Archie Meets Batman ’66 #1 Review

Archie Meets Batman ’66 #1

Writer: Jeff Parker, Michael Moreci
Illustrator: Dan Parent
Inker: J. Bone
Colorist: Kelly Fitzpatrick
Letterer: Jack Morelli
Cover Artist: Michael and Laura Allred
Variant Cover Artists: Derek Charm, Francessco Francavilla, Sandy Jarrell with Kelly Fitzpatrick, Dan Parent with J. Bone and Rosario ‘Tito’ Pena, and Ty Templeton
Publisher: Archie Comics

Review by Stacy Dooks

Before we get into the meat and potatoes of this review let me state for the record that while it’s a known fact that my brother Ryan is pretty fond of a wacky crossover (as we’ve discussed on many an episode of The Fanboy Power Hour, plug plug), I’ve got a lot of warm feelings for them too. As a kid there was just something intensely awesome when two heroes met for the first time, be they two heroes from the same comics line (your Marvel Two-in-Ones or your Brave and the Bolds), or the coveted inter-company crossovers (Superman vs. Spider-Man, DC vs. Marvel). And when it came to cartoons? Scooby-Doo would team up with the Harlem Globetrotters, Batman and Robin, heck they’ve even done a crossover with Supernatural. Batman: The Brave and The Bold is my favorite superhero cartoon of all time. I’ve got a lot of love for a well-crafted team-up tale, which brings us to Archie Meets Batman ’66 #1.

After Batman and Robin thwart yet another supervillain attack in fair Gotham City, the fiendish cabal of craven criminals known as the United Underworld hatch an insidious plot. Sure, the Dynamic Duo are all but invincible in Gotham, but what if the creme de la creme of vicious villainy moved their operations to another bustling city devoid of costumed do-gooders? A town like, say, Riverdale. . .but it turns out there may be a criminal enterprise afoot in that fair haven, and when the young people of Riverdale need help, whoever in the world might answer the clarion call to action and adventure?

Okay, okay, I’ll give you a break from more alliteration but remember I’m legally bound to do it for ’60s-themed properties according to the tenets of the Lee Act. In all seriousness though Archie Meets Batman ’66 #1 is a strong first issue and has a lot of wonderful moments in it that I won’t dare spoil. What I will say is getting to see longtime Archie Comics veteran Dan Parent put pen to paper and bring the Adam West/Burt Ward dynamic duo (and a surprise guest star friend!) to the printed page is a delight. Parker’s no stranger to the ’60s themed Bat-family, and it’s pretty clear he and co-writer Moreci are having a blast mixing the epic of Batman’s world with the slice of life Americana of classic Archie’s Riverdale. Of course, the pair haven’t quite crossed paths as of this issue, but we are left with one heck of a cliffhanger.

The Verdict: Buy it.

Archie Meets Batman ’66 #1 is a delight. It’s a fun, breezy time that’s perfect for a summer afternoon’s read. This is just the first issue, and it’s already left me grinning from ear to ear. I can’t wait for more.