I have been wondering whether to check out Riverdale. I enjoy the CW superhero shows, but I am not crazy about a lot of the romance subplots they include. I figured Riverdale would focus mostly on that aspect what with the classic Archie/Betty/Veronica love triangle, so I didn't bother to watch. I've heard some good things though.
Captain Hero and Super-Dagwood first joined forces in STF #1494...
I watched a few episodes of the first season. It's not the Archie I grew up with. It's more aimed at a modern, younger audience. Everybody is so serious. I like the fun, gag-filled Archie from the comics, cartoon and newspaper strips.
ReplyDeleteI picked up "Your Pal, Archie" and enjoyed it; but, was bummed that it was only a five-issue mini-series.
I'm reading Harley & Ivy meet Betty & Veronica. It's pretty cool. Written by Paul Dini.
I really wish the Archie line would do something with the hero characters. I really like Pureheart and Captain Hero. Even Veronica got into the act a few years back...
Oh, Riverdale is very much not Ye Olde Archie Comicks. It takes liberties with the classic character depictions, including race (Mr. Weatherbee's black, Reggie's Asian, and the Lodge family is Latinx) and sexuality (this Jughead's not asexual, and early in season one, Moose hooks up with Kevin on the down-low). It's familiar enough to be recognizable, but different enough to keep you wondering what's next. Perhaps most significantly for fans of the old comics, there is no Betty/Archie/Veronica triangle. The Lodges are new in town, and Archie and Betty are best friends who grew up next door to each other. At least, that's the situation early in the first season - no (significant) spoilers here!
ReplyDeleteI'm quite enjoying it so far. The only big downside, as far as I'm concerned, is that the discussed Sabrina show is being developed for Netflix, which I expect means that there will be no crossovers between the two.
Everyone is right that Riverdale is nothing like the comics version. I am not sure that I want to call it the same characters in one sense. The lives depicted in Riverdale are very different. I would almost equate it with an alternate reality. It is much darker, whereas comics and cartoons have more of a slap stick and Ozzy & Harriet sort of feel. That said, it is pretty good if you can put away the memory of what we grew up with and appreciate the story that it tells.
ReplyDeleteI have watched the show every week since it debuted. Yes, this is not Archie of the last century. It is more in line with the Mark Waid relaunch about three years ago. The company was trying to make the line relevant to today's tweets and teens.
ReplyDeleteIsn't today Sunday?
ReplyDelete"I will gladly pay you Tuesday for a hamburger, today."
ReplyDeleteAh, yes! What fond memories that catch phrase brings back. The post-1959 Popeye cartoons (with Bluto--for some reason--renamed Brutus) as syndicated on the "Mr. Goober Show" (the New Haven, CT, version of "Capt. Kangaroo" during the Sixties).
I've often wondered if Wimpy had a calendar made up with only six days-of-the-week per month on it.
This is an interesting combination of gluttonous characters, appropriate for Super Bowl Sunday when so many of us tend to overeat.
ReplyDeleteCaptain Hero and Wimpy used to be allies in the BurgerMasters (STF 350), yet now they're opponents. I guess that makes Wimpy the Incredible Hulk of the team!
ReplyDeleteWith the crown Captain Hero should be Prince Hero or King Hero.
ReplyDeleteIf I was ever aware of "Super-Dagwood" (from comics not strips, I presume) I have long forgotten it.
ReplyDeleteDagwood / Jughead / Wimpy is truly inspired, though. "It's Tuesday!" Bwhahaha.
Riverdale: We watched several episodes and kept hoping, really gave it a chance, but then one day we said, if this weren't based on, and twisting evilly, those old cherished characters, would we be watching it at all? Quit.
Archie's publisher also forced upon us the Comics Code, IIRC. As far as the deviance, perversion, and creepiness done to squeaky-clean Archie, he should be spinning in his grave (assuming he's not alive).
@MW: Actually, it was "Worthless" Wertham who did that, with his book SEDUCTION OF THE INNOCENT. He claimed that lurid crime and horror comics (like those published by EC and Timely/Atlas/Marvel) were contributing to juvenile delinquency and encouraging non-heterosexual lifestyles!
ReplyDeleteI forgot that 'Super-Dagwood' was a thing that happened. How about having him team up with the Blonde Phantom?
ReplyDeleteI concur with your comment about the romance elements in the CW superhero shows--particularly Supergirl. I've been suggesting they be more super and less soaper for a while now. Somehow I don't think I'm in the correct demographic, though.
ReplyDelete@James: THE FLASH is proving even soapier. I actually boycotted the trial episode! Knowing full well he wasn't going to be acquitted because of the wish to draw out the "drama" of the Thinker story arc till at least the end of February Sweeps.
ReplyDeleteP.S.---Super Dagwood debuted in a 1974 issue of Charlton Comics, based on the Chic Young comic strip.
ReplyDeleteAdd Goku, Garfield, Scooby, and Shaggy then you have the ultimate eating contestants. Place bets!
ReplyDeleteJimmy Fallon did a hilarious parody of Riverdale. If you haven't seen it, it at https://youtu.be/tUBLW5bCqfM
ReplyDelete@Cary: The creators of the '60s Popeye cartoons thought that Bluto was from the Max Fleischer cartoons and not included among the comic strip characters that they had licensed, so they created Brutus to replace him. When they later found out that Bluto was indeed originally from the comic strip, they added him in and said that he and Brutus were brothers.
ReplyDeleteJust from the previews and the snippets I've seen, I've considered the new Riverdale series across between Archie and Twin Peaks -- and not in a good way.
ReplyDeleteExcellent covers as always, Ross.