B&V#1 sold 70k compared to Archie #1's 100k+.  I recall Archie #10 being in the 13k range, but haven't seen sales of B&V#2. The numbers seem relatively poor.  The Ramones title was around 18k and one would think that would garner more interest.  The most recent Jughead was in the 8k area fwiw.

Quote from: DeCarlo Rules on November 21, 2016, 05:31:38 AM


Oh, is THAT what we were doing, arguing? Well, I guess I've botched it, then. I was under the impression we were just discussing. Or commenting. Something like that, anyway.

I'd just like to add that I'm in complete agreement with every rant that Deb just ranted (well, almost... but since I haven't been reading ARCHIE, I'm willing to trust her on that one), especially as she summarized nicely how it makes me feel, in her final sentence, that I was emboldened to.. well, embolden. Personally, I generally don't bother to label my rants as such, but just assume that people would know that if they've read many of my prior posts.

OK.  "Arguing" might be the wrong word, but my intent stands. I've learned over time I'm not the best at chat board communication, but I'm sure the immediacy coupled with my dry, wry delivery would win you over in real life.  [M]Messageboardcrushgremlin[/M]

I'll make time to read these two comics again Monday or Tuesday with a particularly discerning eye.



Irishmoxie would still be steadfast in her opposition of my seemingly neverending political rants, irl btw.

Quote from: DeCarlo Rules on November 19, 2016, 08:40:28 PM
I don't know... what do you think it means, that the solicitation copy for the digests had (for the past six months or so prior to the solicitations for January) become ambiguous about whether or not the issue contained a NEW lead story, or was at least soft-pedalling the use of the word "new"... but NOW they're making it very clear, practically trumpeting the fact loud and clear that the digests all have new lead stories? Do you think that indicates "the last hurrah" before they discontinue new stories in the digests? Maybe, but it seems to me the opposite, that they seem to recognize that as a major selling point in writing the solicitation copy. Desperate to be noticed because of slipping sales? As far as "running out" of new stories goes, well they'll run out whenever they stop telling Dan Parent to write & draw new 5-pagers. He can easily handle the 20 pages a month or so required to supply the six titles with new 5-page lead stories. Their inventory of older, non-DP unpublished stories must be getting pretty thin at this point.

I think/believe/reckon ACP realizes the need to have new stories or at the very least the idea of new stories being created in the "classic" look, for the digests to have some relevancy to the casual reader(=sales).   I don't think the material offered can be perceived as "old" and be successful at the retail level.


As for "desperate to be noticed"?  I'm pretty sure that's been the company motto for at least the last half decade.

Quote from: Deb on November 20, 2016, 05:59:08 PM
Warning: Rant Ahead:
I have reached the jumping off point for the New Riverdale titles.  Betty and Veronica is a mess.  So much space in Issue #1 wasted on captions.  Our first view of Betty and Veronica on page 1 with them fighting is just awful as well.  Why on earth did Hot Dog narrate the story?  Why replace two pages of the story with more caption balloons and a pic of Betty and Veronica in bikinis for no reason? 
Off-topic, but Archie's storyline is just dragging on and becoming more and more unpleasant, between Cheryl Blossom's introduction and Archie's eating himself into the hospital.  Then we get a preview for the previous issue of Jughead instead of a classic reprint.  Jughead has been fun, but I get the sneaky fekeling that it isn't selling very well.  While fun, I just can't bring myself to start reading the Josie reboot.  I just get the feeling it'll end suddenly, like Life With Archie did, or be dropped to be replaced with a Riverdale comic (which is coming).  The 75th Anniversary Digests are a big rip-off, just reusing stories from the 75th Anniversary book and Best of Books (which may or may not eventually become Deluxe hardcovers anyways, so maybe I'll just wait). If the Super Specials keep up, I'll happily read them and Dark Horse's Archie Archives paperbacks, but honestly, it's hard not to be frustrated with Archie Comics right now.
End of Rant.

You're my pick for  "favorite poster" of the month. 

Quote from: DeCarloRules...snip...

I like when we argue over stuff we've formed a similar opinion on.


DCR's successfully using "vagaries" in a reply and being the incumbent will certainly make this a tough challenge for Deb, though.

Quote from: Archiecomicxfan215 on November 19, 2016, 08:05:25 PM
Im at work. i got a headache. its from my wisdom tooth coming in. i have to make an appointment with the dentist but after thanksgiving

You're home?  Please tell us about your California experience.

Quote from: DeCarlo Rules on November 19, 2016, 08:22:27 PM

Quote from: steveinthecity on November 19, 2016, 07:28:49 PM

Quote from: DeCarlo Rules on November 19, 2016, 12:13:52 PM

Quote from: steveinthecity on November 19, 2016, 04:42:57 AM
Adam Hughes art doesn't seem a big plus here btw.

I'm not sure in what sense you mean that, but after the long wait since the B&V reboot was first hyped, Hughes can't bedazzle the way he did years ago. It's still good art relative to the median of the industry in the broader sense, but it's not ranking high relative to Hughes' own oeuvre. The coloring here certainly doesn't help much.

What you stated was pretty much what I meant.  I don't collect posters, so as I offered in SAGG's now defunct thread of whether Art or Story is more important to a comic, I'm leaning towards story in this instance.  I like that Hughes makes Ethel somewhat homely and that Hot Dog smokes, but beyond that, the art does nothing  for me.  Not a plus by my measure. Being "median" doesn't resonate with me here.

I don't think it's median. I said it's good relative to the median for the industry. I think the artwork in ARCHIE is median or below median; none of the artists who've drawn that book have impressed me in the slightest. The artwork in B&V is above that, but it's not good art compared to Adam Hughes' other work. It's only "not good" relative to my high level of expectations for a B&V comic book drawn by Adam Hughes.

When you consider what he could be getting paid for his art by other publishers, he's got to be the biggest financial drain on ACP's resources of any of the artists working on the New Riverdale titles so far, who are all relative newcomers to the industry compared to Hughes, and IMO the costs to the company aren't worth the results. I think the relative sales on the B&V title bear that out as well.

I understood what you were saying.  I was probably to opaque in my reply, but regardless of such a small pool of artists being considered, I just don't care where Hughes ranks.  I don't care about the art, but the story.  The story is the tipping point for me. I don't understand the story as a long time reader, and equally I don't understand why a New reader would be interested in this. Too many questions as your original post puts forth, which is why I want to re-read both issues back to back.

Quote from: irishmoxie on November 19, 2016, 07:38:38 PM
I'd much rather talk about Betty and Veronica than Donald Trump. I come here to get away from all that stuff.


It would be fine with me if Adam Hughes went more sexy with B&V. I just want the writing to improve. Make it more zippy and funny like Cameron is doing on the Josie title.

I realize my political diatribe was pretty over the top.  I'll back off from that stuff going forward.

Quote from: DeCarlo Rules on November 19, 2016, 12:13:52 PM

Quote from: steveinthecity on November 19, 2016, 04:42:57 AM
Adam Hughes art doesn't seem a big plus here btw.

I'm not sure in what sense you mean that, but after the long wait since the B&V reboot was first hyped, Hughes can't bedazzle the way he did years ago. It's still good art relative to the median of the industry in the broader sense, but it's not ranking high relative to Hughes' own oeuvre. The coloring here certainly doesn't help much.

What you stated was pretty much what I meant.  I don't collect posters, so as I offered in SAGG's now defunct thread of whether Art or Story is more important to a comic, I'm leaning towards story in this instance.  I like that Hughes makes Ethel somewhat homely and that Hot Dog smokes, but beyond that, the art does nothing  for me.  Not a plus by my measure. Being "median" doesn't resonate with me here.

I really thought this would be an interesting(and active) thread topic, particularly to the "classic" readers that are now checking out the reboot, or the reboot readers exclusively (that apparently don't check out this forum    ).


I finally read B&V #2 a few days ago, and I'll re-read #1&2 again with a more discerning eye.  Adam Hughes art doesn't seem a big plus here btw.

Quote from: 60sBettyandReggie on November 17, 2016, 12:01:11 PM
Reading The Outsiders for the umpteenth time 

Thought that was a cool book.  Required reading for us in the 8th grade.  One of two books(schoool assigned) I have any memory of. That and Silas Marner. 

Quote from: BettyReggie on November 15, 2016, 09:53:40 PM
Ink Master is on at 10 but I'm in bed now. I'll watch the last one on December 7th.

I'll probably watch a show in December, too.

Quote from: 60sBettyandReggie on November 14, 2016, 11:51:51 AM

Quote from: irishmoxie on November 14, 2016, 01:49:16 AM

Quote from: 60sBettyandReggie on November 14, 2016, 12:05:06 AM
I just finished watching my Gran Torino DVD

Sad story 

Yes, it is 

I liked that one.   

Quote from: BettyReggie on November 15, 2016, 05:26:46 PM
I put these books on my wait list.
Paper Girls Volume #1     
Paper Girls Volume #2 & We Can Never Go Home. Vol. 1, What We Do Is Secret
These are in transit now
Channel Zero. The Complete Collection
Super Girl- Volume #1 is in transit now                         

What is "Supergirl Vol. 1"?  What arc is included in that?

Nothing here regarding soap is particularly worthy of mention imo, other than soap of any sort isn't apparently being used at all.

Other questions abound, though.  How is Archie seemingly suspended 3-4 feet in the air?  How does this event concern Mr. Lodge, how does he happen upon it, and how many times has he witnessed this sort of thing(as implied by his "them again" comment)?



I'm certain many have questions of your own pertaining to the resilience of Jughead's felt hat in the water, or how Archie's shin connects to his foot, that strap thing on Mr. Lodge's foot, etc.  Please post any queries or insights so that we might further interpret the overall value of this panel relative to what we already know pertaining to Archie's rich history in comic books.

Quote from: DeCarlo Rules on November 14, 2016, 12:18:19 AM

Quote from: steveinthecity on November 13, 2016, 06:59:23 PM
Here Betty goes old school.  No crystals, no liquids or gels.  If the Cooper household is typical of others in the US regarding their choice of cosmetic and grooming products, there is an over 50% chance Betty is using a bar of Dove.




Just wondering if others toss the bar into the tub ahead of themselves getting in?

Well, since she's thinking "cheap" and "plain", I would say Ivory soap. Can't get much more "basic soap" than that. Furthermore, IIRC, Ivory soap is a simple flat rectangular brick, whereas Dove soap is kind of oval-shaped and (I think) curved rather than flat. Dove soap would probably make more sense for a teenage girl since it has some fragrance to it and contains emollients more gentle to the skin, but as far as bar soaps go, I wouldn't consider Dove soap cheap and plain. Definitely less cheap and plain than Ivory soap, and even less cheap and plain than many middle-of-the-road soap brands like Irish Spring or Zest.

I stand corrected. 

Quote from: SAGG on November 14, 2016, 06:30:47 AMWhen I had used soap, I preferred Dial or Safeguard...

I always liked Safeguard, too.