In a story included in the upcoming one-shot Betty & Veronica Friends Forever: Summer Surf Party #1, readers will be introduced to brand-new character Stacy Banks! The issue will be on sale beginning on July 13th, 2022, but you can get your first look at Stacy and the new story right here, today at The Beat!
“What’s the Word?”
Here’s the description of the story from Archie Comics:
“A BRAND-NEW STORY kicks off this collection of fun-in-the-sun stories about pool parties, beach bashes and more, all hosted by Betty & Veronica! In ‘What’s the Word?’ Veronica’s planning on throwing the BIGGEST pool party ever. She’s been working on it for months, and now the big day is almost here . . . but no one seems to be that interested. Everyone’s too consumed with beating each other’s streak on a brand-new app called ‘Wordeel.’ Can Veronica get everyone into the spirit so her pool party can actually make a splash?”
Writer and Archie Comics Senior Director of Editorial Jamie L. Rotante gives us some insight into Stacy:
“Stacy Banks is Riverdale’s newest wunderkind–but one that prefers to fly under the radar. Coding is her passion, and Stacy hopes to make STEM cool in Riverdale. She loves gaming and despite her coding skills, her real love is schooling anyone in old fashioned cabinet games and pinball!”
And Archie Comics Editor-in-Chief Mike Pellerito shared his thoughts on the newest teen in Riverdale, as well:
“Stacy Banks was needed in the Archie universe, and I think that’s proven when characters click like that in their very first story. I wanted a character that could compete with Dilton; he’s become so smart I wanted someone who can compete with him at that level, but it needed a twist. Because of Stacy’s inventions she’s made herself and her family rich!”
“Most of what made Stacy work came from Jamie. She’s a great editor and just as skilled of a writer and was able to make Stacy a well-rounded character with a full backstory in a very quick way. Believe it or not, all this started with our Art Director Vin Lovallo saying we needed to do a parody story about the Wordle craze, so Stacy invented the Archieverse version of the game. Dan Parent is usually the go-to guy with big event classic-style Archie stories and he found a perfect look for her and gave us a beautiful looking story!”
Speaking of Parent, he shared his thoughts on the arrival of Stacy Banks in Riverdale, as well:
“I loved working on this story for two reasons. First, it involved WORDLE, which I admit I’m too invested in personally. And it’s the introduction of Stacy Banks, a fun new character from the awesome mind of Jamie Rotante!”
“In designing Stacy, I tried to give her a look unique from the rest of our characters, from her braided hairstyle to her slighter frame. You just try to do something new that will add to the diverse town that Riverdale is. And her tech background gives her a unique angle, too. She’s an interesting character and I’m looking forward to exploring her future!”
Meet Stacy Banks
You can find the preview pages from Summer Surf Party #1 below this article. The issue features a script by Rotante, art by Parent, Bob Smith, Glenn Whitmore, and Jack Morelli, and a cover by Bill Golliher, Jeff Shultz, Rosario “Tito” Peña, and Morelli.
If you want to pick up a copy of Summer Surf Party #1 for yourself, your very best bet is to contact your Local Comic Shop before FOC on Monday, June 20th, 2022. What did you think of the preview pages? Are you looking forward to meeting Stacy Banks when the one-shot arrives on July 13th?
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