Archie will reanimate their Archie Horror line in a big way later this year, first in August with Jinx’s Grim Fairy Tales, then in the Fall with four new titles that arrive just in time for Halloween.
Creators bringing the chills in October include several who have played in the Archie Horror playground before, like Frank Tieri and Cullen Bunn, as well as Federico Sabbatini, Elliot Rahal, Sina Grace, Casey Gilly and more.
“Who ever thought Archie Comics and horror would go so well together? We did—but it definitely took a lot of other folks by surprise,” said Archie Comics Senior Director of Editorial Jamie L. Rotante in a press release. “Since Afterlife with Archie‘s debut way back in 2013, we’ve been consistently delivering on unique horror stories featuring our cast, and we have no plans on stopping that any time soon! We’re so excited to bring everyone ‘Archie’s Month of Mayhem’ for the Halloween season. We’ve got something for everyone—three brand new horror one-shots and a middle grade horror anthology!”
Here’s a look at what’s to come:
CHILLING ADVENTURES PRESENTS . . . WEIRDER MYSTERIES
This trio of dark sci-fi tales kicks off with a story by writer Frank Tieri (Deadpool) in a welcome return to the universe of his previous hit Archie Horror series, with art by Federico Sabbatini (Moon Knight). Tieri said, “In ‘Betty Cooper: Alien Hunter,’ a spine-tingling tale set in the Jughead: The Hunger universe, we’ll find the fan-favorite werewolf hunter trade in her silver bullets for a UFO detector as she tries to uncover a mystery that’s not of this world. But in typical Betty Cooper fashion, she may be the bigger threat to the good folks of Riverdale than anything any E.T. can dole out.”
The issue is rounded out with two stories written by Joanne Starer (Sirens of the City) and Ron Robbins (Archie Digest Library) with art by Juan Bobillo (Fantastic Four) and Ryan Jampole (Sonic the Hedgehog), featuring rare appearances by Bingo Wilkin, star of the ’70s comic series That Wilkin Boy, and Alexandra Cabot, a foil for Josie and the Pussycats.
CHILLING ADVENTURES OF SALEM (ONE-SHOT)
Salem the Cat has always been known as Sabrina’s familiar, but what happens when Sabrina’s not around to protect him (or, as is more the case, when he doesn’t have to protect her)? This special one-shot explores a different side of Salem’s life, one in which he acts as an anti-hero enacting vigilante justice on those who hurt others like him… animals, in a horror story that’s equal parts Pet Sematary and Hereditary.
Script: Cullen Bunn
Art: Dan Schoening
Colors: Matt Herms
Letters: Jack Morelli
Cover: Dan Schoening, Matt Herms
Variant Cover: Francesco Francavilla
On Sale Date: 10/12
32-page, full color comic
$3.99 U.S.
FEAR THE FUNHOUSE (ONE-SHOT)
A night camping at the treehouse in the woods leads the pre-teen Archie and his friends to do what any kid their age would do in that scenario: tell scary stories! But each story grows creepier and creepier as the kids realize that maybe, just maybe, there is some truth to these tall tales in an anthology that’s equal parts Are You Afraid of the Dark? and Goosebumps.
Script: Micol Ostow, Magdalene Visaggio, Michael Northrop
Art: Lisette Carrera, Ryan Caskey, Diana Camero
Colors: Matt Herms
Letters: Jack Morelli
Cover: Lisette Carrera
Variant Cover: Sweeney Boo
On Sale Date: 10/19
32-page, full color comic
$3.99 U.S.
RETURN OF CHILLING ADVENTURES IN SORCERY (ONE-SHOT)
Madam Satan escaped Hell a fugitive and hated woman by Satan and his thralls. She’s now principal of Baxter high and Hell has come to Earth. With each classroom acting as a portal to the different circles in Hell, Madam Satan must recruit similar tortured souls if she has any chance of survival… all leading up to a Madam Satan and her army vs. Satan and his in this highly-anticipated follow-up to last year’s hit Chilling Adventures in Sorcery!
Script: Elliot Rahal, Sina Grace, Casey Gilly
Art: Vincenzo Federici, Corin Howell, Liana Kangas
Colors: Matt Herms
Letters: Jack Morelli
Cover: Julius Ohta
Variant Cover: Francesco Francavilla
On Sale Date: 10/26
32-page, full color comic
$3.99 U.S.
But wait — the Archie classic titles will get in on the Halloween fun as well.
ARCHIE JUMBO COMICS DIGEST #334
Two New Stories: First in “A Very Cosmo Halloween!” Cosmo the Merry Martian—or someone who looks an awful lot like Cosmo—crashes the Lodge Halloween Ball. Fortunately, this year it’s science fiction-themed! Cosmo tries to warn the teens of an impending invasion—but will they be able to tell them apart from the costumed aliens at the party?
Then, in “Here Come the Power Pets!” The Superteens battle an evil villain called Snowboy. As Snowboy uses his powers to put the Superteens in a deep freeze, Archie’s beloved dog Vegas realizes that he’s got to find a way to rescue them. He gathers Vader, Hot Dog and Carmel and convinces them to join him. Our new heroes become the Power Pets, but do they have what it to rescue their humans?
Script: Dan Parent, Tom DeFalco
Art: Dan Parent, Pat and Tim Kennedy, Bob Smith, Jim Amash
Colors: Glenn Whitmore
Letters: Jack Morelli
Cover: Francis Bonnet, Rex Lindsey, Rosario “Tito” Peña
On Sale Date: 10/12
192-page, full color comic
$8.99 U.S.
ARCHIE’S HALLOWEEN SPECTACULAR #1
This year’s Halloween spectacular kicks off with a BRAND NEW story! In “Spirits of Halloween,” meet TWO new characters to the Archie universe: Trick and Treat! This pair of impish magical creatures come around every Halloween to cause chaos wherever they go—and this year, that just so happens to be Riverdale! How much mischief will they cause Archie & the gang while trick or treating? Plus, a collection of hilarious Halloween tales!
Script: Ian Flynn
Art: Ryan Jampole
Colors: Glenn Whitmore
Letters: Jack Morelli
Cover: Ryan Jampole, Dan Parent
On Sale Date: 10/5
32-page, full color comic $2.99 U.S.
(You can learn more about Trick and Treat over at The Beat).
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