[BOOK REVIEW] Jughead Volume 2 by Chip Zdarsky and Ryan North

Title:  Jughead Volume 2

Author:  Chip Zdarsky and Ryan North

Artist:  Derek Charm

Genre:  Comedy / School / Adventure / Spin Off / Magic / Fantasy

Year Published:  2017

Year Read: 1/18/2018

Series: Jughead #2

Publisher: Archie Comics

Source:  Library

Content Rating:  Ages 13+ (Some Language)

Buy on:  Amazon  //  Book Depository 

Introduction:

It has been awhile since I had last read the reboot of the recent “Archie” comics and at the same time, I was reading the reboot of the “Jughead” series, which I had enjoyed!  Now, I finally got the chance to read the second volume of the “Jughead” reboot series and I must admit that I have enjoyed this volume even more than the first volume!

What is this story about?

The first half of the volume starts off with both Jughead and Archie going to Camp Lucey to spend some time together, only to find out that a family reunion is going on at the campsite (unfortunately, it is the Mantle family reunion, meaning that Reggie Mantle is going to be there). This causes Jughead and Archie to have a horrible time at camp and it also causes a rift between them as they start arguing with each other about whether or not it was worth it spending time together at their old campsite. Later on, unfortunately, Jughead and Archie get lost in the woods and they would have to put aside their differences if they want to survive the woods!

Meanwhile, in the second story, Jughead meets a girl dressed up as a burger and Jughead refers to her as the “Burger Lady” and ends up falling for her.  Later on, when the “Burger Lady” reveals herself to be none other than…. SABRINA THE TEENAGE WITCH, Sabrina asks Jughead out on a date.  Unfortunately, Jughead does not seem to have any kind of romantic feelings for Sabrina and he has a hard time telling her this, which leads to Sabrina dishing out some unwarranted revenge on Jughead!

What I loved about this story:

Chip Zdarsky’s and Ryan North’s writing:  Wow!  I was amazed by both Chip Zdarsky’s and Ryan North’s writing in this volume!  Both Chip Zdarsky and Ryan North brought so much humor and drama to the stories and it really made both stories so original and creative at the same time!  In the first half of the story, I was surprised at how dramatic Chip Zdarsky’s writing had gotten when it involved Jughead and Archie getting lost in the woods and having an argument during the whole ordeal.  I was actually feeling sorry for Jughead during the whole ordeal since he believed that he was losing Archie’s friendship due to Archie paying more attention to getting a date rather than hanging out with his longtime friend and you can see how deep Archie and Jughead’s friendship with each other really is.  I also liked the way that Chip Zdarsky balanced the humor and drama in this story as while it focuses on Archie and Jughead’s friendship nearly falling apart, there are still some humorous moments spread throughout the story.  Ryan North has done a fantastic job at writing the “Sabrina the Teenage Witch” segment of this volume as it was filled with humor and relationship drama at the same time!  I am so glad that we finally get to see Sabrina the Teenage Witch make her appearance in the “Jughead” reboot because what “Archie” reboot would be complete without “Sabrina the Teenage Witch” causing magical mischief in the “Archie” universe?  I really enjoyed Jughead and Sabrina’s relationship with each other as it was hilarious seeing how the misunderstanding between them unfolded and heartwarming at how they do care about each other’s feelings about the situation.

Derek Charm’s artwork:  Derek Charm’s artwork is both hilarious and adorable to look at as the “Archie” characters look much younger in this volume than they do in the first volume and I loved the exaggerated expressions that the characters occasionally show whenever they are frustrated or acting goofy.  I also honestly think that Derek Charm’s artwork is a vast improvement over the artwork in the first volume since I think that it fit the characters much more closely and it does not look as goofy as the artwork in the first volume.

What made me feel uncomfortable about this story:

For those of you who do not like language, there is some language in this volume, such as the usage of the word “friggin.”  However, the language in this volume is barely noticeable and it is still suitable for younger readers.

Final Thoughts:

Overall, “Jughead Volume Two” is a vast improvement over the first volume and fans who love both the “Archie” and “Jughead” reboot series will definitely get a kick out of this volume!

* 2017 Will Eisner Comic Industry Awards for Best Humor Publication and Nominated for Best Publication for Teens (Ages 13-17)

 You might also like:

• Jughead Volume 1 by Chip Zdarsky

• Archie Volume 1: The New Riverdale by Mark Waid

• Afterlife with Archie: Escape from Riverdale Volume 1 by Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa

[BOOK REVIEW] Jughead Volume 1 by Chip Zdarsky

Title:  Jughead Volume 1


Author:  Chip Zdarsky


Artist:  Erica Henderson

Genre:  Comedy / School / Adventure / Spin Off

Year Published:  2016

Year Read: 12/18/2016

Series: Jughead #1

Publisher: Archie Comics


Source:  Library


Content Rating:  Ages 14+ (Some Suggestive Themes)

Introduction:

After I had finished reading “Archie Volume One: The New Riverdale,” I figured that Archie Comics was going to do a reboot on one of their most beloved characters “Jughead!” So of course, I was on board with picking up the reboot of everyone’s favorite crazy and food obsessed weirdo in Chip Zdarsky’s take on “Jughead Volume One!”

What is this story about?

It is an ordinary day in Riverdale until Mr. Weatherbee, the principal of Riverdale High, is suddenly being replaced by a new principal named Mr. Stanger without any warning.  At first, Jughead is not bothered by this new development, but when his favorite meal lasagna is being replaced by a nasty nutritious meal, Jughead (of course, being Jughead) panics and starts trying to find ways to bend the new strict rules so he could still do whatever he wants without getting in trouble.  Later on however, Jughead soon realizes that the new principal Mr. Stanger has a hidden agenda under his sleeves that might involve brainwashing the student body into becoming the perfect school for spies. 

Can Jughead stop this new principal from going through with his plans or is all this speculation about the new principal all just a part of Jughead’s overactive imagination?

Read this book to find out!

What I loved about this story:

Chip Zdarsky’s writing:  I must admit that when I first heard about Jughead getting his own book for the Archie reboot, I was bit hesitant in trying this graphic novel out since Jughead is my most favorite character from the Archie Comics and I was afraid that this graphic novel would have messed up his character.  Luckily, it turns out that Chip Zdarsky has written the character’s eccentric nature extremely well as this graphic novel is much wackier and more humorous than Mark Waid’s run on the main “Archie” series.  I loved the way that Chip Zdarsky wrote Jughead’s overactive imaginations as helping Jughead solve his problems in real life as it made Jughead into such a comical and unique character in this new “Archie” universe.  Also, Jughead’s constant reliance on his imaginations to solve his real life problems reminds me a bit of Nickelodeon/Disney’s “Doug” (although a much wackier version of “Doug”). I also like the fact that Chip Zdarsky made Jughead into a more determined character in this story as Jughead is shown as not being afraid to speak his mind about what he likes or dislikes about the new school system and tries to make things better for himself and his friends.

Erica Henderson’s artwork:  Erica Henderson’s artwork is extremely humorous and fits the tone of this series nicely as the scenes of Jughead’s imaginations are drawn in exaggerated and creative fashion. I especially loved the scenes where Jughead imagines himself to be a superhero or a time traveler as those scenes are drawn somewhat more dramatically as it portrays Jughead trying to save the day from evil.

What made me feel uncomfortable about this story:

The reason why I took off half a star from the rating was because even though I do think that Erica Henderson’s artwork is humorous, I felt that the artwork made the characters too goofy looking and it was hard for me to really take the characters seriously at times.  I actually kind of wish that the artists from Mark Waid’s “Archie” series actually took over for this graphic novel as we would have still gotten the humorous edge for this series with the artwork from the main “Archie” series.

Final Thoughts:

Overall, “Jughead Volume One” is a truly entertaining read if you like reading fun loving and wacky comics and if you are a huge fan of Jughead Jones!  I recommend this book for anyone who wants to read a wackier series spun off from Mark Waid’s “Archie” series!