Archie Comics for July 2008

Archie Comics has sent Major Spoilers the cover images and solicitation information for titles arriving in July 2008.

ARCHIE #587
THE “FRESHMAN YEAR” SAGA BEGINS HERE!
“The Summer Before”: Travel back in time with this five-issue tale that takes Archie and his friends back to their very first year in high school. It all starts with this poignant prologue which finds the gang wondering just what that first year will be like, while reflecting fondly on the past as well. Along the way, the gang must deal with the pending departure of one of their closest friends, as well as their bickering parents. And while the kids count the days until they enter their new school home, someone else is joining Riverdale High, too: Principal Waldo Weatherbee! All this, plus allusions to Captain Pureheart, The Man from R.I.V.E.R.D.A.L.E., Veronica’s worldwide travels, and more! It’s all brought to you by fan-favorite writer Batton Lash of “Wolff & Byrd” and “Archie Meets the Punisher” fame.
SCRIPT: Batton Lash.
ART: Bill Galvan.
Shipping Date: July 16th, 2008
On Sale at Comic Specialty Shops: July 23rd, 2008
On Sale on Newsstands: August 5th, 2008
32-page, full color comic
$2.25 US.

ARCHIE & FRIENDS #121
“California Dreaming Part One”: When news of Archie and his friends’ worldwide, mystery-solving adventures (see ARCHIE & FRIENDS #117 through #120 for details) spreads, it isn’t long before Hollywood comes knocking. MGG Studios exec Perri DeLane is sure the gang will be a hit, and takes them to the Catalina Comic Con to unveil her latest franchise.
Later, the “Minute Men of Menace,” a gang of thieves who pull off their crimes in lightning-fast fashion, crash a swank invitation-only party that the gang are attending… and promptly kidnap all the celebrity guests! Can Archie and his friends solve yet another mystery so hot on the heels of their European tour? Is the plot of their movie being written before their eyes? These questions and more will be answered (maybe) when you read this intriguing tale!
SCRIPT: Alex Simmons. ART: Fernando Ruiz.
Shipping Date: July 2nd, 2008
On Sale at Comic Specialty Shops: July 9th, 2008
On Sale on Newsstands: July 22nd, 2008
32-page, full color comic
$2.25 US.

ARCHIE DIGEST #246
“Pool Player”: Archie’s job as a swimming pool cleaner leaves him “all wet!”
SCRIPT: Mike Pellowski.
ART: Tim Kennedy.
“Soggy Story”: The summer is a real “day at the beach” for Archie… except when that day is rainy!
SCRIPT: Mike Pellowski.
ART: Tim Kennedy.
PLUS: Other new and classic tales!
SCRIPT AND ART: Various talents.
BONUS: Puzzles, games and pin-ups!
Shipping Date: July 23rd, 2008
On Sale at Comic Specialty Shops: July 30th, 2008
On Sale on Newsstands: August 12th, 2008
Full color digest format
$2.49 US.

ARCHIE’S DOUBLE DIGEST #190
“Gull-ible”: An adorable, charming story presented in the much-loved “silent pantomime” style of Archie stories past. Lovebirds Archie and Betty meet some real “love birds” as they spend a day at the beach.
SCRIPT: Angelo DeCesare.
ART: Bob Bolling.
“Absence Minded”: Feeling slighted by his friends, Archie can’t help but see reminders of them along every mile of beach.
SCRIPT: Angelo DeCesare.
ART: Bob Bolling.
“The Cupid Caper”: Cupid thinks his assignment to bring Archie and Betty closer together is a cake-walk. He hasn’t counted on Veronica showing up!
SCRIPT: George Gladir.
ART: Randy Elliott.
PLUS: Other new and classic tales!
SCRIPT AND ART: Various talents.
BONUS: Puzzles, games and pin-ups!
Shipping Date: July 2nd, 2008
On Sale at Comic Specialty Shops: July 9th, 2008
On Sale on Newsstands: July 22nd, 2008
Full color digest format
$3.69 US.

BETTY #175
“The Flub Club”: Convinced Archie is stepping out with a harem of girls, Betty tosses all reminders of him away… but are things really as they seem?
SCRIPT: George Gladir.
ART: Stan Goldberg.
“Fast Food Friends”: Betty “flips out” when she learns she’s Archie’s new boss at the burger joint!
SCRIPT: Bill Golliher.
ART: Stan Goldberg.
“Mentor Mismatch”: Betty and the young girl she mentors have so much in common they’re practically clones… but will their opinions on Archie match up?
SCRIPT: Mike Pellowski.
ART: Stan Goldberg.
“The Big Search”: Betty dreams of searching for a mystery object at a flea market… and the next morning goes to the flea market to seek it out, even though she has no idea what it is!
SCRIPT: George Gladir.
ART: Stan Goldberg.
Shipping Date: July 23rd, 2008
On Sale at Comic Specialty Shops: July 30th, 2008
On Sale on Newsstands: August 12th, 2008
32-page, full color comic
$2.25 US.

BETTY & VERONICA SPECTACULAR #84
“Get Up & Go”: When Veronica finds herself perpetually late for school, her father insists she start riding the bus. Will she give up the creature comforts of her father’s limo so easily, or come up with an alternate way to travel with style?
SCRIPT AND ART: Dan Parent.
Shipping Date: July 16th, 2008
On Sale at Comic Specialty Shops: July 23rd, 2008
On Sale on Newsstands: August 5th, 2008
32-page, full color comic
$2.25 US.

BETTY & VERONICA DIGEST #186
“Party Game”: Dragged to another high-society party by Veronica, Betty resigns herself to the fact that Veronica will once again get all the attention… or will she?
SCRIPT: Mike Pellowski.
ART: Tim Kennedy.
“Picnic Panic”: The girls are looking for something to do, so Jughead suggests a picnic… as long as he can come along!
SCRIPT: Mike Pellowski.
ART: Jeff Shultz.
Shipping Date: July 30th, 2008
On Sale at Comic Specialty Shops: August 6th, 2008
On Sale on Newsstands: August 12th, 2008
Full color digest format
$2.49 US.

BETTY & VERONICA DOUBLE DIGEST #163
PART 3 OF A 5-PART, INTERACTIVE STORY WHERE THE READERS DECIDE THE OUTCOME!
“And the Winner Is… Part 3 of 5”: 2008 is an election year, and Archie Comics is no exception as we present a special election of our own: your chance to vote for Cheryl Blossom’s new boyfriend! Two issues ago, Reggie and Cheryl broke up, and Cheryl wound up on the TV show “The Lonely Hearts Club” in search of a new beau. Three hot contestants stepped up for the challenge, and you the reader will witness each of their dates with Cheryl and vote for who you think Cheryl should choose online at HYPERLINK “http://www.archiecomics.com” www.archiecomics.com! This issue, Cheryl goes on a date with Brandon. He’s a computer genius and entrepreneur, but even clumsier than Archie! That might be more than Cheryl can handle… unless your votes decide otherwise! Don’t miss out on the Archie Comics event of the summer – be sure to reserve every issue!
SCRIPT AND ART: Dan Parent.
ALSO: “Pool Players”: Tired of all the splashing kids at the public pool where she lifeguards, Betty can’t wait to “relax” around Veronica’s pool… or will she?
SCRIPT: Mike Pellowski.
ART: Tim Kennedy.
PLUS: Other new and classic tales!
SCRIPT AND ART: Various talents.
BONUS: Puzzles, games and pin-ups!
Shipping Date: July 30th, 2008
On Sale at Comic Specialty Shops: August 6th, 2008
On Sale on Newsstands: August 12th, 2008
Full color digest format
$3.69 US.

JUGHEAD #190
DON’T MISS THIS MOUTH-WATERING TRIBUTE TO BUFFALO WINGS AND THEIR BIRTHPLACE!
“Winging It”: Jughead and his friends “shuffle off to Buffalo” for the National Buffalo Wing Festival! Along the way, they encounter many famous people and buffalo wing landmarks including festival organizer Drew Cerza and Mayor Brown – birthplace of buffalo wings and Dunn Tire Park, the home of the Buffalo Bisons and host of the Wing Festival. Jughead’s entry is sure to be the favorite of the competition… unless a shifty saboteur sours the sauce! Will Jughead’s dreams of winning the festival take flight, or will he be grounded? Find out for yourself – don’t miss this special issue-length epic!
SCRIPT: Craig Boldman.
ART: Jeff Shultz.
Shipping Date: July 23rd, 2008
On Sale at Comic Specialty Shops: July 30th, 2008
On Sale on Newsstands: August 12th, 2008
32-page, full color comic
$2.25 US.

JUGHEAD’S DOUBLE DIGEST #142
THE THRILLING CONCLUSION TO THE EPIC SAGA OF JUGHEAD’S NEW LOVE LIFE… FEATURING JUGHEAD’S NEW, REALISTIC LOOK!
“The MatchMakers Part 4”: Having “set-up” Jughead and Sandy, matchmakers Archie, Betty, Reggie and Veronica now must face off against them in the couples’ competition at the school picnic. The friends are surprised at how well Jughead and Sandy work together in the contest… especially for a “new couple!” Is their relationship the “real deal,” or have they merely set up those who set them up? Find out for yourself in the thrilling conclusion to this intriguing 4-part tale! Last year’s “Bad Boy Trouble” set the comics world on its ear as the teens were depicted in a realistic style. Comic book legends Joe Staton and Al Milgrom carry on that look, handling pencils and inks respectively, in what is sure to be one of the more intriguing Archie stories of the year!
SCRIPT: Melanie Morgan.
ART: Joe Staton.
PLUS: Other new and classic tales!
SCRIPT AND ART: Various talents.
BONUS: Puzzles, games and pin-ups!
Shipping Date: July 16th, 2008
On Sale at Comic Specialty Shops: July 23rd, 2008
On Sale on Newsstands: August 5th, 2008
Full color digest format
$3.69 US.

PALS-N-GALS DOUBLE DIGEST #123
“Mexican Mix-Up”: Introducing Tóno Diaz! Tóno’s parents own an event planning business, and it’s Tono’s job to do the landscaping – with some help from mechanized robots his father created! When the Diaz family decides to handle a party at Mr. Lodge’s, it doesn’t take long for Archie to show up… and we all know how dangerous Archie is around mechanical devices!
SCRIPT: Jésus Holguin.
ART: Fernando Ruiz.
“Whose Car is it Anyway?”: Breaking down on the side of the road proves serendipitous for Archie when he runs into his car’s original order!
SCRIPT: Bill Golliher.
ART: Bill Galvan.
“On the Job Starining”: Movie grosses hit an all-time low when Archie gets a job at a cinema!
SCRIPT: Angelo DeCesare.
ART: Jeff Shultz. PLUS: Other new and classic tales!
SCRIPT AND ART: Various talents. BONUS: Puzzles, games and pin-ups!
Shipping Date: July 9th, 2008
On Sale at Comic Specialty Shops: July 16th, 2008
On Sale on Newsstands: July 29th, 2008
Full color digest format
$3.69 US.

SABRINA THE TEENAGE WITCH #95
“Remembrance Part One”: Thanks to Llandra and Batty Bartholomew, Sabrina has managed to snap out of the evil hold the dark duality wand has had upon her. However, she’s still a long way from a full recovery. The only way for Sabrina to get back to normal is to use the healing wand a lot to balance out the other wand. Sabrina begins by restoring the memories of all those affected before her dark detour, including Batty Bartholomew and the members of the Four Blades movement. While this helps to fade the darkness from Sabrina, another problem arises: even though the original Four Blades have had their memories restored, they’re not being very cooperative! Shinji tries getting them involved in his cause, but they remain defiant, keeping their mouths shut about what they remember from the original Four Blades Day. What are they hiding? It’s another tale of magic and intrigue as only Sabrina can deliver!
SCRIPT AND ART: Tania del Rio.
Shipping Date: July 9th, 2008
On Sale at Comic Specialty Shops: July 16th, 2008
On Sale on Newsstands: July 29th, 2008
32-page, full color comic
$2.25 US.

SONIC X #35
“Cracking the Eggman”: The city is being ransacked in a series of robberies perpetrated by cowboys, astronauts, pirates, ninjas, knights and more – all who mysteriously look like Eggman! Is it really the work of Sonic’s #1 nemesis, or is someone actually foolish enough to frame the infamous foe? Can Sonic and his friends stop this costumed crime-wave before the town is looted dry?!
SCRIPT: Ian Flynn.
ART: James Fry and Terry Austin.
Masquerade-mayhem cover by Pat “Disguise the Limit” Spaziante!
Shipping Date: July 16th, 2008
On Sale at Comic Specialty Shops: July 23rd, 2008
On Sale on Newsstands: August 5th, 2008
32-page, full color comic
$2.25 US.

SONIC THE HEDGEHOG #190
“A Bold New Mobeus Part 2: Duality”: Worlds collide as Sonic and the heroic Freedom Fighters throw-down with the evil Scourge and the villainous Suppression Squad! Tensions run high as personal grudges come to light, and the fate of Freedom HQ hangs in the balance! Who will win this epic struggle? The answer may surprise you!
SCRIPT: Ian Flynn.
ART: Tracy Yardley (pencils) and Jim Amash (inks).
Dimension-crossing cover by Tracy Yardley! & Josh Ray!
Shipping Date: July 2nd, 2008
On Sale at Comic Specialty Shops: July 9th, 2008
On Sale on Newsstands: July 22nd, 2008
32-page, full color comic
$2.25 US.

SONIC THE HEDGEHOG ARCHIVES #8
The thrilling new series that lets fans relive classic Sonic stories continues! Volume 8 presents issues #29 through #32 of Sonic’s ongoing comic book series in a special 5 x 7 & ½ inch edition.
These stories mark the artistic change to a more “dramatic” tone, better aligning the series to the hit Saturday morning animated series then on the air. Each story is meticulously restored and printed on high-grade paper, so you can feel like you’re zipping right alongside the cobalt champion as he saves New Mobotropolis! This action-packed edition features events like Sally’s roboticization, the introduction of Dulcy the Dragon, the solo adventures of Knuckles which led to his regular comic book, and other historic occurrences.
Stories include:
“Steel-Belted Sally” (issue #29),
“Growing Pains, Part II” (issue #29),
“The Return of Uncle Chuck” (issue #30),
“Who Keeps Stealing my Chaos Emeralds?!” (issue #30),
“Knuckles’ Chaotix Sneak Peak”: (issue #30),
“A Robot Rides the Rails” (issue #31),
“Lost… and Found!” (issue #31),
“Tundra Road, Part 1” (issue #31),
“Blast from the Past” (issue #32),
“Prisoners” (issue #32), and
“Tundra Road, Part II” (issue #32).
SCRIPTS: Mike Gallagher, Angelo DeCesare, Mike Kanterovich, Ken Penders & Paul Castiglia.
ART: Art Mawhinney, Dave Manak, & Pat “Spaz” Spaziante. Colossal cover by Spaz!
Shipping Date: July 23rd, 2008
On Sale at Comic Specialty Shops: July 30th, 2008
On Sale on Newsstands: August 12th, 2008
112-page, full color paperback
$7.95 US.

TALES FROM RIVERDALE DIGEST #29
ARCHIE’S RIVAL REGGIE TAKES THE SPOTLIGHT IN TWO NEW TALES!
“Reg the Barbarian”: Reggie’s been accused of behaving like he’s stuck in the dark ages before, but this is ridiculous: when the Medieval Fair comes to town, he gets a job dressed as a barbarian!
SCRIPT AND ART: Fernando Ruiz.
“The Mediator”: Reggie cracks wise to a passing motorist who turns out to be one of his father’s biggest clients. When the offended party threatens to pull his advertising from Mr. Mantle’s newspaper, Archie intervenes on his behalf… but who’s going to get Reggie out of hot water with his dad?!
SCRIPT: Kathleen Webb.
ART: Bob Bolling.
PLUS: Other new and classic tales!
SCRIPT AND ART: Various talents.
BONUS: Puzzles, games and pin-ups!
Shipping Date: July 9th, 2008
On Sale at Comic Specialty Shops: July 16th, 2008
On Sale on Newsstands: July 29th, 2008
Full color digest format
$2.49 US.