Since Betty and Veronica landed their own comic book in 1950, there have been 347 issues of the first volume Archie’s Girls Betty and Veronica (1950-1987), and the October 2015 issue of the second volume, Betty and Veronica (1987-present), will be number 278. So what’s in Betty and Veronica’s 625th issue to send off the pair? In Dan Parent’s “Last Dance,” a trip down Memory Lane makes them second guess what they believe to be their raison d’etre: Archie Andrews. While this marks the end of the second volume, Adam Hughes’ new interpretation of them will follow, and in the meantime, Betty, Veronica, and the rest of Archie’s gang continue to have fresh stories in the digests.
Among the stories you get in this month’s Archie Digests are part two of “The Many Loves of Archie Andrews” in Betty and Veronica Jumbo Comics Digest #238, and an early Christmas tale in Fernando Ruiz’s “Trees are the Times,” which appears in Jughead and Archie Comics Annual #17.
In Dark Circle Comics, The Hangman arrives from Frank Tieri and Felix Ruiz, and a second arc of The Black Hood begins. And, in Archie Action, we get more installments of Sonic and Mega Man.
Official solicitations:
NEW ONGOING SERIES FROM DARK CIRCLE!
They say the Hangman is nothing more than an urban legend. A spook story told to scare criminals straight. But those who encounter him—like hitman “Mad Dog” Mike Minetta—know different. They know that when he comes for you… you’re dead already. Join fan-favorite writer Frank Tieri (WOLVERINE, BATMAN) and artist extraordinaire Felix Ruiz (WOLVERINE MAX, HALO) for an ongoing tale of horror, the supernatural and violence… and learn why some men may never be redeemed.
Script: Frank Tieri
Art: Felix Ruiz
CVR A Reg: Felix Ruiz
CVR B Variant: Timothy Bradstreet
CVR C Variant: Francesco Francavilla
CVR D Variant: Robert Hack
On Sale Date: 11/4
32-page, full color comic
$3.99 U.S.
THE ACCLAIMED DARK CIRCLE SERIES RETURNS! “Flor de Muerto” After the soul-crushing events of “Bullet’s Kiss,” disfigured cop Greg Hettinger leaves Philly and checks into a Southern California rehab clinic. But a plane ride can’t separate Greg from his troubles. A fellow patient believes her former drug dealer (and lover) has sent someone to kill her, and it’s up to Greg to figure out which member of their circle is preparing to pull the trigger…
New to the dark, twisted world of The Black Hood? Then check yourself in for this thrilling one-shot from novelist Duane Swierczynski and superstar artist Howard Chaykin.
Script: Duane Swierczynski
Art: Howard Chaykin, Jesus Aburto, Rachel Deering
CVR A Reg: Francesco Francavilla
CVR B Variant: Howard Chaykin
CVR C Variant: David Mack
CVR D Variant: Greg Smallwood
On Sale Date: 10/28
32-page, full color comic
$3.99 U.S.
COLLECTING THE BESTSELLING DEBUT ARC FROM THE ACCLAIMED TEAM OF SWIERCZYNSKI AND GAYDOS! A man driven to the brink, blacklisted and left brutally changed must crawl through the wreckage of his life to defeat a gang of deadly criminals hell-bent on setting the streets of Philadelphia aflame. Fueled by rage and empowered by years of experience upholding the law, the new Black Hood is a visceral, conflicted and flawed urban vigilante—but he’s also the city’s last hope. A modern crime noir tale introducing readers to the newest—and deadliest—hero in the Dark Circle Comics lineup.
Script: Duane Swierczynski
Art: Michael Gaydos, Rachel Deering, Kelly Fitzpatrick
Cover: Michael Gaydos
978-1-61988-962-0
$14.99/$16.99 CAN
6 5/8 x 10 3/16”
TR
144 pp, Full Color
Direct Market On-Sale Date: 10/7
ARCHIE COMICS 1000 PAGE COMICS GALA (TR)
In this edition of the ARCHIE 1000 PAGE COMICS series, you’re invited to a GALA featuring hilarious stories from Archie & his pals ‘n’ gals! For over seven decades, Archie and his friends have been making everyone laugh, with their dating hijinx and misadventures at Riverdale High School! Everything’s Archie in the largest Archie collection series EVER—offered at an incredible value price!
Script: Various
Art: Various
Cover: Various
978-1-62738-999-0
$14.99/$15.99 CAN
4 7/8 x 6 9/16”
TR
1000 pp, Full Color
Direct Market On-Sale Date: 11/4
Get ready to PARTY with all of your favorite friendly neighbors of Riverdale! This collection is a celebration of the best parties and shindigs Archie and his friends have thrown over the years! This fun, pocket-sized collection features 128 pages of hand-picked, favorite music-themed stories, presented in high-quality, bright white paper with a cardstock cover.
Script: Various
Art: Various
Cover: Various
978-1-62738-800-9
$5.99/$6.99 CAN
4 7/8 x 6 9/16”
TR
128 pp, Full Color
Direct Market On-Sale Date: 10/28
The holidays are here and Archie has already solved his usual Christmas crisis: what to get Betty & Veronica?!? He has settled on two very appropriate gifts for each of the girls—at least that’s what he thinks! When Betty starts feeling like she’s always getting the short end of the stick in terms of presents, her luck begins to change—is it because of a Christmas miracle? Or is it all thanks to a certain S-wearing Christmas elf? Find out in “The Christmas Elf,” the fun and festive new lead story to this comics double digest!
Script: Tom DeFalco
Art: Pat and Tim Kennedy
Cover: Dan Parent, Rich Koslowski, Rosario “Tito” Peña
On Sale Date: 10/28
160-page, full color comic
$4.99 U.S.
It’s the dawn of a new beginning for Betty and Veronica! Go to one final prom with Betty and Veronica before the Riverdale High School gym is torn down! The girls commemorate this momentous occasion with a magical trip down Memory Lane, where they reminisce about past dances—the romance, the tears, the laughter, all of Archie’s awkward dance moves, all the times he made a date for the same night with both girls… wait a minute, maybe it wasn’t all that great! This time the girls turn it around on Archie for one “Last Dance” in this monumental issue of Betty and Veronica!
Script: Dan Parent
Art: Dan Parent, Rich Koslowski, Jack Morelli
Cover: Dan Parent
CVR A Reg: Dan Parent
CVR B 90s Variant: Dan Parent
CVR C 80s Variant: Dan Parent
CVR D 70s Variant: Dan Parent
CVR E 60s Variant: Dan Parent
CVR F 50s Variant: Dan Parent
On Sale Date: 10/21
32-page, full color comic
$3.99 U.S.
“The Many Loves of Archie Andrews” part 2! Eight girls have entered Archie in the “Best Boyfriend of the Year” contest—but wait until you see who Archie has nominated! Let’s just say, she’s a seasonal love interest. And she’s not the only Christmas gal to spice things up! But just how long will Betty & Veronica stay merry before they start getting mad? Archie’s usual love triangle gets a festive twist in this fun, brand new ongoing lead story to this JUMBO comics digest!
Script: Dan Parent
Art: Dan Parent
Cover: Fernando Ruiz, Bob Smith, Rosario “Tito” Peña
On Sale Date: 10/28
288-page, full color comic
$6.99 U.S.
Christmas is coming to Riverdale! Archie and Jughead decide to score points with their principal, Mr. Weatherbee, by generously donating a Christmas tree to Riverdale High. They choose the best—and biggest—tree the Christmas tree farm has to offer. But when the boys run into some issues with transporting the gigantic fur, their generous idea may turn into more trouble than it’s worth! Find out if they can get on Mr. Weatherbee’s good side and spread some Christmas cheer—or if they’ll be spending their holidays in detention in “Trees are the Times,” the hilarious holiday brand new story that starts off this Comics Annual!
Script: Fernando Ruiz
Art: Fernando Ruiz
Cover: Fernando Ruiz, Bob Smith, Rosario “Tito” Peña
On Sale Date: 11/11
192-page, full color comic
$5.99 U.S.
MEGA MAN’s long lost brother RETURNS in “Red Shift”: Break Man answers the call of… a ghost?! How is it possible that Dr. Wily is STILL alive?! And what haunting secret will he use to keep Break Man under his control? It’s up to Blues to do some soul-searching! Will he remain broken, or will he finally become a hero like his brother? Featuring cover art by long-time Mega Man artist Patrick “Spaz” Spaziante and a Proto Man variant cover by comics superstar Brent McCarthy!
Script: Ian Flynn
Art: Ryan Jampole, Gary Martin, John Workman & Matt Herms
Mega Man #54 CVR A Reg: Patrick Spaziante
Mega Man #54 CVR B Variant: Brent McCarthy
On Sale Date: 10/21
32-page, full color comic
$3.99 U.S
Brace yourself for the SONIC BOOM! The hit multimedia Sonic experience comes to you in the action-packed, laugh-a-minute comic book series! Sonic and his friends Tails, Amy, Knuckles and Sticks find themselves caught up in more zany adventures! Dr. Eggman asks the question: “Where does a one ton, fearsome gorilla sit?” The answer: “Wherever he politely asks to!”—wait, what?! Dr. Eggman has a problem-how can he betray the trust of the villagers when they don’t trust him to begin with? The mad mechanic pulls out all the stops to woo the wary would-be victims, but he gets more than he counted for when Sonic and his pals decide to become his
staff! Then it’s off to the races as Dr. Eggman goads Sonic into competing in a go-kart race! Sonic puts the pedal to the metal-because if he put his feet to the track, he’d win without question! But there’s no way Dr. Eggman will run a clean race! This volume collects SONIC BOOM #5-7 and #11.
Script: Ian Flynn, Bill Freiberger & Sam Sandak Freiberger
Art: Steven Butler, Ryan Jampole, Jennifer Hernandez, Diana Skelly, Rick
Bryant, Jack Morelli & Matt Herms
Cover: Tracy Yardley, Rick Bryant & Matt Herms
978-1-62738-994-5
$12.99/$14.99 CAN
6 5/8 x 10 3/16”
TR
104 pp, Full Color
Direct Market On-Sale Date: 11/11
The sequel to the record-shattering Sonic the Hedgehog and Mega Man crossover is here! You saw what happened when “Worlds Collide,” now brace yourself for when WORLDS UNITE! Dark forces have come together in the far future! The vicious conqueror, Sigma, has cheated death again and escaped the justice of X and the Maverick Hunters. He’s crossed space and time to join forces with Zavok and the malicious Deadly Six of Lost Hex! Sonic and Mega Man could save us-but they’ve gone missing! Now the Freedom Fighters of Sonic’s world and the Robot Masters of Mega Man’s world must take up the fight to save their heroes and stop the coming tide of darkness! WORLDS UNITE features guest appearances by the cast of SONIC BOOM, MEGA MAN X and some of CAPCOM and SEGA’s biggest stars! This volume collects WORLDS UNITE parts 1-4 from Sonic Universe#76, Sonic Boom #8, Sonic the Hedgehog #273,Mega Man #50 and selections from Mega Man: Worlds Unite Battles #1.
Script: Ian Flynn, Various
Art: Dan Schoening, Tracy Yardley, Ben Bates, Jamal Peppers, Terry Austin,
Jack Morelli, Rachel Deering, Luis Antonio Delgado & Elaina Unger
Cover:Patrick “Spaz” Spaziante
978-1-62738-998-3
$14.99/$16.99 CAN
6 5/8 x 10 3/16″
TR
136 pp, Full Color
Direct Market On-Sale Date: 11/4
The SONIC SAGA graphic novel series returns! This volume is all out WAR! Dr. Eggman’s forces have grown thin and his city is destroyed. It’s time to strike! Sonic leads the Freedom Fighters and the Chaotix in a high-speed blitz to liberate the world! But Dr. Eggman’s army
won’t go down without a fight-or will they? Even as the dust settles, a new conflict threatens to blaze up out of the ashes! What is the Iron Dominion, and is their fearsome might too much for Sonic to handle? And what role does Dr. Eggman’s lackey, Snively, play in all this? It’s all action and intrigue in this latest installment of the SONIC SAGA SERIES! Collects select stories from Sonic the Hedgehog #s 199-202.
Script: Ian Flynn
Art: Tracy Yardley, Renae Deliz, Jim Amash, Tery Austin, John Workman,
Teresa Davidson, Matt Herms, Jason Jensen & Josh Ray
Cover: Tracy Yardley
978-1-62738-996-9
$12.99/$14.99 CAN
6 5/8 x 10 3/16″
TR
104 pp, Full Color
Direct Market On-Sale Date: 11/18
Get ready for fun & adventure—it’s Sonic Super Digest! Don’t miss all the classic fun and adventure you love in stories from the comics’ 20+ year history as Sonic and his friends embark on daring adventures, face evil villains and save the day one chili dog at a time! Spin into the fun that only Archie Comics and Sonic Super Digest can bring! Featuring awesome cover art from Tyson Hesse and story & art from the biggest names in Sonic comics history!
Script: Various
Art: Various
Cover: Tyson Hesse
On Sale Date: 11/4
128-page, full color comic
$4.99 U.S.
SONIC’s planet-wide chase CONTINUES!”Face of the Enemy” Part One: Sonic, Antoine and Big head to Shamar to rescue another Gaia Key Guardian! They’re calling in the reinforcements and getting some help from the local Freedom Fighters-but will that really be enough to get past the fearsome Egg Army? Then, in “Hidden Costs” Part Two: Get ringside seats to Bunnie vs. Cassia. It’s the can’t-miss Cyborg fight of the century! Featuring cover art by jamming Jamal Peppers and a “Maniacal” variant By CG artist Rafa Knight!
Script: Ian Flynn
Art: Adam Bryce Thomas, Evan Stanley, Terry Austin, John Workman & Gabriel
Cassata
CVR A Reg: Jamal Peppers, Terry Austin, Elaina Unger
CVR B Variant: Rafa Knight
On Sale Date: 11/11
32-page, full color comic
$3.99 U.S.
SILVER FIGHTS for his FUTURE in “The Silver Age” Part 3: Silver is at the mercy of the heartless council, but their cold nature is nothing compared to the evil then unleash! Gold’s mysterious past is now revealed, as well as how it’s tied to the current calamity. Will it be up to Silver to save his future once again? Featuring cover art by long-time Sonic Comic artist, Tracy Yardley and a “To the Future” variant by newcomer Adam Bryce Thomas!
Script: Ian Flynn
Art: Tracy Yardley, Jim Amash, Jack Morelli & Matt Herms
CVR A Reg: Tracy Yardley & Matt Herms
CVR B Variant: Adam Bryce Thomas, Terry Austin & Steve
Downer
On Sale Date: 10/28
32-page, full color comic
$3.99 U.S
“Santa” is making his first-ever visit to the Riverdale Mall, and he’s not sure what to expect from the little kids of Riverdale. They all seem cute and innocent enough, but what they have on their gift lists might turn the big man in red’s hair even whiter! Find out if this mall Santa has what it takes to fulfill the wishes of Little Archie and his friends in “All I Want for Christmas is You!” the holly jolly new lead story to this comics double digest!
Script: J. Torres
Art: Fernando Ruiz
Cover: Dan Parent, Rich Koslowski, Rosario “Tito” Peña
On Sale Date: 10/21
160-page, full color comic
$4.99 U.S.