Betty & Veronica Digest

 Archie: It's your 20th year with Archie Comics, congratulations. 

Dan Parent: Thanks!  It's been great!  I can't believe how fast it's gone by! 

Archie: How have things changed at Archie in the last 20 years?   

Dan Parent: Well, we've kept the focus on the characters the same, but continually try to keep them in the modern world.  Technology has changed how we print our books, since everything is digital now.  And now we have the web to deal with, which has also enhanced our relationship with our fans around the world. 

Archie: How do you make sure your stories and styles are current? 

Dan Parent: I'm a pop culture fanatic, which really comes in handy with this job.  I also have a teen age daughter and a nine year old son, so I have to keep up with all the latest fads.   

Archie: You introduced Cheryl Blossom in the Love Showdown, what was her inspiration? 

Dan Parent: My inspiration was to bring back this great character who I (and lots of fans) fondly remembered.  I remember reading the first Cheryl story when I was a collector, and thought she added so much to the Archie Universe. 

Archie: How much work and detail is put into a new character before the fans ever see it? 

Dan Parent: Quite a bit, although sometimes it takes a few stories for the characters to evolve.  And sometimes audience reaction helps guide us in a certain direction. 

Archie: What does Cheryl as a character bring to the mix of kids in Riverdale that is different than Betty and Veronica?

Dan Parent: Cheryl can do the things that Betty and Veronica can't.  Even though Veronica is sometimes billed as “bad girl”, she's really just spoiled and a little naughty.  Cheryl can be downright mean, and the villains in stories are always the most fun to write and draw! 

Archie: Have the fans been vocal about Cheryl's absence?

Dan Parent: At every convention people always go on about Cheryl, and when I do sketches at the cons, I usually get as many requests for Cheryl as I do for Betty & Veronica. 

Archie: Cheryl is making a comeback in the pages of Betty & Veronica Digest; was her return your idea?

Dan Parent: Yes, along with Victor, we had discussions about focusing again on Cheryl.  She'd been back for a few years, but not really in the spotlight.  We're definitely changing that! 

Archie: What makes this the right time to bring Cheryl back?

Dan Parent: Is there ever a wrong time for Cheryl Blossom?  I think not! 

Archie: Why team her up with Reggie?

Dan Parent: The one thing we haven't done, believe it or not, is team up the two greatest villains in the Archie Universe:  Reggie and Cheryl!  It had to happen sooner or later!

Archie: What is next for Cheryl after this 3 part story?

Dan Parent: We'll be reintroducing Cheryl to new readers, and then starting a new story arc where ore readers pick a new boyfriend for Cheryl.