Archie #21

Woods has been on my radar since his work with DC's Superman. His characters and facial expressions are the perfect balance for a teen-drama series like this. I think that he is the ideal artist for this comic and Archie and the gang have rarely looked better. Read Full Review

I shouldn't be surprised that I enjoy this series - Waid is one of the best comic writers out there, of course - though I am happy to see that a more traditional new Archie comic is being released next month - but I'm enjoying this series a lot, and I suspect you will, too. Read Full Review

Abandoned your preconceived notions and just dive in. With an unconventional structure and brilliant work by an exceptional creative team, "Archie" #21 delivers a spectacular issue that nobody could have seen coming. Read Full Review

And as good as Waid's writing is here, he's matched by Woods' artwork. Certainly it's no Dan Parent or Harry Lucey, but these people look believable flesh-and-blood (albeit sort of cartoon-y) human beings. That's hugely important for an emotional story arc like this - the art doesn't overshadow the writing or make it seem ridiculous. (He even manages to soften old man Lodge!) And I adore his scenery. My very favorite panel of the whole book is the one of Moose lurching towards the cute, fuzzy bunny in the foreground. That bunny is charming without looking like a refugee from a little kids' book. The fade to black at the end wasn't too shabby either. I'm anxiously awaiting next month, to see whether I need to send my used Kleenexes and hate mail to Archie Comics! Read Full Review

Who knows if this will have the ramifications it promises. This is the world of comics after all. For now, it is simply a good story that has given this book new life. If you are someone who has thought about getting into this book this is not an ideal jumping on point as these events will mean a lot more if you have an understanding of these characters. Its odd but in the year 2017 one of the most consistent books on the shelves comes from one of its longing lasting characters. This feels like the story Waid has been building to since he first relaunched this title. Read Full Review

Archie #21 is a good read, it also ends on a cliffhanger, and next issue will reveal the fate of the character in the hospital. Read Full Review

The drawn out nature of the read delays the true payoff to next issue, but it's nonetheless an emotionally resonant chapter. Read Full Review

Archie #21 mixes normal hijinks with emotional storytelling in a slightly unbalanced part two for "Over the Edge." Read Full Review

If you're reading Archie, then keep reading Archie. If you were curious about this storyline the way I was, then I hate to say it, but it's not particularly worth the time. Maybe what comes after this arc will be worth it, but this is just shock and awe that rely on cliffhangers. It's easy to see what the creators were going for, but ultimately it didn't work out in the end. Read Full Review

Spock's Brain

Jun 30, 2017

I'm torn on this. I get what Waid is trying to do, create an Archie comic that has stakes, not just laughs. Nonetheless, I don't think it was my bag. I liked "Riverdale" (the show), which is pretty serious in parts, but that is its own thing. I don't know if I'm looking for deadly serous stakes here.

Briton

Jul 03, 2017

This title is getting more and more disappointing. I am beginning to think there will be another reboot on Archie with the publisher wishing to chase the 'Riverdale' angle.