Pep Comics #287 (2026 Comic Book & Graphic Novel Reading Challenge)

With a cover teasing the most one-sided snowball fight of all time, winter fun is the theme to this 1974 issue of Pep Comics. The opening story virtually has no dialogue, except for an exclamation from Archie that closes everything with a punchline. In 'Archie Says "It's Always the Same Old Story on a Weekend Ski Trip", Archie and Reggie head to the slopes. The tale is narrated like one of those Disney mockumentaries starring Goofy, as it's explained what to expect when you make an impromptu trip to the mountains. The unseen voice regales the reader with narration of a magical weekend ski trip while in reality we see everything go wrong for Archie and Reggie.

Follow up stories include Li'l Jinx engaged in a good ol' fashioned 1970s battle of the sexes. The task at hand: who makes a better pilot; men or women? But since Jinx and her pal are way too young to fly a commercial airliner, they'll have to settle for figuring out who can fly the better paper airplane. 

Archie bemoans a sudden snow storm in one yarn while Reggie and Moose struggle to get Archie up in time for a big game. Rounding out the issue are one-page gags starring Coach Kleats and Big Ethel as well as prize winning reports from members of 'Archie's Club News'. There's also a pin-up in which Archie gets Jughead to wrap him inside a giant gift wrapped box as Veronica's Christmas present. It's the only holiday themed part of this issue.

There are no creative credits anywhere to be found in this issue. But according to MyComicShop.com, Dan DeCarlo penciled the cover, Bob Bolling was the artist behind the ski trip opener and the Li'l Jinx story was written and illustrated by character creator Joe Edwards.

Completing this review completes Task #25 (An Archie Comics release from the 1970s) of the 2026 Comic Book and Graphic Novel Reading Challenge.

Worth Consuming!

Rating: 10 out of 10 stars.

Bart Simpson #3 (2026 Comic Book & Graphic Novel Reading Challenge)

Gail Simone has had a storied career, 'beginning as a fan critic and analyst on the treatment of women in comics, cooking the term Women in Refrigerators' and 'fridging' in response to the horrific death of Kyle Rayner's girlfriend in Green Lantern #54. In October, 1999, Simone had a regular weekly column called 'You'll All Be Sorry' appearing in Comic Book Resources. It offered a range of satirical pieces that mocked recent releases to parodies of fan fiction.

In her quarter of a century in writing scripts for the comic book industry, Simone crafted the adventures of Deadpool, Superman, Batgirl and even the comic book excavations of Tomb Raider, Laura Croft. In 2007, Simone took over the reigns of DC's flagship female character Wonder Woman, embarking in the longest tenure of Princess Diana by a female writer. Then in 2010, she took over as the head writer for the Birds of Prey. 

Gail Simone has inspired and empowered countless female fans and next generations of women writers and artists with her female heavy stories that entertain fans of all genders. But to me, my favorite works of Gail Simone are her earliest and perhaps most overlooked pieces. I'm talking about the Simpsons spinoff title, Bongo Comics' Bart Simpson. 

Her first professional comic book credit is Simpsons Comics #50 (August, 2000). Beginning in 2001, Simone wrote many stories that started America's bad boy, Bart Simpson while featuring the entire populace of Springfield, USA. Simone's writing style on the series was very much like that of former Simpsons staff writer and producer Conan O'Brien. You get the feeling that Simone has a brilliant sense of humor and is a fan of the product that she crafted stories about. Conan O'Brien wrote one of the show's all-time best episodes, The Music Man parody, 'Marge Vs. The Mono-Rail.' to that effect, I believe Gail Simone while at Bongo Comics penned 8 and 16-page Simpsons story that were consistently on par with that groundbreaking 1993 episode.

Bart Simpson #3 marked Gail Simone's debut on the sister series. Simone doesn't just write the space themed opener. She writes the scripts for the entire issue; taking on triple-duty.

The main story 'Terror on Trioculon' is a parody of the 1960's cult classic TV series, Lost in Space. Filling out the roster for the crew is the entire Simpsons clan as the Space Family Robinson, Milhouse as the robot, Moe taking the role of Lisa's pet space monkey, and Mr. Burns as the utterly useless Professor Smith! 

Homer flies through an asteroid belt, crash landing the ship on a planet of 3-eyed mutants. Any two-eyed person is considered a freak and enslaved to eventually take part in a series of gladiator games against the gigantic Jim-Bo! While Bart fights for his family and their freedom, Lisa searches desperately for the needed fuel source to rocket away from the chaos! All the while, Professor Burns whines and moans about his lot in life and Robot Milhouse chickens out in typical Lost in Space fashion.

In the first backup story, Lisa is the star as she wins VIP concert tickets to see 2 different boy bands on the same day! Unable to decide which group's show to attend, the two acts engage in a literal 'Battle of the Boy Bands' for Lisa's attention. Then in the third and final tale' Sky High Bart!', Bart visits the lab of Professor Frink. Donning a pair of experimental platform shoes, the lad towers over his friends and enemies. However, when the shoes malfunction, Bart shoots high unto the heavens; finding himself in the pathway of a massive jumbo jet!

The main story reflects Gail Simone's knack for writing those fan fiction parodies on the CBR website. The writer peppers the Lisa story with elements of the eldest Simpson daughter's trademark feminism. But when both boy bands prove to be more style than substance, Lisa winds up picking the group that has the best looking member with 'washboard abs'. It's a decision that feels like Lisa is just a typical girl at heart, but deep down I think Lisa has just basically given up trying to take the high road among a bunch of troglodytes with her seemingly shallow selection. As for the story involving Professor Frink, it feels like Gail Simone was given carte blanche on being able to place Bart in one of the wildest scenarios ever and she took the assignment with relish! Can anybody tell me why FOX has never given her the chance to write an episode of the long running animated series?!

John Costanza penciled and inked the opener. Mike Rote contributed art to the Dan DeCarlo layouts of both secondary tales. This issue was one of DeCarlo's last credits before his death in December, 2001

Completing this review completes Task #35 (Work by Gail Simone, Grant Morrison or Brian K. Vaughn) of the 2026 Comic Book and Graphic Novel Reading Challenge.

Worth Consuming!

Rating: 10 out of 10 stars.

Archie Christmas Spectacular 2025 #1

I've said it once and I will say it again: the Archie Christmas Spectacular is the holiday release I look forward to the most. Maybe it's a longing for nostalgia in my getting older. Maybe it's because I love Archie. Maybe it's because I love Christmas. More than likely it's all 3!

This year's offering features Dan Parent, my pick for the definitive modern era Archie creator. Parent has a love of classic Archie while not being afraid to embrace modern norms. Case in point: the fan favorite Kevin Keller, Riverdale's first gay character. While Dan Parent has been quite progressive, his all-new story features a trio of classic Christmas characters from Archies past.

Christmas fairy Sugarplum insults Jingles the Elf when her first pick for her date to the North Pole Christmas Dance- Archie- is snapped up by Santa's daughter Noelle. In response, Santa's helper promises revenge.Jingles snatches up Veronica and he does it by deception, transforming himself into a hunk. Sugarplum ups the ante by turning herself human and bringing Reggie to the North Pole. Soon, it's a love triangle of Yule tide proportions with Archie and the gang smack dab in the middle!

This special also features 4 additional stories which are supposed to be reprints but were all new to me! Dan Parent pens and pencils 3 of them and they all pay tribute to the publisher's rather large and somewhat forgotten cast of supporting characters.

Betty and Veronica flashback to the Little Archie days thanks to being hypnotized. Foes from Sabrina the Teenage Witch's past threaten to disrupt Riverdale's New Year Eve festivities. The last pair of stories star Jughead's cousin Wilbur Wilkins. Wilbur and Archie both go ice skating only to be outdone by Juggie. Then in a story penned by Tom DeFalco, Wilbur has trouble finding the perfect gift for his secret Santa. Featuring dozens of characters from over 80 years of Archie Comics, it was a real Who's Who and it had a great punchline.

I did find that a couple of the stories were a bit clunky; especially the all-new tale. I just don't think 5 pages is enough for an epic level opener. The Halloween special had this problem too. If the high ups at Archie ever read this review, I hope that they might consider devoting more pages for the all-new feature in the holiday specials. I think 8-10 pages would be acceptable and if the cover price had to go up 50 cents to do it, I would be okay with that.

Massive kudos once more to my favorite LCS. They've been managing to get me the classic variant covers for the holiday specials lately. Once again, I got the cover I wanted. It's an all-time Christmas classic by Dan DeCarlo. I must have been really good this year!

Worth Consuming!

Rating: 8 out of 10 stars. 

Archie: 80 Years of Comics

Archie Comics is celebrating it's 80th anniversary. Throughout 2021 and some of 2022, the publisher is releasing a number of 80th birthday specials. Of course, the one I went gaga for was the Christmas Special.

This extensive volume features work from greats such as Dan Parent (my favorite Archie artist!), Dan DeCarlo, and Frank Doyle. Plus tons more!

There's great stories starring favs such as Moose & Midge, Sabrina The Teenage Witch and elven pal Jingles. We even got a couple of L'il Archie stories! But where's Josie and the Pussycats? L'il Jinx? Katy Keene? Okay, I can understand maybe why Katy Keene isn't here. But the other omissions? What's up with that?

Another aspect that I wasn't a fan of is how this book is set up. The editors decided to start with the 2020s and then work their way backwards to the 1940s. Personally, I feel it's more appropriate to go from the early days and show the progression of the characters. Especially as how Archie and Co. looked in those very first issues. Archie has buck teeth. Betty and Veronica look like they need a little meat on their bones. And Jughead looks truly terrifying. 

Lastly, what is up with the print? Many pages seemed to have some serious print issues. Things like Veronica's jet black hair were muddled and instead appeared graying and mottled. Thankfully, you can still read the stories without issue. Just the coloring for the black ink was off. 

Overall, I enjoyed this thick holiday time capsule. Most of the stories were ones I've never encountered before. Yes, a couple of stories were winter themed and had nothing to do with Christmas. Instead of include them, Archie Comics could have given some love to those missing characters I mentioned. But then again, maybe a supporting cast collection is on the way. I'd be okay with that!

Worth Consuming!

Rating: 8 out of 10 stars.

World of Archie Double Digest #53

What a fun way to start off my holiday 2018 comic book readings! Starring Archie and the gang in a number of Christmas and winter themed stories. Featuring works by Dan Parent (the Master of Archie Holiday stories), Dan DeCarlo, Pat Kennedy and many more. 

The only issue I have with the Christmas annual is the middle content. It's very funny, classic Archie material. But it's not Christmas! With over 75 years of stories, you'd think that a holiday themed double digest would be filled with 100% holiday material. If you were afraid of running out of Christmas stories, then at least have all of the non-holiday stories be set during the Winter. I am sure there's plenty of those types of tales. 

A very fun read. A great thrift story bargain for only a buck. I just wish their was more seasonally appropriate material contained within.

Worth Consuming!

Rating: 8 out of 10 stars.