Afterlife with Archie #2 (Archie)

Rating: 5/5 – Continuing one of the best new series of 2013.

I loved the first issue of this series and really felt that is was one of the surprise stand out first issues of 2013.  I’m pleased to say that issue two isn’t a let down.  In fact, it’s as good as the first issue and adds more characters, pushes the maturity level a bit farther, and of course duplicates the beautiful and haunting art.

Issue two keeps the story of what happens when zombies appear in the Archie universe.  Most of the story is told through Veronica Lodge as she recounts what happens to her father. Through this re- telling were able to gain the insight into Veronica’s character.  It’s a clever way of giving a reader who’s less familiar with the Archie characters an understanding of their personalities.  I haven’t read Archie comics in years so there were at least four characters that I wasn’t familiar with before reading this issue.  Nancy and Ginger for example are two characters that appear in this issue that writer Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa explores a bit further, leaving me wanting to read more.  As he adds more and more characters to the mix, there’s so many directions they can go with this book.

The art once again makes your jaw drop.  Francesco Francavilla ramps up the horror in this issue and draws some beautiful, but scary scenes.  The books is still dominated with orange and purples and it looks as though that may be theme for this series, which is a fantastic choice!  Francesco uses lots of close ups that add to the horror.  Whether it be close ups of Jughead’s zombified eyes, or a bloody hand dropping an apple, the close ups add to the overall mood and fright.  I’m so impressed with the look of this book.  Really, I can’t say enough good things about the art!

This continue to be one of my favorite books of this year.  If you’re not reading this book, do so!  It’s still only two issues in so you still have time to get on board.  You’ll be glad you did.

Reviewed by: Shawn Hoklas – shawn@comicspectrum.com
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