A comiXologist Recommends:
Dane Cypel recommends
Archie vs. Predator #1
Archie Versus Predator #1. It reads similar to something like chicken and waffles- they put those two together? Archie and the gang against the Predator is ridiculous. It took Green Beret Arnold to take one down, so how could the Archie group do the same? Was Archie going to don the camouflage paint and outwit the mighty space-hunter?
Alex de Campi (alexdecampi), author of IDW’s Smoke, and Archie regular Fernando Ruiz (fernandoruizeverybody) unite to tell a tale that no one ever thought would be told. The two bring a unique take on the Archie universe, both de Campi and Ruiz channeling that classic Archie vibe, while introducing a completely new and fresh element. This first issue features several pages of Predator-filled gore drawn in the wholesome Archie style, which was surprising and awesome. I have worked on many Archie titles during my time here and this book was simply refreshing.
When I say refreshing, it is not because of the gore; instead it is the publisher’s willingness to take chances. Unlike other mainstream publishers, who have a strict set of rules for their primary characters, Archie seems to have thrown all caution into the wind- and it works. Before Predator, Archie Comics introduced Afterlife With Archie, placing the Riverdale gang against a zombie epidemic. Again, an outlandish premise transformed into an amazing book, through both story and art. Even though Predator does not have an artist like Francesco Francavilla at the helm, Ruiz’s classic look gives everything a very tongue-in-cheek feel.
Archie Versus Predator exists to break the mold, create some laughs, and do the impossible. Most of the fun reading this book came from trying to predict who would live or die, and how they would get out of this mess. It is a funny, amusing ride that will make comics history.
Like chicken and waffles, two things that together seem disgusting but are in fact delicious, Archie Versus Predator has a similar synthesis- it is both amazing and absolutely delicious.
[Read Archie vs. Predator #1 on comiXology]
Dane Cypel is a digital editor at comiXology and freelance illustrator based in Manhattan.
