Archie #710
Mariko Tamaki, Kevin Panetta (w), Laura Braga (a)
Archie Comics

Liz says: Who’s that girl? That’s what the Archie gang wants to know! A mysterious newcomer has arrived in Riverdale and she’s ready to take the spotlight – but not everyone is happy about it.

You may never have heard of Katy Keene, but the character has been around since 1945, having made her debut in Wilbur Comics #5. Katy was introduced as an entrepreneurial young career woman – a model/actress/singer marketed as “Queen of the Pin-ups”. Her book was uniquely interactive with its readers, who were encouraged to submit original designs for clothes, cars, etc. – selected submissions were featured in the comics.

The modernized Katy is equally enterprising; she’s a singer, fashion-designer and Instagram sensation whose arrival in Riverdale makes a big splash. Everyone wants a glimpse of her, and when she makes her stage debut at a local venue she’s the talk of the town. Unfortunately, this comes at the expense of Archie, whose heartfelt musical performance was outshined by Katy’s sensational talent. It seems everyone is infatuated with Katy but him.

Katy’s arrival in Riverdale is sure to stir up more drama, for the Archie gang and for Katy herself. It will be fun to see what writers Mariko Tamaki and Kevin Panetta and artist Laura Braga have in store for the rest of this four-issue arc!