Archie Comics Sneak Peek of the Week

This week, Archie Comics has sent Major Spoilers a sneak peek at Archie #588, Katy Keene Special #1 and Pals-n-Gals Double Digest #124.

ARCHIE #588
THE FRESHMAN YEAR SAGA GETS IN FULL SWING THIS ISSUE!
“Freshman Year: “Part Two”: In the tradition of “Batman: Year One,” “Superman: The Man of Steel” and the Marvel Ultimates comes the biggest Archie Comics event since the “Love Showdown!”  The first full-length issue of the “Freshman Year” saga finds Archie and his friends just starting the fall semester.  Having survived a summer that saw the departure of Jughead and bickering parents, the gang arrives at high school… to find elementary school Principal Mr. Weatherbee has now become the high school Principal!  But it’s not just about reunions at Riverdale High.  Archie also makes a new friend in Pencilneck G., although he prefers his more laid-back buddy Jughead.  He also makes some new enemies in Jared McGerk and his band of bullies!  Along the way the other classic faculty members are introduced, as well as Pop Tate and his Choklit Shop!  It’s the funniest 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: August 13th, 2008
On Sale at Comic Specialty Shops: August 20th, 2008
On Sale on Newsstands: September 2nd, 2008
32-page, full color comic
$2.25 US.

KATY KEENE SPECIAL #1
Yes, it’s another great entry in the ARCHIE GRAPHIC NOVEL series, now with a new 6 x 9 trim size and increased page count of 112 pages!  Our focus this time is that queen of chic, KATY KEENE.  Since the 1940s, fashion model supreme Katy has enthralled audiences with her own self-titled series as well as KATY KEENE PIN-UP PARADE and KATY KEENE FASHION BOOK MAGAZINE. Readers have long thrilled to her adventures on the runway as well as her intriguing romances.  Best of all, Katy Keene was one of the first interactive comic book series, inviting readers to send in fashion suggestions of their own that were turned into pin-ups and paper dolls that they could cut out and keep!  In 2005, Katy returned in a big way in the FREE COMIC BOOK DAY entry for that year.  By popular demand, Katy soon began appearing again on a regular basis in the pages of ARCHIE & FRIENDS.  Her new adventures were charted by writer-artist Andrew Pepoy, and were filled with the same adventure and romance Katy fans had come to expect, served up with a modern-day twist of course.  Now these popular Katy stories are collected together for the first time.  This handsome, fully colored edition features not only every KATY KEENE story from ARCHIE & FRIENDS #101 through #110, it also includes an ALL-NEW story from Pepoy that charts Katy’s whirlwind career!  In “Katy’s Diary,” readers will discover how a Michigan girl went from a Chicago University student to a sensational celebrity supermodel!  You won’t want to miss the high fashion hijinx!
SCRIPT AND ART: Andrew Pepoy.
Shipping Date: August 13th, 2008
On Sale at Comic Specialty Shops: August 20th, 2008
On Sale on Newsstands: September 2nd, 2008
112-page, full color graphic novel
$10.95 US.

PALS-N-GALS DOUBLE DIGEST #124
“The Big Prize”: An energy conservation contest energizes Riverdale’s teens, who come up with clever and creative ways to keep the town environmentally friendly.  Features the return of the “Goodwill Girls” – the group spearheaded by Betty to spread goodwill to needy people and animals everywhere!
SCRIPT: George Gladir.
ART: Jeff Shultz.
“The Rivals”: Tired of competing with Adam for Betty and Reggie for Veronica, Archie befriends a new girl… and now must contend with her big “little” boyfriend!
SCRIPT: George Gladir.
ART: Pat Kennedy.
“Heads Up Play”: You know what they say: life’s a foul ball… and then you get hit by one!
SCRIPT: Mike Pellowski.
ART: Pat Kennedy.
PLUS: Other new and classic tales!
SCRIPT AND ART: Various talents.
BONUS: Puzzles, games and pin-ups!
Shipping Date: August 13th, 2008
On Sale at Comic Specialty Shops: August 20th, 2008
On Sale on Newsstands: September 2nd, 2008
Full color digest format
$3.69 US.

via Archie Comics