Daisy Thunder returns to Riverdale in this preview of ‘World of Betty and Veronica Jumbo Comics Digest’ #36

Check out an exclusive preview of a new story coming in next week’s digest from Archie Comics.

Courtesy of Archie Comics, we’re delighted to present a preview of a new story from World of Betty & Veronica Jumbo Comics Digest #36, which arrives in stores Oct. 23. It features the entire Archie gang as they head to the racetrack to see former Riverdale resident and current racing superstar Daisy Thunder.

Daisy Thunder made her debut earlier this year in the pages of Archie & Friends: Hot Rod Racing. She’s a Southside Serpent who knew Archie and the gang back when they were kids. Even though she’s gone on to become a famous race car driver, she still remembers all her friends — well, almost all her friends.

The new story is written by Craig Boldman, with artwork by Bill Galvan, colors by Glenn Whitmore and letters by Jack Morelli. Check out the preview below, along with a classic Archie story from the digest by Frank Doyle and Dan DeCarlo.

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A new villain plagues Gilad in ‘Eternal Warrior: Resurgence’ #1 [Exclusive Preview]

The one-shot tie-in to ‘Resurgence of the Valiant Universe’ introduces an ages-old enemy of the Eternal Warrior.

The Resurgence of the Valiant Universe is in full swing, with the first issue in stores now and the second scheduled for release later this month. But before that, Alien Books will release Eternal Warrior: Resurgence, a one-shot tie-in focused on Gilad, the Eternal Warrior, and we’ve got your exclusive preview of it right here.

The one-shot is written by Fred Van Lente, one of the architects behind the broader Resurgence miniseries, with artwork by Alvaro Papagiani, Exequiel Fernandez Roel, Camila Jorge, and more. It’ll introduce The Kaggen, a new enemy who has risen from the ashes of Ancient Rome to battle the Eternal Warrior through the ages.

Check out the preview below, which includes a quick recap of Gilad’s origin, a guest appearance by Pontius Pilate and more. The issue will arrive in stores next Wednesday.

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The mystery of Wonder Teen X deepens in ‘World of Betty & Veronica Jumbo Comics’ #35

Check out our exclusive preview of a new story featuring Riverdale’s newest super-heroine.

The story of Wonder Teen X, the mysterious new teenage superhero who took Riverdale by storm in Betty & Veronica Jumbo Comics Digest #327, continues next week in Archie Comics’ latest digest. Courtesy of Archie, we’re pleased to present an exclusive preview of World of Betty & Veronica Jumbo Comics Digest #35, which comes out Sept. 18.

Writer Bill Golliher is joined this time by the art team of Holly G!, Jim Amash, Glenn Whitmore and Jack Morelli. In this story, Wonder Teen X shows up at the local museum when She-Vil, an ancient spirit from Sumeria, is accidentally released. Betty and Veronica, a.k.a. SuperTeen and PowerTeen, are on the scene as well, and no doubt will have more questions about who the new hero really is.

Check out the preview below, along with a complete classic Archie comic starring Ginger Lopez by Dan Parent and Jim Amash.

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Archer & Armstrong face a possessed nun, freemasons + more in this exclusive preview of ‘Assassin Nation’ #2

The miniseries by Fred Van Lente, Emiliano Urdinola and Exequiel F. Roel wraps up this Wednesday, just in time for ‘Road to Resurgence.’

The Road to Resurgence of the Valiant Universe continues next week in the wrap-up to the two-issue Archer & Armstrong miniseries by Fred Van Lente, Emiliano Urdinola and Exequiel F. Roel. And courtesy of Alien Books, the new home of the Valiant line, we have an exclusive look at issue #2.

Van Lente is of course no stranger to Archer & Armstrong, having written numerous issues of the series prior to its move to Alien Books. The “Assassin Nation” story is a sequel to his previous run, bringing in several familiar characters and also spotlighting a change in the dynamic between the pair — Archer has acquired Armstrong’s immortality, which throws them both off. It’s not great timing, as they’re also dealing with possessed nun out to murder them, the usual conspiracy theories and, according to the solicit text, “even a porn-sized penis.” (Which I should note does not appear in the preview, as it is SFW).

The comic arrives in stores next Wednesday, and you can check out the exclusive preview, along with the cover by Nico Di Mattia and its variant by Andres Ponce, below. It’s one of the final stops before Resurgence of the Valiant Universe kicks off later in September.

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Who is Wonder Teen X? The mystery begins in ‘Betty & Veronica Jumbo Comics Digest’ #327

Check out an exclusive preview of the story that brings a new super-heroine to Riverdale!

Courtesy of Archie Comics, we’re delighted to present a preview of a new story from Betty & Veronica Jumbo Comics Digest #327, which comes out Aug. 28.

The story features Superteen and Powerteen, a.k.a. Betty & Veronica, as the team up with Wonder Teen X, a.k.a … well, that’s the question! The new heroine shows up to help the two heroes against the Brain Emperor and his cloud monsters, but they have no idea who is behind the mask. The new story is by writer Bill Golliher, artists Steven Butler and Jim Amash, colorist Glenn Whitmore and letterer Jack Morelli, and kicks off a storyline that’ll run through future digests.

You can check out the preview pages from the new story below, along with a classic story that’ll appear in the digest by Frank Doyle and Dan DeCarlo.

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Exclusive Preview | ‘Ninjak vs. Roku’ #3

The Road to Resurgence of the Valiant Universe continues this week in a new issue by AJ Ampadu, Emiliano Correa and Marina Leon.

Since acquiring the rights to publish comics set in the Valiant Universe last year, Alien Books has been not only rejuvenating the line, but also building toward something big that’s coming in September — Resurgence Of The Valiant Universe. And along the way, there have been plenty of stops on the Road to Resurgence, including the Ninjak vs. Roku miniseries by AJ Ampadu, Emiliano Correa and Marina Leon.

Courtesy of Alien, we’re pleased to present an exclusive preview of Ninjak vs. Roku #3, which will arrive in stores this Wednesday.

The series pits the two former-lovers-turned-rivals Ninjak and Roku against each other, as they search for the same objective in competing missions. As you’ll see in the preview, things aren’t going well for Ninjak, as issue #2 was not kind to him. Ampadu’s taking a smart approach to the comic, pulling enough from Ninjak and Roku’s shared history to keep previous fans interested but providing enough of a “jump on” point for anyone new to the title. Correa returns to art duties for this issue, alternating with Diego Giribaldi, who drew the previous issue.

You can check the preview out below, along with the main cover and a variant, both by Richard Ortiz.

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Exclusive First Look | ‘The Cursed Library: Alpha’

We have your first look at the Archie Premium Event by co-writers Magdalene Visaggio and Eliot Rahal, artist Craig Cermak, colorist Matt Herms and letterer Jack Morelli.

It’s been more than 10 years since Archie Comics introduce the Archie Horror imprint, bringing us more adult-oriented, horrific and sometimes disturbing stories based on the broader Archie Comics catalog of characters. From Afterlife with Archie to Jughead: The Hunger to the more recent Chilling Adventures Presents… one-shots featuring Madam Satan and Jinx, the Archie Horror line has grown in scope over the last decade, putting the Riverdale gang in a variety of stand-alone horror scenarios.

But what if it was all connected?

All the various threads laid out in the Archie Horror line’s one-shots over the last few years will come together in August in The Cursed Library: Alpha, the first of three issues that’ll be released through October. Courtesy of Archie Comics, we’re happy to share an exclusive first look at this Archie Premium Event.

Magdalene Visaggio and Eliot Rahal, who have written their fair share of Archie Horror titles, will co-write this event, which will feature artwork by Craig Cermak, who has drawn Jinx’s recent appearances. They’re joined by colorist Matt Herms and letterer Jack Morelli.

“I can’t tell you how grateful I’ve been to be a part of this legacy. The leadership under Jamie Rotante of Archie Comics, along with the rest of the Archie team, has been so steadfast and encouraging. It’s truly been an amazing experience. At the end of the day, The Cursed Library has been a team effort, a tale of friendship and the fight against evil, the execution of a vision that’s been many years in the making,” Rahal said. “It’s a true honor to pay homage to all the creators who have lent their voices to this universe, and an even greater privilege to work with someone as brilliant as Mags. And with the incredible artwork of Craig Cermak at our side, this three-issue series is sure to be one Hell of a grand finale.” 

In the preview you’ll see some of the elements from previous one-shots come into play, as Jinx has a meal with her father, Satan, and we catch glimpses of a zombified Jughead and the plant monster from Weirder Mysteries. But the focus will be on the story that’s evolved between Jinx, her best friend Danni and Madam Satan.

“The continuously evolving dynamic between Jinx and Danni is a delight to illustrate, giving me so many fun, bold expressions to communicate,” Cermak said. “And now with the inclusion of Madam Satan and journeying into Hell, it’s gonna be an all-around great time acting out these characters in such big, dramatic fashions. I’m honored to be able to draw this epic tale, and I hope to give readers something they’ll want to revisit for years to come as well as a strong interest in checking out the previous ‘Chilling Adventures’ tales that led to this story.”

Check out the preview and solicitation text for the issue below.

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The Wicked Trinity brings trouble to movie night for Sabrina in this preview of ‘Archie Jumbo Comics’ #352

Check out an exclusive preview of a new story coming in next week’s digest from Archie Comics.

Seeing Sabrina the Teenage Witch in the classic Riverdale setting is always magical, but in this preview of Archie Jumbo Comics Digest #352, her appearance unfortunately comes with some baggage — in the form of her nemesis, Amber Nightstone, and her Wicked Trinity minions.

Fresh off their recent appearance in their own one-shot, Amber, Jade Kazane and Sapphire Gill are looking to make trouble for Sabrina as she attempts to set up a “horror movie fest” for her friends in Riverdale. But I’m sure Sabrina and Salem have some tricks of their own in store for the Wicked Trinity.

The story is by Tania Del Rio, with art by Holly G! and Jim Amash, coloring by Glenn Whitmore and lettering by Jack Morelli, and a cover by Dan Parent.

Check out the preview below:

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The Gloucester Sea Serpent surfaces in a story by Carol Lay in next week’s ‘Project: Cryptid’ #10

Check out an exclusive preview of a new story coming in next week’s anthology from Ahoy Comics.

Courtesy of Ahoy Comics, we’re pleased to share a preview of a new story by Carol Lay from next week’s Project: Cryptid #10.

If you’re not familiar with Ahoy’s first ongoing title, Project: Cryptid is an anthology of “unbelievably hilarious and hilariously unbelievable tales about cryptids from around the world.” Lay builds her story around the Gloucester Sea Serpent, which was first “discovered” in the early 1800s off the coast of Massachusetts. The creature shows up at just the right time for a young girl who could use some luck.

Lay, the creator of Murderville, Good Girls and Lay Lines, has had her work featured in The New Yorker, Mad Magazine, the Village Voice and many other publications. She’s also done several back-up pieces for Ahoy and was one of the contributors to their “Partially Naked Came the Corpse” round-robin story that ran through several of their titles last year. Her graphic novel, My Time Machine, will be published by Fantagraphics in September.

Lay’s story is accompanied by “Family Tree” by Atagun Ilhan, and the issue will arrive in stores on June 26. Check out the preview below.

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Tim Bird incorporates his mother’s paintings into the stunning ‘Adrift on a Painted Sea’

Check out our exclusive preview of the new graphic novel, which Avery Hill is currently funding through Kickstarter.

Courtesy of Avery Hill Publishing, we’re happy to present a preview of Adrift on a Painted Sea, a new graphic novel by Tim Bird that also features the paintings of his mother Sue Bird. It’s currently up on Kickstarter, with a campaign that runs through June 21.

Bird is an award-winning illustrator and comic artist based in Winchester, England; his graphic novel From the City to the Sea a British Comic Award in 2015. He’s published a number of comics through Avery Hill, including The Great North Wood and Infrastructure, but this latest one may be his most personal work yet.

Adrift on a Painted Sea is about the life of Bird’s mother, who passed away during the height of COVID. She was an amateur painter who created countless works of art — botanical art, landscapes, still lifes and painting of the sea. She never sold her paintings, but would give them away to family and friends, and hang them in her own home. Bird has brilliantly combined his own comics work with her paintings to capture her life, and also showcase her incredible work.

You can find our preview below, along with more information on the graphic novel.

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Exclusive Preview | Take a look at Vince Locke’s artwork from ‘Essentials’

The graphic novel by Luke Arnold, Chris ‘Doc’ Wyatt and a host of artists will wrap up its crowdfunding campaign this week.

With less than three days left on the clock, we’re pleased to present an exclusive preview of Essentials, the graphic novel by Luke Arnold, Chris “Doc” Wyatt and a host of artists that’s currently winding down its crowdfunding campaign on Kickstarter.

Essentials is about a mathematician who predicted the end of the world but failed to prevent it. He discovers there are other survivors, but they’re trapped in alternate “dream” realities full of zombies, robots, mythical creatures and more. Each of these alternate realities will be illustrated by a different artist, including Vince Locke, Andrea Mutti, MK Perker, Brendan McCarthy, DaNi and Jason Howard, with colors by Jordie Bellaire, Brad Simpson and Wesley Wong, and lettering by DC Hopkins.

Today we’re sharing pages from Locke’s chapter, which appropriately is set in a reality filled with zombies.

“Somehow Essentials feels deeply personal but also the greatest collaboration I could hope to be a part of,” Arnold said. “I love writing novels on my own, but a comic is always going to be a group project, and it’s all about embracing and celebrating that partnership. Because what we write isn’t going to an audience, it’s going to a team of dedicated, talented artists who turn our dreams into reality. And then there’s The Lab, who have been with us the whole way, pushing to make this book as impactful as possible.”

Arnold told me when we initially talked about the project that he and Wyatt were afraid their publisher, the Lab Press, might shut them down when they suggested using different artist for each reality. But they were into it.

“The people at The Lab Press are deeply, deeply weird people,” Wyatt said. “Just hanging out with them, you’re like– these are strange people. Really. It’s a lot. But it worked great for us, because we had a strange story, and they were excited to publish it.”

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Powerteen’s latest plan spells doom for Riverdale in this preview of ‘Betty & Veronica Jumbo Comics Digest’ #324

Check out an exclusive preview of a new story coming in next week’s digest from Archie Comics.

Courtesy of Archie Comics, we’re delighted to present a preview of a new story from Betty & Veronica Jumbo Comics Digest #324, which comes out May 15.

Veronica’s ego has gotten her into some pickles before, but I’m not sure Riverdale can “weather the storm” it brings this time. During a hangout with Superteen, Powerteen, Jaguar and Darkling, Veronica gets into an argument about which hero is the best — so she decides to release an imprisoned supervillain, Climate Changling, to prove it. What could go wrong? See the first panel for the answer to that question. (Also, Climate Changling is a brilliant name for a villain.)

Check out the preview by Ian Flynn, Steven Butler, Jim Amash, Glenn Whitmore and Jack Morelli below. We also have a complete, “classic” Veronica story that will appear in this issue, where Veronica shares her fears about going to prom with Archie.

Continue reading “Powerteen’s latest plan spells doom for Riverdale in this preview of ‘Betty & Veronica Jumbo Comics Digest’ #324”