The all-new Archie adventure continues! Superstar writer Mark Waid teams up with rising star artist Veronica Fish to bring a modern take to the legendary Riverdale cast of characters. The elusive, rich Veronica Lodge has taken Riverdale by storm – and it’s caused everyone to take sides, with Archie Andrews stuck in the middle of it all. Relive all the drama, all the romance and all the beautiful art and storytelling once more in this graphic novel that collects Archie #7-12. 

Waid continues his superstar run with volume 2. With the main characters and status quo established, now he can have his fun with them. First off is the continuous war between Archie and Mr. Lodge. It’s sort of one-sided as Archie is trying to avoid his wrath, but his clumsiness means hilarity and broken vases abound. I enjoy how Waid takes a classic Archie story of Mr. Lodge using his money and connections to literally send the Andrews family out of the country, and he gives it serious stakes. Same with Archie’s fight to find blackmail on Reggie, who is obviously wedging himself between him and Veronica.

Over the years, Archie has become sort of a bland, every-man with other media like Robot Chicken and such making fun of his goofy, girl crazy antics. Waid brings Archie down to earth by reminding readers of his good heart when he is unable to stoop down to Reggie’s level. Or his attempts at helping Betty’s uncle when Mr. Lodge smears him in his mayoral campaign.

I also appreciate how he tries to solve the constant question of what Archie sees in Veronica when he can have Betty, a girl who has the same lifestyle and genuinely cares about him? Betty sees their relationship changing Archie for the worst when Veronica doesn’t do nearly as much for him, while he pants like a lap-dog. And yes, the beginning of their relationship has shades of that but in these issues showcasing Veronica trying to meet him halfway by going to the grocery store and them compromising on their two worlds, it’s becoming a sweet relationship. Plus she can only sound good singing when she’s with him, that’s so heartwarming.

Jughead has less time to shine here, but Betty does. Waid gives honorable mention to how Betty has her own string of non-Archie boyfriends, ie. Trev and Sayid who she starts to connect with, but jealousy sprouts when they see that she still longs for the boy next door. Yet another aspect I enjoy in Waid’s writing as Betty has a heart to heart with Veronica addressing the unresolved feelings, highlighting how she and Archie were best friends long before anything else and they’ll always have that. She misses that.

Character-wise, Waid’s writing is consistent and thought-provoking, giving pathos to these pop culture icons who’ve been flattened over the years into basic archetypes.

Staples has moved on, though Fish, Jampole and Pitilli continue her vein. I particularly enjoy Fish’s work.

Fans will surely be excited for volume 3 as everyone’s favorite red bombshell makes her appearance in Riverdale.

4 stars