Archie, Vol. 6

Archie (2015) (Collected Editions) #6

by Mark Waid, Audrey Mok (Illustrator)

ARCHIE VOL. 6 is the next installment in the collection of the historic ARCHIE series relaunch, featuring the talents of comics superstars Mark Waid, Ian Flynn, Audrey Mok and more. This series is true to the spirit and characters that all Archie fans know and love while reinvigorating its spirit and humor through the talents of some of the most acclaimed creators in the comic book industry.
It all comes down to this! The Riverdale gang--held hostage by Cheryl Blossom's father! Reggie--at last paying for his crimes! And when all is said and done, Riverdale is turned upside down once more!

Genres: Comics, Graphic Novels, Young Adult, Graphic Novels Comics, Fiction, Comic Book, Contemporary

144 pages, Paperback

First published October 30, 2018

About the author

Mark Waid is an American comic book writer widely known for shaping modern superhero storytelling through influential runs on major characters at both DC Comics and Marvel Comics. Raised in Alabama, he developed an early fascination with comic books, particularly classic stories featuring the Legion of Super-Heroes, whose imaginative scope and sense of legacy would later inform his own writing. He first entered the comics industry during the mid 1980s as an editor and writer for the fan magazine Amazing Heroes, before publishing his first professional comic story in Action Comics. Soon afterward he joined DC Comics as an editor, contributing to numerous titles and helping shape projects across the company. After leaving editorial work to focus on writing, Waid gained widespread recognition with his long run on The Flash, where he expanded the mythology of the character and co-created the youthful speedster Impulse. His reputation grew further with the celebrated graphic novel Kingdom Come, created with artist Alex Ross, which imagined a future DC Universe shaped by generational conflict among superheroes. Over the years he has written many prominent series, including Captain America, Fantastic Four, Daredevil, and Superman: Birthright, bringing a balance of optimism, character depth, and respect for comic book history to each project. Waid has also collaborated with notable artists and writers on major ensemble titles such as Justice League and Avengers, while contributing ideas that helped clarify complex continuity within shared superhero universes. Beyond mainstream superhero work, he has supported creator owned projects and experimental publishing models, including the acclaimed series Irredeemable and Incorruptible, which explored moral ambiguity within the superhero genre. He later took on editorial leadership roles at Boom Studios, guiding creative direction while continuing to write extensively. In subsequent years he expanded his involvement in publishing and digital storytelling, helping launch online comics initiatives and advocating for new distribution methods for creators. His work has earned numerous industry awards, including Eisner and Harvey honors, reflecting both critical acclaim and enduring popularity among readers. Throughout his career Waid has remained a passionate student of comic book history, drawing on decades of storytelling tradition while continually encouraging innovation within the medium. His influence extends across generations of readers and creators, and his stories continue to shape the evolving language of superhero comics around the world today through enduring characters imaginative narratives and thoughtful reinventions of familiar myths within popular culture and modern graphic storytelling traditions.

Reviews

[Anne · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was really a lovely goodbye for Waid's run on Archie.



I love the way the characters are written. They're still like their old selves, just a better version of their old selves. And while I think we're all sad to see Mark Waid leave this title, I would rather him go out on a high note than to run out of good ideas.



This was definitely a high note. I think for those of you who have enjoyed what he's done so far with these charters, this will resonate as something special.



It's Archie. So it's not like this is the end.
But if it were the end?
This would be the ending I would want.



Highly Recommended.

[Chad · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mark Waid provides us a fine finish to his Archie run. It's a testament to Waid's writing that he can take something as simple as the spring dance and turn it into a dramedy I'm anxiously interested in. Waid buttons up all the multiple threads that have been dangling throughout his run. I thought the big thing that happens at the big dance was a bit much for an Archie book, that was the one aspect I didn't care for during this entire run. Audrey Mok's art is clean and detailed. She'll soon be the next big artist in comics if she desires it.

The Betty and Veronica: Vixens series also included is weird and off-putting. It was like reading a Roger Corman flick about a female biker gang with poor art.

Now that Waid's run is complete, I can go back to not caring about Archie, especially now that I hear Nick Spencer is taking over. He'll probably have the evil assassin Archie doppleganger from the Archie / Punisher crossover take over in Archie's place or something equally stupid.

[Bookishrealm · Rating 4 out of 5]

The drama! The drama! I didn't see that major conflict coming at the end of the spring dance, but it was interesting. This was a great end to a pretty good run of Archie by Waid. I think that the series started off a little rough, but this volume definitely proves that Waid was capable of rebooting a successful run of Archie that entertained old readers and brought on new readers (like me). The artwork once again captured those final feelings of the Riverdale gang entering new chapters of their life. It definitely does leave room for Nick Spencer to come in and do what he wants with the storyline.

[Kristin · Rating 3 out of 5]

A tone deaf finish to Waid's otherwise successful Archie run.

Veronica has nothing to do, because her only characteristic is "Archie's girlfriend". Betty's paralysis is ignored; her crutches are background decor and never used. And somebody needs to tell Mark Waid that gunmen in school doesn't make for a 'shocking'--or appropriate--season finale now that they're a regular occurrence in readers' lives. Especially when you decide to make it wacky.

The bonus issue of Betty and Veronica: Vixens is beyond terrible. From the profanity-laced, brain dead writing to the Zenescope quality art, it deserves negative stars. Who signed off on this?

I'm going to miss this version of Archie and company but, between Vixens' scribe becoming the new writer on Betty and Veronica and Nick Spencer getting Archie, it's going to be very easy to walk away.

[Chris Lemmerman · Rating 4 out of 5]

[Read as single issues]

The school dance is fast approaching, and Archie’s completely dateless! Betty’s not sure where they stand anymore, and Veronica’s not talking to him either (since she knows he likes Betty too, and wants to spare his feelings), and Jughead doesn’t know whether he’s coming or going. With the Riverdale quad scattered, who’s going to save everyone from the return of Jason and Cheryl Blossom’s homicidal father?

Mark Waid’s Archie run has been a masterclass in how to tell Archie stories, and all of the chickens he’s set up over the last 30 issues come home to roost in this final volume. As the issue progress, all of the dominoes begin to to topple over until the last issue which is one of the most fist-pump inducing issues I’ve read in a long time. Having the characters all on the outs and not sure where they stand with each other adds the usual Archie drama to the proceedings, and their eventual reconciliation is just the kind of culmination that this story needs.

Sometimes these Archie stories have felt a little self-contained, but now the longer plan that Waid has been playing out is much more evident; the arrival of the Blossoms, Reggie Mantle’s creepy little schemes, and everything that Archie, Betty, and Veronica have gone through all become much more important as this story progresses; even the Dilton subplot comes to a satisfying resolution along the way too.

Audrey Mok finishes up her run on this title with the same individuality as she has in her previous forays into the Archie universe; all of her characters feel unique and well-defined, and her time on Josie & The Pussycats has helped her sell all of the comedy that befalls Archie (mostly unintentionally). I hope she gets a lot more exposure, either on other Archie books or elsewhere, because she really deserves it.

Rebooting a classic series like Archie was never going to be easy, but across these last thirty or so issues Mark Waid has managed to make it look effortless. He ably played with all of the characters and weaves stories in and out of each other as he rebuilt the rich tapestry that makes up the Archie universe. This may be the final volume of Mark Waid’s Archie, but its legacy will live on, even as we revert back to the legacy numbering and move into the Nick Spencer era. He’s got big shoes to fill, that’s for sure.

[Michael Finocchiaro · Rating 3 out of 5]

Some of the plot devices are getting a little old and the stories are rather short. I wonder when they will breathe a little more life into Archie in this Mark Waid series?

[Julio Bonilla · Rating 5 out of 5]

Darling, you're Betty Cooper. You can do anything.

All of the students at Riverdale High are getting ready for the most phenomenal night of their lives: Prom. Meanwhile, trouble is afoot in the form of Reggie Mantle just released from prison.
The Blossom Twins are still searching for their biological father. Plus, Moose get's dumped at dinner, and ends up going to the prom with Midge.

This final volume of Archie by Mark Waid really hits home, reminding me of my own Senior Prom. I didn't have a date, so I went to the dance with a group of friends. We rode in a limo, wherein I opened a can of Pepsi and splashed it all over everyone, accept the driver. I was the Salutatorian of my graduating class.

[Shannon Appelcline · Rating 4 out of 5]

Waid rather joyfully brings together the plot threads from his entire run, giving some closure to the stories of Archie, Veronica, Betty, Reggie, and those redheads. The storyline is made even better by the drama of the big school dance, something that gets even more dramatic as some of those storylines collide.

Is there too much reset buttoning as Waid clears the path for his successors? Probably. But this was still a fun six volumes of quirky characters going about their quirky lives.

[Jenny · Rating 4 out of 5]

*****3.5*****
This volume disappointed me. It's the last volume in Mark Waid's "New Riverdale." Issue 700 has a new writer headlining with a new story. I love Waid's work, so I was upset to find out this was going to be his last installment in the Archie series. Yes, he's writing Archie: 1941 (the first Archie comic came out in 1941), but it's a 5-issue series, and that's that. Waid is also done with Champions, another series by him that I really enjoy. I know this happens in the comic book world (and in life), but it's still upsetting to a fan. That being said, I had high hopes for this final volume.

First of all, as I've written, I LOVE Archie and have since I was a kid. Now, it's not only nostalgic. My love has been renewed via Mark Waid's series and Riverdale. The series started off very strongly for me and continued to impress me with its relevance but also its adherence to characters' personalities and to the overall tone and themes you come to expect from an Archie comic. I feel like the first couple of issues had a much broader scope and covered more of the high school experience through various characters and scenarios. But, then, Over the Edge happened, and that changed. The story line became much narrower, and I feel like the series lost something because of that even though it still has impact.

What I'm most disappointed about in this volume is that so many story lines are left open ended. Maybe this is to lead into the next wave of Archie's story, I don't know. But the plots that Waid established and worked up don't really get satisfied at all. The characters all stay true to who they are, but there's really no resolution. Even the ending itself is just...okay.

Why did I still give it 3.5 stars rounded up to 4? Well, I still like the story and the characters. It's still Archie. There are still funny moments and "aww" moments. And it's interesting and entertaining. Sometimes, Waid feels like an adult writer who thinks he gets teens and is portraying them accurately but is still clearly an adult, but most of the time, I think (as an adult myself) that he writes teens well and knows how to play up the drama but make these characters sympathetic. This Archie isn't the Archie I grew up with, when what was relevant was Archie driving his jalopy, hanging out at Pop's, going to the beach, cheerleading, competitions between the boys and the girls for the girls and the boys, etc. Our times are different, thanks to September 11 and technology, mostly. Teen issues are different, more conflicted. Teens themselves aren't the carefree people they were many years ago. Maybe that's why Waid can write Archie 1941--with school shootings and threats of nuclear war, obesity and autism, cyberbullying and confusing sexuality, teens today can probably identify with the teens of the WWII era, with their stress and worry and adult concerns. Waid does a great job of incorporating all these issues.

Obviously, no matter what, I'm an Archie Comics fan. I like the material the company produces, and I'll continue to be interested and invested. I hope my kids grow up with Archie like I did and like my mom did. I'm sad Waid's story is over, but I've already bought my copy of Archie #700 and will be reading it and, I'm sure, loving it. I recommend this series for the nostalgia it invokes but also for the freshness it brings to decades-old characters. Also, read Archie: 1941! It's really interesting and will remind you of how far we've come and how much things haven't changed at all, which is probably the best thing about Archie in general.

[Brylliams · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's an Archie comic, what can you expect?

Humor and heart in equal doses.

Archie is trying to stand on two legs after having been rejected by both Betty and Veronica. Singlehood is something new.
Prom is also on the horizon, and the most unexpected pairing of the night has to do with Moose.

I loved this. It's a great, lighthearted read that gives me joy at the end of the night.

[Jeannette · Rating 4 out of 5]

A charming way to spend my evening! I really have to buy all of these, because returning to Riverdale is like returning home every time. Despite this volume starting (and continuing) in a more serious way, it still packed a lot of the lighthearted fun that I enjoy about this series. Archie's clumsy chaos features heavily, which I always enjoy, but the silliness is balanced. Some of that balance is big and dark, such as the drama with Reggie and the Blossoms. Some of it, however, is more understated and lovely, such as Moose and Midge being awkwardly charming as they get together (I nearly cried), and Veronica and Betty gracefully trying to support each other, despite both having trouble getting over the same boy. It really made me emotional a couple of times. And I haven't even mentioned how great the art is yet! I really enjoyed what the artist has done with these last couple of volumes. I, as usual, just want to read the whole series again.

[Mari Mankle · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a normal Archie, nothing really new to say 🤷🏻‍♀️

[Avy · Rating 5 out of 5]

The PROM! Blossom revelations and Mantle (redemption?)

[Dakota Morgan · Rating 2 out of 5]

Anyone else tired of Archie by this point? The most exciting part of this volume was the ad for Archie 1941 at the end. Seems like a time shift would spice up the narrative a bit.

In any case, this sixth volume of Archie features yet another dance, some typical Archie awkwardness, less love stuff, and more weird Blossom family drama. I gotta say - I care zero about Cheryl, Jason, and their inmate dad. Or the fact that Reggie knows their secret. Maybe with better writing that whole plotline would be exciting? As it stands, it's a total joke and takes up way too much time.

Bring on World War II Archie!

[Kelly K · Rating 4 out of 5]

Moose & Midge though <3

[Alex Sarll]

The conclusion of Waid's run, in which he attempted less a soft reboot and more a gentle reboot of Riverdale's all-American teens. Although he is only credited as co-writer here, something I always find odd on a final volume – getting some help in middle acts is one thing, but wouldn't you want to make an exit on your own terms? Not that the tone is noticeably affected; Archie still has a gift for causing chaos to a degree that a baffled 'How?' is the perennial response; Jughead still serves as the wearily wise consiglieri; Betty and Veronica still do their best to avoid the worst of the carnage, while retaining a certain soft spot for Archie despite it all. And Reggie, in one of the details I most appreciated, may be out of prison but is not remotely reformed. I think it's all these Disney prequels that have me really turning against redemptive readings; let bastards be bastards, it's not as if the quickest glance at the world doesn't show plenty of examples. I'm not entirely sure the mystery of the Blossoms' parentage can sustain all the weight the story needs it to, but then any Archie plot is mainly needed as a vague chassis for Archie-esque interactions and moods to cohere around, so that doesn't altogether matter. And Mok's art definitely gives the appropriate sense of a softly lit bubble universe of low-stakes Americana. Yeah, I could have done without the eventual raising of those stakes for the climax - as with the earlier car crash plotline, it isn't what I'm after from Archie - but proceedings still end on a sweet enough note.

[Ashley · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have been lamenting the loss of Fiona Staples as illustrator ever since the change halfway through Volume 1, but I feel like I've found a suitable replacement in Audrey Mok, I quite like her style. (Although she did the last collection, and I don't recall it standing out. But I loved it this time!)

The story was interesting, dramatic yet comedic, though the love triangle kind of disappeared. (But I am HERE for the start of Moose and Midge! And I loved every time Jughead was in a panel.) I really enjoyed it, and I really enjoyed this series as a whole. And if it felt like the ending was final, it's because it appears that a different author is taking over. Hmmm.

[Danny · Rating 4 out of 5]

I adore everything I've read by Mark Waid. His ear for dialogue and ideas for characterization are unmatched. I'm impressed by how he blocks his scenes to make characters feel alive. His panel progressions always move at a brisk pace because he's aware this is a comedy first and foremost, with teen drama sprinkled in. At his best he understands high schoolers dilemmas and dramas without resorting to perversity. At his worst you get this volume. Not a bad volume by any means but, clearly bit off more than I wanted to chew. It goes dark in a way I wasnt prepared for. But he closes up shop in a neat way and does so that feels believable to these characters. I'm excited to see where he goes in his next archie series and will continue to champion him as the premier comic book writer. Wow, he may be my favorite writer. How bout that?

[Terry Mcginnis · Rating 2 out of 5]

The Archie reboot has lost its charm. This final volume wraps up predictably and with unnecessary danger, seemingly forced from the get-go. The series is continuing, however, with legendary numbering after the final issue in this volume. The creative team is moving on, and I have no idea of the direction it's headed now, and do not feel motivated to continue. Archie volume 6 is recommended to read as an obligatory finale, but otherwise a hard pass. The Archie horror stuff has been and is currently great, so I'll stick to that. Now, back to Jughead: The Hunger!

[Jasmine · Rating 3 out of 5]

It's been so long since I read the rest of these because it was super hard to get my hands on this one. I liked that the ending wrapped up some things but also let some things lie. It was nice to see a strong Betty, Veronica, and Jughead.

[Christy · Rating 4 out of 5]

It’s always really fun to see characters get some redemption.

[Brianda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well, the conflict at the end was a little odd, but it gets 4 stars by default cos I love this series.

[Ondřej Halíř · Rating 4 out of 5]

Waidův run je bohužel u konce a v posledním volumku nám tu naservíroval poněkud lehce melancholické rozloučení zase s příjemnou a chytrou dávkou humoru. Sice tu na rozdíl od minulého svazku nebylo moc napětí a vztahy se prakticky nikam neposunuli, tak i přes to mě rozloučení s tímto runem bavilo. Potěšilo mě například trochu větší zaměření na Reggieho, ale zase zamrzelo že Blossomovi tu hrají opravdu až čtvrté housle a Archieho vztahy tu taky moc nedostali zasloužený payoff.

Ono celkově mi přijde že se tu moc linek nedovršilo a vyšuměli prakticky do prázda, i přes to je ale Archie pořád neskutečně skvělá série, tak jdu rovnou na Spencerův run.

[Stephanie Griffin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great volume! Real emotions, good storyline, and (mostly) spot-on illustrations!

[Sid · Rating 4 out of 5]

tbh i've really grown to like this whole archie-is-clumsiest-thing-on-earth thing

[Vasilisa · Rating 3 out of 5]

The first and only volume where I simply adored Veronica.

[Kaelyn H · Rating 4 out of 5]

4/5 stars
I just wanted to see my favorite couple get together, but at last, nothing happens in that aspect (forever sad). It was great to be reunited with all the characters and see what all goes down at the school dance. It was nice to see other events happen in the plot and I hope they make another volume soon.

[Kathleen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Archie's terrible luck makes dating outside of Betty and Veronica impossible. Luckily, he's playing for the big dance, and so doesn't need to worry about a date. Did I say luck was with him? Then you know something is going to go wrong.

Fun and lighthearted, this comic is a perfect pick-me-up on a dreary day.

[coriolis · Rating 4 out of 5]

Issue 28 - Read 4/18/18 - Jughead keeping it REAL. I love it. Betty and Veronica are friendship goals.

Issue 29 - Read 4/19/18 - The Blossom twins are a couple of bad ass mofos. But you know who else is friendship goals? Dilton and Moose. That issue was baller.

Issue 30 - Read 5/21/18 - Okay I know the good stuff is coming soon, so I will just patiently wait for it.

Issue 31 - Read 7/31/18 - Hot DAMN, things are heating up in Riverdale. I love seeing Jason and Cheryl together. Makes me wish Jason hadn't been the one murdered on the show. Could have been such a dynamic duo.

Issue 32 - Read 10/22/18 - I love Jason Blossom's sass so much. Don't @me.

[Ioanna ms✨ · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.25!!