Archie Comics promises the blooming of new romantic pairings in Archie: Love and Heartbreak Special, a new "rom-com" anthology set to hit comic shops just in time for Valentine's Day.
Slated for release on Wednesday, Feb. 9, Archie: Love and Heartbreak Special #1 "follows Archie and his friends during a romantic night out at the Riverdale carnival as romances burn bright, while others fizzle out and some are just getting started." The one-shot comes from the creative team of writers Thomas Pitilli, Stephanie Cooke and Sina Grace, artists Pitilli, Lisa Sterle and Iolanda Zanfardino, colorist Matt Herms and letterer Jack Morelli.
In addition to serving as both a writer and an interior artist on the Love and Heartbreak Special, Pitilli has also created the comic's main cover. The one-shot features a variant cover by artist Paulina Ganucheau as well. This upcoming Valentine's Day anthology follows the previously-announced Archie's Holiday Magic Special, which is slated for release next month.
"Cupid has his eye on Riverdale as Archie and his friends find themselves embroiled in the uncertainty of young love," Archie Comics said of the Love and Heartbreak Special in its official announcement. "As Archie and Veronica hit a speed bump in their relationship, Jughead explains his unique philosophy on love to Betty, while Kevin finds himself in too deep on a date of his own! As new bonds begin to form, our key characters find themselves relishing in the high-highs and low-lows associated with young love in this rom-com one-shot spearheaded by Archie's Senior Director of Editorial Jamie L. Rotante."
The publisher says that this "modern-style anthology" features a "welcomed mix of beloved and unexpected pairings," such as Veronica Lodge and Dilton Doiley, Kevin Keller and Devon Walters and, a pairing Riverdale fans are sure to be familiar with, Betty Cooper and Jughead Jones. "The special one-shot also builds upon the recent Kevin Keller Celebration Kickstarter by placing Kevin right in the midst of his own romantic debacle alongside Devon, his boyfriend from the classic Archie comic series."
According to the aforementioned Jamie L. Rotante, "Coming off the heels of our 80th anniversary, we wanted to welcome fans of the modern comics back to the romantic core of Riverdale with this special one-shot. Capturing the ideals of young love, readers get to experience firsthand the ups-and-downs of new relationships and what it means to discover yourself in a way we haven't seen before in Archie comics. We hope readers see a little bit of themselves in each of these stories."
ARCHIE: LOVE & HEARTBREAK SPECIAL ONE-SHOT
Join Archie and his friends on a date night at the Riverdale carnival! First up, Betty wants to know: If Jughead was interested in dating, what would the perfect date look like? Jughead shares his POV on love while Archie and Veronica’s relationship is on the rocks! Can Kevin Keller help Archie save his romance? Maybe not, since Kevin’s caught up in his own romantic dilemma, and is worried about being in over his head on his own date! Who will end up together? What relationships are on the verge of collapse? Who will find true love?
Script: Thomas Pitilli, Stephanie Cooke, Sina Grace
Art: Thomas Pitilli, Lisa Sterle, Iolanda Zanfardino
Colors: Matt Herms
Letters: Jack Morelli
Main Cover: Thomas Pitilli
Variant Cover: Paulina Ganucheau
On Sale Date: 2/9
32-page, full color comic
$3.99 U.S.
Archie: Love and Heartbreak Special #1 is written by Thomas Pitilli, Stephanie Cooke and Sina Grace, illustrated by Pitilli, Lisa Sterle and Iolanda Zanfardino, colored by Matt Herms and lettered by Jack Morelli. The anthology one-shot goes on sale Feb. 9, 2022 from Archie Comics.
Source: Archie Comics