Trapped in time. Surrounded by evil. Low on gas. Golly!
The resilience and versatility of the Archie franchise never cease to amaze me. From high-concept horror like Afterlife With Archie, Chilling Adventures of Sabrina, and Archie vs. Predator to bizarre crossovers like The Punisher Meets Archie and Archie Meets Jay and Silent Bob—to say nothing of the Josie and the Pussycats film or the campy heights of Riverdale—those crazy kids can apparently do it all.
So, it was only a matter of time before someone (Archie, naturally) read from the Necronomicon and brought the Deadites to town.
Oh Archiekins, You’re In It Deep This Time
What, don’t you immediately flip open and start reading from a creepy book that you just found in a secret room? Boy, I bet you’re lame at parties.
Reggie Mantle’s family just inherited a lake house from a distant relative they’ve never met, so naturally, Reggie throws a massive party there. When Archie can’t take any more of the bragging, he heads outside for some fresh air—but not before he trips and discovers a secret doorway. Nothing worrisome about that at all!
Reggie, Archie, Betty, Veronica, and Jughead investigate the hidden room and find the Necronomicon, which Archie immediately reads aloud from—badly. As you do. Upstairs, Deadites manifest and begin working their way through the partygoers (read: mauling and killing them) in search of the one who spoke the incantation. By the time the core group emerges from the chamber, the house is silent and empty. And something terrifying is trying to get in.
Flashback time! One month ago, Archie was hit with a request for a "Stormy Dog" plush by both Betty and Veronica. These things are hard enough to find as it is, and Archie needs two? How does he get himself into these messes? Luckily, Jughead has a plan: the store that carries them is hiring. That store? S-Mart. His training manager? Ashley Williams—but you can call him Ash. See where this is all going yet?
The Name’s Ash. Housewares.
Hey, Archie, the 80’s had some awesome music, so watch yourself!
It’s a testament to the franchise that despite the sheer number of crossovers, Archie and the gang find themselves in, they are consistently high quality. This is no exception; it is exactly what a first issue should be. It introduces the cast, establishes the major players, sets the stakes, and remains undeniably fun throughout.
It’s truly amazing how you can take this timeless cast of characters—who haven’t changed since, well, ever—and insert them into almost any situation and have it work. If you’ve ever read an Archie comic, everyone feels perfectly in character. And if you’ve seen the Evil Dead films, that side of the equation feels just as authentic.
Interestingly, given how famously blood-soaked the Evil Dead movies are, this book feels relatively tame by comparison. It isn't exactly bloodless—a few of the kids definitely meet a grisly end—but the violence is cleverly counterbalanced by the classic, cartoony art style. Then again, I might just be a little desensitized after all the recent Marvel "Red Band" books!
Social Clique
A Poe joke, Jughead? Nevermore.
Writer Erik Burnham has written a mountain of comics, most of them centered on licensed properties like Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles and Ghostbusters, so a crossover like this is right in his wheelhouse. He does a fantastic job of making everyone feel "right"—if you know these characters at all, you know he has them nailed. The pacing is spot-on, kicking off with the party and delivering a mid-issue cliffhanger before flashing back to introduce the other half of our crossover cast.
Bill Galvan handles the art duties, and unsurprisingly, most of his portfolio is comprised of Archie books. It’s no wonder he nails that signature look; he’s been at it for quite some time. That’s what makes Archie so timeless: you can pick up an issue today—whether it’s your first ever or your first in decades—and it looks exactly as you expect. I’m looking forward to seeing how he continues to juxtapose the horrors of the Deadites against the clean-cut Riverdale kids. If I have one complaint, it’s that Ash’s chin isn't prominent enough. Bruce Campbell is called "The Chin" for a reason, and it’s a bit missing here!
Ellie Wright serves as the colorist, and like the writing and art, her work hits that classic Archie feel perfectly. The washed tones in the Army of Darkness flashbacks help those scenes stand out, highlighting that Ash is a little out of place in this world—which, let’s be honest, is exactly when he’s at his best.
Shop Smart. Shop S-Mart!
See? Needs more chin.
I had high expectations for Archie Meets Army of Darkness #1, and it more than met them. This book was a blast from start to finish, and I can’t wait to see where the rest of the story goes. Archie and his friends have become the undisputed Kings and Queens of off-the-wall crossovers, and as long as they maintain this level of quality, I’m all for it.
The highest praise I can give this issue is that it made me want to dig out some of my own old Archie comics—and I’m seriously thinking about popping Army of Darkness into the Blu-ray player once the kiddo goes to bed tonight. It did exactly what the best comic books should: leave you wanting more and chomping at the bit for the next issue.