Archie Meets Batman `66 #2 Review!

The comic book cross-over continues! I love the Wilfredo Torres cover featuring the trio of heroes; Robin, Archie, and Batman, then the line-up of villain heads behind them; Riddler, Catwoman, Penguin, and Joker.  It has the writing team of Jeff Parker and Michael Moreci continuing the comic, but it is missing the fun Batman titles.  In the Batcave, Robin and Batgirl want to head straight to Riverdale.  Batman wants to know what is the threat first.  They go over the victims, Hiram Lodge and Police Chief Keller, both parents.  Batman is going to team up with Alfred to go over Bookworm.  He sends Batgirl and Robin to pose as students at Riverdale High, 21 Riverdale Street!  Batgirl says Robin will have to hang on with the Batgirl Cycle.  At Pop’s Soda Shoppe, the students are dancing, including Archie doing the Batusi!, but Pops breaks the record.  He is acting a little strange and puts a sign for his new menu item, Joker burgers!   

Pops kicks out the students when Principal Weatherbee happily greets them!, he has a dazed expression, and is welcomed by Pops.  Jughead sees the shadowy forms of the two adults, and a third vaguely Penguin-y shape.  Cheryl Blossom wants to get a ride with Archie, but his carburetor is still on order.  Archie is going to apologize to Veronica with all of the strangeness from the adults.  Jughead runs off from burger starvation.  In a car, is Siren, Riddler, and Catwoman.  She mentions the relay devices bought by the Penguin to send out her siren song.  Riddler mentions they are going to broadcast her song and it will affect women!  Riddler is looking for henchmen and sees Archie.  A postman has a package for Archie, his carburetor?, no a surprise from Reggie who was in disguise.  The Riddler has found a perfect henchman and has Siren entrance him.  Reggie is unaffected, but ready to join the Riddler especially with an offer of handfuls of bills.  

Bruce and Alfred in their business attire head to the Labyrinth bookstore.  Footnote, the henchwoman of Bookworm runs past Alfred, the clerk finds that she passed counterfeit money.  She drives away on a moped, but Bruce is ready changing into Batman, and he chases after her in the Batmobile.  Riverdale High, during a test Archie in his Batman symbol t-shirt, tries to whisper to Betty.  He is caught talking by Miss Grundy.  Archie tries to talk to the sleeping Jughead.  Miss Grundy warns Archie again.  Then, the new students enter, Archie is lovestruck over Barbara Gordon and Betty has the same eyes for Dick Grayson!  The villains are watching them via a see-through blackboard invented by the Penguin.  The Siren’s song not affecting teens is a problem.  Catwoman decides to become the new teacher, Miss Kitka, her identity from the Batman (1966) movie.  Joker needs a test subject for Siren’s song and selects Jughead!  This comic makes Gotham and Riverdale scenes so fun, I’m not ready to go back to either one, the potential of the two worlds is surprisingly realized. Dan Parents' artwork perfectly captures both franchises even when they run together.   

Five Milkshakes and Batarangs out of Five! 

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