Comic Review: Jughead’s Time Police (2019-) #1

Jughead’s Time Police (2019-) #1

Archie Comics

Writer: Sina Grace

Artist: Derek Charms

I’m always surprising myself with how much I tend to like Archie comic books. If you haven’t been paying attention, a lot of the recent “modern” Archie comics are kind of killing it. It really shouldn’t be that surprising though, since they’ve gotten some really good writers and artists. Mark Waid, Chip Zdarsky, Erica Henderson, and Fiona Staples are just some of the people who have been on an Archie book. 

How far would you go to change a mistake you made? However far it is, Jughead Jones is willing to invent time travel. But his mistake isn’t even that big. Running late, he mixes up his ingredients making a pie. The pie makes the judges at a pie making contest sick, which gets him banned for life. Taking his food seriously, the only option for Jughead is simple: invent time travel! As you can guess, things don’t go entirely to plan.

This is a fun story focusing on Jughead inventing time travel. He enlists his friends to help him out, and we see, even if for one page, a good number of the Archie crew. As far as actual “time policing” goes, there’s really none. This is all set up for that, but it’s not a bad thing. If you like Archie and the characters within, you’ll enjoy this all the same. I haven’t read too much by Sina Grace, except for his Iceman series. Even so, I like the story, and the dialogue in this issue, especially when it comes to Hot Dog. He’s maybe the best part of this first issue, and there’s a lot to like in it.

For the most part, I enjoy the art in this issue. I couldn’t put a finger on it at first, but some quick Googling made me realize why the art feels a bit familiar. As it turns out, Derek Charms is doing the art for the current Unbeatable Squirrel Girl series. I like his art there, and I like it here.  And then on top of that, Matt Herms, the colorist, adds an extra layer to it all that I appreciate. All that being said, I don’t like the designs for Betty or Dilton Doiley. Betty doesn’t look like Betty to me, and Dilton reminds me of Velma from Scooby Doo. It’s not anything that will ruin the comic, I mean, Betty is only on a couple of pages. But it’s definitely worth noting.

This is a really fun comic book. There’s not really any “time policing” just yet, but the set up to it is fun and funny. I might have some small problems with it, but the art is pretty good. If you enjoy Archie comics, you’ll enjoy Jughead’s Time Police.