Jughead the Hunger vs. Vampironica #4 Review

by Nathan Koffler on August 28, 2019

Writer: Frank Tieri 
Artists: Pat & Tim Kennedy and Joe Eisma
Inkers: Bob Smith and Joe Eisma
Colorist: Lee Loughridge
Letterer: Jack Morelli
Publisher: Archie Comics


I am very happy to announce that I finally really love Vampironica’s character. For me personally, I didn’t find her that interesting in her standalone series so I carried that feeling into this crossover series. Well, Frank Tieri has taken her humor and toughness and added elements that make her perfect for the Archie Horror universe. Actually, this whole issue of Jughead the Hunger vs. Vampironica really makes it mark in the Archie Horror universe by connecting characters and realities.

I absolutely love Afterlife with Archie and the Chilling Adventures of Sabrina, especially how dark and dramatic they were. I also absolutely love that Jughead: The Hunger and Vampironica and this new crossover series are now connected to those first two series, but with their own style and tone. This issue itself shows us that by having humor sprinkled throughout the entire issue. The humor is natural and fits right into even the classic Archie Comics kind of humor. I actually think that one of the things that stood out to me most about this fourth issue is how, despite the complicated storyline of different realities and the darkness of Riverdale citizens becoming monsters and killing each other, this issue definitely still feels like a true Archie Comics comic book. 

Tieri has also added so many new layers to all of the Archie Horror universe with this issue. I am such a big fan of these Archie Horror titles that seeing them now all come together in these intricate ways was so exciting to me. The reveal in this issue is extremely entertaining and I am hoping that we see more crossovers in the future.

The team of artists for this issue, consisting of Pat and Tim Kennedy, Joe Eisma, Bob Smith, colorist Lee Loughridge, and letterer Jack Morelli, once again use several different styles to keep the visuals of the story exciting. Even as this story takes it time to fully reveal all of this crossover information, the art team continues to show us a lot of emotion and action. The artwork may be the strongest and most consistent part of this entire series. 

The opening pages of this issue contain illustrations from several different Archie Comics “worlds,” both classic and recent and these few pages are now some of my favorite comic book visuals. For fans of any previous Archie titles, these opening pages bring us deep into our Archie Comics fandom and connects them for the sake of this crossover. For those fairly new to Archie Comics, these pages both introduce and connect everything before. This was a fantastic choice by the team to introduce this crossover.

This fourth issue of Jughead the Hunger vs. Vampironica is exactly what I’ve been wanting from this series. The linking of different Archie series and especially Archie Horror series is one of my favorite moments in comic book history, and this team has made this connection very enjoyable. 
 

Our Score:

10/10

A Look Inside