Graphic Novel Review
Archie and the Gang on the Run
RATING
4/5
Afterlife with Archie, Vol. 2: Betty R.I.P.
by Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa, Francesco Francavilla (Illustrations)
Ja…Ja… Jason’s dead. It was awful…and my name is not Cheryl anymore…It is Blaze―
by Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa, Francesco Francavilla (Illustrations), Afterlife with Archie, Vol. 2: Betty R.I.P.
Images From the Graphic Novel
Story Synopsis
The dark plague of the undead has swallowed Riverdale whole, forcing the survivors led by Archie, Betty and Veronica to flee the formerly idyllic town in search of safe haven. The rag-tag group’s once-lighthearted romantic rivalries, power struggles and family feuds are now cast in a desperate light, as tensions and emotions are heightened by the fact that any decision, no matter how trivial it may seem, could now be a choice between life and death. And more and more frequently… death is the winner.
AFTERLIFE WITH ARCHIE: BETTY R.I.P. compiles the second storyline from the hit ongoing comic book horror series AFTERLIFE WITH ARCHIE.
My Thoughts
I love excellent Horrorverse adaptations when an author takes something that is banal and twists it and gives it some bite, which is precisely what Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa did with the saccharine sweet Riverdale story. Roberto pulls out an end of the world zombie apocalypse story from the depths of pep rally games, love triangles, and high school melodrama.
I love it so much more than the original.
In this volume, the gang is on the run. There is a horde of the undead being led by a decaying and bloodthirsty Jughead. Still, within the group, there are power struggles, violent flashbacks, and murder. So there is quite a bit to read about aside from the running. Some basics still apply: Betty is a sweetheart but is slowly showing more personality, Veronica is still a bitch, and Archie is still the leader. But, we learn a bit more about Veronica and Betty’s backgrounds. The only real snag about this, the artwork is stellar, and the storyline is fun is that the last two issues of this arc never saw the light of day. They have been on indefinite hold. There is no real resolution to this second story arc. I don’t mind; I found it was still a fun read. But it is frustrating to some readers.
Artwise, this volume is dark and gorgeous.
All in all, a fun read. Sucks that the last issues are not out, but still worth checking it out if you are a zombie apocalypse fan.
“Dear diary, I am not sure, but I think Cheryl Blossom murdered her brother Jason”
Procurement
I purchased this
If You Like This, You will Love That
The Chilling Adventures of Sabrina
About the Author
Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa is an American playwright, screenwriter, and comic book writer best known for his work for Marvel Comics and for the television series Glee, Big Love, Riverdale and Chilling Adventures of Sabrina. He is Chief Creative Officer of Archie Comics. Link
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Beth Tabler
Elizabeth Tabler runs Beforewegoblog and is constantly immersed in fantasy stories. She was at one time an architect but divides her time now between her family in Portland, Oregon, and as many book worlds as she can get her hands on. She is also a huge fan of Self Published fantasy and is on Team Qwillery as a judge for SPFBO5. You will find her with a coffee in one hand and her iPad in the other. Find her on: Goodreads / Instagram / Pinterest / Twitter
