Archie #1 Review

 

Archie #1 Review

Writer: Ben H Winters

Artist: Fábio Moon

Colorist: Jason Wordie

Letterer: Andworld Design

Pinup Illustrator: Nick Cagnetti

Activity Design: Scott Sugiuchi

Editors: Bess Pallares & Joelena Despard

Designers & Production: Rian Hughes, Carey Soucy & Angie Knowles

Cover Artists: Stuart Immonen, Fábio Moon, Karl Kerschl, Khary Randolph, Kano, Dan Parent, Elsa Charretier, Mahmud Asrar & Travis Charest

Also Available: Blank Sketch Cover

Publisher: Oni Press

Price: $4.99 US

Release Date: September 2, 2026

 

Twenty-four hours isn't long enough for Archie. So, after squeezing every moment of fun into each day, he struggles to get enough sleep at night. When Archie hits the Snooze button too many times, things get dicey. Archie can't afford to be late to school again.

 

What will happen when Archie races to Riverdale High School? And what other adventures will Archie have in his Oni Press debut? Let’s leap into Archie #1 and see!

 

Story

A short first story introduces the people in Archie's life and how much he packs into each day. The second story provides a greater challenge than getting to school on time. Archie's teacher fires her students' imaginations with a classic film. Then, she urges them to compete in the 6^th Annual Riverdale Film Festival. With such a short lead time, the students must think on their feet to bring their creations to life. But no one is more rushed than Archie, as he weighs his friends' needs against his own.

 

While Archie #1 keeps its focus on the titular hero, Jughead proves Archie's most stalwart companion. After "Rude Awakening" and "Yes, We Cannes," "Jughead's Journal Part 1" takes us inside Jughead's private life. His friends are busy with a school event. Jughead knows he should be with them. And yet, everyone needs alone time doing what makes them happy.

 

Ben H Winters’ three stories introduce readers to the vast tapestry of life in Riverdale. They also show how much his friends rely on Archie. Betty, Veronica, Dilton, and the others may not be geniuses. Yet they prove adaptable, innovative, and willing to try new things, even if they occasionally fear the inevitable changes that will test and alter their relationships in Archie #1.

 

Art

When Archie awakens, his packed room reveals his interests. Posters celebrate his entertainment faves. A pennant and varsity jackets highlight his athletic abilities. Framed vinyl albums, a guitar, and headphones emphasize his love of music. A glimpse of his family breakfasting in the kitchen reveals a happy family. Then, Archie shifts into overdrive.

 

Jason Wordie adorns Fábio Moon's action-packed pages with a loaded palette. People sweep Archie up in their plans. Vehicles race down streets and the Riverdale Speedway. Locations like Riverdale High School, Lodge Studios, and Pop's Chock’lit Shoppe celebrate Small-town Americana. An overview of Riverdale occupies the center of a double-page spread containing four frantic scenes. Later pages switch this arrangement, with Archie occupying the center of a page, framed by an overhead view of the town.

 

As Archie, Jughead, and their friends enjoy life in Riverdale, Andworld Design fills white dialogue balloons with black uppercase letters. The words grow bold for intonation and swell for raised voices. Sound effects accompany ringing bells, wailing alarms, and screeching tires. Yet hand-printed lowercase letters on pieces of perforated paper reveal Jughead's thoughts in Archie #1. Thanks to Oni Press and Superfan Promotions for providing a review copy.

 

Final Thoughts

Sandwiched between two shorter tales, Archie and his friends use different methods to translate their visions into cinematic masterpieces in "Yes, We Cannes." The story reveals the strengths and pitfalls accompanying each approach. Yet it also shows how finished productions evolve from their initial screenplay.

 

After a trio of stories, Scott Sugiuchi challenges readers to a Jughead-themed brainteaser. Pinup artist Nick Cagnetti gives readers a final glimpse of the man Riverdale cannot live without. Bess Pallares' essay blends the history of Archie's comic adventures with her own relationship with the beloved franchise. Then, previews of two more franchise titles bring Archie #1 to a satisfying finish.

 

Rating 9.8/10

 

For more cover art see Archie #1 Cover Preview. 

Ancestral Recall TP Preview

 

Melvin Waring fears leaving his studio. Besides, why should he? He's a visionary artist who inspires people all over the world. But his wife can't go. His beloved "Junebug" is bedridden. She needs him to overcome his inclinations, and his fears, and venture outside.

When June hands him her prescription, she assures him that there will be no complications. She has even called ahead to let the Pharmacy know he is coming. Why should Melvin fret about leaving home? And does he have anything to worry about? 

Here's all the info from Ahoy Comics:

 

ANCESTRAL RECALL TP

Writer: Jordan Clark 

Artist: Atagun İlhan

Cover Artist: Khary Randolph

Publisher: Ahoy Comics

Price: $17.99 / $24.99 CAN

Release Date: April 15, 2026 

 

 

An Eccentric Painter Taps into the Literal Power of Black History in

ANCESTRAL RECALL, A Historical Sci-Fi Graphic Novel From Writer Jordan Clark,

Artist Atagun İlhan, and Publisher AHOY Comics

A New Graphic Novel That’s Everything Everywhere All At Once meets Don Quixote

This April, acclaimed Syracuse-based comic book publisher AHOY Comics will publish the trade paperback collection of ANCESTRAL RECALL, a culturally rich, stunningly drawn historical science fiction graphic novel from writer Jordan Clark (Aquaman, Star Wars Adventures) and artist Atagun İlhan (Poison Ivy, Milestone Universe: The Shadow Cabinet) about an eccentric abstract painter who taps into the literal power of Black History to solve a series of supernatural disappearances with the help of his wife and preteen neighbor. The gripping new saga from the two Milestone Initiative members uses science fiction and comedy to explore the importance of Black history, the connections between the past and present, and learning to push through difficult life changes. The trade paperback will feature a cover by artist Khary Randolph and be published on April 15, 2026.

Melvin Warring is a famed abstract painter, known for some groundbreaking work in the late 80s, who now lives a reclusive life in East Oakland with his wife and business manager June. One day as he’s picking up June’s prescription after her hip surgery a force suddenly overcomes Melvin, displacing him from time itself. Meanwhile Myran Kang, Melvin and June’s preteen nextdoor neighbor, has noticed a string of disappearances: a few unhoused people who normally set up in the park, some people at her grandmother's nursing home, a few of the bus drivers on her normal route... She has a feeling it’s more than a coincidence but can’t get anyone to listen to her — until June disappears too. As Melvin and Myran dig deeper into the mystery, Melvin finds he’s literally able to tap into the power of Black history when under duress and access the knowledge and abilities of Black people throughout time — everyone from writers and musicians to sword fighters and acrobats, transforming Black history into an actual super power. Will it be enough for Melvin and Myran to discover and disrupt the plans of the mysterious organization disappearing people and find a way to bring them back?

AHOY Comics is a Syracuse-based publisher dedicated to satirizing horror, space opera, social satire, sword & sorcery, and superhero stories with critically acclaimed titles like THE TOXIC AVENGER by Matt Bors and Fred Harper, BABS by Garth Ennis and Jacen Burrows, SECOND COMING by Mark Russell and Richard Pace, and many more.

Here’s what folks are saying about ANCESTRAL RECALL:

“Come for the propulsive adventure and masterfully expressive art; stay for the miracle that is Clark’s ingenious conceit for exploring and reframing diasporic history.”

—Ezra Claytan Daniels, UPGRADE SOUL

“ANCESTRAL RECALL combines Black History with Everything Everywhere All at Once.”

—IGN

“Right out of the gate, I loved ANCESTRAL RECALL! Here's a team with a certified fresh idea that knows how to get every single ounce of it. It's SINNERS meets QUANTUM LEAP, as a struggling artist's quest to solve his wife's disappearance careens into a cross-time war to preserve his culture! He might be fighting in the present, but Melvin Waring has the skills of every ancestor on his side—and he's not stopping until his family's whole again!”—Steve Orlando

“[A] time-hopping, existential exploration of art, identity, technology, and the arc of the Black experience… The art is packed with joy and kinetic might but also so much more nuance and texture… A magical deep dive into the center of life itself.”

—AIPT

“Steeped in mystery and wonder, Jordan Clark's ANCESTRAL RECALL, takes us on an action-packed adventure you never want to end!”

—Che Grayson (Exquisite Corpses, Dark Spaces: Good Deeds. 

“Black history is infused on the pages… Beautifully illustrated by Atagun İlhan… This is a premise that sings as it celebrates Black history… Smartly written with beautiful art and some inspired paneling.”

—COMICS BEAT

“Jordan Clark is doing the thing. He quickly pulls the reader in through the mundane that becomes a maniacal mystery in minutes, which went by almost too fast, because by the last page—I needed more! Buy ANCESTRAL RECALL now.”—Kwanza Osajyefo, author and creator of BLACK

“Quite the meal for comics fans. It's a unique fusion of supernatural adventure and historical celebration that reminds me of why the comic medium is so essential and how we can utilize it to remember our past while envisioning a boundless future.”

—Stephanie Williams (NUBIA AND THE AMAZONS)

“Brilliant… ANCESTRAL RECALL is a fun, inventive story that cleverly combines a lot of disparate elements into a smooth piece of work.”

—BLACK NERD PROBLEMS

"ANCESTRAL RECALL is beautifully deceptive. It's thought provoking while always being fun. It's heavy while also feeling dreamlike. It's smart while staying so damn cool. This is one of those books that will stick with you in all the best ways."

—Matthew Rosenberg (DC VS. VAMPIRES / WE'RE TAKING EVERYONE DOWN WITH US)

 

  

 Now, let's take a look inside:

 

 

 

For more updates on AHOY Comics, visit them on X, Bluesky, Facebook and Instagram. 

 

Thanks to Ahoy Comics and Superfan Promotions for sharing this preview with us. 

Sirens of the City #4 Review

 

Writer: Joanne Starer

Illustrator: Khary Randolph

Letterer: Andworld Design

Cover Artists: Khary Randolph; Frany; Raúl Allén; Alison Sampson

Publisher: Boom! Studios

Price: $4.99

Release Date: October 18, 2023

 

Rome awakens in Bellevue Hospital. He wants Layla, the mother of his child. Instead, he finds Davi, another youth who loves the homeless girl. Where is Layla? Will this tortured girl find her mother? Let's leap into Sirens of the City #4 and find out!

 

Story

After falling through the cracks of the foster system, Layla searched for the woman who abandoned her. She finally found Diane Gold and exorcised the malicious spirit that controlled her. Then Lilith--Layla's mother and Diane's long-lost lover--appeared. Now Layla has everything she's ever wanted, but tangled emotions still rule her. Layla still can’t face the truth of who she is: a siren.

 

Regardless of how much Rome loves her, the Incubus knows the score. Layla loves Davi, not him. Sadly, Rome's street gang is growing impatient. Craving power, they want Layla and her unborn child. The Rat King hasn't found the street urchin for them. Still, he knows a way to get her attention.

 

In Sirens of the City #4, Joanne Starer draws us into a world filled with vampires and dybbuks, werewolves and gargoyles, and sirens who wield water as weapons. Like Layla, readers may find it hard to take everything in. Yet it's even harder to turn away from Starer’s compelling story.

 

Art

Jerome—known as Rome to his friends—is a wide-eyed youth with a sharply angled afro. He finds it hard not to love easy-going Davi and his “luscious locks.” Yet Layla’s braided hair gives the frightened girl an elegant avian appearance. Lilith—the mother of demons—would give Cruella de Vil a run for her money, while Diane Gold—who Lilith made into a vampire centuries ago—appears ready for her next fashion shoot. Yet Marisol’s Goth/Steampunk vibe is hard to resist. Marisol has tried to help Layla. But after her mother’s death, Marisol feels responsible for the coven of street girls who cower in an abandoned building.

 

Black surrounds and infuses panels in Sirens of the City #4. Khary Randolph's detailed black-and-white art conjures compelling characters amid detailed backgrounds. Yet most scenes receive a splash of color. Each character gets accented with a particular color. The blue of the sirens clashes with the Incubi gang's red. Yet from the beginning, Layla compelled readers with her blue eyes and blue-and-purple-tinged hair.

 

Uppercase black letters haunt white dialogue balloons and narrative boxes. Occasionally, colored text distinguishes characters. Thanks to Andworld Design, we feel Layla's rage as giant blue letters escape their white balloon. More colored sound effects enhance the action, making Sirens of the City #4 easy to read and as beautiful as the women who wield water.

 

Final Thoughts

While mythological beings battle in Sirens Of The City #4, a frightened, pregnant siren seeks answers to her identity and who she can trust.

 

Rating 9.2/10

 

For more cover art see my review at Comic Book Dispatch.