This issue is advertised for being the debut of a brand new Archie character, a boy named Casey. Well, as someone who grew up reading Archie Comics but hadn’t really followed them since I was a teenager, it seems like each time I pick a new Archie Comics, as I’ve been doing in recent months, I’m being introduced to a ton of characters who are new to me anyway. But I picked it up because that new story is drawn by Holly G! aka Holly Golightly again.

In the opening 5-page story, Babbi’s Riverdale Beach Party, which is written by Jamie L. Rotante and drawn by Holly G!. Now, Babbi is the Archie Comics version of Barbie, and just like in real life, there is a major motion picture coming out, which the Riverdale gang is excited about. So Veronica is throwing a party at the beach, where she has a giant replica of the Babbi doll house built, and everyone is dressed as their favorite Babbi doll characters, and their planning to hold a special screening of the movie.

The party features many of the traditional Archie characters, in addition to Betty and Veronica, including Reggie, Jughead, and Archie himself. Also some of those newer characters like Trev and Eliza, and even Darla, the new supernatural character introduced in Betty & Veronica Jumbo Comics Digest #315. Casey arrives and is immediately mistaken for the actor who plays “Kent,” Babbi’s love interest in the movie. But it turns out he’s just the brother of Cassie Cloud, another new character that I was unaware of before now. But he’s also set up as an athletic rival for Archie.

Endless Summer is a 5-page story written and drawn by Dan Parent. Betty and Veronica get in the middle of a possible feud between two of their friends, Brigitte Reilly and Coco Perry, to rising young popstars.

Beach Party Mystery by Francis Bonnet and Jeff Shultz is a 5-page story in which many of the traditional Archie gang, plus newcomers like a boy named Rag and a girl named Toni, are enjoying a party on a private beach that Betty’s father has rented out for them. But when guests start disappearing, Archie puts on his detective hat and sets out to solve the mystery, which has a surprising plot twist.

Graig Boldman writes and Rex Lindsey draws Volley Folly, a 5-page story in which the gang plays a game of volleyball on the beach using a special ball that has Jughead’s face painted on it. But the game has a surprising effect on Jughead.

Sabrina The Teenage Witch stars in Smells Like Teen Spirits, by Tania Del Rio and Bill Golliher, a 5-page story in which she’s shopping at a perfume shop, but Betty and Veronica are there and accidentally use a bottle that contains one of Sabrina’s magic potions, and so Sabrina has to secretly follow them around and use her magic to protect them until the potion wears off.

And the final story is a classic 1-pager from the 1960s called Beat Treat, in which Betty and Veronica discuss their love for The Beatles! No credits are listed, but I’d guess it’s by Dan Decarlo.

This is a fun collection of tiny timeless tales for all-ages. Chacebook rating: FIVE STARS

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