Written by (Credits Not Provided)
Art by (Credits Not Provided)
Compilation Cover Art by Rex W. Lindsay & Rosario “Tito” Peña
SUMMARY:
Released by Archie Comics in 2001, this 96-page compilation reprints ten tales, plus some select panels, spanning a quarter-century between 1963 and 1988. The contents are:
“A Gym Dandy” (She’s Josie # 1 – February 1963): High school kids Josie & Pepper are invited by wealthy classmate Alex Cabot to try out his private home gym. Josie McCoy, Melody Jones, and Alexander Cabot III are introduced, as are occasional supporting players Pepper and Albert.
One-page sample: The debut of Alexandra Cabot (She’s Josie # 8 – September 1964).
One-page sample: The debut of Alan M. (Josie # 42 – August 1969).
One-page sample: The origin of Alexandra’s striped hair and Sebastian the Cat’s magical powers (Josie # 43 – September 1969).
“Decisions, Decisions” (Josie & The Pussycats # 45 – December 1969). Refusing Alexandra’s demands to front their band, Josie & Melody opt to take Alexander’s unexpected suggestion for a third bandmate. Valerie Smith makes her debut.
“Pussy Footing” (Josie & The Pussycats # 45 – December 1969). Playing their high school’s dance that night, the girls’ trademark outfits first appear.
“Quiet on the Set” (Josie & The Pussycats # 50 – September 1970). ‘Previewing’ their new animated TV series, the team visits Hanna-Barbera Studios in person. The story includes comic book versions of TV animation legends Joseph Barbera, William Hanna, Bill Spears, and Joe Ruby.
One-page advertisement for the CBS Josie & The Pussycats animated TV series debut (Josie & The Pussycats # 50 – September 1970).
“Brawn is Beautiful” (Josie & The Pussycats # 53 – February 1971). To eliminate him as a rival for Josie’s affections, Alex fires Alan M. from the group. This tactic inevitably backfires.
“Ban the Blonde” (Josie & The Pussycats # 56 – August 1971). Josie & Valerie are exasperated by a clueless Melody’s sex appeal impacting a lot of their male fans’ jealous girlfriends. It’s time to take action after the irked girlfriends stage a public protest against the Pussycats.
“The Early Worm Gets the Bird” (Josie & The Pussycats # 56 – August 1971). Guest star Archie Andrews joins Alan M. and the girls for some early morning fun at the beach.
“The Ghost of Dark Valley Manor” (Josie & The Pussycats # 57 – September 1971). Reminiscent of their TV series, this three-part tale has Alex arranges for a Pussycats rehearsal inside a haunted house.
“Up, Up, and Away!” (Josie & The Pussycats # 58 – October 1971). The girls get literally carried away in a hot air balloon before tangling with an art thief.
One-page sample: A glimpse at the Pussycats’ 1980s MTV punk rock makeover (Archie Giant Series Present Josie & The Pussycats # 540 – August 1984).
“Limo Rock” (Archie Giant Series Present Josie & The Pussycats # 562 – August 1986). Alex arranges for the girls to film a live music video inside his ultra-deluxe limousine.
“Cat at the Crossroads” (Archie Giant Series Present Josie & The Pussycats # 584 – September 1988). Worried that she’s under-talented and hurting the band, Josie contemplates quitting and moving on with her life. For their next gig, Valerie & Melody must reluctantly accept Alexandra as Josie’s replacement.
Note: Archie Comics claims that the inclusion of samples is due to space considerations.
REVIEW:
Considering the slim page count, it’s disappointing that Archie Comics occasionally skimps by resorting to samples vs. the actual stories. However, this cheerfully undemanding assortment should still please adults in a nostalgic mood. Young fans may invariably deem the tame humor far too old school for their tastes. Rest assured that some timeless chuckles will hit their mark with anyone.
With solid production values, this nice sampler is ideal for collectors interested in perusing Josie & The Pussycats in their vintage form.
ADDITIONAL CONTENT:
Paul Castiglia provides a two-page introduction contemplating Josie and The Pussycats’ enduring impact on pop culture and girl rock groups inspired by them. There are also interior front cover (outer space) and interior back cover (skiing) illustrations, but the artists aren’t identified — though it’s probably Lindsay & Peña.
A table-of-contents identifies each story or sample’s historical source. Cover reproductions aren’t included.
BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING: 6½ Stars
Note: Archie Comics has released at least other same-named Best of Josie & The Pussycats paperback; this alternate volume is 400+ pages.
