Archie Solicitations for October 2008

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

ARCHIE COMICS SHIPPING OCTOBER 2008

ARCHIE AMERICANA SERIES: BEST OF THE NINETIES
The 9th edition in our popular line of classic Archie graphic novel collections!  By popular demand, we’re serving up a heaping helping of the decade that led up to the Millennium, one of the most interesting and hilarious decades ever for America’s favorite comic book teens: the 1990s.  Rock out to the sensational sounds of boy bands, grunge and alternative music; chow down with the fat free dessert craze; laugh your head off at silly talk radio, and hook up your satellite dish so you can enjoy purple dinosaurs, funny home videos, teens from Beverly Hills and more!  It’s all here and then some in this uproarious edition chock full of comedy classics!  Carrying on the tradition of the other Americana entries, this edition features a fully-painted cover by fan-favorite Rex Lindsey, and each story is meticulously restored and re-colored to match its original brilliance.
SCRIPT AND ART: Various.
Shipping Date: October 22nd, 2008
On Sale at Comic Specialty Shops: October 29th, 2008
On Sale on Newsstands: November 11th, 2008
96-page, full color graphic novel
$11.95 US.

ARCHIE #590
THE THRILLING “FRESHMAN YEAR SAGA” CONTINUES!
The first year of high school has been an eventful one for Archie and his friends, and it’s all leading towards a whirlwind finale!  But the teens still have some time to go yet.  In this latest installment, they are evaluated by their teachers who report their progress to their folks on “parent-teacher” night.  How will they fare once their parents learn how they’re doing?  Meanwhile, in social life, love triangles abound, and so do pranks – some playful, some nasty.  But none nastier than the bikers who have been bedeviling the town.  All this, plus a surprise or two!  It’s the greatest “first year” of high school ever, courtesy of fan-favorite writer Batton Lash of “Wolff & Byrd” and “Archie Meets the Punisher” fame, along with “Scrapyard Detectives” creator and popular Archie artist/writer Bill Galvan.
SCRIPT: Batton Lash.
ART: Bill Galvan.
Shipping Date: October 22nd, 2008
On Sale at Comic Specialty Shops: October 29th, 2008
On Sale on Newsstands: November 11th, 2008
32-recycled page, full color comic
$2.25 US.

ARCHIE MINI-COMIC 2008
“The Mystery of the Museum Sleep-in”: The museum is a scream for Archie and Jughead.  Inspired by a favorite film, the pals decide to spend a night at the museum to experience maximum spookage.  And experience it they do, as statues suddenly come towards them!  Are these artifacts coming to life for real, or is somebody playing the ultimate Halloween “trick” on our unsuspecting teens?  The answer will leave you scared silly!
Participating Comic Book Shops give a copy of this comic to customers on Halloween. If you would like to give these mini-comics out at your home for Halloween, you need to contact your local comic retailer and order them today. The mini-comics are bundled in groups of 50 and have to be ordered in July.
You can find a comic shop near you at
http://csls.diamondcomics.com
or by calling toll free 1-888-COMIC BOOK
(1-888-266-4226)

ARCHIE & FRIENDS #124
THE FIRST PART OF A TWO-PART TALE BY POPULAR “WJHC” WRITER JANE SMITH FISHER!
“Battle of the Bands, Part One”: The greatest comic book band in the world is out to prove its supremacy in the most decisive fashion possible: by winning a “Battle of the Bands” competition.  This isn’t just any contest – at stake is a first prize Tropical Island vacation!  But two sour notes threaten their presumed victory: Veronica’s selfishness and Reggie’s mysterious disappearances.  Can the band recover and end on a high note?  A longtime advocate for kid’s comics, writer Jane Smith Fisher has devoted her career to telling age-appropriate stories in series such as “Cybernauts” and the highly popular “WJHC,” about a group of teens who start their own high school radio station.  Jane has been embraced by librarians and schools across the nation.  Now she brings her special voice for both young and female characters to Archie Comics in this rock ‘n’ rollin’ storyline.
SCRIPT: Jane Smith Fisher.
ART: Stan Goldberg.
Shipping Date: October 1st, 2008
On Sale at Comic Specialty Shops: October 8th, 2008
On Sale on Newsstands: October 21st, 2008
32-page, full color comic
$2.25 US.

ARCHIE DIGEST #248
DECK THE HALLS WITH LOTS OF LAUGHTER IN THIS ALL-CHRISTMAS-THEMED ISSUE!
“The Surprise Present”: When an enterprising elf conceives a website where Christmas lists can be automatically submitted, Santa decides to do a trial run in a little town called Riverdale.
SCRIPT: George Gladir.
ART: Jeff Shultz.
“Santa Claws”: Not a creature was stirring – except for all the pets that came to the department store to get their photos taken with Santa Archie!
SCRIPT: Bill Golliher.
ART: Pat Kennedy.
“Price Clubbed”: Nothing can stop Fred Andrews’ quest to find the perfect… and perfectly priced… Christmas tree!
SCRIPT: Mike Pellowski.
ART:  Randy Elliott.
“The Gift Horse Laugh”: In this poignant Christmas tale, Riverdale’s resident prankster Reggie proves he’s not a Scrooge, but has a generous heart after all!
SCRIPT: Mike Pellowski.
ART: Pat Kennedy.
PLUS: Classic yuletide tales!
SCRIPT AND ART: Various talents.
BONUS: Puzzles, games and pin-ups!
Shipping Date: October 8th, 2008
On Sale at Comic Specialty Shops: October 15th, 2008
On Sale on Newsstands: October 28th, 2008
88-page, full color digest
$2.49 US.

ARCHIE’S DOUBLE DIGEST #193
“To Play or Not to Play”: Feeling the stress of studies, extracurricular activities and college applications, the gang decides to put the Archies on hiatus – until Jughead convinces his band mates to appear in a high school musical he’s written about a teen rock band stressed out by their studies, extracurricular activities and college applications!
SCRIPT AND ART: Bill Galvan.
“Toy Story”: A short time ago, in a town called Riverdale not too far away… Jughead has dragged Archie to a toy store at midnight so he can be among the first to purchase the new “Star Lores” action figures!
SCRIPT: George Gladir.
ART: Bill Galvan.
“Pre-Exam Insurance”: Archie’s convinced that petting Betty’s cat Carmel is good luck before an exam… but the only thing between Archie and a passing grade is the tree Carmel’s stuck in!
SCRIPT: George Gladir.
ART: Henry Scarpelli.
PLUS: Other new and classic tales!
SCRIPT AND ART: Various talents.
BONUS: Puzzles, games and pin-ups!
Shipping Date: October 22nd, 2008
On Sale at Comic Specialty Shops: October 29th, 2008
On Sale on Newsstands: November 11th, 2008
176-page, full color digest
$3.69 US.

BETTY & VERONICA #238
“My Parrot is Gone”: Veronica decides to train a parrot to do tricks so they can audition for the “People & Their Pets” TV competition… but it seems the parrot’s best trick is a disappearing act!  Can Betty, in her guise of “Nancy Clue, Girl Detective”, track down the “fowl felon” who perpetrated the parrot purloining?!
SCRIPT: George Gladir.
ART: Jeff Shultz.
“Red Carpet Ready”: The N-TV awards are the hottest ticket in town, so naturally the girls need to be at their stylish best when they attend the show!
SCRIPT: Barbara and Samantha Slate.
ART: Jeff Shultz.
“In on the Game?”: Three cheers for girly-girls – in Veronica’s world, all a cheerleader really needs to do is physically show up!
SCRIPT: Kathleen Webb.
ART: Jeff Shultz.
Shipping Date: October 15th, 2008
On Sale at Comic Specialty Shops: October 22nd, 2008
On Sale on Newsstands: November 4th, 2008
32-page, full color comic
$2.25 US.

BETTY & VERONICA DIGEST #188
“There’s No Place Like Riverdale”: After reading her favorite “Oz” books once again, a bump on the head sends Betty traveling down the “yellow brick road” for real… sort of.  Before too long she’s running into witches that look like Veronica, tin men that look like Jughead and scarecrows that look like Archie!
SCRIPT AND ART: Dan Parent.
“Window of Opportunity”: Staring out the window during class sends Betty’s imagination soaring… but will it send her grades sinking?
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: October 1st, 2008
On Sale at Comic Specialty Shops: October 8th, 2008
On Sale on Newsstands: October 21st, 2008
88-page, full color digest
$2.49 US.

BETTY & VERONICA DOUBLE DIGEST #165
THE THRILLING CONCLUSION TO THE 5-PART, INTERACTIVE STORY WHERE CHERYL BLOSSOM’S NEW BOYFRIEND – AS VOTED BY THE READERS OF ARCHIE COMICS – WILL FINALLY BE REVEALED!
“And the Winner Is… Part 5 of 5”: Well, the election results are in and the United States is about to have its first… oh wait, that’s that other election!  This election is the one where you the readers pick Cheryl Blossom’s new boyfriend… and the results are in!  Four 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 witnessed each of their dates with Cheryl and placed your votes for who you thought Cheryl should choose online at  HYPERLINK “http://www.archiecomics.com” www.archiecomics.com!  This issue, the new man in Cheryl’s life is finally revealed… but not before the host of the show treats all the participants to a wacky recap of clips featuring all their foul-ups and blunders!  Where will this latest shake-up in the Archie-verse lead?  It’s the craziest, kookiest conclusion that you simply can’t miss!
SCRIPT AND ART: Dan Parent.
“The Pledge”: Betty and Veronica vow to go through an entire day without thinking about, mentioning, or talking to Archie… yep, that’ll work!
SCRIPT: George Gladir.
ART: Pat Kennedy.
“Movie Magic”: In a modern-day twist on the classic 1940’s story “Double Trouble,” Archie once again finds himself entangled in the eternal love triangle while trying to enjoy a night at the movies!
SCRIPT: George Gladir.
ART: Pat Kennedy.
PLUS: Other new and classic tales!
SCRIPT AND ART: Various talents.
BONUS: Puzzles, games and pin-ups!
Shipping Date: October 15th, 2008
On Sale at Comic Specialty Shops: October 22nd, 2008
On Sale on Newsstands: November 4th, 2008
176-page, full color digest
$3.69 US.

JUGHEAD & FRIENDS DIGEST #30
“Pajama Tardy”:  To avoid being late, Jughead decides to wear his pajama pants to school!  SCRIPT AND ART: Fernando Ruiz.  “In the Pink”: Jughead conceives a robot to conserve energy… his own!
SCRIPT: George Gladir.
ART: Fernando Ruiz.
PLUS: Other new and classic tales!
SCRIPT AND ART: Various talents.
BONUS: Puzzles, games and pin-ups!
Shipping Date: October 29th, 2008
On Sale at Comic Specialty Shops: November 5th, 2008
On Sale on Newsstands: November 18th, 2008
88-page, full color digest
$2.49 US.

JUGHEAD’S DOUBLE DIGEST #144
“Fool Pigeon”: In an attempt to swing Veronica’s attention away from Reggie’s flashiness and back to him, Archie hopes to romance her with love notes from a homing pigeon.  Of course, there’s no guarantee the bird will deliver the message to the intended recipient!
SCRIPT AND ART: Fernando Ruiz.
“The Expert Supreme”: In order to not be noticed making multiple trips to the food sample area of the discount warehouse store, Jughead does the unthinkable: he appears in public without his trademark crown cap!
SCRIPT: George Gladir.
ART: Fernando Ruiz.
“Too Much is Not Enough”: Both Jughead and Archie plan to indulge themselves this weekend – Jughead with a smorgasbord of food, and Archie with a bevy of beauties to date!
SCRIPT: Kathleen Webb.
ART: Pat Kennedy.
PLUS: Other new and classic tales!
SCRIPT AND ART: Various talents.
BONUS: Puzzles, games and pin-ups!
Shipping Date: October 1st, 2008
On Sale at Comic Specialty Shops: October 8th, 2008
On Sale on Newsstands: October 21st, 2008
176-page, full color digest
$3.69 US.

PALS-N-GALS DOUBLE DIGEST #126
THE SECOND PART OF A NEW FOUR-PART STORY IN THE “DYNAMIC NEW LOOK” – AND THIS TIME, MOOSE & MIDGE’S ROMANCE HANGS IN THE BALANCE!
“Break-up Blues Part 2”: Last issue, Midge decided to take a break from her possessive boyfriend Moose… and Moose obliged!  Now with Midge and Moose dating others, the once close-knit friends at Riverdale High are awash in turmoil!  Even though he’s taken Midge out on a few dates, Reggie is having second-thoughts as Midge is obviously missing Moose… and Reggie is missing the cat-and-mouse game he used to have so much fun playing with Moose!  Does Reggie hold the key in getting Moose and Midge back together… or will his involvement only draw Midge closer to him?  And what will Moose’s new girlfriend Judy Johnson have to say about it?  Its romantic intrigue served up in the “realistic” art style that made both Betty and Veronica’s “Bad Boy Trouble” and Jughead’s “Matchmakers” some of the most talked about Archie stories in recent years!  Veteran penciler Tod Smith and journeyman inker Al Milgrom carry on that popular style in what is sure to be the most explosive Archie Comics story of the year!
SCRIPT: Melanie J. Morgan.
ART: Tod Smith (pencils) and Al Milgrom (inks).
PLUS: Other new and classic tales!
SCRIPT AND ART: Various talents.
BONUS: Puzzles, games and pin-ups!
Shipping Date: October 29th, 2008
On Sale at Comic Specialty Shops: November 5th, 2008
On Sale on Newsstands: November 18th, 2008
176-page, full color digest
$3.69 US.

SABRINA THE TEENAGE WITCH #97
“Remembrance, Part 3”: The countdown to issue #100 continues in this thrilling issue.  With Sabrina and the renegade group The Four Blades under constant pressure, it seems their leader is losing his nerve. But when things seem to get better for the Four Blades and Sabrina, one of its shadowy members leaves the group only to put them in unimaginable danger!  Things go from bad to worse for Sabrina as trouble at home puts her on the edge, not to mention a face-to-face confrontation with the Queen of the Magic Realm, will change everything forever!  A new romance for Zelda with former bad guy Atticus Rex and an excursion to explore the treasure aboard a sunken ship add to the intrigue in true spellbinding fashion!
SCRIPT: Tania del Rio.
ART: Lindsey Cibos (pencils) and Jim Amash (inks).
Shipping Date: October 8th, 2008
On Sale at Comic Specialty Shops: October 15th, 2008
On Sale on Newsstands: October 28th, 2008
32-page, full color comic
$2.25 US.

SONIC X #38
“Big Trouble in Little Station Square, Part One”:  S.O.N.I.C.X. – the secret Sonic-hating organization – is at it again!  They have a special serum that will turn Sonic into the monster they think he “really is.”  The problem now is: how do you catch the fastest thing alive?!  It’s a high-speed chase through the city with a special guest appearance by the Chaotix and an ending so big you won’t believe it!
SCRIPT: Ian Flynn.
ART: Steven Butler (pencils) and Terry Austin (inks).
Monster mayhem cover by spooky Pat “Spaz” Spazinate!
Shipping Date: October 15th, 2008
On Sale at Comic Specialty Shops: October 22nd, 2008
On Sale on Newsstands: November 4th, 2008
32-page, full color comic
$2.25 US.

SONIC THE HEDGEHOG #193
“Otherside Part One”: Good comes face-to-face with evil… and it’s just like looking in a mirror as Sonic and the Freedom Fighters square off against their evil doppelgangers from another world!  With King Scourge (the evil anti-Sonic from another dimension) and the Suppression Squad controlling Freedom HQ, Sonic and Amy are sent across time and space to Moebius… the Anti-Mobius, that is!  They run into some familiar faces in this topsy-turvy world, but who is friend and who is foe? And back home, what sinister scheme is Miles hatching?
SCRIPT: Ian Flynn.
ART: Tracy Yardley! (pencils) and Jim Amash (inks).
Double-trouble cover by Tracy Yardley! & Jason Jensen.
Shipping Date: October 1st, 2008
On Sale at Comic Specialty Shops: October 8th, 2008
On Sale on Newsstands: October 21st, 2008
32-page, full color comic
$2.25 US.

VERONICA #191
“She’s So Gifted”: Encouraged to give gifts that are truly from the heart this holiday season, Veronica realizes her special gift is wrapping gifts… and offers to do the wrapping for all her family and friends!
SCRIPT AND ART: Dan Parent.
“Tree Experts”: To avoid the stress of arguments and clashing tastes, the Lodges decide to hire a team of “experts” to trim their Christmas tree.  They soon learn precision can’t beat the joy of family togetherness!
SCRIPT: Mike Pellowski.
ART: Dan Parent.
Shipping Date: October 29th, 2008
On Sale at Comic Specialty Shops: November 5th, 2008
On Sale on Newsstands: November 18th, 2008
32-page, full color comic
$2.25 US.