Reggie Mantle

Here at ComicsAlliance, we love Riverdale, and while we'd like to say that it's because of the studiously self-aware goofiness of the plot, the fun character work, and the endless shipping potential (B&V forever), there's one thing that we're drawn to more than anything else: It's just really fun to see Archie Comics characters talking about sex and murder. So fun, in fact, that it made us start to wonder what it would be like if all of that delightfully over the top Riverdale dialogue existed in the classic Archie Comics universe --- and since we're never ones to let a question go unanswered, we decided to find out by doing it ourselves.

The big news for Archie this week is, of course, the launch of Riverdale as a prime-time TV drama that's already garnering interest by building its first storyline not around a botched double-date or a milkshake with too many straws, but the discovery of a dead body that may or may not have been murdered by one or more members of the cast. Really, though, dead bodies? That's small potatoes compared to the shocking and tragic events that are going to be playing out in the comics next month: There's just so much Reggie Mantle.

Archie Andrews has always been quite the musician, and there are several stories involving him pursuing his dreams of rock stardom --- but his friends and family (and Reggie) have been in the musical spotlight too. For this playlist based on the current incarnation of the monthly Archie series by Mark Waid, Thomas Pitilli, Ryan Jampole, Joe Eisma, Veronica Fish et al, I decided to look at all the most beloved characters (and Reggie) and choose one song that fits each of them.

Reggie Mantle is a menace. I mean, we've all known that for years --- even Archie's official Twitter account spends most of its time dragging him for being Literally The Worst --- but now, his unchecked terribleness has gotten way worse. Not only is he starring in his own ongoing series with its second issue hitting shelves on January 11, but he's also got a starring role in Jughead #12, out the same day, where he somehow becomes actual, literal King of Riverdale (or at least of Riverdale's Teens) for a day.

Reggie Mantle is the absolute worst. But since he's starring in a comic called Reggie and Me, who could possibly stand being around him long enough to be the "and Me" in that equation? Well, as it turns out, the series is narrated by Reggie's beloved dog, bringing the number of dog-narrated 2016 Archie comics to a surprising "two." Check out a preview of the first issue from Tom DeFalco and Sandy Jarrell to see what else is in store for Riverdale's (least) favorite prankster.

Reggie Mantle is the worst, but for some reason he has a following, so Archie Comics has added a new title to its beloved reboot line of comics; a new ongoing featuring Riverdale's resident creeper. Written by industry legend Tom DeFalco, with art by Sandy Jarrell, Reggie and Me launches this December and promises to give readers an inside look at the most "loved, revered, admired and adored" teen in Riverdale. Those are their words, not mine.

Of all the major comic book companies, there's only one named after a single character: Archie Comics. The question is, though, does Archie Andrews himself really deserve that honor? I mean, yes, he's the main character in most of those stories and one point on the greatest love triangle in comics, but can you really look at those books and tell me that company shouldn't be called Jughead Entertainment? Perhaps you can, but today, we're going to settle this once and for all as we invite you to cast your vote in our latest poll: Just who is the best character Riverdale has to offer?

It's been a while since we've had a new issue of Afterlife With Archie, the flagship horror title from Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa and Francesco Francavilla that saw the zombie apocalypse hit Riverdale --- a full year, in fact, with the last issue hitting in May of 2015. Now, though, the book is set to return on May 25, and when it does, it's coming with a pair of issues that sound like they're being solicited by Stefon from Saturday Night Live.