Archie Comics has released solicitation information and covers to their May 2014 releases. Check them out and let us know what you think of them.
“BETTY RIP” Part 1 (of 6): “Thanksgiving” THE SMASH HORROR HIT CONTINUES! It’s been weeks since Archie and his friends left Riverdale. Now, they are wandering the deserted highways of America, one step ahead of the ever-pursuing vicious zombie horde. When they decide to set down roots to observe their first post-apocalypse Thanksgiving, Mr. Lodge leads a team into the forests of Pennsylvania to find dinner, but the hunters soon become the hunted, and not all of the gang will make it out of the woods alive…
Script: Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa
Art: Francesco Francavilla, Jack Morelli
Cover: Francesco Francavilla
Reality TV Variant Cover: Andrew Pepoy, Jason Millet
Ship Date: 5/28
On Sale Date: 6/11
32-page, full color comic
$2.99 U.S.
“Let’s Hear it for Harper” Veronica’s cousin Harper is coming to Riverdale, where she’s considering attending Riverdale High. When she arrives, they see something they weren’t expecting: she is physically disabled. However it doesn’t take long to see that her disabilities don’t hold her back, but instead add to her dynamic personality! Harper teaches the gang how something that you think can hold you back can make you that much stronger—all while being decked out in the most fashion forward wheelchair ever seen!
Script: Dan Parent
Art: Dan Parent, Rich Koslowski
Cover: Dan Parent
Roses Are Red Variant Cover: Ramon K. Perez
Ship Date: 5/21
On Sale Date: 6/4
32-page, full color comic
$2.99 U.S.
School’s out for the summer in Riverdale, and the fun is just beginning! Join Archie, Betty, Veronica, Jughead and friends as they go on vacation, go to the beach, work summer jobs . . . and avoid working entirely! This fun, pocket-sized collection features 128 pages of hand-picked, favorite fun in the sun stories, presented in high-quality, bright white paper with a cardstock cover. It’s the perfect book for any summer road trip!
Script: George Gladir, Frank Doyle
Art: Dan Parent, Dan DeCarlo
Cover: Fernando Ruiz
978-1-619889-00-2
$5.99/$6.99CAN
4 7/8 x 6 9/16”
Trade Paperback
128 pp, Full Color
Direct Market On-sale: 5/28
Archie’s excited for a day at the carnival with his two best gals… but are they in for a fun ride? Or does Archie’s over-eagerness take the enjoyment out of their summer excursion? It’s no love rollercoaster in “Rights and Wrongs,” the hilarious lead story to a fun-filled double digest!
Script: Frank Doyle
Art: Harry Lucey, Bill Yoshida, Barry Grossman
Cover: Jeff Shultz, Bob Smith, Rosario “Tito” Peña
Ship Date: 5/14
On Sale Date: 5/28
160-page, full color comic
$3.99 U.S.
The warm weather’s finally here and Archie and Reggie are looking for some fun in the sun! They’re ready to hit the beach for surfing and some very special sights! However when the girls suggest attending their fashion show instead the boys have to choose whether they want to be outdoors digging the new summer sights or stuck inside at a boring fashion show! Can they choose without hurting anyone’s feelings? Or will they get burned—and not just from the sun? See what happens in “Sea View!” the fun first story in this jam-packed double DOUBLE digest!
Script: Mike Pellowski
Art: Fernando Ruiz, Rich Koslowski, Barry Grossman and Bill Yoshida
Cover: Gisele Lagace, Rosario “Tito” Peña
Ship Date: 5/21
On Sale Date: 6/4
320-page, full color comic
$5.99 U.S.
The fifth volume of Archie’s highly acclaimed graphic novel series features celebrated writer Paul Kupperberg’s tight-knit ongoing romantic storyline of Archie as a young newlywed in two very different universes—one where he marries wealthy socialite Veronica Lodge and the other where he marries girl-next-door Betty Cooper.
This volume follows Betty and Reggie’s time in the reality TV spotlight, where their every move is documented for all of America to see. That kind of fame may be fine for attention-seeker Reggie, but will Betty be able to adapt to it? Meanwhile, Kevin sets his sights on the ambitious arena of politics while husband Clay recovers from his gunshot wound. And Cheryl Blossom continues her fight against breast cancer, while also inspiring women struggling to do the same! Plus all the romantic ups and downs that Riverdale is famous for! Archie: The Married Life Book 5 collects issues 25-30 of the Eisner-nominated Life With Archie magazine.
Script: Paul Kupperberg
Art: Fernando Ruiz, Bob Smith, Tim Kennedy, Pat Kennedy, Jim Amash, Glenn Whitmore
Cover: Norm Breyfogle, Glenn Whitmore
978-1-619889-02-6
$19.99/$23.99CAN
6 5/8 x 10 3/16”
Trade Paperback
272 pp, Full Color
Direct Market On-sale: 6/18
Jughead’s pining for the coveted “Steadiest Customer Award” spot at Pop’s until he finds out some unfortunate news—he’s NOT Pop’s VIP customer! The mysterious Mr. Milkweed has been visiting the Shoppe by one day more than ol’ Juggie. Now Jughead’s determined to win the top spot any way he can. What will he do? And just who is this Mr. Milkweed? The answers lie in “The Milkweed Lament,” the zany lead story to a hilarious double digest!
Script: Craig Boldman
Art: Rex Lindsey, Jim Amash, Jack Morelli, Barry Grossman
Cover: Fernando Ruiz, Bob Smith, Rosario “Tito” Peña
Ship Date: 5/28
On Sale Date: 6/11
160-page, full color comic
$3.99 U.S.
“That’s Really SUPER, Kevin!” Kevin’s world takes a surprising new twist when he becomes the masked crime fighter called “The Equalizer!” Of course, this doesn’t just happen overnight. When he saves someone’s life and becomes a media sensation, Veronica’s wheels start turning and with her drive, determination (and unlimited cash!) she molds a new career for Kevin! Somewhat apprehensive, will Kevin move forward as a superhero? And what will happen to his everyday teenage life? Find out in the first part of this exciting new storyline!
Script: Dan Parent
Art: Dan Parent, Rich Koslowski
Cover: Dan Parent
Dark Knight Returns Variant Cover: Phil Jimenez, Steve Downer
Shipping Date: 5/7
On Sale at Comic Specialty Shops: 5/21
32-page, full color comic
$2.99 U.S.
THE MEGA MAN / MEGA MAN X Crossover is here! The next big video game event from Archie Comics has at last arrived in DAWN OF X Part One! It’s a brand new adventure so MEGA-EPIC that it would be impossible to contain it in just one time period! Witness a struggle that spans across time as both the original Mega Man AND Mega Man X battle a long-lost Wily weapon for the safety of all mankind!
Script: Ian Flynn
Art: Jamal Peppers, Gary Martin, John Workman and Matt Herms
Cover: Patrick “SPAZ” Spaziante
“Relics of the Past” Variant Cover: Patrick “Spaz” Spaziante
Villain Variant Cover by Erik Ly
Shipping Date: 5/7
On Sale at Comic Specialty Shops: 5/21
32-page, full color comic
$2.99 U.S.
It’s SONIC VERSUS EVERYBODY! Blast into the action at Sonic speed with the continuation of the all-new Sonic Saga graphic novel series! In this volume, Sonic battles the ancient, evil Mammoth Mogul—who has lost his Chaos Emerald and been imprisoned, but backing him into such a corner only made him more dangerous! Mogul uses his remaining powers to summon a new Fearsome Foursome—and Sonic is forced to be one of them! Every mercenary and cut-throat is hired to take Sonic’s shoes—feet being optional! It’s Sonic versus everyone else while the malicious mammoth laughs from the shadows! How can Sonic overcome all the odds? Find out inside! SONIC SAGA VOL. 6 collects selected stories from Sonic the Hedgehog#185-189.
Script: Ian Flynn
Art: Tracy Yardley!, Matt Herms, Jim Amash, John Workman, Josh Ray
Cover: Tracy Yardley!, Jim Amash and Jason Jensen
978-1-936975-99-0
$11.99/$13.99CAN
6 5/8 x 10 3/16”
Trade Paperback
112 pp
Direct Market On-sale: 6/4
Sonic Super Digest is BACK and featuring a brand new story! Sonic the Hedgehog’s adventures are now available in the popular digest format. Where Sonic Super Special Magazine leaves off, this quarterly digest collection picks up, with even more classic adventure from the Sonic comic library! The secret origin of the new sonic universe is REVEALED in the all-new SONIC ORIGINS mini-feature! Discover a whole new world alongside Sonic the Hedgehog in Sonic Origins, pt2, featuring new story and art from the superstar Archie Sonic team! All this (and Freedom Fighters too) as we give you more classic Sonic comics as only Sonic Super Digest can provide! Featuring an all-new CG cover art from rising Sonic star Rafa Knight!
Script: Ian Flynn
Art: Lamar Wells, Rick Bryant, Jack Morelli, Allen Passalaqua
Cover: Rafa Knight
Ship Date: 5/7
On Sale Date: 5/21
128-page, full color comic
$3.99 U.S.
Sonic’s comic adventures begin here! See the Sonic comic universe from its very beginning in the first installment of the bestselling SONIC THE HEDGEHOG ARCHIVES series! In 1993, Sonic the Hedgehog sped his way from video games to comic books. Now, over twenty years later the “blue blur” can lay claim to having the most successful comic book career of all video game heroes! SONIC ARCHIVES VOLUME 1 collects issues #1-4 of the Sonic the Hedgehog comic book.
Script & Art: Various
Cover: Patrick “Spaz” Spaziante
978-1-879794-20-7
$7.95/$8.95CAN
5 x 7 3/8”
Trade Paperback
112 pp, Full Color
Sonic’s comic adventures continue in the second installment of the bestselling SONIC THE HEDGEHOG ARCHIVES! Travel back to where it all began with this series that lets you revisit Sonic’s early days. Each story is meticulously restored and printed on high-grade paper-so you can feel like you’re zipping right alongside the blue blur as he saves Knothole Village! SONIC ARCHIVES VOLUME 1 collects issues #5-8 of the Sonic the Hedgehog comic book.
Script & Art: Various
Cover: Patrick “Spaz” Spaziante
978-1-879794-21-7
$7.95/$8.95CAN
5 x 7 3/8”
Trade Paperback
112 pp, Full Color
Dive into the action in “Waves of Change” Part Two! Sonic, Amy, and Rotor—in the deep sea and in deeper trouble! When their new friend Coral has run afoul of her government, will Sonic and the Freedom Fighters stand by her side? Or will they risk becoming fugitives? Then, in “The Light in the Dark,” Sally’s simple raiding plans take a turn for the worse! Featuring new cover art from Sonic superstar Ben Bates and a hilarious new “Is it Summer Yet??” Variant cover by Tracy Yardley! and Matt Herms!
Script: Ian Flynn, Aleah Baker
Art: Jennifer Hernandez, Evan Stanley, Terry Austin, John Workman and Matt Herms
Cover: Ben Bates
“Is it Summer Yet??” Variant Cover by Tracy Yardley! and Matt Herms
Shipping Date: 5/28
On Sale at Comic Specialty Shops: 6/11
32-page, full color comic
$2.99 US
Knuckles and the Chaotix are back in action! “The Great Chaos Caper” Part Two: The chaos continues with part two of this insane arc! It’s hijinks and high explosives galore with Knuckles caught in the middle of all the action! The Chaotix and the Hooligans are falling over each other to get to a Chaos Emerald – the key to saving (or dooming) the world! It’s up to Knuckles to power through the madness and complete his own mission, and in his travels, you’ll never believe who he finds! Featuring new cover art from Tracy Yardley and a rad red SEGA Variant cover!
Script: Ian Flynn
Art: Tracy Yardley!, Jim Amash, Jack Morelli and Matt Herms
Cover: Tracy Yardley!
Variant Cover art provided by SEGA
Shipping Date: 5/14
On Sale at Comic Specialty Shops: 5/28
32-page, full color comic
$2.99 US
Archie’s been commanded from on high (aka his parents) to do some outside chores. This doesn’t go over too well with Veronica, who Archie had to break his plans with. But no chores means no allowance which means no date! When she decides to go out with Reggie instead, will Archie be the better man? Or will he skip out on his responsibilities to win her over? Find out in “Job Well Done” the lead story to this fun-filled double digest!
Script: Frank Doyle
Art: Harry Lucey, Marty Epp, Barry Grossman
Cover: Jeff Shultz, Bob Smith, Rosario “Tito” Peña
Ship Date: 5/7
On Sale Date: 5/21
160-page, full color comic
$3.99 U.S.
Offered Again:
The Eisner Award-nominated series The Married Life series is the most critically acclaimed storyline in Archie’s more than 70-year publishing history. The series explores Archie Andrews’ life down two paths–if he had married girl-next-door Betty Cooper or wealthy socialite Veronica Lodge, with our favorite characters from Riverdale dealing with more realistic, mature circumstances with the humor and heart Archie fans expect. These four volumes collect Life With Archie magazine issues # 1 – 24.
Script: Paul Kupperberg, Michael Uslan
Art: Norm Breyfogle, Fernando Ruiz, Pat Kennedy, Tim Kennedy, Tim Levins, Andrew Pepoy, Jim Amash, Bob Smith, Glenn Whitmore
Covers: Norm Breyfogle, Fernando Ruiz, Bob Smith, Glenn Whitmore
VOLUME 1: 978-1-936975-01-3, 6 5/8 x 10 3/16, $19.99 US/ $23.99 CAN, 320 pp, Full Color
VOLUME 2: 978-1-879794-99-3, 6 5/8 x 10 3/16, $19.99 US/ $22.99 CAN, 320 pp, Full Color
VOLUME 3: 978-1-936975-35-8, 6 5/8 x 10 3/16, $19.99 US/ $23.99 CAN, 320 pp, Full Color
VOLUME 4: 978-1-936975-69-3, 6 5/8 x 10 3/16, $19.99 US/ $23.99 CAN, 272 pp, Full Color
Sonic’s epic adventures aren’t just stories, they’re SAGAS! Blast into the action at Sonic speed with the continuation of the all-new Sonic Saga series! Sonic Saga series is a chronological collection of the modern era of Sonic the Hedgehog story arcs written by popular Sonic scribe Ian Flynn. These volumes collect selected stories from Sonic the Hedgehog #162 – #184.
Script: Ian Flynn
Art: Patrick “SPAZ” Spaziante, Ian Flynn, Tracy Yardley!, James Fry, Tania Del Rio, Gary Bedell, Jim Amash, Rich Koslowski, John Workman, Josh & Aimee Ray, and Jason Jensen
Covers: Patrick “SPAZ” Spaziante, Tracy Yardley!, Jim Amash, Jason Jensen
VOLUME 1: “Darkest Storm,” 978-1-936975-16-7, 6 5/8 x 10 3/16, $11.99 US/ $12.99 CAN, 112 pp, Full Color
VOLUME 2: “Order From Chaos” 978-1-936975-40-2, 6 5/8 x 10 3/16, $11.99 US/ $13.99 CAN, 112 pp, Full Color
VOLUME 3: “Eggman Empire” 978-1-936975-53-2, 6 5/8 x 10 3/16, $11.99 US/ $13.99 CAN, 112 pp, Full Color
VOLUME 4: “House of Cards” 978-1-936975-64-8, 6 5/8 x 10 3/16, $11.99 US/ $13.99 CAN, 112 pp, Full Color
VOLUME 5: “Enerjak Reborn” 978-1-936975-82-2, 6 5/8 x 10 3/16, $11.99 US/ $13.99 CAN, 112 pp, Full Color
Theme: Manga Month
Suggested Backlist Titles:
SABRINA THE TEENAGE WITCH: THE MAGIC WITHIN 1 (TR)
SABRINA THE TEENAGE WITCH: THE MAGIC WITHIN 2 (TR)
SABRINA THE TEENAGE WITCH: THE MAGIC WITHIN 3 (TR)
SABRINA THE TEENAGE WITCH: THE MAGIC WITHIN 4 (TR)
- The Comic Book Critic