We first previewed dozens of gorgeous covers for Adam Hughes new monthly Betty & Veronica series here at borg.com in May. Check out our story if you want to see one of the best assemblages of cover art on a single subject in years. We’ve now read Issue #1, to be released tomorrow at comic book stores everywhere. It offers a Betty & Veronica as if it were interpreted by Joss Whedon–that’s right, a Buffy and the Scooby Gang look and feel that is a perfect modernization for the classic characters from Riverdale. If you haven’t been to a comic book store in a while, now is your best excuse to return for this stellar start to what is destined to be the next great series.
Adam Hughes doubles as writer and artist, and that complete involvement delivers from every angle and in every panel. Who would win in a battle between Archie and Jughead? Between… Betty and Veronica? You’ll find out soon enough.
Pop culture references aplenty? Check.
A Steve Gerber-inspired in-joke with a Frank Cho Liberty Meadows-style payoff? Check.
Funny antics between Archie and Reggie and Reggie’s dog Hotdog? Check.
A sexy and intelligent duo (and duel?) of young women–just like they’ve always been? Check.
A classic insert tale from Betty & Veronica of the past? Check.
A noble mission and a battle of frenemies like never seen before? Well, yeah, pretty much.
Hughes, known for his renderings of beautiful women, has created a visual you might find on a CW young adult TV series, and his leads could easily be played by, say, Sarah Michelle Gellar and Selma Blair. Appropriately enough the CW is bringing the Archie crew to TV in 2017. (We can’t wait!)
You’re going to love this book. It’s. A. Winner. Now check out this great preview, courtesy of Archie Comics:
And here is Adam Hughes’ stellar cover art that inspired it all–his variant cover to Issue #36 of Life With Archie:
Now get to your local comic book store before Issue #1 of the new Betty & Veronica sells out!
C.J. Bunce
Editor
borg.com
