[Comic Book Review] Archie Comics’ ARCHIE 1941 #1

Archie 1941

PopCultHQ received an advance review copy of ARCHIE 1941 #1 from Archie Comics. Available on Wednesday, September 12th, the series features writing from Mark Waid and Brian Augustyn, art by Peter Krause, colors by Kelly Fitzpatrick, and letters from Jack Morelli.

Here’s PopCultHQ’s Spoiler-Free Review of…

Archie 1941 #1 - Main Cover by Peter Krause
Archie 1941 #1 – Main Cover by Peter Krause

ARCHIE 1941 #1 (OF 5)

Script: Mark Waid, Brian Augustyn
Art: Peter Krause, Kelly Fitzpatrick, Jack Morelli

Main Cover Artist:
Peter Krause

Variant Cover Artists:
Sanya Anwar, Francesco Francavilla,
Dave Johnson, Aaron Lopresti

On Sale Date: 9/12
32-page, full color comic
$3.99 U.S.

THE HISTORIC, GROUND-BREAKING MINI-SERIES STARTS HERE!

Archie has been around for over 75 years and has been through many significant moments in time, but never before have we seen the characters take on real-world events as they unfold. WWII is looming and Archie and many young men from Riverdale are close to enlistment age. If you’re a Riverdale teen, how would you cope with a looming world-changing event? Join the writing team of MARK WAID and BRIAN AUGUSTYN along with artist PETER KRAUSE for the all-new mini-series that is sure to have everyone talking!

VARIANT COVERS


PopCultHQ’s Comic Book Review:
ARCHIE 1941 #1

General Thoughts:

Hey hey hey Archie Comics fans. It’s time to take a step back in time. To the 1940s. The time of war, bold new futures, and a point of growth in many young people’s lives. So get ready, get set. and grab some imagination. Cause don’t you know there’s a war going on? And Archie Andrews is gonna be helping to lead the charge.

Mark Waid and Brian Augustyn are writing an Archie Andrews miniseries together? This is one heck of an exciting thing! These are two gentlemen who have penned some fabulous comics over the years. And here they are now, teaming up with Peter Krause, Kelly Fitzpatrick, and Jack Morelli to bring a fantastic tale about Archie and friends against a different sort of backdrop.

Writing:

Both of these men, Mark and Brian, are utter legends in the comics industry. Together, and separately, they’ve written very remarkable stories. Now they are teaming up again. Now they are tackling America’s Favorite Boyfriend, Archie Andrews. Only this round, it’s the Archie of the 1940s, a time of war, when every day felt like it could end. And they’re painting an Archie and Gang that is moving on in life, and affected by all the changes of the times, with the onset of WWII being the biggest. What these two gentlemen will be putting the Riverdale teens through as the war progresses, only reading the series as it unfolds will reveal all.

Illustrations:

Peter Krause brings his own artistic spin to Riverdale and the Archie world. With a story set against a 1940s backdrop, everything fits the period. From the clothes, hair, to buildings and scenery. Even details like Archie’s facial shape, Jughead’s classic hat (readers will notice) and even figures like Pop Tate and Mr. Weatherbee. But with war looming, that means the scene will more than likely shift. That shift will be from the picturesque small-town setting of Riverdale to the harsh and war-torn fields of Europe and beaches of the Pacific. Whatever comes next, Peter’s artwork is going to help bring Mark and Brian’s scripts to life in a very compelling fashion.

Colors:

Kelly Fitzpatrick is putting all of her skill and ability into coloring this series. Issue #1 is a beautiful layout of varied colors. Like Peter’s art, the current scene is in 1940s Riverdale. So the color choices are of a bright and almost cheerful nature. Everyone’s clothes and skin hues have a light quality about them. And like Peter’s art, with the tone of the series being one of wartime, there will no doubt be a shift in color choices too. What they will be in connection to the art, only keeping up with the story will showcase this.

Lettering:

On the lettering for the start to this wartime tale, Jack gives a great opening gambit. While his lettering conveys a lot of the pep and energy of those classic Archie comics, because this is a serious time and place, there is also heaviness to it. What that heavy tone is, well, no spoilers here. If people are curious, they will have to get issue #1 when it comes out. And when they do, they will take note of Jack Morelli and his stupendous lettering.

PopCultHQ’s Overall Assessment:

War is a serious topic to write about. And writing about Archie and his friends at the start of WWII, now that’s some real heavy material there. Issue #1 beautifully sets the stage of what will be a real home-run miniseries from Mark Waid and Brian Augustyn. Plus, dynamic art from Peter Krause, stellar coloring from Kelly Fitzpatrick, and real swell lettering from Jack Morelli. Make sure to mark those calendars and pick up a copy of issue #1 when it hits shops. This is one adventure that fans won’t want to miss!

PopCultHQ’s Rating:

5 out of 5 Stars

PopCultHQ Rating - 5 Stars
PopCultHQ Rating – 5 Stars

ARCHIE 1941 #1 can be purchased at your LCS
and online retailers beginning Wednesday, September 12th!


Be sure to follow the creative team online!

Writer – Mark Waid

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Writer – Brian Augustyn

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Artist – Peter Krause

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Colorist – Kelly Fitzpatrick

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Letterer – Jack Morelli

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Publisher – Archie Comics