As announced yesterday by TheWrap, I’m writing a brand-new series for Archie, Archie: Judgment Day! It’ll be my first-ever horror comic, with art by Megan Hutchison, colors by Matt Herms and letters by Jack Moretti! May 22, it’s Archie versus the demon-possessed residents of Riverdale!
CHECK OUT THIS SPREAD.
Obviously, this is a big deal. However, I’m concerned that you don’t understand exactly how big it is, for, beyond being my first horror book and my first series of any kind since No One Left to Fight vol II, beyond the incredible art you already glimpsed above, there are two key factors to consider:
First: It’s Archie’s first new miniseries in five years; not a one-shot, not an anthology, a full miniseries.
Second: It’s the first-ever Archie Premium Event, a designation for “Archie stories that are simply too grand for a single one-shot release” and feature “cardstock covers, improved interior paper stock, and specialized print finishes.”
As such an important new initiative for Archie, I was honored that Editor Supreme Jamie Rotante called me up with a truly Aubrey-bait pitch: “Archie as a demon hunter.”
On top of the outrageous concept and getting a chance to team up with the utterly badass Megan Hutchison, I was particularly stoked to work with the Archie gang again; the teens of Riverdale, sure, but, more crucially, the folks in Archie publishing. Jamie is a pure, shining example of the best type of editor, one who hires the right people and helps them make their story as good as possible. The amount of confidence and trust she has placed in the Archie: Judgment Day team and the freedom she has granted us continues to amaze me.
TL;DR: I’m absolutely shocked with what we’re getting away with.
It’s probably important to note that this is not the secret, unannounced Jed Dougherty project I’ve been teasing. However, like Archie vs the World before it, I’m using Archie: Judgment Day as an R&D lab for the approach Jed and I are developing. It’s Chaykonian and centers thinking not just visually but about the page and the spread as fundamental storytelling units. For me, that means drawing thumbnails before scripting, forcing myself to engage in formalist thinking on every page, and subordinating plot and character to the visual expression of themes.
All of which is to say: If you’re one of the thousands reading this, you owe it to yourself to call your local comic shop to preorder Archie: Judgment Day, in stores May 22. Stay tuned for information on the story and art as well as more gnarly demons:
One last thing before I get out of here: A Kickstarter you should be backing!
My brothers Carlos Giffoni and Juan Doe – the team behind the incredible Strayed from Dark Horse – are back with a brand-new sci-fi graphic novel. If you read Strayed, you already know that these guys make smart, emotional, complex science fiction comics that look gorgeous and fully engage with the comics medium. You’d be a fool not to go back it right this minute.
And, as if you needed any other prompting, rest assured: Carlos and Juan are our people. Check out this incredible BEEF BROS pin-up Juan did!
Okay, I’ve got issue #5 of the secret, unannounced project calling my name, so that’s it for me this month. As always, while I’m less than active on social media, I love responding to your emails and comments.
Aubrey
These are some great looking pages right out of the (hell) gate!
Ok that looks wild