Pop your favorite mixtape into the Walkman and get ready to pogo. It’s about to get totally 80s when iconic New Wavers the B-52s barnstorm Riverdale to play a hot new variety show on WRIV-TV. (Warning: may contain minor spoilers.)
Written by Alex SeguraCover by Dan Parent
and Matthew Rosenburg
Illustrated by Dan Parent
and J. Bone
Colored by Glen Whitmore
Lettered by Jack MorelliIt’s a rock and roll adventure for the ages as Archie and his friends cross paths with a real rock lobster — the B-52s! Co-written by Alex Segura and Matthew Rosenberg (“Archie Meets Ramones,” “The Archies”), with art from the legendary Dan Parent (“Archie Meets KISS”), this epic crossover one-shot brings the B-52 gang into Riverdale in all their new wave glory — but can Archie get his band back together in time to jam with these legends, or will in-fighting and musical drama leave them in the dust? There’s only one way to find out!
In various one-shots and series, Archie and the gang have met a wide-ranging array of bands. With legendary groups like Blondie, The Monkees, and KISS and contemporary artists like Chvrches, Tegan and Sara, and Speedy Ortiz, it’s a quirky, star-studded lineup that seems more like the second day at Coachella than an ad hoc collection of comic book cameos. Nonetheless, whether they’re gigging at home in the Riverdale High School gym or in the midst of an ill-fated cross country tour, you just never know who The Archies will run into next. I mean, the one-shots literally tell you right there on the cover, but with a revolving cast of eclectic characters based on actual members of actual bands, there’s always an undercurrent of unpredictability and hijinks.
At least, that’s the usual vibe. In “Archie Meets The B-52s,” an unpredictable plot packed with surprising twists and turns isn’t exactly the hook. If you love dramatic tension and watching your favorite protagonists figure out how to navigate unexpected obstacles, you’ll want to look somewhere else. Here, there’s never a question whether things are going to work out. It’s all easy-peazy. Everything just falls into place.
Thankfully, the book and the characters know this and admit it right from the start. There’s never any pretense about what’s going to happen, so writers Alex Segura and Matthew Rosenburg let the characters cut loose and have fun along the way. When Archie overcommits and finds himself in a pickle, the incredibly affable Kate Pierson and Cindy Wilson are eager to lend a hand. “You’d really help me?” asks Archie. “Sure we would,” Kate responds. “We love coming to a new town and helping out little boys we barely know!” Two panels later, lead singer Fred Schneider is briefly noncommittal, until he reframes the idea as, “A super secret party mission to save Rock ‘n’ Roll!” After that, there’s no holding back.
It’s a refreshingly non-ironic attitude that fits perfectly with the band’s overarching ethos. As New Wave pioneers in the late 70s and early 80s, the B-52s exploded onto the scene with a brash, distinctive swagger that remained utterly unpretentious and actively inclusive. Even when the party was packed, there was room for everyone on the dance floor.
Not surprisingly, vocalist Kate Pierson grew up reading “Archie” comics. It’s even said she collected a set of commemorative juice glasses that featured each of the core characters. No wonder it feels like there’s a mutually reinforcing, circular aesthetic a work. On stage, with their epic, towering hairdos and multihued shabby-chic outfits – seemingly pilfered from the deepest recesses of mom and dad’s attic – the B-52s looked like real-life cartoon characters. Here, in comic book form, the bold, colorful artwork by penciller Dan Parent, inker J. Bone, and colorist Glen Whitmore perfectly captures the kitschy flamboyancy of the band in its heyday. In truth, it’s hard to imagine Fred, Cindy, Kate, Ricky and Keith portrayed in any other visual style.
Beyond the pitch-perfect wardrobe and character designs of the B-52s, not to mention The Archies and the supporting cast, the paneling also embodies a totally 80s aesthetic. With lots of off-kilter angles, rounded corners, and brightly colored graphic flourishes that feel like the next-level clipart you always wish you had, there’s a giddy energy that’s sure to make you smile.
Ultimately, if you suspend your disbelief and accept “Archie Meets The B-52s” on it’s own terms, it’s a madcap visual feast that reads like a lighthearted, funky modern day fairytale where dreams really do come true. It’s not the kind of story that will stick with you for days — or even 20 minutes after you’ve put it down — but whatever the narrative lacks in dramatic action and clever plotting, it overcomes with chutzpah and danceability.
Final Verdict: 7.7 Snappy dialogue and bold, colorful art that imitates life imitating art help overcome a tepid plot in “Archies Meets The B-52s” #1.
