Why did I buy this?

The classic Sabrina and Josie and the Pussycats stories.

The New Look

I thought I should comment on this separately.  Honestly, I almost didn’t buy this the first time I saw it because I only saw this and didn’t notice the Sabrina and Josie stories.  First, I applaud the effort.  It’s good to see Archie trying new things, especially art-wise.  As distinct as their nominal look is, it likely turns off anyone outside their target audience.  Also, a more realistic look, may work better with a somewhat more serious story. 

It’s in the execution.  The art doesn’t make the characters look good, and downright repulsive with Jughead.  At least Midge should be hot.  (Why else Reggie repeatedly risk pummeling from Moose to smooch with her, with Veronica already somewhat available to him?)  J. Scott Campbell’s version of the characters several years ago in Gen 13, actually did make Jughead look cool.  The story isn’t bad, but badly scripted. 

I sense there is some editorial over meddling with these stories.  I wish they’d turn the writers and artists loose and say, “Look, ‘G’ rated, don’t resolve the love triangle, they’re teenagers in high school, Archie’s the red head, Betty’s the blonde, Veronica is brunette, Jughead wears a weird hat, run with it.”  (Heck, even having the girls change hair color for a story might be interesting.)  Not that I explicitly know this is happening, I think that they’re being too protective of being kid-friendly.  That seems to mean to them, simple words and make the art cartoony.  Certainly they know better than me how to run a comic book company, but truly I think kids will respond to good-looking art, smart stories, and clever scripts.                     

What’s Good?

Reggie in “Downright Puzzling” and “Table Talk.”  It’s always good to see this character used properly, as a jerk.  Well, maybe he’s too honest, with no tact, and smug sense of superiority (which isn’t entirely undeserved).  He’s misunderstood.   

I have to mention the art on the Reggie story, “A Date with Suzy Stringbean.”  This is one of the best examples of recent house-style Archie that I’ve seen. The backgrounds alone are amazing.  Sorry I’m not an Archie art scholar to give proper credit.  The story looks like it’s from the 80’s.

“It Came From the Cafeteria.”  I like these goofy, semi-fantasy stories.  The Archie gang has proven over the years to be extremely flexible in casting.  I hope their writers and editors continue to remember this.

Chuck Clayton in “Slow but Steady.”  This story shows what you need to fit in with the Archie gang: an easily exploitable foible.  In Chuck’s case, he’s pretty neurotic, at least as far as his girlfriend Nancy is concerned.  I know he’s an artist in current stories, but hope the writers have remembered to work in a quirky personality along with that.   

Classic Sabrina.  Boy, does this concept work well, in pretty much any given iteration.  I like the updated classic Sabrina look.  Was that started after the Melissa Joan Hart series?

The Archies in “Mat Matter.” Archie, pro-wrestling, break-dancing, moon walking.  Which one of these things doesn’t belong here?  I can see why the editors put this story in.  It’s hysterical.  Not only the story itself, but because it is so painfully a product of its time.

Josie and the Pussycats.  I can’t review this with any pretense of objectivity.  The girls can do no wrong.  I am glad Melody did not keep that 80’s hairstyle, though.  It seems like I’m ragging on the decade here, doesn’t it?  “I love the 80’s.”  It’s so distinctive, that it’s slightly embarrassing now.  It’s probably just my age showing. 

Honorable mention chuckle.  Moose in “Valentine Mix Up.”  Jughead protesting too much, thinking Betty had sent him a mushy Valentine. 

Clunkers?

Betty and Veronica in “Twice as Nice.” The artwork was shaky and the story didn’t make any sense, in so far as the characters.  What?  Some guy had the nerve to ask out both Betty and Veronica at the same time.  Of course, they’re mortally offended.  Who does he think he is?  Archie?  Well, he had red hair.
 
Overall?

In spite of my praise and lack of criticism, there wasn’t anything here I couldn’t live without having seen.  The title’s concept of mixing all these characters together, just seems very uneven overall.  Maybe it was the New Look story being the centerpiece that threw me off.  Overall, not a bad purchase or disappointing, but I can’t endorse it for anyone who isn’t a big fan.   

To be honest with you, of the three real-time stories, I find the Pals N Gals one to be the one in the middle...better than "Matchmakers", but I still think the first one with Nick St.Clair was the best of the three.

Art-wise? Story-wise? Both?

I haven't actually read either of the two previous New Look stories or the rest of this Pals 'n' Gals story.  So I couldn't compare anything.  Again, I support the attempt; I just didn't like the result.

Given that Archie is continuing to publish these stories, there's obviously an audience for them.  That's cool that you like them.  Everybody's got different tastes.