Talking ‘Josie And The Pussycats: Rock On!’ With Jamie L. Rotante And Holly G!

Of course, Josie and the Pussycats are headlining Riverdale’s first Girlz Rock music festival. To ask anyone else would’ve been an insult, but that doesn’t mean they’re the only group performing in Josie and the Pussycats: Rock On!. With inks by Bob Smith, colors by Glenn Whitmore and letters by Jack Morelli, here’s writer Jamie L. Rotante and artist Holly G! with the scoop on what readers can expect from this year’s Josie annual:

Rachel Bellwoar: Music festivals can have very different vibes. What was your inspiration for Riverdale’s Girlz Rock festival?

Jamie L. Rotante: For me, it was definitely this year’s Daisy Chain Fields Music Festival. I absolutely had some FOMO on that one, and thought, if there ever were a place to hold something like that, and bands to headline and play it, it would be Riverdale and Josie and the Pussycats/Rock Candi. Throw in a bit of Riot Fest in there, too, and that’s totally the vibe I had in mind.

Holly G!: So, as a lifelong music lover, I drew inspiration from my own experiences attending concerts and music festivals, especially growing up in New York City. One of the most memorable was seeing Simon and Garfunkel perform in Central Park. I also grew up during the incredible music scene of the 1980s, when events like Live Aid brought musicians and audiences together on a massive scale. While I tend to prefer more intimate venues over enormous crowds, I love the excitement, the energy, and the sense of community that live music creates. I wanted to bring some of that atmosphere into the artwork for Riverdale’s Girlz Rock Festival.

Bellwoar: For those unfamiliar with Betty and Veronica’s bandmate, Jola Kitt, she first appeared in the one-shot Betty & Veronica Friends Forever: Rock N Roll. What do you feel she adds to the dynamic of their band, Rock Candi?

Rotante: Jola is one of my favorite new characters, and Holly did such a fab job of building out her personality, and I love that she is the lead singer while playing drums. It was also incredibly cool to see her interact with Vixens — if they’re ever in need of a new member, I’m sure Jola would fit the bill!

G!: As the creator of Rock Candi, it was an honor to bring these young women together and give them a genuine rock ’n’ roll spirit with a little punk attitude! When I created Jola, I drew inspiration from real-life women in rock music, particularly the legendary Joan Jett and Jola, the drummer for Adam Ant and The Priscillas. I wanted Jola to embody that rebellious, independent energy and the fearless attitude of women who have made their mark on the music industry. Betty and Veronica have such a wonderful history as Archie’s girls, but Jola brings something a little different to the mix. She represents the raw spirit of rock ’n’ roll: that unapologetic passion for music, individuality, and self-expression. To me, Jola is the rock ’n’ roll glue that holds Rock Candi together! She brings that extra spark of punk-rock energy to the band while celebrating the incredible women who inspired her creation.

Bellwoar: While the Pussycats have animal print, Rock Candi don’t really seem to have a uniform. Did that give you more freedom when designing their performance outfits?

G!: Absolutely! Coming from a background in fashion design, theater, and music, designing the girls’ outfits was an absolute joy! Even without a traditional uniform like Josie and the Pussycats, I think there’s still a kind of rebellious uniform that comes with rock ’n’ roll. I wanted their clothes to feel authentic, as though I were building a real band.I drew inspiration from Joan Jett’s iconic wardrobe and everything from glam rock to punk to classic rock ’n’ roll. Honestly, I could even look through my own closet and find inspiration! There’s such a rich history of self-expression in rock fashion.

Since Jamie’s story was inspired by the energy of Russ Meyer films, I also dove deep into the costumes worn by his unforgettable female characters, particularly in Faster, Pussycat! Kill! Kill! I even researched what women motorcyclists in the 1950s and 1960s wore to make those references feel authentic. For me, it was about bringing all of those influences together while still giving each girl her own personality and style.

Bellwoar: Bob Phantom is the security guard at this concert, and there’s definitely comedy to be mined in how out of place he looks at this event. How was it getting to figure out the right combination of tour gear and superhero garb for his attire, and is it fun dropping a character who’s so stoic into this kind of environment?

Rotante: I’m glad you asked — that was actually a conversation myself and Archie Comics EIC Mike Pellerito had when I was scripting it. We wanted to make sure he was still recognizable, but I couldn’t pass up the opportunity for the visual gag of him in Josie gear. I think Holly did a perfect job of walking that line — seeing a hooded tough guy in pussycat ears is just perfection!  

G!: Since I wasn’t very familiar with this character beforehand, I leaned heavily on Jamie’s script and direction, and that was actually very freeing. My own tastes lean more toward romance, comedy, horror, fantasy, and sci-fi, not superhero comics. So, in a way, I was a fish out of water. But I’ve seen plenty of security at rock shows, and that real-world reference helped. Honestly, I don’t think he’s out of place at all. He fits right into a concert setting and has exactly the grounded, stoic personality you’d want to keep things in line.

Bellwoar: I hadn’t realized how long it’s been since Betty and Veronica’s motorcycle gang, the Vixens, have made an appearance. Why did you feel now was the right time to stage their comeback?

G!: That’s a great question, and really one for Jamie since she created this vision. What I can say is how thrilled I am to be the artist on it. I love the energy of these young women, and I love rock and roll. Drawing motorcycles was definitely a challenge, but if ever I was going to face that fear, this was worth every moment. Nothing makes me happier than showing exciting, talented, strong women doing their thing. So, thank you, Jamie, for that incredible privilege.

Rotante: Vixens had a slight return back in the Fun with Little Archie and Friends one-shot in 2022, albeit a kid-version of them on big wheels! But especially with cool new characters like Jola Kitt in the mix, it only makes sense that we see a return of the edgier take on the gals of Riverdale! Plus, I never thought about the possibility of a team up with them and the Black Hood and, as I think you’ll see, the two go together quite well!  

Josie and the Pussycats: Rock On! goes on sale November 11th from Archie Comics.