REVIEW: 'Archie vs the World' #1 by Aubrey Sitterson, Jed Dougherty, and Matt Herms

 

ARCHIE VS. THE WORLD #1

Writer: Aubrey Sitterson

Artist: Jed Dougherty, Matt Herms,

Doug Garbark

Letters: Jack Morelli

Publisher: Archie Comics

Release Date: January 25, 2023

Cover Price: $3.99

In a post-apocalyptic future, our hero Archie Andrews is cursed to walk the world alone-well, alone with his souped-up jalopy. But Archie can defend himself-in fact, he's the master of a brutal, deadly form of martial arts and must use his skills when he comes face-to-face with his rival and evil mirror image, Reggie. This action-packed one-shot is equal parts Mad Max: Fury Road and The Fist of the North Star, and reunites the Jughead the Burgarian team from 2022's smash-hit comic THE BEST ARCHIE COMIC EVER!

Score:

★★★1/2 (3.5/5)

QUICK REVIEW: On premise alone, 'Archie vs the World' is just a wild enough reimagining to thrill Archie Comics fans. A post-apocalyptic setting with Archie and Jughead as road warriors in direct conflict with Reggie in a superpowered showdown. In practice, the one-shot has grander ambitions than one issue can contain and so there isn't a lot of time to get to know these characters. Aubrey Sitterson does his best to squeeze in all the Archie favorites in various new incarnations which given say, a three-issue limited series, could really evolve into something really fun. Instead of a filling meal, the one-shot feels more like an appetizer full of ideas and moments. Described as "equal parts Mad Max: Fury Road and The Fist of the North Star," Archie vs the World delivers a taste of both with great designs by Jed Dougherty and colorful choices by Matt Herms. Archie has always been centered in the middle of the infamous love triangle between Betty and Veronica and this is no different except Archie is a buffed-out power-wielding nomad fated to roam the wasteland forever. Great concept with loads of potential but hampered by fitting it all into one issue. However, for fans of Archie Comics 'Archie vs the World' is totally worth the investment to see the alternative world-building that will make one wonder what if?