This rocking new issue introduces a new band, Rock Candi and new drummer to Riverdale, Jola Kitt.

It’s a simple plot as one can imagine for a 5-page story where Betty and Veronica quit The Archies due to Reggie’s sexist comments dismissing Betty’s songwriting efforts and Archie not standing up for them. So they form their own all-girl band with Jola and proceed to steal the show.

Other than introducing Jola who seems like an awesome cross between Joan Jett and Wendy Weatherbee, and a cute frame of Trev and Betty, I didn’t find the story engaging.
Especially as xoxo, Betty and Veronica: We’re with the Band did this storyline much better.

I know it’s unfair to compare a 150 page novel with a five page comic, obviously the book would be better as it had more time to give characterization and depth to the plot, but the similarities made it hard not to compare.

I mean Betty and Veronica quit The Archies when Reggie calls the girls “frosting,” unnecessary to the band, and Archie doesn’t stand up for them. So they form their own all-female band to prove they can rock too, named the Candy Hearts. It even has Candy in the name too. See the similarities! It includes Nancy on bass and new girl, Tina Starling on drums.

Soon they prove their mettle and Betty shows her songwriter skills but have additional drama as Tina micromanages and overbooks the band and the fame of the Candy Hearts begins to disrupt the girls’ lives. See—interesting!

So basically this review is a go read xoxo, Betty and Veronica! It’s good and underrated and I want it brought back.

However, Jola is cool. I like her design and hope she pops up more. I feel like she’d have such a good friendship with Wendy and Shrill.

The other stories in the issue are fun, I especially enjoyed Labor of Love which combines Archie tunes with a classic slapstick mystery with a funny joke about 70s’ groovy style vs the establishment.