Talking ‘Archie & Friends: Space Adventures’ With Dan Parent

Sending teenagers into space — what could go wrong? That’s what Archie, Betty, Veronica and Jughead are about to find out in Dan Parent‘s new story for the one-shot Archie & Friends: Space Adventures. With inks by Bob Smith, colors by Glenn Whitmore, and letters by Jack Morelli, here’s what Parent had to say about this giant leap for Riverdale’s finest:

Rachel Bellwoar: It seems like they’ll just let anyone go into space these days. Are teenagers in space the final frontier? 

Dan Parent: Well, it does seem like everyone is going into space these days, so why not America’s favorite teenagers?

Bellwoar: What about space fashions – it looks like Archie and his friends won’t be wearing identical spacesuits. Did you always want them to be able to express their personalities?

Parent: Just because you’re going to outer space doesn’t mean you have to give up your personal style! Especially teenagers trying to express their individuality. I mean, just think about Veronica! She wouldn’t be caught dead wearing off-the-rack space outfits.

Bellwoar: Seeing as Dilton is behind this particular rocket ship, can we expect any new features?

Parent: Dilton always has new tricks up his sleeve. I think next time he should join them on the trip because he would be extremely useful in orbit.

Bellwoar: It’s already been revealed that Cosmo the Merry Martian will be making an appearance. How big of a Cosmo fan are you?

Parent: I love Cosmo; he was such a classic character from the early days of Archie Comics. His newer series was fun, too. Who doesn’t love a good Martian story ?

Bellwoar: It’s been a while since Cosmo’s had his own series (I remember being very fond of Ian Flynn and Tracy Yardley’s run in 2018). Do you think it’s about time he was given the spotlight once more?

Parent: Yeah, I definitely would like to see some new Cosmo stories. I think maybe taking a more adventurous approach would be fun, like battling serious threats to the universe, and protecting Earth and Mars. And teaming up with Pureheart and the other Superteen characters, too!

Bellwoar: Thanks for agreeing to this interview, Dan!

Archie & Friends: Space Adventures goes on sale February 25th from Archie Comics.