Dive Into Darkness: Archie's Terrifying New Challenge
By Liam McGuire
Apr 18th 2024
Archie Andrews and his fellow Riverdale pals have been starring in comic book adventures for over 80 years, and Archie Comics has taken the characters in all kinds of different directions. Later this year, Archie will go on one of his darkest quests yet in Archie Comics: Judgement Day, where he will be forced to confront his usual allies but in their most possessed forms.
Archie Comics is no stranger to leaning into the horror genre. From Afterlife with Archie, the Chilling Adventures of Sabrina, and Vampironica, the usual world of Riverdale has been turned upside down in alternate timeline stories. However, an upcoming story will push the limits of reversing the usual wholesome nature of the world of Archie.
Archie Comics: Judgement Day #1 by Aubrey Sitterson and Megan Hutchison takes readers to an alternate universe version of Riverdale that becomes overrun by demons. To combat them, Archie will gain his own powers and take on the deadly threats enveloping his town. Along the way, Archie will be the judge of who lives and dies, putting the fate of his turned friends in his hands. The comic will be the first part of Archie Comics’ new Archie Premium Event, printed with cardstock covers, higher-quality interior paper, and different specialized print techniques.
Archie Judgement Day features main cover art from Megan Hutchison and Matt Herms, featuring the titular hero covered in blood and surrounded by demons. Francesco Francavilla, no stranger to providing fabulous art to Archie Comics’ horror stories, draws a variant with the bat-wielding hero being swarmed by dark creatures. Jae Lee’s variant shows the dark reflection of Archie Andrews as he continues his bloody mission. Lastly, Reiko Murakami’s variant showcases the hero in his trademark jacket but with the Riverdale logo crossed out. Check out Hutchison and Herms’ cover below, followed by the text solicitation for the issue.
In a world overrun with demons, Archie Andrews is on a quest to cleanse Riverdale of all wicked-kind. Harnessing the destructive power of a captive fiend, he will have to destroy corrupted and possessed versions of the people closest to him. Questioning his own morality and forced to make difficult sacrifices, are Archie's efforts truly good, or the work of pure evil? Traverse the most horrifying version of Riverdale yet in the first Archie Premium Event.
Readers can check out Archie’s new bloody tale when Archie Comics: Judgment Day #1 from Archie Comics arrives at CaptCan Comics on May 22nd, 2024. The comic will run for three issues, so don’t forget to pre-order in-store and online if you don’t want to miss out!
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