Betty & Veronica Double Digest #151 came out last month and issue #152 comes out this week. In between parts 1 and 2 of "Bad Boy Trouble" artist Steven Butler answered questions submitted directly from Archie Comics fans. The answers can be heard at www.archiecomics.com/interviews/interviews.html as part of the Archie Comics Podcast program.
i picked up a new archie comic today and not only did i not care for the new look in archie comics but i was shocked at the unhealthy body image the new style is giving their young readers!!!! The new style seems to be a rip off of Magna comics and not archie comics. I would like to know if the new style will at all be permant and will be replacing the old style, so i know if i need to start looking for a new comic to read, because i am appalled at the new design and disappionted in archie comics because they used to be a good role model for kids.
Archie Comics is experimenting with a new look: a realistic art style. Talk and hype have both ridden high about this for a couple years now, and the first one finally turned up today. It's not what it's cracked up to be.
The art is interesting, certainly, but more from the appeal to novelty (what will your favorite character look like in this new style?) than any particular talent or innovation -- and the novelty is over within a few pages. Steven Butler also would have done well to make up his mind whether he was drawing a manga, an American dramatic or "soap opera" comic, or the original Archie style. The mishmash of the three doesn't serve him well. Some of the characterizations were actually changed quite a bit in the art as well. He neglects Veronica's normal careless poses entirely, for example, which gives a very different feel to her personality.
Melanie J. Morgan ought to have been replaced by or passed over in favor of a writer who likes Archie comics; she clearly does not. The stories have always been built on stereotypes, but her dialogue has moved into the realm of what one would expect from a parody of the characters instead. The story itself seemed slightly heavier than the normal plots, with the new 'bad boy' in town actually breaking rules or laws instead of simply getting into mostly innocent mischief.
There might be a little redeeming value in reading this imagining it as something entirely separate from Archie (it practically is), but as an Archie comic, it leaves a lot to be desired.
Abby,
Don't worry the art is just for the 4 part story. It will be nothing but classic Archie style in Betty & Veronica Double Digest 155. We do try new things from time to time. Little Archie, Katy Keene and Sabrina are also done in a different styles. So we will try new things from time to time. But nothing will replace classic Archie.
Abby,don't worry!The makeover is only for a 4 part story!It's not like it's gonna be like that forever!I am shocked at it too! The body art is way too unhealthy!But,praytell I will keep reading Archie comics no matter what!Even if they have a bunch of makeovers i will keep collecting!In fact,i am buying the 4 part series already!The rest of the book shows classic Archie all the way!