Calling All Cars
Writer: Jeff Parker, Michael Moreci
Artist: Dan Parent, J. Bone
Publisher: Archie Comics
Release Date: July 18, 2018
Cover Price: $3.99
I have to admit that this combination of two things I loved as a kid kinda snuck up on me. Actually, as you can tell by the release date of this first issue, it more eluded me than anything. I am a HUGE Batman '66 fan (yes, the television show and the comic) and while I haven't read much Archie since hitting adulthood, the Riverdale Gang still has a place in my heart. So, how do these two go together...it has to be less zany than Archie Vs. Sharknado, right? Let's find out...
The issue opens at the World's Science Fair in Gotham and while Poison Ivy is a bit upset that her invite was "lost in the mail", Batman and Robin show up to make sure things don't get out of hand. Of course, there is a fight with plenty of garden puns (and multiple Sprouts of Jolly Green Giant fame!), we see that it was all a distraction set up by Bookworm. My favorite Batman '66 issues were always when we got multiple villains so this started out with a very nice bang! We continue with Batgirl showing up (awesome!) and while the Dynamic Trio did take care of Ivy and her green army, Bookworm got away with a futuristic electronic book.
At this point, I was wondering when Archie and the Gang were going to show up and low and behold,. it was right then! Sadly, it's just a little peek in on Archie and Jughead who are late for school. While they run off to make the first bell, we continue adding to the rogue's gallery with Joker, Penguin, Riddler and Catwoman hanging out and coming up with a new sort of plan...ditch Gotham and start evil-doing in Riverdale.
Meanwhile, in Riverdale, Veronica is concerned her father is acting strangely, Jughead is too hungry to take an exam and all the adult men are...well, acting like Veronica's dad. While I kind of wanted to follow Jughead on an eating spree, we go with Veronica who, with the help of egghead, Dilton, transmit a distress signal to... you can probably guess who, but there is a bit of a twist.
If you jumped into this for a full out combo of Batman '66 and Archie, we aren't there yet. The best parts are from the '66 heroes and villains and I hope we get a lot more Riverdale antics next issue. I am sure things will even out to give us the best of both worlds, but we just aren't there yet. The art is the best of both worlds. The style fits both properties and put a big smile on my face.
Bits and Pieces:
This first issue was a good start to this mini, even if I did wish there was more interaction between properties. Thins need to be set up, though, and I'm sure we will hit the ground running next issue. Besides that minor quibble, everything felt right and the art was great all around.
8.0/10
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