This is it! The third of our trio of interviews with
creators from Archie comics –thanks to Rik Offenberger for the work he put
in on these.
Dan Parent is our third interviewee. And why? Well, this is the Archie Age
of Comics!
Comic Bits Online: Let’s start with the biggest question. Comics are a
celebrative effort. The editor approves the story; they are written and
drawn, go to the colorist, letterer, and printer before they get to the
customer. How is there time for fans to read Betty & Veronica Double Digest
#164 and vote before you write the story and draw Betty & Veronica Double
Digest #165?
Dan Parent: The whole story is complete, except for the last page which
reveals the winner. We’ll have time to rush that page into production
without any problems.
Comic Bits Online: Cheryl has been out of the limelight for a while, how did
her big resurgence come about?
Dan Parent: She’s always been a fan favorite. She was hugely popular when
she returned during the love showdown storyline in the 90’s. Even when her
popularity wanes a bit and she goes away, she always comes back with a
vengeance!
Comic Bits Online: Has Cheryl found a permanent home in the Betty & Veronica
Digest comics?
Dan Parent: For the next year or so, there will be a lot of Cheryl in B&V
Double Digest. It’s a good place to do a continuing storyline since the book
comes out so frequently. But you never know where she’ll appear next.
Comic Bits Online: Why were some of the Cheryl Blossom stories reprinted as
Ginger Lopez stories?
Dan Parent: There was a period where we didn’t know what to do with Cheryl,
so Cheryl stories were altered to fit in Ginger, who we introduced earlier
this decade. It wasn’t a very good idea, since the fans (myself included)
didn’t like the altering of classic stories. Plus, Ginger and Cheryl have
totally different personalities, so the stories didn’t make much sense.
Comic Bits Online: What does Cheryl add to the cast that makes her a unique
addition to the cast?
Dan Parent: Everybody loves a good villain. And veronica is too complex to
be a totally bad girl, so Cheryl fits that bill.
Comic Bits Online: Getting back to the Game Show, who are each of the dates
and what makes them unique?
Dan Parent: Austin is an eco-friendly jock, but shows Cheryl a side of life
she’s not used to. Brandon is a techno-geek who is Cheryl’s total opposite,
but is intrigued by him. George is a no-nonsense chef, who speaks his mind
and won’t put up with Cheryl’s antics. She’s attracted to him because he’s
one guy who stands up to her.
Comic Bits Online: Will the winner be featured prominently as a supporting
character in the Cheryl Blossom stories going forward?
Dan Parent: That’s the idea!
Comic Bits Online: With the stories focusing more on Pembrooke, will we be
seeing less of the Riverdale characters in up coming Cheryl stories?
Dan Parent: I like the classic Riverdale vs. Pembrooke battles. So I don’t
think we’ll be seeing less of the characters, just in different settings.
Comic Bits Online: After the “You Pick Cheryl’s Date” storyline what is
planned next?
Dan Parent: We want to use that character, plus continue with the storyline
planned for Cheryl in 2009. But we don’t want to give away that scoop just
yet!
Comic Bits Online: Is there any chance for Cheryl to get her own comic back?
Dan Parent: That would be great. It all depends on response to these current
books. She did support her own books for awhile back in the nineties, so you
never know.
