The Ties That Bind

March 15, 2021
A suspenseful stand-alone graphic novel tie-in to the popular CW franchise. Set in the dark, contemporary world of television's Riverdale, Archie, Betty, Veronica, and Jughead all face separate horrors on one fateful night as a sinister secret society stalks them. As Jughead and Archie both find themselves locked in at their respective schools, Betty and her sister, Polly, are terrorized at a run-down motel, and Veronica (along with pal Cheryl) is pursued through an eerie, seemingly deserted mall. Readers realize that a creepy conglomerate is responsible. Using a symbol of two interlocking infinity signs as their secret mark, a nefarious group calling themselves Ivanovniki targets and toys with the Riverdale citizens, but their motives are tenuous at best (and true-to-brand, answers are uncovered while the foursome is packed into a booth at Pop's Chock Lit Shoppe). While the trademark thrills and chills from the show are present here, too many questions are left unanswered. The lack of exposition and overreliance on plot-driven action may be alienating for those new to or unfamiliar with the series. Despite this, the full-color, cinematically styled illustrations resonate; those who know the characters will find them instantly recognizable. Riverdale aficionados will certainly relish more time with the beloved cast and will forgive the narrative gaffes. Archie, Betty, and Jughead read as White; Veronica has brown skin. Best for diehard fans. (Graphic fiction. 12-18)

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April 1, 2021

Gr 9 Up-This second "Archie" original graphic novel takes readers back into the world of CW's Riverdale. As Jughead narrates from his usual perch at Pop's, creepy stories are "never in short supply." His voice is the connective tissue among four tales that pair characters with precarious situations. The first locks Moose with Jughead in Stonewall Prep's library, a note with a mysterious symbol their only clue for escape. Next, Betty gets Polly from her treatment center for an "old-school sister sleepover." A flat tire lands the sisters at a seedy hotel, where they discover they are most definitely being watched. Third, a puzzle cube sends rivals Archie and Reggie to a dangerous escape room. Lastly, a late-night meeting at the Centerville Plaza Shopping Mall leads Veronica and Cheryl into trouble with zombies. In each story, Ostow (author of the Riverdale spin-off novels) effectively translates the show's noir aesthetic into graphic novel form by remaining faithful to characters, tone, and mood. Pitilli's stylized art is all thick lines and long shadows, made even more atmospheric by colorist Andre Szymanowicz's muted palette. Readers need not be totally caught up with the television series to enjoy this volume, but there are spoilers up to season four. The lack of character development or exposition assumes some prior knowledge. Though race is not explicitly mentioned in these stories, Veronica is Latinx, Reggie is Korean American, and Archie, Betty, Moose, and Jughead present as white. Moose is bisexual. VERDICT An eerie extension of the Riverdale story line, recommended for collections where Archieverse series remain popular.-Alec Chunn, Eugene Public Library, OR

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