Those waiting for that gritty Archie reboot had two choices, up until this year. Either read so far into their Double Digests that even university professors would shake their heads, or try to track down a copy of Return to Riverdale, the live-action TV movie that featured a ten-years-older Archie, Betty and Veronica in dueling lingerie, and a sexy Big Ethel. Unfortunately, Return to Riverdale also showcased rapping single dad Jughead and his hellspawn*, so few ever chose the latter.
God, why?
However, Ed Brubaker and Sean Phillips heard their prayers, or at least read their fan fiction, and so the newest story arc of Criminal was born. Criminal: The Last of the Innocent has only released one issue so far, but I would recommend buying that first book and any others. Phillip's art transitions easily between his usual hard-boiled chiaroscuro and a more cartoonish, Dan DeCarlo-inspired look. Brubaker's writing, in contrast, keeps to a straight, bitter line. Richie Richards/Archie Andrew's youth is as full of sex and lies as his adulthood, even as the stakes have gotten higher, leading to the intriguing- if depressing- conclusion that the innocence of childhood is more a matter of perception than reality.
*I know this because I own Return to Riverdale on DVD. Thank you, Canadian Tire $2.99 movie bin.
1 comment:
O.M.G. How much more awesome can you get for $2.99?
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