That said, those who prefer the more traditional look and stories can still get that nearly every week in the various digests that Archie Comics publishes.
I was worried that ARCHIE #666 would be sad and morose. That's what we got when LIFE WITH ARCHIE ended. And then we got sad and morose in BETTY & VERONICA #272, when they launched the the "Farewell Riverdale" storyline. But that's not what we ended up getting in this issue.
ARCHIE #666 started out with Archie receiving his 666th school detention. He was running in the hallway and ended up spilling paint everywhere, as well as breaking some windows. Mr. Weatherbee has had enough. He vows that Archie will clean up his mess by the end of day tomorrow or else he will be expelled!
What follows are several gatherings of Riverdale teens and teachers, reminiscing about all of the good deeds that Archie Andrews has volunteered for them in the past -- complete with humorous anecdotes about how he ended up causing nothing but trouble during those very same good deeds! Nearly everyone had some time to shine, from Betty and Veronica to Reggie and Moose and Mr. Lodge and Ms. Grundy and Smithers and Prankenstein. In fact, it's hard to remember who doesn't show up in this story. The New Kids are there, plus Kevin Keller and Suzie and Ginger and Cheryl Blossom, and the Madhouse Glads and Sabrina and her aunts... Like I said, nearly everyone has a moment or a cameo.
The Riverdale Gang has a new mission -- saving Archie Andrews from expulsion. But how do you save a guy who's had 666 school detentions??
ARCHIE #666 is a great story. It's actually four great short stories -- each featuring a different art team and connecting with the large theme. This is a great way to wrap up Archie Comics' long-lived comic book and to welcome in the "Archie relaunch!"
"This Is The End" was written by Tom DeFalco, penciled by Dan Parent, inked by Rich Koslowski, lettered by Jack Morelli, and colored by Glenn Whitmore. "This Teen This Trauma" was written by Tom DeFalco, penciled by Fernando Ruiz, inked by Rich Koslowski, lettered by Jack Morelli, and colored by Glenn Whitmore. "A World Without Archie" was written by Tom DeFalco, penciled by Tim Kennedy, inked by Rich Koslowski, lettered by Jack Morelli, and colored by Glenn Whitmore. And "If This Be My Destiny" was written by Tom DeFalco, penciled by PatKennedy, inked by Rich Koslowski, lettered by Jack Morelli, and colored by Glenn Whitmore.