It's a both a blessing and a curse that Staples is only doing three issues. It's good because it keeps Saga on schedule, but it's a bummer because she's such a good artist. Hopefully their replacement artists are just as good, and maybe she can come back and do a couple issues each time Saga is on break.

I might be buying my first ever Archie comics.

I would love to see Cliff Chiang follow up Fiona Staple on this.

I am truly baffled by the very fact that this comic still exists. 70 something years of kids in a high school. Amazing. Oh yeah: never even had the urge to open an Archie comic before.

I didn't think there was anything wrong with Archie

Am not really big on Archie, but this looks like it'll be some good stuff, and not just kiddie stories.

Seconded.

I'm not an Archie fan, so they can't do anything to lose my readership, but I wonder if the wholesome and timeless quality of it is working for them or against them. If they start incorporating mature themes into their mainstream title, I suspect they are going to find that people are no longer interested in them. I know back in the day, I got Archie comics just because it was something my mom deemed safe. Put in some angst or worse, and I think you'll lose your base pretty quickly.

I do have to say that I'm impressed with Mark Waid's involvement. He does high quality work, but is it what the series needs? I guess we will see.

Mark Waid and Fiona Staples is a dream creative team. Unfortunately, Staples is only on the first three issues and I've never had an attachment to the Archie stuff. I didn't read them growing up so I doubt I'll check this out. In any regard, that's some great news for anyone who is a fan of the Archie universe.

@syncig: not to be negative or anything but I disagree. Bringing big names in and starting from scratch seems over the top to me. I say stick to the numbering and continue on with the format they have been running with. Sure, bring in Waid and Staples, but why the renumbering? Staples is there for three, move on. Any story is a good jumping on point with Archie.

What I've always liked about the books is the minimal continuity of them. Sure you get references once in a while, but generally, stories are self contained so the writers can go different directions every time. Most times characters have the same qualities but the way it's done Betty and Veronica (or anyone) can switch up and be out of their norm for a story and it doesn't effect the rest of the book.

@donovan_montgomery: At this point, the number on the cover really doesn't matter to me anymore. Not only has relaunching to a new number one become the industry norm but I've switched entirely to collected editions. I understand your point of view though and I might feel the same if I had a history with Archie.

@syncig: The fact that it's the norm is my problem. I do like having consecutive issues not a new #1 every other year. Still disgruntled about Daredevil being renumbered,again, after only three years and Waid is involved in that. Doing the trades with DD from now on, they lost this monthly reader.....sadly.

Might check this out. Never read an Archie comic before.