In what has to be the most awesome Archie team-up since Archie met the Punisher, the rock and roll band KISS will be making an appearance in Archie Comics. At the 2011 San Diego Comic-Con, it was announced that KISS would be returning to the comic book world with two major projects from publishers Archie Comics and IDW Publishing.”KISS has a comic book history that spans almost four decades…but it was time to do things better than ever before,” said KISS founder Gene Simmons. “What’s bigger than two different companies sharing the KISS license? Archie and IDW will tell two unique and in-your-face tales of KISS, and we’re thrilled to be working with them on these projects.”In Archie #627, KISS will arrive in Riverdale to kick off a four-part “Archie Meets Kiss” storyline. The four-part series is written by Archie’s Executive Director of Publicity and Marketing, Alex Segura, with art by Dan Parent. In the story, one of Sabrina’s spells goes awry and unleashes a cabal of monsters on Riverdale. KISS and the Archie gang have to join forces to battle this threat. The comic is scheduled to be released in comic book stores in November. “We’re ecstatic to team up with Gene, Paul and the entire KISS Army for this project,” said Archie Comics Co-CEO Jon Goldwater. “KISS is such a huge part of Americana and that goes hand-in-hand with Archie and friends. We’re honored and excited to help bring KISS back to comics in a huge way.”This is a unique arrangement but one that we’re proud to be a part of. IDW – like Archie – know their audience and create high-quality and mass-appeal product. We’re looking forward to bringing two great KISS comic series out in the coming months that’ll appeal to the biggest audience possible.” After KISS meets Archie, IDW will launch their own KISS series in 2012. “Having done comics with Gene Simmons for a number of years already, I’m ecstatic to now be involved fully with the ‘hottest band in the world,’” said Chris Ryall, IDW’s Chief Creative Officer. “We’ve found a very unique way to launch our KISS comics, and have big plans for the series that we’ll be revealing soon. I look forward to bringing KISS back to comics in a huge way!”Ryall added “I think this is the first time two comic publishers have shared a license at the same time, and I’m happy that setting this precedent are Archie and IDW. We both have very different audiences and distribution methods to reach our unique audiences, as well as both of us reaching traditional comics fans, too. We’ll be able to reach all ages of the KISS Army in ways never before equaled. We’re both ready to rock and roll (all night).”
