September 2008 Archives

THE ARCHIES ROCK THE HOUSE... AND YOUR BOOKSHELF... IN THEIR FIRST COMIC BOOK RETROSPECTIVE!

Back in the 1960s, renowned record producer Don Kirschner was one of the driving forces behind the band The Monkees. The Monkees were put together as a response to the popularity of The Beatles, and were given a TV show whose style was a combination of Beatles' movies like "A Hard Day's Night" and "Help," with the madcap lunacy of such Marx Brothers' classics as "Duck Soup" and "A Night at the Opera." The Monkees' TV show was a big hit, and they naturally spun off a successful recording career as well, placing many songs into the Top 10. Originally, Kirschner presented The Monkees with songs written by other writers to record. However, little by little, they started to write and record their own songs, and eventually wanted to do original material altogether. When Kirschner asked them to record a song from one of his stable of writers called "Sugar Sugar," The Monkees refused, and parted ways with Kirschner.

Meanwhile, inspired by the runaway success of guitar-and-vocal groups like the Beatles, Byrds, Beach Boys and yes, The Monkees, The Archies band made their comic book debut in a 1967 issue of "Life with Archie." But that was only the beginning.

As Kirschner's search for a band to replace The Monkees continued, he noticed his child reading a comic book featuring "The Archies" band. It struck Kirschner that comic book characters couldn't give him a hard time by refusing to record the songs of others, so he made a deal with the publishers of Archie Comics and put together a band of studio musicians and dubbed them "The Archies."

Simultaneously, Archie Comics was in negotiations with the Filmation animation studio to start a series of Saturday morning Archie cartoons. It was decided to have The Archies band in the cartoons as well. THE ARCHIE SHOW premiered on the CBS network on September 14, 1968. An ARCHIES album followed shortly thereafter and the hit single, "Sugar Sugar," became the top-selling single of 1969. The rest, as they say, is musical history!

Now fans can relive that history with some of The Archies' most tuneful tales with THE ARCHIES: GREATEST HITS, VOLUME ONE. This handsome edition features painstaking restoration from original publishing elements, and a special foreword by Ron Dante, the famed singing voice of Archie and a successful singer-songwriter, musician and producer of such multi-platinum acts as Barry Manilow, Cher and Pat Benatar. It's music to any Archie fan's ears!

THE ARCHIES: GREATEST HITS VOLUME ONE
Shipping Date: December 3rd, 2008
On Sale at Comic Specialty Shops: December 10th, 2008
On Sale on Newsstands: December 23rd, 2008
96-page, full color squarebound paperback
ISBN #: 978-1-879794-37-5
Old ISBN #: 1-879-794-37-3
$9.95 US.

SPECIAL EARLY BLACK & WHITE PREVIEW

ACTUAL PRINTED PAGES WILL BE FULL COLOR...

ARCHIE & FRIENDS #124
THE FIRST PART OF A TWO-PART TALE BY POPULAR "WJHC" WRITER JANE SMITH FISHER!
"Battle of the Bands, Part One": The greatest comic book band in the world is out to prove its supremacy in the most decisive fashion possible: by winning a "Battle of the Bands" competition. This isn't just any contest - at stake is a first prize Tropical Island vacation! But two sour notes threaten their presumed victory: Veronica's selfishness and Reggie's mysterious disappearances. Can the band recover and end on a high note? A longtime advocate for kid's comics, writer Jane Smith Fisher has devoted her career to telling age-appropriate stories in series such as "Cybernauts" and the highly popular "WJHC," about a group of teens who start their own high school radio station. Jane has been embraced by librarians and schools across the nation. Now she brings her special voice for both young and female characters to Archie Comics in this rock 'n' rollin' storyline.
SCRIPT: Jane Smith Fisher.
ART: Stan Goldberg.
Shipping Date: October 1st, 2008
On Sale at Comic Specialty Shops: October 8th, 2008
On Sale on Newsstands: October 21st, 2008
32-page, full color comic
$2.25 US.

BETTY & VERONICA DIGEST #188
"There's No Place Like Riverdale": After reading her favorite "Oz" books once again, a bump on the head sends Betty traveling down the "yellow brick road" for real... sort of. Before too long she's running into witches that look like Veronica, tin men that look like Jughead and scarecrows that look like Archie!
SCRIPT AND ART: Dan Parent.
"Window of Opportunity": Staring out the window during class sends Betty's imagination soaring... but will it send her grades sinking?
SCRIPT: Mike Pellowski.
ART: Tim Kennedy.
PLUS: Other new and classic tales!
SCRIPT AND ART: Various talents.
BONUS: Puzzles, games and pin-ups!
Shipping Date: October 1st, 2008
On Sale at Comic Specialty Shops: October 8th, 2008
On Sale on Newsstands: October 21st, 2008
88-page, full color digest
$2.49 US.

JUGHEAD'S DOUBLE DIGEST #144
"Fool Pigeon": In an attempt to swing Veronica's attention away from Reggie's flashiness and back to him, Archie hopes to romance her with love notes from a homing pigeon. Of course, there's no guarantee the bird will deliver the message to the intended recipient!
SCRIPT AND ART: Fernando Ruiz.
"The Expert Supreme": In order to not be noticed making multiple trips to the food sample area of the discount warehouse store, Jughead does the unthinkable: he appears in public without his trademark crown cap!
SCRIPT: George Gladir.
ART: Fernando Ruiz.
"Too Much is Not Enough": Both Jughead and Archie plan to indulge themselves this weekend - Jughead with a smorgasbord of food, and Archie with a bevy of beauties to date!
SCRIPT: Kathleen Webb.
ART: Pat Kennedy.
PLUS: Other new and classic tales!
SCRIPT AND ART: Various talents.
BONUS: Puzzles, games and pin-ups!
Shipping Date: October 1st, 2008
On Sale at Comic Specialty Shops: October 8th, 2008
On Sale on Newsstands: October 21st, 2008
176-page, full color digest
$3.69 US.

SONIC THE HEDGEHOG #193
"Otherside Part One": Good comes face-to-face with evil... and it's just like looking in a mirror as Sonic and the Freedom Fighters square off against their evil doppelgangers from another world! With King Scourge (the evil anti-Sonic from another dimension) and the Suppression Squad controlling Freedom HQ, Sonic and Amy are sent across time and space to Moebius... the Anti-Mobius, that is! They run into some familiar faces in this topsy-turvy world, but who is friend and who is foe? And back home, what sinister scheme is Miles hatching?
SCRIPT: Ian Flynn.
ART: Tracy Yardley! (pencils) and Jim Amash (inks).
Double-trouble cover by Tracy Yardley! & Jason Jensen.
Shipping Date: October 1st, 2008
On Sale at Comic Specialty Shops: October 8th, 2008
On Sale on Newsstands: October 21st, 2008
32-page, full color comic
$2.25 US.

Back To School with Archie Comics!

This fall Archie Comics will reveal the never-before-told story of how Archie Andrews, Jughead, Reggie, Betty and Veronica first met and became friends their freshman year of high school.

Celebrate Freshman Year with Archie Comic artist Bill Galvan and learn layout techniques, as well as penciling and inking secrets to drawing your own comic book pages.

Kearns Public Library
Library Kearns Meeting Room
5350 South 4220 West, Kearns
Thursday - September 25th 2008
3:00 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.

Whitmore Library
Whitmore Library Meeting Room
2197 E. Fort Union Boulevard, Salt Lake City
Friday - September 26th 2008
3:00 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.

The City Library

Salt Lake Public Library Lower Urban Room
210 East 400 South, Salt Lake City
Friday - October 3rd 2008
3:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.

ARCHIE COMICS ARE THE SURE CURE FOR DECEMBER DOLDRUMS!

As you may have noticed by now, 2008 was the year Archie Comics pulled out all the stops with one intriguing storyline after another. From Alex Simmons' thrilling mysteries in the pages of ARCHIE & FRIENDS, to Jughead's and Moose & Midge's forays into the "realistic style" in JUGHEAD'S DOUBLE DIGEST and PALS-N-GALS DOUBLE DIGEST respectively, to the readers voting for Cheryl's new boyfriend in BETTY & VERONICA DOUBLE DIGEST, Archie readers have enjoyed plenty of stories that play up the classic personalities and relationships of everyone's favorite comic book teens!

Just because the year is ending doesn't mean the excitement is dying down. Archie Comics has several stories of note to keep you laughing and intrigued, and best of all on a cold winter's day, tales that will warm your heart as well! Remember, not only are Archie Comics the best holiday stocking stuffers, they're the perfect cure for December doldrums, too! Be sure to check out these awesome stories:

ARCHIE & FRIENDS #126
FAN-FAVORITE WRITER ALEX SIMMONS RETURNS FOR A FUN-FILLED, FOUR-PART TALE!
"The Cartoon Life of Chuck Clayton, Part One: Gnomes & Stick Figure Funnies": Chuck Clayton takes center stage in this special storyline. Chuck is asked to teach an after-school program in cartooning to elementary school kids... and it isn't long before he learns the kids can be more hyperactive than his doodles! Can Chuck ultimately connect with the kids and help them create the next comic book classics? Will his temporary teaching gig lead to bigger and better things, or is his tenure soon to be terminated? The answer's just a splash panel away! This new multi-part epic comes courtesy of someone who knows his way around both creating and teaching comics, namely acclaimed writer, children's art advocate, and organizer of the world's only "Kids' Comics" convention, Alex Simmons.
SCRIPT: Alex Simmons.
ART: Fernando Ruiz.
Shipping Date: December 3rd, 2008
On Sale at Comic Specialty Shops: December 10th, 2008
On Sale on Newsstands: December 23rd, 2008
32-page, full color comic
$2.25 US.

ARCHIE DIGEST #250
"The Archies in Beverly Hills": When pop star Jessica Simmers asks The Archies band to play her high school reunion, the teens are headed for the California sun! While there, they partake of the many Hollywood sights and meet other celebrities, too! This star-studded story comes courtesy of famed "pop archaeologist" and celebrity news columnist Hal Lifson.
SCRIPT: Hal Lifson.
ART: Rex Lindsey.
Cool-ifornia cover by Rex Lindsey, inspired by the famous Beatles' "Abbey Road" album cover!
Shipping Date: December 17th, 2008
On Sale at Comic Specialty Shops: December 24th, 2008
On Sale on Newsstands: January 6th, 2009
88-page, full color digest
$2.49 US.

BETTY & VERONICA #239
"Good Bye Paparazzi!": The paparazzi follow Veronica home to Riverdale from a movie premiere, and it isn't long before most of her friends are vogue-ing for the cameras, too! SCRIPT: Mike Pellowski. ART: Jeff Shultz.
Shipping Date: December 10th, 2008
On Sale at Comic Specialty Shops: December 17th, 2008
On Sale on Newsstands: December 30th, 2008
32-page, full color comic
$2.25 US.

BETTY & VERONICA DIGEST #190
"Coming to the U.S.A.": This poignant tale details Kumi and her family's arrival in the United States and their introduction to American life and culture. Not to mention Kumi's first day at Riverdale High and how she met Archie and his friends. It's a very special day for Archie Comics' newest superstar!
SCRIPT: Misako Rocks!
ART: Jeff Shultz.
Shipping Date: December 10th, 2008
On Sale at Comic Specialty Shops: December 17th, 2008
On Sale on Newsstands: December 30th, 2008
88-page, full color digest
$2.49 US.

BETTY & VERONICA DOUBLE DIGEST #167
"Get Out of Town": You can take Cheryl out of Riverdale, but you can't take Riverdale out of Cheryl... especially when Archie visits Pembroke to remind her!
SCRIPT AND ART: Dan Parent.
Shipping Date: December 31st, 2008
On Sale at Comic Specialty Shops: January 7th, 2009
On Sale on Newsstands: January 20th, 2009
176-page, full color digest
$3.69 US.

PALS-N-GALS DOUBLE DIGEST #127
THE THIRD PART OF A NEW FOUR-PART STORY IN THE "REALISTIC STYLE" - AND THIS TIME, MOOSE & MIDGE'S ROMANCE HANGS IN THE BALANCE!
"Breakup Blues, Part 3": The unbelievable has happened: Midge and Moose have broken up! Now Midge is seeing Reggie while Moose is dating Judy Johnson. Needless to say, the status quo of Riverdale High's circle of friends has been shaken, but the former couple's friends aren't giving up hope. In this latest installment, Betty and Archie have a plan to get Midge and Moose talking again. Will it bring the former lovebirds back together or drive a further wedge between them? They say the road to regret is paved with good intentions... are Betty and Archie just what the doctor ordered or have they gone too far? Now the stakes are higher, as not just romantic relationships but lifelong friendships hang in the balance! It's romantic intrigue served up in the "realistic" art style that made both Betty and Veronica's "Bad Boy Trouble" and Jughead's "Matchmakers" some of the most-talked about Archie stories in recent years! Veteran penciller Tod Smith and journeyman inker Al Milgrom carry on that popular style in what is sure to be the most explosive Archie Comics story of the year!
SCRIPT: Melanie J. Morgan.
ART: Tod Smith (pencils) and Al Milgrom (inks).
Shipping Date: December 3rd, 2008
On Sale at Comic Specialty Shops: December 10th, 2008
On Sale on Newsstands: December 23rd, 2008
176-page, full color digest
$3.69 US.

ARCHIE #589
THE FRESHMAN YEAR SAGA CONTINUES THIS ISSUE!
"Freshman Year: Winter Term": In the tradition of "Batman: Year One," "Superman: the Man of Steel" and the Marvel Ultimates comes the biggest Archie Comics event since the "Love Showdown!" The third full-length issue of the "Freshman Year" saga finds Archie reflecting on the term just past, pining over Veronica and lamenting how she went away during the holiday break. Hoping to stay close to Veronica, Archie joins the drama club - the perfect indoor activity during the frosty winter months. But being part of such a large club is hardly the way to gain exclusive quality time with Veronica. Will their reunion be everything Archie hopes, or will the eternal love triangle get off to a rollicking start with friction between Betty and Veronica instead? And will Moose ever be introduced to Midge? Other surprises in store for the gang this second term include some new faculty members as well as the departure of the expelled school bully, Jared McGerk. It's the funniest first year of high school ever, courtesy of fan-favorite writer Batton Lash of "Wolff & Byrd" and "Archie Meets the Punisher" fame, along with "Scrapyard Detectives" creator and popular Archie artist/writer Bill Galvan
SCRIPT: Batton Lash
ART: Bill Galvan
Shipping Date: September 17th, 2008
On Sale at Comic Specialty Shops: September 24th, 2008
On Sale on Newsstands: October 7th, 2008
32-recycled pages, full color comic
$2.25 US

After Jughead attended the National Buffalo Wing Festival , Jughead writer Craig Boldman showed up at the Festival to meet fans and sign copies of Jughead #190

Craig Boldman and signing autographs at the Buffolo Wing Festival

Craig Boldman and Dave Manny

Craig Boldman and Dave Manny

Craig Boldman and Karen Zelinsky

Craig Boldman chats with fans

and signs autographs

Craig Boldman and festival founder Drew Cerza

Photos: Jay Kuzara - National Buffalo Wing Festival

ARCHIE COMICS SHIPPING DECEMBER 2008

THE ARCHIES: GREATEST HITS VOLUME ONE
Everyone's heard the hit song "Sugar Sugar" and children of the 1970s remember The Archies band from Saturday morning cartoons, but did you know the band actually started in comic books? Inspired by the runaway success of guitar-and-vocal groups like the Beatles, Byrds and Beach Boys, The Archies made their debut in a 1967 issue of "Life with Archie." But that was only the beginning. Looking for a group to follow-up his mega-successful singing group and TV comedy sensations The Monkees, music producer Don Kirschner found the answer when he spotted The Archies in his child's comic book. It wasn't long before a group of studio musicians became The Archies "for real," and began recording music that would become bubblegum pop standards. Simultaneously, the first series of Saturday morning Archie cartoons was developed and it was decided to have The Archies band in the animation as well. THE ARCHIE SHOW premiered on the CBS network on September 14, 1968. An ARCHIES album followed shortly thereafter and the hit single, "Sugar Sugar," became the top-selling single of 1969. The rest, as they say, is musical history! Now fans can relive that history with some of The Archies' most tuneful tales. Features painstaking restoration from original publishing elements, and a special foreword by Ron Dante, the famed singing voice of Archie and a successful singer-songwriter, musician and producer of such multi-platinum acts as Barry Manilow, Cher and Pat Benatar.
Shipping Date: December 3rd, 2008
On Sale at Comic Specialty Shops: December 10th, 2008
On Sale on Newsstands: December 23rd, 2008
96-page, full color squarebound paperback
ISBN #: 978-1-879794-37-5
Old ISBN #: 1-879-794-37-3
$9.95 US.

ARCHIE #592
"The Demo": A salesmen tries to sell Archie and Jughead an interactive sports video game, but the teens consider acting out the action with the wireless device as just "going through the motions" compared to their real life memories.
SCRIPT: George Gladir.
ART: Stan Goldberg.
"Snow Woe": Will Archie and Chuck's entries in the winter photo contest wow the judges or be met with a "chilly" reception?
SCRIPT: George Gladir.
ART: Stan Goldberg.
"Trouble by the Foot": Klutzy Archie's clodhoppers have trampled everything in Lodge Mansion... including Mr. Lodge's feet!
SCRIPT: Craig Boldman.
ART: Stan Goldberg.
"A Touchy Subject": The gang contemplates what life would be like if everything could be accessed via touch screen.
SCRIPT: George Gladir.
ART: Stan Goldberg.
Shipping Date: December 17th, 2008
On Sale at Comic Specialty Shops: December 24th, 2008
On Sale on Newsstands: January 6th, 2009
32-page, full color comic
$2.25 US.

ARCHIE & FRIENDS #126
FAN-FAVORITE WRITER ALEX SIMMONS RETURNS FOR A FUN-FILLED, FOUR-PART TALE!
"The Cartoon Life of Chuck Clayton, Part One: Gnomes & Stick Figure Funnies": Chuck Clayton takes center stage in this special storyline. Chuck is asked to teach an after-school program in cartooning to elementary school kids... and it isn't long before he learns the kids can be more hyperactive than his doodles! Can Chuck ultimately connect with the kids and help them create the next comic book classics? Will his temporary teaching gig lead to bigger and better things, or is his tenure soon to be terminated? The answer's just a splash panel away! This new multi-part epic comes courtesy of someone who knows his way around both creating and teaching comics, namely acclaimed writer, children's art advocate, and organizer of the world's only "Kids' Comics" convention, Alex Simmons.
SCRIPT: Alex Simmons.
ART: Fernando Ruiz.
Shipping Date: December 3rd, 2008
On Sale at Comic Specialty Shops: December 10th, 2008
On Sale on Newsstands: December 23rd, 2008
32-page, full color comic
$2.25 US.

ARCHIE DIGEST #250
"The Archies in Beverly Hills": When pop star Jessica Simmers asks The Archies to play her high school reunion, the teens are headed for the California sun! While there, they partake of the many Hollywood sights and meet other celebrities, too! This star-studded story comes courtesy of famed "pop archaeologist" and celebrity news columnist Hal Lifson.
SCRIPT: Hal Lifson.
ART: Rex Lindsey.
"Any Port in a Storm": It's a cold winter night, and Archie must choose between the chewy, warm cookies at Betty's house, or the toasty, warm fireplace at Veronica's mansion!
SCRIPT: Kathleen Webb.
ART: Pat Kennedy.
PLUS: Other new and classic tales!
SCRIPT AND ART: Various talents.
SCRIPT AND ART: Puzzles, games and pin-ups!
Cool-ifornia cover by Rex Lindsey, inspired by the famous Beatles' "Abbey Road" album cover!
Shipping Date: December 17th, 2008
On Sale at Comic Specialty Shops: December 24th, 2008
On Sale on Newsstands: January 6th, 2009
88-page, full color digest
$2.49 US.

BETTY & VERONICA #239
"Good Bye Paparazzi!": The paparazzi follow Veronica home to Riverdale from a movie premiere, and it isn't long before most of her friends are vogue-ing for the cameras, too!
SCRIPT: Mike Pellowski.
ART: Jeff Shultz.
"Scrap Flap": Veronica has no interest whatsoever in Betty's new scrapbook hobby... until she meets the hunky scrapbook expert at the craft shop!
SCRIPT: Craig Boldman.
ART: Jeff Shultz.
"Dancing Fool": Inspired by a classic beach party movie, Veronica comes up with her own dance step guaranteed to make you flip... literally!
SCRIPT: Kathleen Webb.
ART: Jeff Shultz.
Shipping Date: December 10th, 2008
On Sale at Comic Specialty Shops: December 17th, 2008
On Sale on Newsstands: December 30th, 2008
32-page, full color comic
$2.25 US.

BETTY & VERONICA DIGEST #190
"Coming to the U.S.A.": This poignant tale details Kumi and her family's arrival in the United States and their introduction to American life and culture. Not to mention Kumi's first day at Riverdale High and how she met Archie and his friends. It's a very special day for Archie Comics' newest superstar!
SCRIPT: Misako Rocks!
ART: Jeff Shultz.
"Bedtime Story": A boy's camping trip leaves the girls without plans for the weekend... until they decide to have a slumber party! Of course, true to form, the party will involve every activity but "slumbering!"
SCRIPT: Mike Pellowski.
ART: Tim Kennedy.
PLUS: Other new and classic tales!
SCRIPT AND ART: Various talents.
SCRIPT AND ART: Puzzles, games and pin-ups!
Shipping Date: December 10th, 2008
On Sale at Comic Specialty Shops: December 17th, 2008
On Sale on Newsstands: December 30th, 2008
88-page, full color digest
$2.49 US.

BETTY & VERONICA DOUBLE DIGEST #167
"Get Out of Town": You can take Cheryl out of Riverdale, but you can't take Riverdale out of Cheryl... especially when Archie visits Pembroke to remind her!
SCRIPT AND ART: Dan Parent.
"Lucky Charmed Life": When Betty removes her "lucky" leprechaun figure from its safe hiding place, will it bring good fortune or misfortune?
SCRIPT: Mike Pellowski.
ART: Tim Kennedy.
"The Staff": Veronica has a new chauffeur, and it isn't long before her friends "drive" him crazy!
SCRIPT: George Gladir.
ART: Fernando Ruiz.
PLUS: Other new and classic tales!
SCRIPT AND ART: Various talents.
SCRIPT AND ART: Puzzles, games and pin-ups!
Shipping Date: December 31st, 2008
On Sale at Comic Specialty Shops: January 7th, 2009
On Sale on Newsstands: January 20th, 2009
176-page, full color digest
$3.69 US.

JUGHEAD'S DOUBLE DIGEST #146
"Worry Flurry": Mrs. Jones worries that her husband and Jughead aren't getting enough physical activity... and then worries some more over all the injuries and trouble such activity could cause!
SCRIPT: George Gladir.
ART: Jeff Shultz.
"Dishing It Out": A competition between school cafeteria managers allows Jughead to see Miss Beazly in action. Can her rival take the heat, or will she get out of the kitchen?
SCRIPT: Bill Golliher.
ART: Stan Goldberg.
"The Recycling Game": The gang figures out the perfect way to battle the recession and help the environment at the same time: recycle their cans and bottles for cash!
SCRIPT: George Gladir.
ART: Randy Elliott.
PLUS: Other new and classic tales!
SCRIPT AND ART: Various talents.
SCRIPT AND ART: Puzzles, games and pin-ups!
Shipping Date: December 10th, 2008
On Sale at Comic Specialty Shops: December 17th, 2008
On Sale on Newsstands: December 30th, 2008
176-page, full color digest
$3.69 US.

PALS-N-GALS DOUBLE DIGEST #127
THE THIRD PART OF A NEW FOUR-PART STORY IN THE "REALISTIC STYLE" - AND THIS TIME, MOOSE & MIDGE'S ROMANCE HANGS IN THE BALANCE!
"Breakup Blues, Part 3": The unbelievable has happened: Midge and Moose have broken up! Now Midge is seeing Reggie while Moose is dating Judy Johnson. Needless to say, the status quo of Riverdale High's circle of friends has been shaken, but the former couple's friends aren't giving up hope. In this latest installment, Betty and Archie have a plan to get Midge and Moose talking again. Will it bring the former lovebirds back together or drive a further wedge between them? They say the road to regret is paved with good intentions... are Betty and Archie just what the doctor ordered or have they gone too far? Now the stakes are higher, as not just romantic relationships but lifelong friendships hang in the balance! It's romantic intrigue served up in the "realistic" art style that made both Betty and Veronica's "Bad Boy Trouble" and Jughead's "Matchmakers" some of the most-talked about Archie stories in recent years! Veteran penciller Tod Smith and journeyman inker Al Milgrom carry on that popular style in what is sure to be the most explosive Archie Comics story of the year!
SCRIPT: Melanie J. Morgan.
ART: Tod Smith (pencils) and Al Milgrom (inks).
PLUS: Other new and classic tales!
SCRIPT AND ART: Various talents.
SCRIPT AND ART: Puzzles, games and pin-ups!
Shipping Date: December 3rd, 2008
On Sale at Comic Specialty Shops: December 10th, 2008
On Sale on Newsstands: December 23rd, 2008
176-page, full color digest
$3.69 US.

SABRINA THE TEENAGE WITCH #99
"The Final Battle, Part 2 of 3": The countdown to issue #100 continues! With the aid of their new allies, the Four Blades, Sabrina and her friends set out to battle the villainous Vosblanc. They journey to the main plaza of the Magic Realm only to find that the source of all magic, the Mana Tree, is dying. Not very good timing as the first wave of Vosblanc's followers attack! And just as he did before, Vosblanc tries to turn the entire Magic Realm against Sabrina and her friends. Their only hope is to convince everyone of the withered Mana Leaf's existence, but Vosblanc has other plans. With the situation more desperate than ever, it's up to Sabrina, now one of the most powerful magic users in the realm, to do the unimaginable to save it. Can she save the day or will life as she knows it be changed forever?
SCRIPT: Tania del Rio.
ART: Lindsey Cibos (pencils) and Jim Amash (inks).
Shipping Date: December 31st, 2008
On Sale at Comic Specialty Shops: January 7th, 2009
On Sale on Newsstands: January 20th, 2009
32-page, full color comic
$2.25 US.

SONIC X #40
"The End": A peaceful gathering of Sonic and his friends remains anything but when Shadow the Hedgehog and Metal Sonic crash the party - literally! Even Dr. Eggman is reeling in horror over the souped-up Metal Sonic, but that doesn't stop him from forming an alliance to attack the blue blur. Meanwhile, Shadow remains inextricably linked to Metal, the only one who can help him find his correct place in the universe. It's a mélange of friends, foes and overlapping alliances... and Sonic and his friends are caught in the middle! This issue's title is only the beginning, as it leads into a brand-new series called SONIC UNIVERSE that promises to chronicle the outcome of the Shadow and Metal Sonic conflict, as well as the further adventures of the entire Sonic-verse!
SCRIPT: Ian Flynn.
ART: David Hutchison (pencils) and Terry Austin (inks).
Double trouble cover by man-in-the-mirror Patrick "Spaz" Spaziante!
Shipping Date: December 17th, 2008
On Sale at Comic Specialty Shops: December 24th, 2008
On Sale on Newsstands: January 6th, 2009
32-page, full color comic
$2.25 US.

SONIC THE HEDGEHOG #195
"Hedgehog Havoc, Part One": It's the story fans have wished for for years: all your favorite hedgehogs together in one pulse-pounding epic that spans New Mobotropolis, Moebius, New Megaopolis and more! You'll thrill to the excitement as Shadow, Amy Rose, Rob O' the Hedge, King Scourge, Metal Sonic, and of course, Sonic the Hedgehog collide in this explosive tale that finds Scourge accelerating his assault against the Freedom Fighters and his hated enemy, Sonic. You simply cannot afford to miss this--after all, the outcome could result in long-lasting ramifications that could change everything forever!
SCRIPT: Ian Flynn.
ART: Tracy Yardley! (pencils) and Jim Amash (inks).
Hedgehogs-a-plenty cover by Tracy Yardley! & Jason Jensen.
Shipping Date: December 3rd, 2008
On Sale at Comic Specialty Shops: December 10th, 2008
On Sale on Newsstands: December 23rd, 2008
32-page, full color comic
$2.25 US.

TALES FROM RIVERDALE DIGEST #31
"Not Home Alone": Mr. Andrews can't wait to start working from home... but his work won't start until his distractions stop!
SCRIPT AND ART: Fernando Ruiz.
"Money Matters": Archie, Reggie and Moose fantasize what it would be like to be rich... but after observing Mr. Lodge they soon learn that the reality (namely, hard work) outweighs the fantasy!
SCRIPT: Mike Pellowski.
ART: Tim Kennedy.
Shipping Date: December 3rd, 2008
On Sale at Comic Specialty Shops: December 10th, 2008
On Sale on Newsstands: December 23rd, 2008
88-page, full color digest
$2.49 US.

VERONICA #192
"Kiss & Tell": Veronica's Aunt Lily gives her a necklace she claims is charmed... and it isn't long before Veronica is experiencing clairvoyant images while wearing it! Is the necklace merely magical, or is the magic all in Veronica's head?
SCRIPT AND ART: Dan Parent. "Career Sphere": Career Day at the school leads Veronica to imagine what life in the workplace would be like... with her as the boss, of course!
SCRIPT: George Gladir.
ART: Dan Parent.
Shipping Date: December 31st, 2008
On Sale at Comic Specialty Shops: January 7th, 2009
On Sale on Newsstands: January 20th, 2009
32-page, full color comic
$2.25 US.

BACK-LIST
RELIVE THE EARLY ADVENTURES OF THE SONIC X UNIVERSE!

Don't miss these early issues of the Sonic comic book series based on the hit Saturday morning cartoon show!

SONIC X #1
Eggman, Decoe and Bocoe are putting the lives of hundreds in danger -- including Sonic's friend Chris -- as they hatch an "explosive" scheme to empty the bank's vault. Sonic, Knuckles, Amy, Cheese and Tails must save the day...and things go from bad to worse as they attempt to recover a lost Chaos Emerald before Eggman gets his mitts on it. Worst still, the Chaos Emerald is at the bottom of the ocean and Sonic can't swim!
SCRIPT: Joe Edkin
ART: Tim Smith III and Rich Koslowski (inks)
COVER: Patrick "Spaz" Spaziante
Shipping Date: December 3rd, 2008
On Sale at Comic Specialty Shops: December 10th, 2008
On Sale on Newsstands: December 23rd, 2008
32-page, full color comic
$2.25 US.

SONIC X #2
"See Sonic! Sea Battle! See Sonic Sea Battle!": By order of the President, Sonic and his friends embark on a special search and recover mission to retrieve a powerful energy source...and it just may be a Chaos Emerald! The only problem is, it is at the bottom of the ocean, and we all know water is Sonic's greatest weakness. Speaking of weaknesses, Eggman has a weakness for power, so you know he's out to get that Chaos Emerald, too!
SCRIPT: Joe Edkin
ART: Tim Smith III (pencils) and Andrew Pepoy (inks)
COVER: Patrick "Spaz" Spaziante
Shipping Date: December 3rd, 2008
On Sale at Comic Specialty Shops: December 10th, 2008
On Sale on Newsstands: December 23rd, 2008
32-page, full color comic
$2.25 US.

SONIC X #3
"Field Trip of Doom": When a mysterious Doctor invites Chris, Sonic and their friends on a field trip to the space museum, evil goes into orbit! Sonic and crew are left in a dire situation as Eggman's sinister plan unfolds. What could it be?
SCRIPT: Joe Edkin
ART: Tim Smith III (pencils) Jim Amash, Bob Smith, & Aimee Ray (inks)
COVER: Patrick "Spaz" Spaziante
Shipping Date: December 3rd, 2008
On Sale at Comic Specialty Shops: December 10th, 2008
On Sale on Newsstands: December 23rd, 2008
32-page, full color comic
$2.25 US.

SONIC X #4
"Boisterous Bot Battle!": The title says it all: Eggman has been secretly, methodically building the biggest, baddest bots ever! Even the combined might of Sonic, Rogue, Knuckles, Tails and more may falter in the face of this fearsome development. Worst of all, if Sonic succeeds, it could be at the cost of his friends! Jaw-dropping moments in this shocking conclusion!
SCRIPT: Joe Edkin
ART: Tim Smith III (pencils) and Andrew Pepoy (inks)
COVER: Patrick "Spaz" Spaziante
Shipping Date: December 3rd, 2008
On Sale at Comic Specialty Shops: December 10th, 2008
On Sale on Newsstands: December 23rd, 2008
32-page, full color comic
$2.25 US.

SONIC X #5
"I Never Promised You a Chao Garden": The fate of the earth hangs in the balance as the reason behind Eggman's kidnapping of the sweet, peaceful Chao named Cheese is further revealed! Sonic, Tails and their friends face their biggest challenge yet as they struggle to save the planet from mass destruction!
SCRIPT: Joe Edkin
ART: Tracy Yardley (pencils) and Andrew Pepoy (inks)
COVER: Patrick "Spaz" Spaziante
Shipping Date: December 3rd, 2008
On Sale at Comic Specialty Shops: December 10th, 2008
On Sale on Newsstands: December 23rd, 2008
32-page, full color comic
$2.25 US.

SONIC X #6
"I Never Promised You a Chao Garden Chapter 2": Eggman's evil scheme has the usually peaceful Chao going crazy, and chaos reigns! Will Sonic, Tails and Knuckles be swift enough to slow the onslaught? More importantly, is Uncle Chuck smart enough to figure out how to return the Chao to normal? Your one-stop-shop for answers is this senses-shattering issue!
SCRIPT: Joe Edkin
ART: Tracy Yardley (pencils) and Andrew Pepoy (inks)
COVER: Patrick "Spaz" Spaziante
Shipping Date: December 3rd, 2008
On Sale at Comic Specialty Shops: December 10th, 2008
On Sale on Newsstands: December 23rd, 2008
32-page, full color comic
$2.25 US.

Archie Comics, the world's largest English-language publisher of all ages comics, is pleased to unveil a new Archie Comics logo that will appear on all of its comic books, digest/double digests and graphic novels. The new Archie Comics' logo will make its first appearance on the Archie Comic publications scheduled for the newsstand on-sale starting the week of September 15, 2008, commencing with Veronica #190 and Archie Digest #247.

The new trade dress for all of the Archie Digest Library books include new logos for most of the titles as well as secondary logos for popular characters featured in the digests. Characters such as Little Archie, Cheryl Blossom, Reggie, Josie & the Pussycats, just to name a few are featured in the digests every month, but not necessarily on the cover. We now have a trade dress that allows fans of these characters to know exactly where to find their favorite Archie characters.

BETTY & VERONICA SPECTACULAR #85

SPECIAL HALLOWEEN ISSUE! 
An Axe to Grind: It's a dark and stormy night a fitting night for Betty and Veronica to stay inside and have a scary movie festival!  But things go from reel to real when Archie, Jughead and Reggie try to crash the girls private party and come face-to-face with an axe-wielding maniac!  Is everything as it seems, or is it just a case of the boys imaginations running wild?  Guest-starring Veronica's truck driving-aunt, Tessie! 
SCRIPT AND ART: Dan Parent
Shipping Date: September 10^th, 2008
On Sale at Comic Specialty Shops: September 17^th, 2008
On Sale on Newsstands: September 30^th, 2008
$2.25 US

Archie Comics Legend, George Gladir attended a store signing event at Comics Unlimited this past weekend. It was a huge success. George met with fan, talk about comics and autographed comics, digests and graphic novels.

THE ADVENTURE, INTRIGUE AND FULL-THROTTLE MANGA ACTION HEATS UP THIS DECEMBER FOR SONIC & SABRINA!

RELIVE SOME OF THE MOST TITANIC SONIC THE HEDGEHOG ADVENTURES FROM SONIC SUPER SPECIALS WITH THE SONIC SELECT SERIES!

In 1993, Sonic the Hedgehog sped his way from video games to comic books. Almost 200 issues later, "the blue blur" can lay claim to having the most successful comic book career of all video game heroes! Now you can travel back in time to some of Sonic's most exciting adventures from hard-to-find oversized specials in SONIC SELECT, a thrilling series of upscale reprints that lets you revisit Sonic's exploits in a premium yet affordable format. These special 6 x 9 inch editions contain 128 action-packed pages, faithfully re-colored and printed on superior stock, all for only $11.95 US!

In SONIC SELECT #2, fans will thrill to these classic tales from the specials,

"Knuckles Chaotix," "Super Sonic vs. Hyper Knuckles," "Mecha Madness" and "Sonic Live!" "The Chaos Effect": It's the origin of the Chaotix from the now hard-to-find Sega 32x "Knuckles' Chaotix" game! Can they rescue the Freedom Fighters from Robotnik's bogus "amusement park" that's anything but amusing? "Tag! You're it!": A friendly game of tag leads Espio to a discovery that could change Knuckles and everyone else's lives forever! "The Hunt is On": One by one the Chaotix are being kidnapped, and it's up to Knuckles to find the culprits and rescue his friends! "Crash of the Titans": A mass of Chaos Emeralds is discovered, and both Sonic and Knuckles are finding them and powering up. What will happen when next these now-hyper-powered titans meet? Better run for cover! "Fathers & Sons": As Knuckles attempts to solve the disappearance of the Chaotix, he digs deep into his memory as a Guardian-in-training. As he searches his past, he learns more about his future than he expected! "Mecha Madness": Robotnik's dream has come true, but it's a nightmare for everyone else: Sonic is finally robotocized and he's tearing about Knothole Village! Can the Freedom Fighters survive this seeming betrayal? "Don't Let the Island Hit You on the Way Down": The eternal elephant Mammoth Mogul and his "Fearsome Foursome" wreck havoc on the Floating Island! "Knuckles Quest Part 2": In a thrilling tale continued from SONIC THE HEDGEHOG #42, Knuckles resumes his search for the mystical Sword of Acorns... but can he survive the deadly beasts he'll meet along the way?
Each story is meticulously restored and printed on high-grade paper-so you can feel like you're zipping right alongside the cobalt crusader as he saves Knothole Village! So what are you waiting for? Put on your favorite pair of sneakers, grab a chilidog, start reading these thrilling collections and let the excitement begin!

SONIC SELECT VOLUME #2
THE NEW SERIES OF SONIC COLLECTIONS FEATURING CLASSIC TALES FROM SONIC SUPER SPECIALS CONTINUES!
Following in the smashing success of the Sonic Archives series, Archie continues the proud tradition of reprints with Sonic Select! These fully restored and re-mastered 6x9 inch graphic novels feature the best stories taken from the original Sonic Super Specials! Volume 2 presents stories from such classic specials as "Knuckles' Chaotix", "Super Sonic vs. Hyper Knuckles", "Mecha Madness", and "Sonic Live!" Now these hard-to-find stories are conveniently collected in this handsome volume, allowing fans from today and yesterday to add to their stash of Sonic comics, or start a whole new collection! Join the fun and become a part of Archie-Sonic history!
SCRIPTS: Mike Gallagher, Ken Penders, Kent Taylor and Mike Kanterovich.
ART: Art Mawhinney, Patrick Spaziante, Ken Penders, Harvey Mercadoocasio and Rich Koslowski. Super-terrific cover by Patrick "Spaz" Spaziante!
ISBN #: 978-1-879794-36-5
Shipping Date: November 12th, 2008
On Sale at Comic Specialty Shops: November 19th, 2008
On Sale on Newsstands: December 2nd, 2008
128-page, full color graphic novel
$11.95 US.