.E.R.D.A.L.E.
“The Blackest (and Bluest) Day,”“R.I.V.E.R.D.A.L.E Dissembled,” “The Crisis At Riverdale High” and “The Walking Dazed”
When Archie’s cousin Andrew comes to Riverdale there’s never a dull moment! And on this visit, he’s not alone! The villainous Mad Doctor Doom and his organization C.R.U.S.H have targeted the students of Riverdale High with a devious plan to turn them into the Walking Dazed! But when Andrew gets captured it’s up to Archie and his agents of R.I.V.E.R.D.A.L.E. to stop the spread of Formula Z, rescue Andrew and help capture the mysterious Sharry, the Spy Girl.
SCRIPT: TOM DEFALCO
ARTIST: FERNANDO RUIZ, RICH KOSLOWSKI
COVER: FERNANDO RUIZ, RICH KOSLOWSKI
Shipping Date: 4/4/2011
On Sale at Comic Shops: 4/20/2011
Soft Cover, 6”x9”, 128 pgs, glossy stock, Full-Color
$9.95 US

The upcoming Archie Double Digest is an interesting one, in that it features Big Moose, who usually isn’t what you’d call a proactive character. It seems he’s taking a stand for something, which kind of echoes his potential future as Mayor of Riverdale, as seen in Life with Archie. You also get a story featuring Archie bending Pop Tate’s ear like he was a bartender. All this and more (160 pages worth) are coming your way wrapped in a great cover by Dan Parent. Reserve your copy today!

ARCHIE DOUBLE DIGEST #218
“The Strong Silent Type” and “Problems Galore”
Developers have targeted Moose’s favorite fishing hole for a large building project! In “The Strong Silent Type,” the usually quiet Moose begins a silent protest and everyone takes notice! Then in “Problem’s Galore,” Archie begins to sink under the weight of all his concerns. But when they all get fixed after winning a contest, why is he still moping around? Also includes a number of classic Archie stories!
SCRIPT: PAUL KUPPERBERG, GEORGE GLADIR
ARTIST: STAN GOLDBERG, AL MILGROM, BOB BOLLING, JIM AMASH
COVER: DAN PARENT
Shipping Date: 4/20/2011
On Sale at Comic Shops: 4/27/2011
Newsstands: Week of 5/10/2011
Digest, 160 pgs, 30 lb newsprint, Full-Color
$3.99 US