Betty & Veronica #1
Writer: Adam Hughes
Art: Adam Hughes
Colors: José Villarrubia
Letters: Jack Morelli
Published by: Archie Comics
Available: July 20, 2016
IT’S BETTY VS. VERONICA! The most highly-anticipated debut in comics history is here! Betty and Veronica are America’s sweethearts… until they turn on each other! “Pops’ Chocklit Shoppe is being taken over by a huge coffee company. When Betty and Veronica go head-to-head over the issue, all bets are off! Friendships will shatter. Cities will burn. Nails will be broken. Betty and Veronica are back in this ALL-NEW #1 from comics legend Adam Hughes (Wonder Woman, Catwoman)!
Adam Hughes, the guy behind some of the most gorgeous pin-up art ever, takes on writing and art for a reboot of the all-ages favorite Betty & Veronica. Taking cues from the updates to Archie and Jughead, Betty and Veronica has also been dragged into the new millennium with Everyone’s Pal Betty and Veronica. the new girl at school she’s befriended. Archie adores Betty and is smitten by Veronica, but isn’t really romantic about either of them. With some very smart dialogue and a debate that I’m sure I’ve heard once or twice, Hughes opens the book with Archie and Jughead strolling to meet the ladies as they do yard work. Well, Betty is working – Veronica is supervising. Sound like typical Betty and Veronica? The gang finds out that Pop’s – their perennial hang-out – is in trouble, and decide to do something about it. The twist isn’t all that twisty, but definitely sets the tone for the direction of this book.
Hughes’ art…..well, you can’t say enough good things about Adam Hughes’ ability to draw living, moving, breathing characters who have a myriad of expressions and convey so much with just a look. His pin-ups are amazing, but to see his characters occupying space and doing things is a special treat. There’s just no one like him. If this is your first introduction to his work, you’ll need to find everything ELSE he’s done and BUY IT, BUY IT NOW!!! …….Oh….erm…I mean he’s very good. Brilliant colors from Jose Villarrubia, highlighting moods and drama with just a little palette change, but keeping with the over-all sunny demeanor of this all-ages book.
Archie Comics has actually made their comics readable and relate-able again, and Betty & Veronica is a welcome update to the book that some of us might have read in less-enlightened times.
