Sometimes I read comics like I did when I was a kid, where I just devour an issue because I like the story and art. I don’t take the time to dig into an issue because I am too into the comic itself. Unfortunately, that feeling doesn’t come around as much as I would like it to. Too often, I read a comic book because it’s something I’ve done for years, hoping it’ll get better sometime in the future. I’ve been around long enough to know comics always tend to swing back to fantastic tales.
Archie is Mr. Justice has been one of those comic books that I’ve enjoyed. Now that the last issue comes out this week, I’m reading all four issues to see what I missed the first time around. And this is one mini-series, so you shouldn’t wait for the trade to come out. While each issue stands out, reading them back-to-back really hammers home how fantastically different the whole series has been.
In a freak accident, Archie Andrews gains superpowers, including an “unfairness sense”, where he can tell no-questions-asked when something isn’t right. At the same time, this might seem an overused super-trope. Same with how no one recognizes him when he’s in costume, but these are done in fresh, creative ways.
Each issue is told in flashbacks, with each one of his friends taking over the narrative with each issue. First up was Jughead, followed by Veronica and Betty. Archie Comics has found fantastically unique ways to tell stories with everyone’s favorite, while at the same time remaining true to what Archie Comics is all about.
The last issue covers a lot of ground and, as usual, the series does things differently from what you might expect in a superhero comic book. We finally get an origin story for Mr. Justice, but we also get the story told through the eyes of his “arch-nemesis, Kid Wizard, aka Reggie Mantle. It’s hard to call him a villain, not because he doesn’t do bad things, but you see how and why Reggie becomes Kid Wizard.
It’s not a typical origin story, but then again, Kid Wizard isn’t a one-dimensional baddie either. You see and understand how Reggie became Kid Wizard, while remaining true to Reggie and all the Archie characters. Here, as often in life, things aren’t black and white. This is not only for Reggie but also for Archie as Mr. Justice.
All the characters from Archie to Mr. Lodge to everyone who pops up in the four-issue series have their moments and motivations. You may not see eye-to-eye, but you do understand the why. Not once do you disbelieve that one character or another wouldn’t do exactly what they did under the circumstances.
There is a definite conclusion to the story, which possibly leaves the possibility of Mr. Justice returning someday. Truthfully, I hope Archie Comics lets this be for a bit. Not that I wouldn’t want to see more tales set in this alternate Archie universe, but it’s a fantastic journey with a good endpoint. Perhaps, too quick a return might water down one of the best Archie series I’ve read in years. If you haven’t read anything Archie lately, this is the one to read.
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