Comic Review: Archie (2015-) #713

Archie (2015-) #713

Archie Comics

Writers: Kevin Panetta & Mariko Tamaki

Artists: Laura Braga

Archie #712 came out in March 2020. Archie #713, this issue, is now releasing in July 2020. That’s a four-month delay, and I’m doing my best to not let that affect this review. But the problems I do have with this issue have something to do with that timeline.

The usual Archie gang, plus Archie’s girlfriend Sabrina, are all in New York City. Along with them are Katy Keene and her sister, Sis. Katy is a fashion designer with a lot of talent, and Veronica is trying to jump-start her career. The only problem being, Katy doesn’t really want the same thing Veronica is offering her and takes off alone in the city.

I don’t think this issue, or this entire story arc is bad. I don’t think it’s the best Archie story, but it’s not bad. If you don’t know, the CW, home of the Riverdale TV show, earlier this year had a Katy Keene show. I’m saying this, because this entire story arc feels very out of place, considering the 10 issues before it. If you don’t remember there’s a whole mystery going on with Reggie Mantle’s dad going missing, possibly murder, and a bunch of legit witch magic with Sabrina. And then we get four issues of Archie and Katy Keene.

There’s some minor conflicts that we see resolution for in this issue. Archie’s been kind of jealous that new girl Katy is also really good at music. She’s making a bigger splash than him and he feels like he’s in the dust. Katy Keene doesn’t entirely want the career and opportunities that Veronica is setting up for her. It all works out in the end, as things in Archie comics tend to do. But it feels rushed a bit. I think the whole story could’ve made use of an issue or two more to fully round things out.

I will say that I really enjoy the art in the issue though. Laura Braga, with Matt Herms on the coloring, make a fantastic looking comic. The context of the story also gives the art a chance to shine, since it does center around a fashion designer. There’s outfit changes, and a fashion show, and each character dressing in their own style. It just gives the art team a chance to shine with the character designs. And with the story set in New York, they capture the vibe of the big city, in comparison to the usual small town of Riverdale.

I’ll say it again, I don’t think this is a bad issue. I just think the story arc as a whole is very out of place, and it’s probably because of the TV show. This issue moves at a very fast pace, and expanding it for an issue or two more would really help with that. But being that I think that’s the main problem with it, it’s not too much of a deal-breaker. There is some really good art in it, and it’s more of a lighter story than the ongoing missing person/witches/mystery that’s happening before it. It’s just happening at a weird time, in the middle of everything else.

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