[Comic Book Review] ARCHIE MEETS BATMAN '66 #2 from Archie Comics

PopCultHQ received an advance review copy of ARCHIE MEETS BATMAN ’66 #2 from Archie Comics. Available on Wednesday, August 15th, the series features writing from Jeff Parker and Michael Moreci, pencils by Dan Parent, inks from J. Bone, colors by Kelly Fitzpatrick, and letters from Jack Morelli.

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

ARCHIE MEETS BATMAN ’66 #2

Script: Jeff Parker, Michael Moreci
Art: Dan Parent, J. Bone, Kelly Fitzpatrick, Jack Morelli

Main Cover Artists:
Michael Allred with Laura Allred

Variant Covers:
Rick Burchett and Rosario “Tito” Peña, Matthew Dow Smith,
Robert Hack, Wilfredo Torres and Kelly Fitzpatrick, Michael Walsh

On Sale Date: 8/15
32-page, full color comic
$3.99 U.S.

The historic crossover mini-series continues! Batman’s received a panicked call from Riverdale and he sends Robin and Batgirl with one caveat—they must disguise themselves as high school transfer students!

VARIANT COVERS

ARCHIE MEETS BATMAN '66 #2 - Variant Cover by Rick Burchett and Rosario “Tito” Peña — ARCHIE MEETS BATMAN ’66 #2 – Variant Cover by Rick Burchett and Rosario “Tito” Peña

ARCHIE MEETS BATMAN '66 #2 - Variant Cover by Matthew Dow Smith — ARCHIE MEETS BATMAN ’66 #2 – Variant Cover by Matthew Dow Smith

ARCHIE MEETS BATMAN '66 #2 - Variant Cover by Robert Hack — ARCHIE MEETS BATMAN ’66 #2 – Variant Cover by Robert Hack

ARCHIE MEETS BATMAN '66 #2 - Variant Cover by Wilfredo Torres and Kelly Fitzpatrick — ARCHIE MEETS BATMAN ’66 #2 – Variant Cover by Wilfredo Torres and Kelly Fitzpatrick

ARCHIE MEETS BATMAN '66 #2 - Variant Cover by Michael Walsh — ARCHIE MEETS BATMAN ’66 #2 – Variant Cover by Michael Walsh

PopCultHQ’s Comic Book Review:
ARCHIE MEETS BATMAN ’66 #2

Writing:

There’s a lot shake of shakin’ goin’ on in Riverdale. That’s right, loyal Archie and Batman fans, Riverdale is silently and slowly being invaded by the worst of the Gotham City criminal class. And with these dastardly fiends comes a lot of confusion and questions both from Archie and friends, and Batman. What is going to happen as the fiends draw their noose tight? Jeff and Michael have crafted a creative and compelling second issue to hook fans in and keep them guessing and reading.

Art:

Dan Parent delivered some dynamic pencils for the second installment. It’s bold, breathtaking and fun to look at. A mixture of the sort of continuously pleasing art that is associated both with Archie books and with the Batman ’66 comics. It will be one of the many things that keep bringing readers back to read more of this exciting and long overdue crossover between Archie and Batman. So give three cheers for Dan Parent and his amazing artwork.

J. Bone brings it home with a big blowup of inks. As with the previous issue, some of the primo inkwork is with characters whose shadows are the only giveaway of their identity. However, on page 17, is what this reviewer would describe as the sort of inking that is truly identifiable with all Batman-related comics. Lots of great use of the color black that meshes with the linework of Dan Parent and the coloring of Kelly Fitzpatrick. Another well-inked triumph for J. Bone.

Colors here, colors there. It’s lots of colors everywhere! Yes it’s a color explosion coming at readers from Kelly Fitzpatrick. As said before, there is a specific instance on page 17 where her colors blend beautifully with J. Bone’s inks and Dan Parent’s art. And throughout the entire book, Kelly’s colors keep providing that sizzle and pop that helps provide extra juice to the overall of the comic.

Rounding out the Dynamic Quartet of art contributors is the friendly neighborhood letterer Jack Morelli. Something to make note of with the lettering is that certain words have more emphasis on them, especially from Batman and Robin. A hearkening back to the TV show, when to really hit a point home, Adam West or Burt Ward would give some extra dramatic energy, sometimes followed by action (like a fist pounding into a palm or a quick movement on camera). And seeing Jack’s lettering be played on the comic book page, gives it the same energy and power that the TV show had decades ago.

PopCultHQ’s Overall Assessment:

What can be said about a comic like this that is so excellently put together from such a fantastic team? Words like astounding, mind-blowing, cool, and fabulous come to mind. This Archie/DC is the sort of thing that makes throwback projects like this enjoyable for veteran comics lovers, new fans, or just the average person on the street. Another home run hit and worth picking up to be sure.