Our pals at Archie not only provided us with an exclusive 2-page preview of “Life with Archie” #34, but they were also kind enough to hook us up with series writer Paul Kupperberg, who did a great job filling in us Archie neophytes on what we’ve been missing out on by not entering into Riverdale. Check out our chat, and then check out the 2-page preview below – make sure to pick up “Life with Archie” #34 on Wednesday!
We at Multiversity try to do our best to cover the wide spectrum of comics, but we have some blind spots in our coverage. Archie books are one of those blind spots. So, give us the quick sell: why should our readers venture into the world of Archie?
Paul Kupperberg: Because the world of Archie is where all the cool stuff in comics have been happening. We’ve been pulling out all the stops since the “Married Life” and “Life With Archie,” then the introduction of Kevin Keller, “Afterlife With Archie,” and even the monthly Archie titles. You can pretty much forget all your expectations.
There are a number of Archie books out there, but your title, “Life with Archie,” takes place in an alternate timeline. Can you walk our readers through the difference between your book and the other Archie titles?
PK: Besides the alternate timelines, the main difference between “Life With Archie” and the rest of the Archie titles is the ongoing story lines. Archie, Betty, Veronica, Reggie, and Jughead are all the same people they’ve ever been, just a few years older and leading more complicated, grown-up lives. And instead of just doing short, one-off stories about a moment in their lives, we’re taking a more soap opera like approach and following them over the long haul.
If #34 is someone’s first issue of “Life with Archie,” what do they need to know to get caught up?
PK: If we’re doing it right, anyone should be able to pick up any issue of “Life With Archie” and jump right into the stories. But the main thing they’d need to know is, in one continuity, he’s married to Veronica, and in the other, he’s married to Betty. Life is very different in either case, but in both stories, the main thing driving them all is their love for each other and how important Riverdale is to their lives.
So much of your career has been spent in the realm of superhero comics, what was the transition like moving over to Archie? Is there much of a difference between writing Supergirl and Jughead, or is it more similar than we may think?
PK: In a lot of ways, writing a Supergirl story isn’t a lot different than writing a Jughead story. The big difference comes in what’s at stake for the characters in the story: for Supergirl, she could be saving a city from being destroyed by a meteor. For Jughead, it’s more likely about scoring free hamburgers, but both are out to accomplish a goal and the story is going to be how they go about doing that.
Is it liberating to be working in the alternate timeline of “Life with Archie?” What are the best and worst parts of working outside of the established continuity?
PK: Totally liberating, especially since I’m the only one writing stories in these particular alternate timelines, and I get to shape established continuity to fit in with what I need.
Finally, the question that every Archie man must be asked – Betty or Veronica?
PK: Yes.
Written by Paul Kupperberg
Illustrated by Fernando Ruiz, Pat Kennedy, Tim Kennedy, Bob Smith, Jim Amash, Jack Morelli, and Glenn WhitmoreArchie Marries Veronica — “Up in the Air!”: Archie and Veronica are doing their best to not let the tumultuous events of their lives effect the love they have for one another. And they’re doing pretty well, too, but is love enough to keep their legal battles at bay? Speaking of love and battles, Jughead and Ethel have some planning to do… but hopefully their stubbornness won’t get in the way! And Kevin’s trying his best to not let people’s perceptions of him effect his Senate job, perhaps some encouraging words is all he needs. And Clay’s back to work—but things still seem new and strange. Could it just be his imagination?
Archie Marries Betty — “Not So Great Expectations!”: Archie’s finally had enough of Betty’s busy schedule—and he’s not the only one! Will all of her hard work have paid off or has it only made matters worse? And who is it Archie’s really mad at—Betty for neglecting him? Or himself for being selfish and feeling guilty? Meanwhile, Kevin dives head first into the investigation on the nearby mall shooting after discovering that the tragedy hit closer to home than he ever could have imagined. And Jughead’s waiting on bated breath as Midge’s due date draws closer and closer. Oh baby, things are crazy in Riverdale!
