Vampironica
| Vampironica | |
|---|---|
 Cover of Vampironica #1 (March 2018). Art by Greg Smallwood. | |
| Publication information | |
| Publisher | Archie Horror |
| Schedule | Irregular |
| Format | Ongoing series |
| Genre | |
| Publication date | March 2018 – present |
| No. of issues | 3 |
| Main character(s) | Veronica Lodge |
| Creative team | |
| Created by |
Meg Smallwood Greg Smallwood |
| Written by |
Greg Smallwood Meg Smallwood |
| Artist(s) | Greg Smallwood |
| Letterer(s) | Jack Morelli |
| Editor(s) |
Victor Gorelick Alex Segura Jamie L. Rotante Stephen Oswald Vincent Lovallo |
Vampironica is an American comic book series published by Archie Horror, an imprint of Archie Comics, beginning in 2018. The story, which takes place in its own continuity, focuses on Veronica Lodge as she navigates life after becoming a vampire. It is written by Greg and Meg Smallwood, with the former also providing the artwork.
Publication history
In December 2017, Archie Comics announced that a new title was in the works for the imprint featuring a significant female character from Archie's past.[1] Written by Megan Smallwood, with art by co-writer Greg Smallwood and lettering by Jack Morelli, Vampironica was announced in December 2017.[2] The series debuted on March 14, 2018.[3]
The title originates from Betty and Veronica #261 by Dan Parent, which debuted the first version of the Vampirella-inspired Vampironica.[4][5] The name is also mentioned in the first issue of fellow Archie Horror series Afterlife with Archie. In the flagship series, Betty Cooper refers to Veronica Lodge as "Vampironica" in regards to the latter's Vampirella costume.[6]
Story arcs
- Volume 1: First Blood (Issues 1–)
Riverdale’s resident rich girl Veronica Lodge is turned into a vampire by another blood sucker hundreds of years her senior. Forced to contend with this new, radical transformation, Veronica must deal with the prospect of feeding on her own small-town cohorts.[7][2][8]
Characters
Main characters
- Veronica Lodge, a cheerleader at Riverdale Senior High who becomes a strigoi vampire after being bitten by Ivan.[note 1] She protects people from other vampires as she attempts to break the curse on her and the other victims by destroying the master vampire.[9][10]
- Ivan, a centuries-old strigoi vampire who is responsible for turning Veronica, her parents and Reggie into vampires. He is affiliated with the medieval Order of the Dragon.[9][11]
- Archie Andrews, a football player and Veronica's longtime crush who also dates Betty. Upon an untimely visit to the Lodges, where he learns of Veronica's situation, he joins her in combatting the vampiric menace looming over Riverdale.[9][11]
- Betty Cooper, Veronica's best friend, fellow cheerleader, and competition for Archie's affections.[9]
- Dilton Doiley, Veronica's highly intelligent schoolmate who, after discovering Veronica's condition, becomes her confidant and ally in her fight against her vampiric nemesis.[10]
Other characters
- Reggie Mantle, a football player and Veronica's back-up date when Archie has a date with Betty. He is turned into a vampire by Ivan.[9][10]
- Hiram and Hermione Lodge, Veronica's wealthy parents who become Ivan's first victims and minions as moroi vampires.[9][11]
- Jughead Jones, Archie's best friend and a friend of Veronica and Betty.[10][11]
- Cheryl Blossom, Veronica's wealthy friend from Pembrooke Estates.[9]
- Jason Blossom, Cheryl's twin brother who has a romantic interest in Betty.[11]
Reception
The series has received positive reviews. Justin Partridge of Newsarama said of the debut that it "fully commits to its own wild concept, while still keeping the Archie cast’s core characteristics intact."[12] The series holds an average critic rating of 8.3/10 on the review aggregator Comic Book Roundup, based on 38 reviews.[13]
Footnotes
- ↑ The terms "strigoi" and "moroi" are applied in a different manner in the series than described in Romanian folklore. "Moroi" is used here to name undead vampires, who rise from the grave after having been killed and drained by another vampire, while "strigoi" refers to humans who are infected by vampirism while still alive, and who can exercise mastery over moroi vampires. (Vampironica #2, May 2018)
References
- ↑ Arrant, Chris (March 19, 2015). "ARCHIE COMICS Announces New Horror Imprint". Newsarama. Retrieved July 26, 2015.
- 1 2 Staley, Brandon (December 8, 2017). "Veronica is a Blood Sucker in Archie's New Vampironica Series". Comic Book Resources. Retrieved March 19, 2018.
- ↑ C., Ron (March 12, 2018). "Vampironica is here! Preview the new Archie Comics releases for 3/14/18!". Archie Comics. Retrieved March 19, 2018.
- ↑ Betty and Veronica #261, August 2012.
- ↑ Sims, Chris (August 21, 2012). "Betty And Veronica Go Full-On Batty In 'Vamp It Up'". ComicsAlliance.
- ↑ Afterlife with Archie #1, October 2013.
- ↑ Vampironica #1-3, March-September 2018.
- ↑ Marnell, Blair (August 17, 2018). "VAMPIRONICA #3 Sends Veronica Home to Face Her Nightmare (Exclusive Preview)". Nerdist.
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Vampironica #1, March 2018.
- 1 2 3 4 Vampironica #2, May 2018.
- 1 2 3 4 5 Vampironica #3, September 2018.
- ↑ Partridge, Justin (March 14, 2018). "Best Shots Review: VAMPIRONICA #1 'a Gore-geous Debut' (8/10)". Newsarama.
- ↑ "VAMPIRONICA". Comic Book Roundup. Retrieved September 22, 2018.