Archie 700: A Q&A with Archie Comics Co-President Alex Segura

In the first installment of Archie Comics Insider -- a brand-new newsletter for dedicated Archie fans -- the publisher's Co-President Alex Segura sat down to answer questions about the happenings, comings, and goings in the life of Riverdale's resident read-head. PREVIEWSworld.com has represented the interview below. So keep reading to get the latest news on ARCHIE 700, ARCHIE 1941, VAMPIRONICA, and more!

Archie Comics: We know that the ARCHIE series will be returning in November with a special issue #700 and that new writer Nick Spencer and artist Marguerite Sauvage will be telling the stories of Archie and the gang - what else can you share about the title? What should fans who have been reading ARCHIE for the past few years expect to see in the new series?

Alex Segura: I think what fans will see is a bit of a tonal shift, but the core essence of the characters will still be there. This isn't a reboot. We're all fans of what Mark and the amazing ARCHIE artists have built over the last 32 issues. That includes Nick and Marguerite. I think what you'll see is a change of pace and a little zooming out to include some core Archie characters that maybe haven't popped up before.

We'll also see the drama level increase a bit, but not to the point where the humor and familiar character beats go away. It's a new season, basically, and we'll see what new problems and conflicts Nick introduces to the kids of Riverdale High. It also makes for a great, fresh jumping on point for fans of the RIVERDALE show or any comic readers who may have drifted away from the series.

We're also putting a brand-spankin' new ARCHIE logo on the book starting with #700, and you can get a first look at it right here.

Archie Comics: Mark Waid just finished his run on ARCHIE with July's issue #32, but he's not quite done in Riverdale. What can you tell us about the ARCHIE 1941 mini-series launching in September?

Alex Segura: Mark's not going anywhere, that's for sure. From what I've seen, peeking over editor (and fellow co-president) Mike Pellerito's shoulder, has looked absolutely stunning. We've also got a few cool pages to show you from #2. That Peter Krause is not messing around. Masterful!

Archie Comics: Archie and friends are no strangers to crossing over with other pop culture icons. They've met KISS, jammed with the Ramones and Blondie, and even battled the Predator! The newest crossover features Archie and company meeting the Adam West-era Batman and Robin. What makes the combination of these two franchises so perfect and how has the response been so far from fans and retailers to the ARCHIE MEETS BATMAN '66 mini-series?

Alex Segura: This isn't another run-of-the-mill crossover - it's two iconic properties coming together for the first time. Everyone loves Batman, and they especially love the Adam West 60s iteration, which has the same pop, fun sensibility as Classic Archie. It made perfect sense once we thought of it and we're so happy with the work that Jeff Parker, Michael Moreci, Dan Parent, J Bone and the entire team are producing. It also seems like the fans are too as issue #1 is basically sold out at the distributor level. Here's a first look at the reprint cover for #1, which will be available soon in limited quantities.

Archie Comics: Fans of the darker side of Archie Comics have been loving the VAMPIRONICA series by Greg & Meg Smallwood, which features Veronica Lodge as a kick-ass vampire. The third issue has seen some delays - can you share any info on the status of issue #3 and when we can expect to see it in stores?

Alex Segura: Yes. We know #3 is egregiously late and we're taking steps to fix that. Greg Smallwood is working hard on finishing the art - here are a few pages! - and we're bringing in the esteemed Greg Scott to close out the first arc of the series. Greg Scott is a pro, and super-talented. Many Archie readers will remember his work from THE BLACK HOOD, and we've got some really haunting character designs that'll give you a taste of what his Vampironica will look like. Thanks to the fans and retailers for their support and patience with this book. We're excited to have more great of the series out and in your hands very soon.

Archie Comics: The RIVERDALE tie-in comic book series has been telling new stories set in between episodes of the hit CW show and is a treat for fans of the comics and the show. What's the status of this series and when can fans expect to see more Riverdale stories in print?

Alex Segura: We're closing out this volume of the RIVERDALE comic with #12, but we'll return with a new series closer to the launch of season three of the show, which will be a lot of fun and very much in the same vein as the TV show, which is exactly what you want from this kind of comic, right? In the meantime, eagle-eye Archie fans know that we've struck a publishing deal with the wonderful folks at Scholastic to create prose novels and other books in the Riverdale world, so I'd suggest they pick up THE OFFICIAL RIVERDALE STUDENT HANDBOOK on August 28th and RIVERDALE: THE DAY BEFORE - THE PREQUEL NOVEL, arriving later this year.

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