Archie Comics is a cultural phenomenon that defies any neat category.  More than 80 years on and it’s like the Beach Boys or The Bee Gees–it does what it does well and there really isn’t anything else like it.  So it’s big news when the writers and artists come up with something entirely new.  Next Wednesday in comic shops you can read the new one-shot issue of Archie & Friends titled Hot Rod Racing, featuring the first-ever appearance of Daisy Thunder, a name with a twist on the movie Days of Thunder, who combines elements of Roz Kelly’s Pinky Tuscadero (Fonzie’s girlfriend) from Happy Days and 1970s pop culture hero Evel Knievel.

Check out a first look at Daisy’s story for borg readers below, courtesy of Archie Comics.

In “The Race to Save Face,” the first appearance of Daisy Thunder of the Southside Serpents, Daisy challenges Archie and his crew to a charity race throughout Riverdale.  Can Archie’s souped-up jalopy best Daisy’s hot wheels?  The entire issue is Archie and Friends doing their take on Fast & the Furious.  There’s even a Greg Proops-inspired announcer in one of the stories, and it’s hard to hear any other voice in your head as you read the story.

Here is some behind-the-scenes concept art and details:

The Daisy story features writer Craig Boldman, penciller Steven Butler, inker Lily Butler, colorist Glenn Whitmore, and letterer Jack Morelli, with a dozen other writers and artist contributing stories this issue.  The cover was created by Steven Butler, Lily Butler, and Rosario “Tito” Peña, based on a concept drawing by Vincent Lovallo.

And here’s your preview:

Add Archie & Friends Hot Rod Racing to your pull list at Elite Comics or your local comic shop today.

C.J. Bunce / Editor / borg