New Writers at Archie Comics

Archie Comics has announced Jesus Gil Holguin, and Misako Takashima have been brought on at Archie Comics as the latest addition to the writing staff. In addition to new writers, be on the lookout for new faces in Riverdale.

First, meet the new writers.

Jesús Gil Holguín, is one of the best known comic book professionals in Mexico, where he has been translating American comics into Spanish, and editing the Mexican editions of American comics for the past 25 years. He started at Editorial Novaro, the most important comic book publishing company in Latin America. He was a regular collaborator in a weekly radio show about comics, and has given a series of conferences about comics throughout Mexico. In 2005, Jesús started publishing Spanish Language editions of Archie Comics in Mexico. Jesús is writing his first script for Archie Comics. The story will feature the first Mexican addition to Riverdale High when Toño Diaz is introduced.

Misako Takashima developed a love for comics and manga at an early age, and drew her first comic at the age of 13. She moved to New York in 2001, and worked as a puppeteer, face painter, animal balloon maker and art teacher, while still developing her own work. She’s been featured in many magazines and newspapers, including Elle Girl and the New York Times, and the BBC recently featured her in a documentary about comic book creators. Misako currently lives in Brooklyn.

And now for the two new characters (from the press release)

Kumi Tamura is a shy, cute and goofy Japanese girl. She doesn’t think she’s goofy or funny. However, when Archie, Betty and the others meet her, they think she is very funny. She wants to be taller, so every morning she drinks a lot of milk, believing this will help her grow. She likes reading Japanese girls’ comics and believes that someday she will meet a gorgeous boy in America. She arrives in Riverdale with her younger sister, Ami Tamura. Compared to Kumi, Ami is outgoing, fun and a positive girl. Ami and Kumi often have fights and usually Ami wins. Ami goes crazy for cute boys, and she is excited to meet a lot of tall American boys! When she finds something/somebody who she really likes, she usually doesn’t give up until she gets it, or them! Oh boy…

Kumi’s Mom is very kind and sweet… but she’s obsessed with keeping their home clean. Therefore, when the kids have fights or make a mess, she gets crazy and looses her mind!! Kumi’s Dad is an engineer. Even though he’s busy, he tries to make time for his girls as much as he can. When Mom gets crazy, he’s really good at calming her down.

Kumi and her family will be moving to Riverdale shortly.

Toño was born in Mexico, and assists his parents, Adrián and Rosa in their party planning business. Rosa handles Public Relations and the administrative part of the business, while Adrián is responsible for the creative and labor portions of the family business. Toño enjoys helping them with gardening and decoration, but the part he likes the most is cooking. He wants to become a great chef when he grows up. The Diaz family has been hired by Mr. Lodge to plan events for the city of Riverdale. As a result, the family has relocated to Riverdale.

Join Toño and his entire family for their first Riverdale adventure in Pals ‘n’ Gals #123 on sale in July, 2008

via Archie Comics