Archie vs. Predator II

Archie vs. Predator #5-9

by Alex de Campi, Robert Hack (Illustrations)

America's favorite teen meets the galaxy's fiercest hunter - again!

Betty, Veronica and Predator-Archie have been left in the wreckage of their town, all their friends dead. Normally, they'd just go down Memory Lane and get home again where everything's okay, but that's no longer an option. It isn't until they find an undamaged car and drive it down a different road where they can finally return to Riverdale--but their hometown feels different. And it's made even more bizarre when they come face-to-face with a few people they'd never expect: themselves. Only different, newer versions. Little do they know, Predators on Mars are watching them--planning their next attack!

Genres: Comics, Horror, Graphic Novels, Fiction, Science Fiction, Graphic Novels Comics, Comix

144 pages, Paperback

First published May 5, 2020

About the author

Alex de Campi is a New York-based writer with an extensive backlist of critically-acclaimed graphic novels including Eisner-nominated heist noir Bad Girls (Simon & Schuster) and Twisted Romance (Image Comics). Her most recent book was her debut prose novel The Scottish Boy (Unbound). She lives with her daughter, their cat, and a Deafblind pit bull named Tango.

Reviews

[Dan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Betty, Veronica, and their Predator-Archie hybrid are wandering the devastated ruins of Riverdale when they run into the Archie gang from another reality. And Predators looking to bring their comrade home...

Archive vs. Predator was what rekindled my interest in Archie a few years ago. How could I possibly pass this up?

At first glance, I wasn't a huge fan of this. The previous Archie vs. Predator was done in the classic Archie style and this was new, anything goes Archie. Still, it wound up being pretty cool. This looks like a sequel to the first Archie vs. Predator and it is, but it's also a meta commentary on the transition from classic Archie to modern Archie. And a lot of people die.

Alex de Campi's writing is pretty slick. He could have just phoned it in but this one is on a whole other level. He even addresses the fact that Archie has been a teenager for like 80 years. Robert Hack is no Dan Parent but his modern Archie style still kicks ass. The moody inks and Kelly Fitzpatrick's color palette do a great job setting the mood.

Archie vs. Predator II was even better than I thought it would be. 4 out of 5 stars.

[Chad · Rating 5 out of 5]

Alex de Campi gets super meta and satirical in this followup to Archie vs. Predator. After the end of the first volume, the only members of the Archie family left are Betty, Veronica, and Archie / Predator. They leave Riverdale to find themselves into Mark Waid's relaunched Riverdale. Some more Predators show up in this Riverdale and much more spine ripping excitement occurs. The whole time though de Campi gets her digs in at both the old and new Archie universes. I particularly liked what happened to Betty and Veronica. I thought it was very fitting. I absolutely loved this. I was happy to see Hack return to draw some comics interiors too. His art is great!

[Václav · Rating 4 out of 5]

(4 of 5 for nice AvP I sequel in a very different way)
What I wanted (but didn't need) with Archie vs Predator I as art, I got here. More mature, realistic and dark-ish style. And I like it. The story is sort of sequel to the first AvP but in a different way. It's self-aware, it makes reference to pop culture and to itself in all alternative Archie lines. It's clever in that way, and funny too. Other than that it's just gore/slaughter action horror. But the combination works perfectly. I really enjoyed it and all the characters in it. It felt both natural and crazy and it was fun to read.

[Alex Sarll · Rating 4 out of 5]

Yes, that is a comic that exists now. And, perhaps more surprisingly, is really good. The first Archie Versus Predator, also written by de Campi, came when what had been the most thoroughly conservative of comics companies was just starting to dip its toes into stranger waters; it dropped Predators into the clean-cut world and light, cartoony art style one associates with classic Archie comics, with much of the entertainment coming from that incongruity – not to mention the various farcical set-ups by which these harmless teens could be counted as armed, and thus satisfy the Predators' code of honour enough to get themselves killed. This one comes after Archie have rebooted and updated their comics universe, not to mention spinning off into the darker TV likes of Riverdale, and is in large part about that process, about the way that outdated archetypes get retooled to fit grittier times, about the commercial imperatives which drive ridiculous crossovers and sequels like this very book. It's drawn in a much more realistic style than its predecessor, as befits the new Archie look (Hack also did Chilling Adventures of Sabrina), and it's more formally innovative, especially with the depiction of sound, in a way that's been to the fore in de Campi's intervening work, not least No Mercy. There are more fourth wall breaks and sly asides, including one cheeky but thematically perfect nod to the history both of bizarre Archie crossovers, and de Campi's own fan-art (the distinction between fan-art and licensed work being as simple and minor as, you get paid for the latter – though as my dear spouse delights in pointing out, isn't it interesting that the former tends to be done more by women and the latter by men?). Although obviously, if you're not into all the clever stuff, you can just enjoy it as, well, Archie versus Predator – and it's always good to see another attempt at the obvious resolution to a certain long-running love triangle. But the sheer thought and craft that's been put into such a potentially megadumb project is wonderful – not least the ending, which could easily have been neat but a cop-out, yet in the event is very moving, and of surprisingly wide applicability.

That poor dog, though.

[Kyle Dinges · Rating 5 out of 5]

Like the first volume of Archie vs. Predator, there's just no way this should work and yet it's great. The first volume thrived on the cognitive dissonance of dropping the Predator into the Archie world and telling a brutal story framed through the everyday hijinx of Archie and the gang.

In volume 2, Alex de Campi and Archie Horror veteran artist Robert Hack bring the classic Betty and Veronica and the Predator to the rebooted Archie world. It's not quite as mad-cap, playing into the difference between classic Archie and the modern reimagining by Mark Waid. Basically the whole thing is a meta commentary from de Campi on the reboot and the necessity for change.

I don't want to spend a ton of time analyzing a book about the Archie universe getting murdered by Predator. It's just an absolutely bonkers concept that works.

[Dan · Rating 1 out of 5]

Thought this would be fun, but it was bad...terrible bad. Archie only speaks with emojis. WHAT>?????

[Sem · Rating 3 out of 5]

The original Archie vs. Predator was a ridiculous but fun comic that felt brought on by a very implausible series of events. Why would Archie Comics allow horror writer Alex de Campi to make a book where their perpetually youthful heroes get their innards strewn about the place? How could it turn out so good?

Well, a sequel - Archie vs. Predator II - was even more improbable but, sadly, has not turned out as good. There are a lot of good ideas here - a crossover inside a crossover, the emoji-speak, ramping up the comedy. However, a lot of it feels way too simplistic and kooky. One moment that particularly stuck out to me was Betty seeing the Predator dogs and shouting "Doggos!" It feels like a very "this is what zoomers would totally do when seeing a blood-hungry beast" moment that was more "haha random" than actually funny. And the same applies to a lot of moments here, from Cheryl being dumb as a rock to Reggie suddenly trying to be a decent guy in a weirdly dramatic scene.

Plus, it's strange to say this about a book this out there... but it lacks cohesion and pace. The school massacre goes on forever while other characters walk around, try on outfits, have sex, ponder their life, fly off into space (without any point to it, which... okay?) There's just very little focus in this book, it's super-manic and all over the place. When it hits, it hits pretty well. When it misses, it falls off the Earth.

[Alan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well this was a surprise. I didn't read the prior series until I was a couple of digital floppies into this one. And, I think this "sequel" far surpasses the first, and gets in some wry social commentary that includes, in my view, a couple of digs in at media franchises.

No true spoilers here, and these are not the Archie, Predator, Veronica and Betty that readers of any generation are accustomed to. This is a good thing, because very much to my surprise...

I liked Betty and Veronica as characters.

This feels like pretty much bits and pieces of Riverdale/Archie/Sabrina were pulled from multiple iterations of this universe and placed into this story.

I think you can skip the prior series and have a good time reading this.

[Julio Bonilla · Rating 3 out of 5]

We just need to find a way home.

What do you call 2 blondes with a redhead in the middle? Definitely not what our trio needs to know this time around! After going down Memory Lane, Betty, Veronica and Archie-Predator mysteriously end up in an alternate reality where Predators come to hunt them for sport. Betty & Veronica will have to call their imaginary friend to turn back the clock. What will Betty and Jughead from Memory Lane do?

•The book cover references a Predators movie poster.

[Alexander Peterhans · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not as great as the first volume, but I still had a lot of fun reading it. It also helps that the ending really tickled me.

(Read as five single issues)

[Terry Mcginnis · Rating 3 out of 5]

A rocky start, but picks up midway. Not as good as the first series, but still fun. Recommended for fans of the first.

[spanning skylines · Rating 3 out of 5]

The idea that if Betty had free will she’d be butch and lez out with Veronica…someone cooked here

[David Turko · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is so stupidly entertaining. I really enjoyed this book but the art style wasn't for me.

[Benji's Books · Rating 3 out of 5]

Meh.

Not as good as the first, but it did present some interesting concepts, despite them coming out of nowhere.

You're trying to leave your hometown, Riverdale after fighting a Predator (Archie vs. Predator vol. 1). For some reason, you end up in a different universe and find yourselves, but not yourselves. They are you from another dimension (a.k.a. the Archie gang from the reboot). This was so random and an obvious cash grab with a random queer twist at the end, with no buildup whatsoever.

Besides the random alternate dimension thing, the writing was pretty consistent. Simple, but still consistent.

At least the art was decent.

[Bill Coffin · Rating 2 out of 5]

Archie vs Predator II - and I can’t believe I am actually going to write this - lacks the subversive charm and wit of its predecessor. Where the first figured out how to make the tropes of Archie work well by working against themselves, AvPII just feels mean, like the writer was somehow angry at themselves for pulling another Archie gig. There is a delightful moment where Veronica tries to text someone for help, though, so this one’s not a total loss.

[Jared Beattie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Still funny and weird and violent as hell but I didn't like the art as much in this follow-up. It's good, gritty and dark, but I missed the campy, cartoony style that really tickled me.

[Ami Morrison · Rating 5 out of 5]

Archie vs. Predator II is in the art style of the more modern, realistic, and gritty style of the Riverdale version of the Archie gang. It is an equally beautiful version of the characters. Everyone is so pretty. I am not as familiar with this version of the Archie gang, so I did have a little bit of trouble telling who was who. The Predator looked BADASS though! And Predator doggos?? Yes, please!

I think I enjoyed AvPII a little bit more then the first collection in book one. The story is so meta. 😀 Not only are we dealing with more Predators, but we also have alternate realities/ multiverses (so popular right now!), space travel, Predator dogs, and summoning Satan! Part II was just CRAZY. And too much fun. I had a blast reading the whole crossover though. Super hilarious, tongue firmly in cheek the whole time. How perfectly Archie.

[Stardust]

No es una review, solo un poco d journaling. voy a tratar de leer más cómic serializado este año, y empezar con 5 issues series is the way. y además con las recientes ediciones de archie comics.. a quién no le va a gustar. Esta en concreto me parece un must read, parafraseando: "el santo grial de beronica". simplemente es a lot of fun ver cómo se exploran los personajes d archie/riverdale en su formato nativo, y creo que este approach science-fictiony es super satisfactorio. también he leído Time police. y tengo pendientes vampironica, y jughead the hunger, de momento. Por otro lado he leido Heroes de la resistencia, me gustaria leer algo más d la época por la sw nostalgia, y tengo marcada el issue de Sambucky. must comics be good? Amo ver imágenes y palabras, y amo ver a my little guys.

[Brett Starr · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an excellent graphic novel mash up. I really enjoyed reading it.

Archie vs. Predator II has a great storyline & the artwork is excellent. I would recommend reading the first Archie vs. Predator graphic novel but it's not required to enjoy part II and not as well done.

Highly recommended for graphic novel fans.

~ BJ

[April Taylor · Rating 3 out of 5]

The artwork is decent, the kill scenes are wild, and there’s a romantic relationship between Betty and Veronica. Sadly, none of this was good enough to make this collection come close to the unexpected brilliance of the first collection. It was pretty good from the second half onward, but the first half was simply not that good.

[Matthew Fistere · Rating 5 out of 5]

You know things are going especially haywire when the book reassures you none of this is canon.
Two Riverdales, Mr. Inferno, and somehow a love letter to classic Archie, all while fighting aliens and blowing up the school. Can you still call it a reboot if Betty and Veronica from the "preboot" universe are technically (if non-canonically) living somewhere in this universe?

[Chris · Rating 4 out of 5]

I don't read Archie comics so I wasn't aware of the change/rebooting of the series, but this book was a fun follow up to the first volume.

The story is funny and irreverent while still maintaining the action/horror of the situation.

[Tamara · Rating 2 out of 5]

The eff did I just read!?
This book was all over the place, no shark not worth jumping here.
I quite enjoy the Archie horror comics and whatnot, but this was just...wtf was i even reading? Every sci-fi cliche crammed into five volumes that's what. Shame.

[Jeff Shelton · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book has everything. The Riverdale gang, Predators, an Archie-Predator hybrid, Predator pugs, a Halloween dance, the multiverse, a Betty and Veronica lesbian romance, word bubbles with emojis, spines being ripped off of people's bodies, space travel, Satan, explosions...

[Ian Drayer · Rating 4 out of 5]

fun little ride

Maybe it’s that I’m not a reader of Archie or Predator, but jumping into Emojis as speech was very confusing and I have no idea who this devil like character with power over time is.

[Zane Brumley · Rating 3 out of 5]

Though this doesn't work as well for me as the first one, it was still a fun read. I liked the ending and how it worked out for the original Betty and Veronica. This is a story about growing up and moving on, and that's not something I would've expected out of a sequel to an already-crazy mashup.

[Courtney Bagby · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well this was just wild fun! Do I need to be reading more Riverdale comics because WHAT IS GOING ON WITH THE DEVIL!?!? Betty and Ronnie sure do get into some wild situations trying to catch the eye of that old red head. I do like his new improved version by the end of this comic though.

[John · Rating 3 out of 5]

Meta.

[John H · Rating 2 out of 5]

I didn't like this as much as the first one.

[Jipi Perreault · Rating 3 out of 5]

Strangely apealing. The surprise isn't there anymore but the meta narrative is so fun and absurd that I can say it is a worthy sequel.