But first...
This blog entry contains spoilers. If you don't want to know what happens in ARCHIE VS. PREDATOR #1, then stop reading now. You have been warned.
I'm back...
AVP #1 is set during Spring Break. Jughead wins a potato chip contest to Los Perdidos Resort and is allowed to bring several of his best friends, including Archie, Betty, Veronica, Reggie, Big Ethel, Moose, Midge, Chuck, Nancy, Kevin, Dilton, and Ginger Lopez. Pretty much everyone but Two-Fisted Toni Topaz! Meanwhile, Cheryl and Jason Blossom were not invited along, but still managed to show up courtesy of their private yacht. Early into their trip, the kids are treated to a spectacular view of a shooting star...
Or is it a shooting star?... Hint... Look at the series' title...
We learn that Dilton has a few days to finish editing the school's yearbook and he's really stressing out about it. Archie and the others have agreed to help him out with some of the yearbook's polls, including voting on the Best-Dressed Girl. I mean, why not do it on a deserted island without most of the school's girls when you can limit the pool to Jughead's female friends??
I jest...
The problem is that Betty doesn't have a lot of fancy clothing, so she sadly decides to sit out the pageant. That's where Cheryl Blossom comes in. She tricks Betty into joining the contest where her super-expensive, super-fashionable clothes -- thus ensuring that Betty wins the Best-Dressed Contest and Veronica is humiliated.
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| Note Veronica's Burger Bribe!! |
Cheryl and Jason have a great laugh at B&V's expense -- as does Reggie.
Betty runs off into the tropical forest in tears. It's probably worth noting that the Blossom Twins have gone off on their own private expedition to find a sacred "Jaguar Goddess" shrine. It's also important to note that the Predator has been monitoring our teens' misadventures all morning.
Betty actually stumbles across the Jaguar Goddess' chamber. While inside, she comes across a dark ceremonial blade and fantasizes about seeking vengeance upon Veronica. She hears a horrible roar and decides to find her friends again -- but not before accidentally keeping the blade!
After the fight, the Riverdale Gang decides that they've had enough of their island getaway. They decide to return to Riverdale -- with a certain stowaway. AVP #1 ends with the kids back at home and Betty trying to figure out what to do with that ceremonial knife!
I've already spoiled quite a bit, but I should probably note that not everyone made it back to Riverdale in one piece. You definitely want to pick up this issue so that you can personally witness the gory demise of these poor teens!
This was a wonderful comic book. There are so many great characters involved with this story. And the pacing of the story itself was just perfect. AVP has really done a great job of combining the best elements of Archie and his Gang and really makes you wonder how Riverdale will react to something as alien as the Predator.
Speaking of the Predator, I'm really wondering how his hunts will fit into Riverale USA. Afterall, Riverdale isn't really known as a "conceal and carry" kind of town! It should be interesting!
ARCHIE VS. PREDATOR #1 was written by Alex de Campi, beautifully penciled by Fernando Ruiz, inked by Rich Koslowski, colored by Jason Millet, and lettered by John Workman.