The Archies brings CHVRCHES and more of your favorite bands to a new comic series
Whether you just finished binge-watching the CW phenomenon Riverdale, or are even vaguely familiar with the name Jughead, you’ve probably heard of Archie Comics. Over the last few years, the famed franchise continues to transition into modern times on television as well as in the comics themselves. Following the successful Archie Meets Ramones and The Archies one-shot issues, the creative team of Alex Segura (Silent City) and Matthew Rosenberg (Kingpin, Secret Warriors, 4 Kids Walk Into A Bank) returns to shake things up for Archie and co. this October.
[Cover by: Joe Eisma]
The duo is teaming up with illustrator Joe Eisma (Morning Glories, Archie, Riverdale), colorist Matt Herms and letterer Jack Morelli (Sonic The Hedgehog) to bring your favorite bands to the world of Archie and his friends. In hopes of bringing new readers to comics, the creative team now has a chance to include bands they love as well as fan favorites to add more twists, turns and roadblocks to the story of a band on their first tour.
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[Art by: Joe Eisma, Matt Herms, Jack Morelli]
“This is the kind of story about being in a band I wish I'd had when I was younger,” says Rosenberg. “We're trying to take a more realistic look at what that means, in a lot of ways. Stuff like trying to figure out how to book a tour, struggling to write new music, fighting on tour, meeting other bands you love, self doubt, playing bad shows, getting lost, having the best nights of your life in basements, bars and legion halls, sleeping in weird places, making friends in new towns—all this quintessential band stuff, but with an Archie twist. And of course, we have a few of my favorite bands of all time making guest spots.”
After playing their first real show, the Archies (Archie, Jughead, Betty, Veronica and Reggie) are leaving Riverdale to hit the open road. Will fame get to their heads? Will they be able to handle life away from home? Will they eat Taco Bell for every meal?
[Art by: Joe Eisma, Matt Herms, Jack Morelli]
In issue #3 (coming out Dec. 13) the Archies will meet up with CHVRCHES, the first real band to make an appearance in the series. The famed indie-pop trio will be providing advice and wisdom to the young band from Riverdale struggling with fame and their petty differences.
[Concept sketches of the members of CHVRCHES by: Joe Eisma]
“This is probably the most unique book I've ever drawn, and as a music geek, I don't think I've ever been more excited to draw a new series,” says Eisma. “There's a genuine love of comics and music between the creative team that I think comes across in the book!”
[Cover by: Greg Smallwood]
“Co-writing The Archies has been a blast, not only because I get to work with Matt and Joe, two supremely talented guys, but because it combines so many things I'm passionate about — music, comics and stories about overcoming adversity,” says Segura. “At the end of the day, this is a story about Archie and his friends making music together and figuring out how to do that while still maintaining what matters most to them — their friendship.”
We’ll have to wait and see if the band will be dining on cheap gas station snacks, peeing in water bottles and on the verge of breaking up when the first issue—The Archies #1—drops Oct. 4. The Archies #2 is out Nov. 8.
Follow updates for The Archies comics on their website, Facebook and Twitter.
