TITLE: Harley and Ivy Meet Betty and Veronica Issue #1
YEAR: December 2017
COMPANY: DC / Archie Comics
Written by Paul Dini and Marc Andreyko
Drawn by Laura Braga
Colored by Tony Avina and Arif Prianto
Lettered by Deron Bennett
Editor: Kristy Quinn
Harley Quinn was created by Paul Dini and Bruce Timm
When I blogged about how odd it was to read “The Punisher Meets Archie” (from 1994), there have been many collaborations with Archie Comics and other publishers.
But Archie Comics has changed a lot since back in the day. They are comics geared for today’s audience, some stories that are fun and uplifting and other stories that are dark. And with a hit prime time series and no signs of waning, what best than to have a collaboration between DC Comics and Archie Comics with “Harley and Ivy Meet Betty and Veronica”.
When besties, Harley Quinn and Poison Ivy watch news that wealthy entrepreneur Hiram Lodge is planning to rid of Sweetwater Swamp and develop Lodge University and Lodge Sweetwater Centre, she wants to stop him and sure enough, the two take off to Riverdale to do just that.
Meanwhile, back in Riverdale, the rivalry between Betty Cooper and Veronica Lodge is always evident and both vie for Archie’s attention.
The two must work at Veronica’s father’s costume gala and when they compete on what kind of costume they are going to wear, they decide on Harley Quinn and Poison Ivy. But what happens when the real Harley and Ivy show up to the gala?
The mini-series is six issues long and for me, it’s very interesting to read an Archie Comics storyline geared to today’s audience. I like the modernization and how they capture the rivalry between Betty and Veronica but it will no doubt be interesting to see how this storyline plays out. Considering that Harley and Ivy are working together to stop Veronica’s father from building a University and shopping center on Sweetwater Swamp.
But awesome art and a fascinating storyline for the first issue!