Archie Comics sent Major Spoilers the cover images and solicitation information for titles arriving in March 2012.
ARCHIE #631
“Another Love Song” – The Pussycats are in town and Valerie has big news for her on-and-off-again boyfriend Archie: Her family is moving to Riverdale! Not everyone is thrilled with the news, however, as Betty and Veronica don’t need the competition! The girls may have found the perfect boy to get their mind’s off Archie, though – Valerie’s brother!
Script: Dan Parent
Art & Cover: Dan Parent
Shipping Date: 3/14
On Sale at Comic Specialty Shops: 3/28
32-page, full color comic
$2.99 US.
ARCHIE AND FRIENDS DOUBLE DIGEST #14
Pureheart the Powerful in “Mite and Maim” – When bright-eyed reporters Betty and Veronica capture evil-doer The Octopus assaulting the mayor on camera, they’re guaranteed a front page scoop! Not about to let the story see the light of day, The Octopus apprehends the girls. Who should stand in the way but Pureheart the Powerful! Will Pureheart’s strength be able to withstand Veronica’s kiss in order to save the day or will The Octopus manage to stop the presses?
Script: Frank Doyle
Art: Bob White
Cover: Fernando Ruiz
Shipping Date: 3/7
On Sale at Comic Specialty Shops: 3/21
160-page, full color comic
$3.99 US.
ARCHIE MEETS KISS: COLLECTOR’S EDITION (HC)
The biggest band in rock history invades Riverdale! When the Archies find their town overrun by monsters because of a spell gone wrong, can rock legends KISS save the day? Sabrina the Teenage Witch is also featured adding a magical touch to this epic crossover. Prepare for the craziest match up in Archie history since “Archie Meets The Punisher”! The Hardcover Collector’s Edition collects all four parts of the mini-series, reprints of the variant covers by Francesco Francavilla, foreword by Gene Simmons, plus contains 48 pages of extras not found in the regular trade paperback edition including a KISS photo gallery, the original pitch and script and other bonus material! A must-have full-color edition for KISS and Archie fans alike!
Script: Alex Segura
Art & Cover: Dan Parent
978-1-936975-14-3
$29.99/$34.00CAN
6 5/8 x 10 3/16”
Hardcover
160 pp
Direct Market On-sale: 4/11
ARCHIE MEETS KISS (TR)
The biggest band in rock history invades Riverdale! When the Archies find their town overrun by monsters because of a spell gone wrong, can rock legends KISS save the day? Sabrina the Teenage Witch is also featured adding a magical touch to this epic crossover. Prepare for the craziest match up in Archie history since “Archie Meets The Punisher”! The trade edition features a foil enhanced cover and collects all four parts of the mini-series, reprints of the variant covers by Francesco Francavilla plus a foreword by Gene Simmons and other bonus material! A must-have full-color edition for KISS and Archie fans alike!
Script: Alex Segura
Art & Cover: Dan Parent
978-1-936975-04-4
$12.99/$14.99CAN
6 5/8 x 10 3/16”
Trade Paperback
112 pp
Direct Market On-sale: 4/11
B&V FRIENDS DOUBLE DIGEST #223
Betty & Veronica in “May We Have This Dance?” – The girls prepare to get their groove on by competing with the rest of Riverdale’s wannabe dancers for a spot on “American Dance-A-Thon”! In need of a dance partner, Veronica calls up Archie who jumps at the chance to be on TV! But will Cheryl cut in when Archie is forced to choose a partner for the special “Spotlight Dance”?
Script: Dan Parent
Art: Dan Parent, Jon D’agostino
Cover: Dan DeCarlo
Shipping Date: 3/14
On Sale at Comic Specialty Shops: 3/28
160-page, full color comic
$3.99 US.
BEST OF SONIC THE HEDGEHOG (HC)
After nearly twenty years of comics, specials and mini-series, SONIC THE HEDGEHOG has told hundreds of stories! Through the laughs and thrills, the action and adventure, the highs and lows, some stories stand out among the rest – presented here for the first time ever in this thematic graphic novel collection! From the titanic clash of “Mecha Madness” to the universe-shattering epic “Order from Chaos”, join us as the Archie Comics Sonic team picks their favorite stories from the history of the series! Don’t miss out on this deluxe, collectible hardcover edition – a must-have for any Sonic fan! Plus all-new cover art from Patrick “SPAZ” Spaziante and insights from the Sonic creative team!
Script: Ian Flynn
Art: Patrick “SPAZ” Spaziante, Tracy Yardley, Jamal Peppers, Terry Austin, Jim Amash, John Workman and Matt Herms
Cover: Patrick “SPAZ” Spaziante
978-1-936975-06-8
$24.99/$27.99CAN
6 5/8 x 10 3/16”
Hardcover
144 pp
Direct Market On-sale: 5/23
BETTY AND VERONICA DOUBLE DIGEST #200
Veronica in “Not So Clothes-Minded!” – In order to break Veronica’s habit of arriving late for class, Mr. Weatherbee sentences her to community service! Intent on helping the struggling thrift store she’s been forced to aide, Ronnie utilizes her fashion sense for good in a way nobody thought possible! Can the conceited socialite make a difference and learn a lesson in the process?
Betty in “Triangle Wrangle” – Trying to secure a summer job, Betty turns to Lodge Land where Archie and Adam are working as rival vampires! But will the boys’ antics vying for Betty’s affections help or hinder her job hunt?
Script: Bill Golliher, George Gladir
Art: Pat Kennedy, Stan Goldberg, Jim Amash, Al Milgrom
Cover: Dan Parent
Shipping Date: 3/28
On Sale at Comic Specialty Shops: 4/11
160-page, full color comic
$3.99 US.
JUGHEAD #212
In Jughead’s seemingly never-ending quest to find a place to call home, the teen and his canine companion Hotdog shack up in the unlikeliest of places: Lodge Estates. Not accustomed to a life of luxury, will Jughead conform to high society or will his slovenly ways put him back on the street? Plus, how does Mr. Lodge plan to use his new houseguest to his advantage?
Script: Craig Boldman
Art: Rex Lindsey
Cover: Fernando Ruiz
Shipping Date: 3/7
On Sale at Comic Specialty Shops: 3/21
32-page, full color comic
$2.99 US.
JUGHEAD DOUBLE DIGEST #179
Jughead in “Picture Perfect” – Lights! Camera! Burger! Pop hires an agency to take pictures for a Chok’lit Shoppe ad but first they must piece together the perfect burger. As Jughead learns, creating photogenic food is a work of art but will Pop be smiling at the results?
Script: Craig Boldman
Art: Rex Lindsey
Cover: Fernando Ruiz
Shipping Date: 3/7
On Sale at Comic Specialty Shops: 3/21
160-page, full color comic
$3.99 US.
KEVIN KELLER #2
Kevin Keller in “May I Have This Dance?” – As newly appointed class president, Kevin is in charge of selecting the theme for Riverdale High’s prom. That’s easy compared to the decision of who Kevin will take to the dance! And if things weren’t complicated enough, Kevin has a secret admirer hoping to be Kevin’s date…
Script: Dan Parent
Art & Cover: Dan Parent
Variant Cover: Dan Parent
Shipping Date: 3/28
On Sale at Comic Specialty Shops: 4/11
32-page, full color comic
$2.99 US.
LIFE WITH ARCHIE #18
“Archie Marries Veronica” – Not even a brush with the law can keep Veronica from investigating the mysterious mining accident that befell Archie and Reggie! Why did Ambrose drag them down there and what will they discover on the other side?
“Archie Marries Betty” – In the alternate reality, Archie digs deeper into the mysteries surrounding Dilton, Fred Mirth and Memory Lane! Plus what exactly did happen with Veronica’s missing plane? Things are about to come to a head as this issue blows open the lid on every crazy event that lead us to this point! You are not going to want to miss the thrilling conclusion!
Script: Paul Kupperberg
Art: Fernando Ruiz, Pat Kennedy, Tim Kennedy, Al Milgrom, Bob Smith
Cover: Fernando Ruiz
Shipping Date: 3/14
On Sale at Comic Specialty Shops: 3/28
64-page, full color comic
$3.99 US.
MEGA MAN #12
“The Return of Dr. Wily” Part Four: This is it – the grand finale of “THE RETURN OF DR. WILY”! Dr. Wily has hidden himself in his latest fortress and surrounded himself with killer robots as he plots his counter-attack. Can Mega Man breach the defenses and stop the mad scientist in time? Maybe not alone – but the Original Robot Masters have got his back! It’s all-out robot warfare in the explosive conclusion!
Script: Ian Flynn
Art: Ben Bates, Gary Martin, John Workman and Matt Herms
Cover: Patrick “SPAZ” Spaziante
Shipping Date: 3/28
On Sale at Comic Specialty Shops: 4/11
32-page, full color comic
$2.99 US.
MEGA MAN FCBD 2012
“Let the Games Begin!” – Don’t miss the first classic issue of the hit new MEGA MAN comic series! The future looks bright when brilliant and benevolent Dr. Light unveils his latest creations: the Robot Masters! But when the nefarious Dr. Wily steals them for his own sinister purposes, there is no one left to stop him. No one – except Mega Man! Plus bonus features and a preview of the all-new series: THE NEW CRUSADERS!
Script: Ian Flynn
Art: Patrick “SPAZ” Spaziante, John Workman, Matt Herms
Cover: Chad Thomas, Fabio ReDivo and Evan Stanley
Shipping Date: 3/7
On Sale at Comic Specialty Shops: 5/5
32-page, full color comic
SONIC GENESIS (HC)
Part of SEGA’s heavily promoted Sonic the Hedgehog 20th anniversary event, this is what Sonic fans have been demanding – his fist deluxe hardcover edition! Sonic: Genesis is a highly collectible book with a foil-enhanced cover and features the biggest, most talked-about Sonic comic story of all time, which leading video game website IGN called the comics’ “definitive story”! This hardcover collection includes the complete “Genesis” epic, with art by Patrick SPAZ Spaziante, who is creating his highly anticipated first interior Sonic story artwork in nearly ten years! All this plus tons of bonus features that will give fans new and old an in-depth look at the story that changed Sonic the Hedgehog comics forever!
Script: Ian Flynn
Art: Patrick “SPAZ” Spaziante
Cover: Patrick “SPAZ” Spaziante
978-1-879794-89-4
$24.99/$27.99CAN
6 5/8 x 10 3/16”
Hardcover
144 pp
Direct Market On-sale: 3/14
SONIC PRESENTS KNUCKLES ARCHIVES 2 (TR)
Hot off the heels of his successful debut graphic novel, Sonic’s original “friendly nemesis” takes on all new challengers in the pulse-pounding Knuckles Archives 2! Dive in as Knuckles investigates the mysteries of his origins and the wonders of the Floating Island. Knuckles’s past comes back to haunt him – and in a big way! New villains arrive as the Dingo Regime is thrust
back into fray, while the old villains of the Dark Legion and Enerjak return to wreck havoc! Collects two complete story arcs from Knuckles the Echidna # 4-9!
Script & Art: Various
Cover: Patrick “SPAZ” Spaziante
978-1-879794-98-6
$9.99/$10.99CAN
5 x 7 3/8”
Trade Paperback
160 pp
Direct Market On-sale: 3/21
SONIC SELECT 5 (TR)
Blast into the past at Sonic speed with this flashback-themed edition of the hugely successful Sonic Select graphic novel series! You’ll catch the early adventures that turned Sonic and the Freedom Fighters into the heroes they are today! From the founding of the team to the secret past between Princess Sally and Knuckles – it’s all here! But this volume doesn’t just live in the past. Sonic and the leading ladies of the comic tell and experience major events in their lives, shaping their characters and events in the comics for years to come! Sonic Select 5 collects stories from Sonic Super Specials #5, 8, 9 and 11.
Script & Art: Various
Cover: Patrick “SPAZ” Spaziante
978-1-936975-05-1
$11.99/$12.99CAN
6 x 9”
Trade Paperback
128 pp
Direct Market On-sale: 4/25
SONIC THE HEDGEHOG #235
“Remember the Fallen”: The Freedom Fighters are torn apart in the fallout from last issue. Sonic and his friends must deal with the loss in their own way, and it will change the team forever. When Silver the Hedgehog arrives looking for “the traitor,” will the weary Sonic give him a chance to speak?
Script: Ian Flynn
Art: Tracy Yardley!, Terry Austin, John Workman and Matt Herms
Cover: Yardley!, Austin and Herms
Shipping Date: 3/21
On Sale at Comic Specialty Shops: 4/4
32-page, full color comic
$2.99 US.
SONIC THE HEDGEHOG FCBD 2012
“…Two Steps Back: SPECIAL EDITION” – “Genesis” may be over, but that doesn’t mean Sonic has saved the day! The Death Egg II still menaces New Mobotropolis, and Dr. Eggman has one more sinister trick up his sleeve. It’s a desperate race against time as Sonic and Sally try to prevent another world catastrophe, and the ending will leave you speechless. Plus bonus features and a preview of the all-new series: THE NEW CRUSADERS!
Script: Ian Flynn.
Art: Ben Bates, Terry Austin, John Workman and Matt Herms
Cover: Tracy Yardley! and Matt Herms
Shipping Date: 3/7
On Sale at Comic Specialty Shops: 5/5
32-page, full color comic
SONIC UNIVERSE #38
“Scrambled” Part Two – The hunt is on! Dr. Eggman goes into all-out war with G.U.N., all in an attempt to smoke out his wayward lackey, Snively! Meanwhile, in the heart of G.U.N. headquarters, Snively seeks the next step in his master plan: a girl named Hope!
Script: Ian Flynn
Art: Jamal Peppers, Jim Amash, Jack Morelli and Steve Downer
Cover: Jamal Peppers, Jim Amash and Matt Herms
Shipping Date: 3/7
On Sale at Comic Specialty Shops: 3/21
32-page, full color comic
$2.99 US.
STAN LEE’S MIGHTY 7 #1
“How it all Began!” – Stan Lee Comics presents “MIGHTY 7,” a sensational new superhero property from the creator of Spider-Man, the X-Men and more!! When a crew of sinister, alien prisoners and their jailers are blasted across the galaxy, their ship lands smack dab in front of legendary comic book creator Stan “the man” Lee! What does this alien arrival mean for planet Earth?! Reality meets fantasy as the “Mighty 7” journey begins! Order 200 copies of Mighty 7 #1 and receive a limited edition variant cover signed by Stan Lee! Excelsior!
Script: Tony Blake & Paul Jackson w/ Stan Lee
Art: Alex Saviuk, Bob Smith, John Workman and Tom Smith
Cover & Variant Covers: Alex Saviuk and Tom Smith
Shipping Date: 3/7
On Sale at Comic Specialty Shops: 3/21
32-page, full color comic
$2.99 US.
WORLD OF ARCHIE DOUBLE DIGEST #16
Archie in “Charity Ball!” – Veronica signs the gang up to play in her father’s charity baseball game benefitting the march of dimes! Fly balls and home runs abound as the team pulls together earning more money for the charity each time they score! How much will the team manage to raise by the final inning? Find out in these pages!
Dilton in “Brain Buster” – The gang takes turns testing out Dilton’s new invention – a phone with artificial intelligence! After a couple test runs go awry, will the phone prove its worth in Archie’s hands or end in catastrophe?
Script: John Rose, Mike Pellowski
Art: Stan Goldberg, Al Milgrom
Cover: Fernando Ruiz
Shipping Date: 3/21
On Sale at Comic Specialty Shops: 4/4
160-page, full color comic
$3.99 US.