ARCHIE VOL. 5 is the next installment in the collection of the historic ARCHIE series relaunch, featuring the talents of comics superstars Mark Waid, Audrey Mok and more. This series is true to the spirit and characters that all Archie fans know and love while reinvigorating its spirit and humor through the talents of some of the most acclaimed creators in the comic book industry.

The fallout from OVER THE EDGE is here! One life has been destroyed, another family has been torn apart–and only the kids of Riverdale High can save their town from imploding!

Taking a breather from the overarching plotlines of Reggie’s criminal actions and the Blossoms’ search for their missing dad, we return to Archie trying to his best to help only to screw it up hilariously and the love triangle.

It’s been interesting as Waid’s love triangle hasn’t been the overlapping, technically-Archie’s-cheating-on-both-of-them method, and have him be in totally separate relationships with no overlap. However, with Betty’s accident, and his desperation to help, those feelings are resurfacing and Veronica doesn’t want to be emotionally cheated on. He has to choose.

I enjoyed how Waid took the more emotional cheating angle mixed up with Betty’s accident, highlighting some of the lack of trust in the Varchie relationship and Betty’s doubts of Archie’s newfound feelings. It leads to a refreshing new conclusion that the mainstream comics never take.

But before we get to that conclusion, Waid’s writing is supurb in continuing the Dilton-Betty storyline, and the potential in that relationship which I’m surprisingly rooting for. He also keeps the comedy coming, particularly in the background panels which is a treat to watch whether it be Archie’s community service mishaps or Moose handling Dilton’s new high-tech scooter, and he moved me with the final panel in #23.

As for Reggie, and the Blossom twins, I said they weren’t involved, but they are. Waid continues to push the momentum of their arcs, so while this feels like a relative breather volume, you can tell Waid is building it to an explosive Spring Fling dance. Not just because Archie is trying to help decorate the gym.

Mok takes over the art in this volume. I loved her work in Josie and the Pussycats, and I loved it here, delivering expressive facials, stylish clothes, and a stylized format that makes everyone pop. Except for Raj, unfortunately I thought it was Sayid. Minor nitpick, but with how everyone else is distinct that I can recognize them on sight, it’s a shame that one slipped past.

4 stars