Archie Comics has released their solicitations for April 2021. As with other recent months, a majority of the releases are classic-style books, including a collection of pre-Pussycats Josie stories and a digest with what sounds like a delightful “What If?” tale in which Betty is secretly an alien. Only one non-classic style title is included, the first original graphic novel tie-in to The CW’s Riverdale.

There’s still no word yet from the publisher on when they’ll resume their new style series like Archie and Sabrina, or on any new Archie Horror titles, though it clearly will not be in April 2021. Hopefully an announcement will be coming on those within the next few months.

Check out everything in the Archie Comics April 2021 solicitations. Full text and images are below.

(Click images to enlarge)

RIVERDALE

RIVERDALE: THE TIES THAT BIND (OGN)

Archie’s second original graphic novel features the world of CW’s Riverdale! Four interconnected stories trap each of our main characters in a unique high-stakes conflict over the course of a few pressure-cooker hours! Jughead’s locked in and left behind with Moose at Stonewall Prep, Veronica is trapped with Cheryl at a nearby suburban shopping mall, Betty and Polly are stalked by a possible madman when a girls’ night goes horribly awry and Archie is held hostage by a ‘long lost relative’ of Fred’s who’s come to town seeking payback of any and every kind. Will Archie and company even make it to sunrise? If they do, will they ever be the same again?

Script: Micol Ostow
Art: Thomas Pitilli, John Workman, Andre Szymanowicz
Cover: Thomas Pitilli
978-1-64576-958-3
$14.99 US
6 x 9 ”
TR
144 pp, Full Color
Direct Market On-Sale Date: 4/14

ARCHIE CLASSIC

ARCHIE 80th ANNIVERSARY JUMBO COMICS DIGEST #2
BRAND NEW STORY: “HAPPY ARCHIEVERSARY!” Archie’s lasted for eighty years—which means he’s undergone quite a few art changes and different style choices over those last eight decades! Let Archie guide you through this history of, well, Archie! But it turns out to be more than just a tour when the different eras of Archie come to life in this fun commemorative story!

Script: Angelo DeCesare
Art: Pat and Tim Kennedy, Jim Amash, Glenn Whitmore, Jack Morelli
Cover: Jeff Shultz, Rosario “Tito” Peña
On Sale Date: 4/14
192-page, full color comic
$7.99 U.S.

ARCHIE JUMBO COMICS DIGEST #319
BRAND NEW STORY: “
PICTURE THIS!” As the school year ends, Archie and his friends decide to gift their teachers with a photo book they’ve created with special school pictures from throughout the year. The nice gesture takes a turn, though, when Archie uploads the wrong photos, including some embarrassing and hilarious images of himself and his friends!

Script: Dan Parent
Art: Dan Parent, Bob Smith, Glenn Whitmore, Jack Morelli
Cover: Jeff Shultz, Rosario “Tito” Peña, Jack Morelli
On Sale Date: 4/28
192-page, full color comic
$7.99 U.S.

SHE’S JOSIE (TR)
Before she was a part of Josie & the Pussycats, she was just Josie! See how this world-famous rock star started out—as an average high school teen! With her BFFs, the ditzy Melody and the quick & witty Pepper, Josie gets caught up in all sorts of misadventures. Check out this collection and meet her boyfriend Albert, the rotten Cabot twins Alex & Alexandra and many more in this chronological collection of the classic 1960s series!

Script: Various
Art: Various
Cover: Dan DeCarlo
978-1-64576-993-4
$10.99 US
5 1/4 x 8”
TR
224 pp, Full Color
Direct Market On-Sale Date: 4/21

WORLD OF ARCHIE JUMBO COMICS DIGEST #108
BRAND NEW STORY: “Smarter Than a Refrigerator” The Lodges have a brand new smart refrigerator, complete with a screen, an advanced control panel, and a voice assistant. The refrigerator impresses everyone with its ability to pour drinks and prepare delicious snacks—until, of course, Archie makes a mistake that causes the refrigerator to malfunction, ultimately ending in a robot uprising in Lodge mansion!

Script: Francis Bonnet
Art: Pat and Tim Kennedy, Jim Amash, Glenn Whitmore, Jack Morelli
Cover: Jeff Shultz, Rosario Tito Peña, Jack Morelli
On Sale Date: 4/7
192-page, full color comic
$7.99 U.S.

WORLD OF BETTY & VERONICA JUMBO COMICS DIGEST #4
BRAND NEW STORY: “What if Betty Was Really an Alien?” This “what if?” scenario imagines what life would be like if Betty was actually an alien from outer space! Will her advanced Martian tech secure even more dates with Archie? Read on to find out!

Script: Bill Golliher
Art: Dan Parent, Bob Smith, Glenn Whitmore, Jack Morelli
Cover: Dan Parent
On Sale Date: 4/21
192-page, full color comic
$7.99 U.S.