The resident rock stars of Riverdale are heading to new heights of horror this Halloween, once Josie and The Pussycats in Space #1 arrives to give fans a mixture of cosmic comedy... and chilling alien mystery.
The new series from writer Alex de Campi (Archie vs. Predator) with art by Devaki Neogi (Sweet Valley High) finds the famous Archie Comics’ musical group heading on tour for the USO--in space. The five issue series, described as an "unexpected locked-door sci-fi mystery," begins its run on October 23rd thanks to both Archie Comics and comiXology. And we're pleased to offer the very first preview of Josie and The Pussycats in Space #1, before the full issue is released alongside three other creator-owned comiXology Originals just in time for Halloween.
Writer Alex de Campi is no stranger to blending the tone of Archie's gang with genre thrillers, as any reader of Archie vs. Predator already knows. But as it turns out, Josie and The Pussycats in Space isn't just a chance for de Campi to bring Josie, Melody, and Valerie into the action, but scratch the itch of an isolated horror-suspense story--where nobody can hear you sing...
Everything I write is a thriller. I try to write a romance? There are dead bodies by the end of Chapter 1. And I’m obsessed with the “haunted house in space” genre — sure, Alien, but also Stanislaw Lem’s Solaris and Invincible. Truly, in outer space, nobody can hear you scream. I’m just getting to do a lot of things with this miniseries I’ve always wanted to try out / play with, and packing it chock-full of cliffhangers and “oh shit!” moments... as well as making a few shamelessly deep-cut Archie references.
I have a great love for all the Archieverse characters and their history — as anyone who’s picked up Archie vs Predator I or II will know — and wow, I did a lot in AvP, but I never managed to loop the Pussycats in. So it’s wonderful to have the opportunity to focus on the trio and their friends and frenemies in this mini. I’ve spent a heck of a lot of time around bands — I directed music videos for ten years, and even now I keep trying to leave rock n’ roll but I always get pulled back in: I’ve just worked on comics stories for Slipknot, Megadeth and Amon Amarth. So tackling the dramas of a touring band is very familiar territory... except this time, the girls don’t get a crappy van or a posh tourbus, they get a spaceship.
That enthusiasm extends to artist Devaki Neogi, co-creator of Curb Stomp from BOOM! Studios, bringing the energy needed to capture the hottest band in the Milky Way on a cosmic tour... while still taking time to pose for photos with every fan. Since readers can't hear the titular band for themselves, the task of selling their inherent radness falls to Neogi alone (with help from colorist Lee Loughridge and letterer Jack Morelli, of course):
I am so thrilled to contribute to the making of Josie & The Pussycats in Space! It's a fun and entertaining story that is built around the spirit of the pussycats as a band and as a team. While working on the artwork I felt like one of the roadies who traveled with the band in their wild, wild journey and got to experience it with them. It’s got character, humor, action and great storytelling at its heart. I hope the readers enjoy the book as much I enjoyed working on it!
Neogi's cover art for Josie and The Pussycats #1 can be seen above, and readers can check out the official plot synopsis and first preview pages for the debut issue below:
Josie and the Pussycats are the hottest band in outer space! But with fame and fortune comes turmoil as internal conflicts are threatening to tear the group apart. But that's nothing compared to the alien horrors they’re about to encounter as they find themselves adrift in the vastness of space! Even if the Pussycats manage to stick together as a band, will they be able to survive the horrors that await them in the final frontier?
Josie and the Pussycats in Space #1 will be available on October 23rd at no additional cost, for members of Amazon Prime, Kindle Unlimited, and comiXology Unlimited, and for purchase on Kindle and comiXology.