It's up to Betty and Veronica to form their own biker gang to protect Riverdale from the Southside Serpents. They have to recruit new members and mold them into an intimidating group. This is how the "Vixens" were put together.
BETTY AND VERONICA: VIXENS #2
Writer: Jamie L Rotante
Artist: Eva Cabrera
Publisher: Archie Comics
Release Date: December 20, 2017
Cover Price: $3.99
Review by Enrique Rea
Score: ★★★★☆ (4/5)
'Betty and Veronica: Vixens' is slowly becoming one of my favorite alt-world Archie books. It has an edge and a confidence that doesn't betray what Betty and Veronica have stood for but really reveals a side of them that's always been there. It's not a stretch to see them being bad ass bikers willing to throw down against a rival when they've been battling each other and the dunderhead boys of Riverdale all this time. This coalition of power between them and other girls from school is a force to be reckoned with. Issue two is charming, funny, and empowering as Betty and Veronica set out to pick girls to join their gang.
Seeing the final product in the opening scene when the girls thwart an armed robbery without hesitation is just the type of action that you want. They're a resilient band of leather-clad bikers out for justice. Not bad for only forming the group within a couple of weeks. The flashback goes back two weeks when Betty and Veronica seek out the advice of Bubbles, a "girl who can fight."What follows is a fun montage of the girls spying on potential candidates inviting them to join and teaching them to ride a motorcycle if they didn't already. It's the typical recruitment sequence you see in the movies but seeing some of the Riverdale High girls with hidden talents for kicking ass is especially rewarding.
It's not all fun and games and there's a sincerity underneath all the cool biker attire and new motorcycles. They really want to protect each other and have the best interest of the gang. They've found a way to empower each other when the boys couldn't or wouldn't stand up for them. There are some real stakes involved too.
Eva Cabrera does some wonderful character designs with fun rebellious apparel. The rockabilly style fits this biker gang perfectly it's cute but tough. The layouts are well paced but really rely on the close interaction between characters and not just action set pieces. Elaina Unger's colors are bold and saturated giving even the slightest accent like Ethel's dress and Toni's hair a striking splash of color. The dialogue along with the art makes this series pop.
It's not just another lighthearted detour for the Archie gang in a spin-off series, "Vixens" is about empowerment and giving the girls of Riverdale their due. Jamie Rotante has breathed new life into the Betty/Veronica dynamic that is edgy enough while staying true to their personalities. This is just a joy to read, it's charming and exciting all at once.
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