Publisher: Archie Comics
Release Date: July 27, 2016
Price: $19.99
Creator(s): Chip Zdarsky (writer), Erica Henderson (artist)
Format: 168 pgs., Full-Color, Trade Paperback
ISBN: 978-1-6273-8893-1
Age Rating: Teen
ICv2 Rating: 4 Stars out of 5
The status quo at Riverdale High is shattered when Mr. Weatherbee is replaced as principal by a stranger named Stanger who has plans to "modernize" the school. But when these changes include the food in the cafeteria it shakes Forsythe Pendleton III, a.k.a. Jughead Jones out of his self-satisfied stupor and he starts matching wits with Principal Stanger. In the process, he becomes convinced the new principal has a more sinister agenda for Riverdale if only anyone would believe him.
While Archie has been updating the look and way they tell their stories I’m happy to report that Jughead remains pretty much the same food obsessed uniquely outfitted outlier he's always been. A lot of Jughead stories focused on his fantasy life but now that has been absorbed into his everyday life and here he’s shown daydreaming being everything from a super secret agent to a super teen. Given his sometimes tenuous connection reality it's kind of understandable that he has so much trouble convincing everyone there’s something wrong with the new Principal.
Archie has gotten top talents like writer Chip Zdarsky (Howard the Duck) and artist Erica Henderson (The Unbeatable Squirrel Girl) to work on this version of the character, and both of their work is topnotch. And though there have been a few couple concessions to the modern world (the story actually reveals what's behind the Jughead's legendary lack of interest in girls) he remains the same zen cool kid who lives outside the lines he's always been. This one should appeal to both Jughead's longtime fans and those just discovering Archie Comics.
--Steve Bennett: Writer and retail services consultant.
