It's actually not a bad story and I'm certainly not doing it any justice with my brief summary. But I guess I'm feeling a little leery. I believe that there will be five parts to this story. This first part says "goodbye." And we'll "learn how this all began" next issue. Assuming that this doesn't happen as part of a flashback intermixed with the beginning of their new adventure... Well, it doesn't leave a lot of book-space for their new adventure.
Personally, I would have preferred that the start of their new adventure had been more condensed. Combine the "how" and the "goodbye" in a series of flashbacks as the girls fly overseas and then unload onto their new school bus or whatever. Not to mention, watching the kids at home grieve over their joint absence after they had actually been absent for a bit. It just seems like we're stretching this aspect of the story too much.
Best part of the story? Cheryl and Midge! Now that Betty and Veronica have left Riverdale, there are two new spots on the cheerleading squad. This leads to a huge fight over Cheryl's cavalier attitude about shooting up on the social totem pole. But does a fist-fight really count as a "cat fight?"
One last thing... Shades of PEP COMICS #22??:
I really hope we get to see the girls enjoying their new adventure next issue and not spending all issue thinking back on how they actually got chosen for their new adventure. This book doesn't come out often enough to get mired in the details.
"The Beginning of the End!" is written by Michael Uslan, penciled by Dan Parent, inked by Bob Smith, and lettered by Jack Morelli.