Comments on: Off Topic: Manga for Archie Lovers?

By: Peter S

Peter S — Mon, 29 Dec 2008 21:29:11 +0000

On the constant chasing after the opposite sex, love triangles, etc, maybe “School Rumble” would be a good choice. And “Love Com,” since Risa and her friends change clothing styles faster then Betty and Veronica.

By: Oliver

Oliver — Mon, 22 Dec 2008 15:20:36 +0000

I would recommend the Archie manga series graphic novel, Sabrina the Teenage Witch. It collects the first four issues of the Sabrina comics when Sabrina’s look was changed to manga style (Archie’s attempt at appealing to the new manga generation). She’ll like it because it’s from Archie, and it’s done manga style so it won’t take her too far out of her comfort zone.

My first ever manga was Ranma 1/2 which was recommended to me at a comic store, and I enjoyed it (however, it has a slight bit of full-frontal nudity). It is also flipped so that your friend won’t be totally thrown off by it.

Otherwise, I would recommend a drama like Emma from CMX and a comedy like Nodame Cantabile from Del Rey which are not typical manga, and they would appeal more to an Archie lover. Either series seems like a best bet.

By: rose

rose — Sat, 20 Dec 2008 02:54:40 +0000

Archie comics were very precious and not harsh. They had a Happy Days feel to them. The humor was sitcom style, lesson learned humor, with wacky shenanigans.

I read a LOT of Archie comics. Let me see if I can recall some good gags.
-Betty is crying, her mom asks why, she tells her Archie has written her a wonderful love letter, mom is confused. punchline: it is a carbon copy.

-veronica’s fancy cars keep getting stolen, and eventually she just ends up putting a trashy car onto the fast motor and chassis, because its the quality of the driving, and not the appearance, that she has learned to value.

-sabrina (the teenage witch–yes! she’s one of the archies) wants to go out, and her aunt gives her advice, one of which is that if she breaks a leg, not to go running to her.

-josie and the pussycats, with the schemeing alexa always trying to steal josie’s boyfriend, were part of the archies.

I wish I knew more about manga to recommend something. Maybe this will give you more insights? I just think something with situational humor that is not sexy, and has a really solid story will be ideal. maybe something Korean, so it doesn’t have to be read ‘backwards’?

By: Scott

Scott — Fri, 19 Dec 2008 23:54:18 +0000

I’ve read a fair bit of Archie ‘in my day’ … well, at my Grandmother’s house. What makes it fun is the gag-a-day deal. In manga terms, it’s like an entire series made of those gag pages in the back of most manga volumes.

I don’t know enough manga to suggest ones that would feature more of that, though … I don’t think I’ve ever read a teen/romantic/comedy manga through!

By: Erin Finnegan

Erin Finnegan — Thu, 18 Dec 2008 16:14:06 +0000

@Anna That’s a good call – I love Blue Monday!

By: Anna

Anna — Thu, 18 Dec 2008 03:24:26 +0000

There’s the Oni Press series Blue Monday, which really captures the feeling of teen romantic comedy movies. The art style is manga influenced but I think would be very accessible for Archie readers.