In a brand new story included in Archie Jumbo Comics Digest #345, “Christmas is Canceled,” written by Ron Cacace with artwork & letters by Rex Lindsey and colours by Glenn Whitmore, Scam Likely makes the leap from Bite Sized Archie to foremost continuity!
Archie Jumbo Comics Digest #345 is scheudled for publication this Wednesday, on November 8th, 2023. To mark the event, The Beat caught up with Cacace over e-mail. We requested all in regards to the origins of Scam Likely, what challenges accompany writing longer Archie Comics tales when in comparison with the Bite Size selection, and about what goes into writing a holiday-themed Riverdale story!
AVERY KAPLAN: What was it prefer to make the leap from writing Bite Sized Archie to a narrative in Archie Jumbo Comics Digest #345? How did you come to write down this story?
RON CACACE: Would you consider me if I informed you that I envisioned that it will occur? One day, earlier this 12 months, I sat at my desk and thought, “I would love to write a 5-page story for November’s issue of the ARCHIE JUMBO COMICS DIGEST featuring Jughead Jones and Big Ethel.”
Within minutes, I acquired an e-mail from the high-quality people at Archie Comics asking if that was one thing I wished to do.
Okay, not likely. In actuality, I used to be speaking in regards to the character Scam Likely with Archie Editor-in-Chief Mike Pellerito, and if we may do one thing to introduce him into the standard Archie mythos . . . I used to be very blissful to oblige after they reached out later with this chance.
KAPLAN: Were there any challenges or rewards in writing an extended story?
CACACE: The largest problem was having extra space to inform jokes and string the narrative alongside. I’ve change into fairly accustomed to the four-panel cadence with BITE SIZED ARCHIE, the weekly webcomic sequence I work on with artist Vincent Lovallo, so having the ability to stretch the story out throughout a number of pages was a brand new expertise for me. It was a enjoyable one, although, and as soon as I bought to the ultimate web page, I used to be wishing I had much more area to wrap issues up.
KAPLAN: Is there any distinction in writing a comic book that can seem on the web first as in comparison with one that can first seem in print?
CACACE: The largest distinction is the turnaround time. The method that issues work on BITE SIZED ARCHIE, I’ll write a script, ship it over to Vincent so he can sort out the art work, and about 4-8 weeks later the completed product might be on-line for everybody to learn. It makes it simpler to leap on tendencies and memes that method as you’re not worrying about print dates or launch home windows. There’s a for much longer runway for a print comedian that necessitates extra ready.
KAPLAN: Did you get select the principle characters? If so, what made you wish to go together with Big Ethel and Semi-Private Eye Jughead? Did you uncover something about these characters whereas writing the story?
CACACE: I used to be given some course from the parents at Archie on who we must always function, most notably Ethel. It was initially going to be way more centered on Scam Likely (the brand new character we launched in BITE SIZED ARCHIE earlier this 12 months) however we tweaked it to be about Ethel and Jughead fixing a thriller round Christmas. I liked the Semi-Private Eye tales by Alex Simmons and Rex and actually wished to lean in that course. I used to be thrilled that the crew at Archie was on board and let me do this!
KAPLAN: What was it like to incorporate Scam Likely in an extended Archie story? Can you inform our readers a bit in regards to the origin of this character?
CACACE: I used to be on trip in Florida earlier this 12 months and was considering up eventualities for BITE SIZED ARCHIE. I used to be trying to do one thing with Reggie Mantle, who’s well-known for his pranks, schemes, and scams. The concept of a personality named Scam Likely attending Riverdale High was only a soar away from that concept, and I’m so pleased with how that comedian turned out — the response was nice. Fans hold demanding extra Scam and I’m blissful to present it to them.
KAPLAN: How did you react upon seeing the completed artwork by Rex Lindsey with colours by Glenn Whitmore? Did any panel get a very massive chortle out of you?
CACACE: It was a dream come true to get to work with Rex & Glenn. When I initially came upon that Rex could be doing the pencils & letters, I used to be ecstatic, as he was the one who first introduced the Semi-Private Eye Jughead Jones tales to life in the pages of JUGHEAD.
When I bought the primary have a look at the art work, I used to be extremely impressed by how Rex staged every web page and stuffed in the background particulars. His rendition of the characters is quintessential Archie Comics and his Riverdale appears like a vibrant, dwelling stage. Rex does all of the lettering, too, which is much more spectacular in this case as a result of I wrote a extremely wordy script, and he nailed the complete factor completely.
Glenn’s coloring is the cherry on high as he’s an Archie mainstay and legend. There’s a motive individuals name him Captain Clockwork: he’s at all times on time and is correct the place you want him to be while you want him to be there.
KAPLAN: What type of challenges include writing a vacation story? Do you’ve any favourite Archie Xmas tales to which you turned for inspiration?
CACACE: I’m a giant fan of the weirder Archie Comics Christmas tales; stuff with Jingles the Elf, Santa Claus, Noelle Claus, and the kind. I wished to do one thing that was a bit completely different than the everyday vacation story, so going with a thriller was my method of making an attempt to face other than the pack. The different cool factor about this being a Christmas story is that the digest makes the proper stocking stuffer. With that mentioned, I simply found out what I’m getting my pals this 12 months!
KAPLAN: Is there anything you’d like me to incorporate?
CACACE: Fans: If you favored studying this story, please let the parents at Archie know you wish to see extra tales by me! If you didn’t prefer it, please don’t inform anybody about it. I don’t need my emotions damage.
Archie Jumbo Comics Digest #345 might be accessible at your native comedian store, public library and/or grocery store check-out lane on Wednesday, November 8th.
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