What do you think?
Rate this book
Big Ethel Energy #1
Big Ethel Energy, Vol. 1
She used to be the laughingstock of Riverdale. Now she’s a successful New York journalist with a DGAF attitude.
After graduating from Riverdale High, Ethel Muggs couldn’t get away from her hometown—and onto her chosen career path—fast enough. When the Mayor of Riverdale pays her handsomely to write a history of the city, she can’t wait to return to take down Archie, Jughead, Betty, Veronica, and all the other Riverdale natives who made her life hell all those years ago. The only thing she forgets to consider is... maybe they’ve all changed, too.
After graduating from Riverdale High, Ethel Muggs couldn’t get away from her hometown—and onto her chosen career path—fast enough. When the Mayor of Riverdale pays her handsomely to write a history of the city, she can’t wait to return to take down Archie, Jughead, Betty, Veronica, and all the other Riverdale natives who made her life hell all those years ago. The only thing she forgets to consider is... maybe they’ve all changed, too.
208 pages, Paperback
First published September 13, 2022
15 people are currently reading
106 people want to read
About the author
Keryl Brown Ahmed
6 books8 followersKeryl is a writer who has worked in multiple media including film, television, and print journalism. She often writes comedies about trauma recovery. In her spare time she teaches violin, spoils her cat Merle, and creates feasts for one in her tiny kitchen.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 55 reviews
November 11, 2022
It pains me to give this a one star but it was a shallow storyline and also the art and the storyline was Inconsistent. Why was she drawn so skinny in high school if she was supposed to be bigger? And then she was drawn bigger when she was supposed to be smaller? Frankly, I preferred bigger Ethel. Is Jughead aro/ace or not? Seems like he is but also are they angling for a romance with him and Ethel? I prefer Moose. WHAT IS GOING ON?!
July 21, 2022
Big Ethel losing weight so people respect her now is 1) a bummer 2) a toxic message. F this series.
October 27, 2022
This comic started out strong... and continued that momentum going downhill.
The story is muddled. There's a tendency for the comic to have a preachy feeling, yet also not show self-awareness. One character might be painted as bad for doing an action, while another character (doing that same action) will not be. Plotlines are dropped and resolved too quickly, and the personalities of the characters fluctuate in ways that confuse me. The way that the comic has dealt with concepts of consent and healthy relationships has also been decently criticized by readers.
One thing it does have going for it: The art is gorgeous. I find it very pleasing to look at, and I love the new character designs. There also is some interesting food for thought on how memories shape us, even if they perhaps aren't accurate to reality.
Overall, this one missed the mark for me.
(Note: My review is of Season 1 of Big Ethel Energy, listed as episodes 1-60 in the Webtoons webcomic format)
The story is muddled. There's a tendency for the comic to have a preachy feeling, yet also not show self-awareness. One character might be painted as bad for doing an action, while another character (doing that same action) will not be. Plotlines are dropped and resolved too quickly, and the personalities of the characters fluctuate in ways that confuse me. The way that the comic has dealt with concepts of consent and healthy relationships has also been decently criticized by readers.
One thing it does have going for it: The art is gorgeous. I find it very pleasing to look at, and I love the new character designs. There also is some interesting food for thought on how memories shape us, even if they perhaps aren't accurate to reality.
Overall, this one missed the mark for me.
(Note: My review is of Season 1 of Big Ethel Energy, listed as episodes 1-60 in the Webtoons webcomic format)
April 6, 2024
Update 4/6/24: So, I just finished Season 2 on WebToons and realized that this book, which I thought equated to Season 1, is actually just Volume 1 of Season 1, but I'm going to leave this as my book read for Season 1 and keep all my thoughts about that season here. However, I wanted to rate and review Season 2, but it doesn't seem like I can do that as it's not officially released fully on WT yet. Once it is, I'll probably rate the first volume of that season as a stand-in for the whole season since that's what I did unknowingly here!
I chose this as my last book of the year because I knew it would be a quick, light read. I haven't been able to finish all my books before the end of the year in a really long time, but of course, doing that gave me a gap of a few days. You know we can't just notread for a few days, so I dove into this and loved it.
What I loved about this series:
It's on WebToons, which I downloaded to read this after seeing an ad in an Archie Horror one-shot. I love the setup of WebToons, where issues are called episodes, and volumes are called seasons. I love that the issues come out once a week though I started this when season 1 was already done, so I could binge. I also love that you just scroll down through the comics. I do wish there was auto scroll, but apparently, WebToons took that feature away a few years ago. What can you do? And, best of all, the series was free!
I love the plot line. I am and always have been a sucker for contemporary stories. I love fantasy and sci-fi and mysteries, but I really love (and write!) contemporary stories of love, friendship, family, and relationships. My favorite thing to read about and to write is the development of relationships of any kind, the conflicts and ups and downs. That's one reason I've loved the new Archie comics--they keep the context of all-American high school, college, or NA characters but modernize them. Big Ethel Energy is no different. It's all about relationships, pasts, work, all the everyday things we go through that naturally create conflicts as we go about our daily lives. Ethel lives in New York after college, and she's a journalist for a good magazine. She is happy to be out of Riverdale, but then, she gets a call from the mayor of her hometown, asking her to write a book about Riverdale. She says no, but then, she gets a call from her mentor, Ms. Grundy, and she decides she has to go back home.
I love seeing the characters in their late twenties, who they're dating, what they're doing, and all with modern plots and angles. The art style is great, too. I love how the style changes when a character is emotional, whether angry, in love, sad, or excited. It's cute. I also love that Ethel is a plus-sized character. I like the integration of Gen-Z catchphrases--I think my students would appreciate some of the content in those respects. I love Moose, Archie (as always), Keely, Betty, and sometimes, but only sometimes, Ethel. I also like that Ahmed shows a realistic portrait of someone who's struggled with doubts and insecurity because of her past. Sometimes, Ethel's behavior and thoughts are irrational, and it can be hard to read and view; however, I know that it's also realistic. When you feel insecure and have to question people's feelings for you because you've been led on, misled, or led astray so many times, it makes you always doubt your own perceptions. I can identify with Ethel in a lot of ways, so although she frustrates me in those ways, I also think it's true-to-life.
Now, what I didn't like:
Ethel, sometimes, because she's super judgmental. She judges people for believing differently than her, for having different opinions that aren't wrong, they're just not hers. To me, this is a flaw in the writing because we're meant to identify with Ethel and see the world the way she does. Two of the most glaring examples of this are with Moose and with Ruth. With Moose, he says he has a book on his shelf that was a gift from an ex, but he's never read it, and Ethel thinks, "You've never read it? Why keep it, then?" Uh, cause he could get to it eventually, because it was a gift, it's none of your business, etc. Also, he says he doesn't buy coffee out because he bought a house and tries to cut expenses, and then, later, Ethel makes a comment that he doesn't buy fancy coffee because he doesn't "enjoy the simple pleasures in life." Bruh. Okay, then, with Ruth--she says "of course, my last name is different because I'm married," and Ethel thinks, "As if you couldn't be married and keep your name." Yeah, nobody said you couldn't. Ruth is just saying her name is different because she's married, not that she couldn't have kept her name. Some women like to change their names for various reasons, like my one co-worker who's a teacher and had a difficult last name students struggled to pronounce and was excited to change her name to her husband's because it was four letters and easy to say.
I don't like the judgment of characters in general. Everything is streamlined through one viewpoint. It's called "slut shaming" when Veronica's social media fans get upset with her for cheating on her boyfriend. They're not mad she slept with someone. They're mad she cheated, which I know is not as morally reprehensible as it used to be for a lot of people but is still considered lying and disrespectful, right? Also, Betty kisses her boss, and he tells her it's inappropriate, and the characters treat him like he was wrong somehow. How? Because he didn't want to date an employee? Or just doesn't see her the way she sees him? Just because someone has feelings for another person doesn't make that other person obligated to "give them a chance." For what? If they're not interested, why should they force themselves to date someone they don't feel that way about just because that person likes them? That makes no sense. There are other instances like this where the writing is guided towards one perspective and doesn't leave room for acceptance of other opinions, viewpoints, or ways of life.
Overall, I enjoyed this series. It was a fun read, definitely juicy to read, and the mysteries were all solved with great twists and surprises. Even though I got annoyed with certain characters, plots, and viewpoints, the very fact that I got annoyed shows how invested I was. I will definitely be looking out for Season 2!
I chose this as my last book of the year because I knew it would be a quick, light read. I haven't been able to finish all my books before the end of the year in a really long time, but of course, doing that gave me a gap of a few days. You know we can't just notread for a few days, so I dove into this and loved it.
What I loved about this series:
It's on WebToons, which I downloaded to read this after seeing an ad in an Archie Horror one-shot. I love the setup of WebToons, where issues are called episodes, and volumes are called seasons. I love that the issues come out once a week though I started this when season 1 was already done, so I could binge. I also love that you just scroll down through the comics. I do wish there was auto scroll, but apparently, WebToons took that feature away a few years ago. What can you do? And, best of all, the series was free!
I love the plot line. I am and always have been a sucker for contemporary stories. I love fantasy and sci-fi and mysteries, but I really love (and write!) contemporary stories of love, friendship, family, and relationships. My favorite thing to read about and to write is the development of relationships of any kind, the conflicts and ups and downs. That's one reason I've loved the new Archie comics--they keep the context of all-American high school, college, or NA characters but modernize them. Big Ethel Energy is no different. It's all about relationships, pasts, work, all the everyday things we go through that naturally create conflicts as we go about our daily lives. Ethel lives in New York after college, and she's a journalist for a good magazine. She is happy to be out of Riverdale, but then, she gets a call from the mayor of her hometown, asking her to write a book about Riverdale. She says no, but then, she gets a call from her mentor, Ms. Grundy, and she decides she has to go back home.
I love seeing the characters in their late twenties, who they're dating, what they're doing, and all with modern plots and angles. The art style is great, too. I love how the style changes when a character is emotional, whether angry, in love, sad, or excited. It's cute. I also love that Ethel is a plus-sized character. I like the integration of Gen-Z catchphrases--I think my students would appreciate some of the content in those respects. I love Moose, Archie (as always), Keely, Betty, and sometimes, but only sometimes, Ethel. I also like that Ahmed shows a realistic portrait of someone who's struggled with doubts and insecurity because of her past. Sometimes, Ethel's behavior and thoughts are irrational, and it can be hard to read and view; however, I know that it's also realistic. When you feel insecure and have to question people's feelings for you because you've been led on, misled, or led astray so many times, it makes you always doubt your own perceptions. I can identify with Ethel in a lot of ways, so although she frustrates me in those ways, I also think it's true-to-life.
Now, what I didn't like:
Ethel, sometimes, because she's super judgmental. She judges people for believing differently than her, for having different opinions that aren't wrong, they're just not hers. To me, this is a flaw in the writing because we're meant to identify with Ethel and see the world the way she does. Two of the most glaring examples of this are with Moose and with Ruth. With Moose, he says he has a book on his shelf that was a gift from an ex, but he's never read it, and Ethel thinks, "You've never read it? Why keep it, then?" Uh, cause he could get to it eventually, because it was a gift, it's none of your business, etc. Also, he says he doesn't buy coffee out because he bought a house and tries to cut expenses, and then, later, Ethel makes a comment that he doesn't buy fancy coffee because he doesn't "enjoy the simple pleasures in life." Bruh. Okay, then, with Ruth--she says "of course, my last name is different because I'm married," and Ethel thinks, "As if you couldn't be married and keep your name." Yeah, nobody said you couldn't. Ruth is just saying her name is different because she's married, not that she couldn't have kept her name. Some women like to change their names for various reasons, like my one co-worker who's a teacher and had a difficult last name students struggled to pronounce and was excited to change her name to her husband's because it was four letters and easy to say.
I don't like the judgment of characters in general. Everything is streamlined through one viewpoint. It's called "slut shaming" when Veronica's social media fans get upset with her for cheating on her boyfriend. They're not mad she slept with someone. They're mad she cheated, which I know is not as morally reprehensible as it used to be for a lot of people but is still considered lying and disrespectful, right? Also, Betty kisses her boss, and he tells her it's inappropriate, and the characters treat him like he was wrong somehow. How? Because he didn't want to date an employee? Or just doesn't see her the way she sees him? Just because someone has feelings for another person doesn't make that other person obligated to "give them a chance." For what? If they're not interested, why should they force themselves to date someone they don't feel that way about just because that person likes them? That makes no sense. There are other instances like this where the writing is guided towards one perspective and doesn't leave room for acceptance of other opinions, viewpoints, or ways of life.
Overall, I enjoyed this series. It was a fun read, definitely juicy to read, and the mysteries were all solved with great twists and surprises. Even though I got annoyed with certain characters, plots, and viewpoints, the very fact that I got annoyed shows how invested I was. I will definitely be looking out for Season 2!
February 17, 2024
I LOVE READING GRAPHIC NOVELS ON SHABBAT! And with a title like "Big Ethel Energy", this story did not disappoint! I loved the premise and the potential the series holds. So excited to read more. Very grateful I stumbled upon this book while browsing.
November 16, 2022
I have never read any Archie Comics before nor have I ever seen any of the Riverdale TV show and I still thoroughly enjoyed this and am excited for volume 2!
December 22, 2023
i like fresh takes on old comics/characters, but this just felt shallow. the characterization for almost everyone felt so off - specifically Veronica and Jughead.
the messaging felt hypocritical because Ethel wasn’t plus size at all - i would’ve loved to see a feminist story with a plus size Ethel, but unfortunately this wasn’t like that.
also, i don’t think i’ll read the other issues but they better not make jughead a love interest - he’s aro/ace, and i already disliked how this issue was (not) handling it.
the messaging felt hypocritical because Ethel wasn’t plus size at all - i would’ve loved to see a feminist story with a plus size Ethel, but unfortunately this wasn’t like that.
also, i don’t think i’ll read the other issues but they better not make jughead a love interest - he’s aro/ace, and i already disliked how this issue was (not) handling it.
September 21, 2022
Book provided by publisher in exchange for an honest review
In Big Ethel Energy Volume 1, once Ethel Muggs had the chance to get out of Riverdale, she took it and ran. Despite the one nice friend she found in Betty, Ethel had a terrible time in high school, watching and longing to be a part of Archie’s friend group. When she gets an opportunity to move back to Riverdale to further her writing career, Ethel is torn. Yes, she’s changed and is a successful journalist, but her experiences with Archie made her wary of returning.
Once Ethel settles into her shared apartment with Betty, she finds herself being pulled back toward Archie’s friend group. Jughead is strangely sulky, Archie and Moose are happy to see her and Veronica is still self-absorbed but friendlier than in the past.
Big Ethel Energy Volume 1 is a Webtoon but this graphic novel has several webtoon chapters in it that makeup Volume 1. The art is crisp and clear and Ethel is drawn with a curvier figure which to me, makes her the most realistically drawn Riverdale resident. Gone are all the traits of classic romantic Ethel, in fact, she prefers to go out of her way to avoid Jughead when in previous stories Ethel was obsessed with him.
It’s important to remember this is YA themed graphic novel so while Volume 1 has Ethel settling back into the town of Riverdale, we get some hints of a possible romance with Jughead and Moose. Big Ethel Energy Volume 1 reminds readers how to be more kind, how to show more empathy towards others and the effects of bullying on the psyche of a young woman.
In Big Ethel Energy Volume 1, once Ethel Muggs had the chance to get out of Riverdale, she took it and ran. Despite the one nice friend she found in Betty, Ethel had a terrible time in high school, watching and longing to be a part of Archie’s friend group. When she gets an opportunity to move back to Riverdale to further her writing career, Ethel is torn. Yes, she’s changed and is a successful journalist, but her experiences with Archie made her wary of returning.
Once Ethel settles into her shared apartment with Betty, she finds herself being pulled back toward Archie’s friend group. Jughead is strangely sulky, Archie and Moose are happy to see her and Veronica is still self-absorbed but friendlier than in the past.
Big Ethel Energy Volume 1 is a Webtoon but this graphic novel has several webtoon chapters in it that makeup Volume 1. The art is crisp and clear and Ethel is drawn with a curvier figure which to me, makes her the most realistically drawn Riverdale resident. Gone are all the traits of classic romantic Ethel, in fact, she prefers to go out of her way to avoid Jughead when in previous stories Ethel was obsessed with him.
It’s important to remember this is YA themed graphic novel so while Volume 1 has Ethel settling back into the town of Riverdale, we get some hints of a possible romance with Jughead and Moose. Big Ethel Energy Volume 1 reminds readers how to be more kind, how to show more empathy towards others and the effects of bullying on the psyche of a young woman.
December 13, 2022
I had a longer review, but the website ate it so here's the summary. They massively shrink Jughead's nose. Ethel is pretty much plus size in name only she looks more just like a straight size person surrounded by models (she's also not that tall. Ugh, so much for the OG tall girl). The story frustratingly put me through a lot of anxiety on whether I was going to get my Ace-Aro representation or was Jugjead going to be thrown into an enemies to lovers with Ethel (in the end it turns out he is Ace but still). Also, as someone struggling to get work in my chosen field it really bothered me how reluctant Ethel was to take the Riverdale job.
August 26, 2023
Love the art. What a quick fun read!
July 23, 2024
Time pass. Archie comics nostalgia.
September 17, 2025
Loved reading my favorite comic when they are older. I always wanted to know what they would be like. The graphics and the story was really interesting.
March 31, 2023
I will lap up anything related to Archies comics except Riverdale. Everyone is so good looking in this comic strip!!
December 26, 2023
Didn't click for me. Ethel isn't really an appealing main character, because she's so bitter and judgmental all the time. I don't have extensive experience with Archie comics, but the characterization still felt hit or miss to me. Modern day Archie and Betty seemed fine, up to this point, but Jughead seems to aiming at some sort of brooding, remote love interest or something? It's not quite to the point of feeling like stamping familiar names onto an already written original story, just slightly off. But I'm not exactly emotionally invested in these characters, so I don't know if I'd be criticizing the characterization if I felt engaged with the story at all. Ethel's reluctance to take a writing gig that will apparently compensate her well is hard to relate to, and what she's said about the book she's writing about Riverdale history makes it feel bloated and unfocused. The art is cute, but if Ethel is meant to be plus sized, either in flashback or in modern segments, the character design misses. She's straight sized, average height woman thrown in with supermodels. You could work with that, but that doesn't seem to be the intention.
November 11, 2022
I wanted to like this much more than I did because Ethel is a pitiable character and I wanted to see her win for once. In some ways she does; as Veronica begrudgingly admits, Ethel now has a semi-cool job, an apartment in Brooklyn, and she looks great. I just wish people were nicer to her in this volume, though, and that she was nicer to other people. Everyone is at each other's throats throughout this book and because it finishes incredibly abruptly there's absolutely no payoff or resolution to any of it. Archie Andrews himself is hardly in it and when he is he's kind of a douche. Jughead is a moody, tattooed youtuber who is straight-up rude to Ethel. Veronica basically just ignores her. And they all still live in the same building. If I was Ethel I wouldn't want to be friends with these guys, either.
The art is lovely, all manga-inspired cuteness and pastel shades. The guys are all designed, I assume, to be hot pinups for young adolescent girls - clean and safe. Ethel gets three love interests set up immediately: moody, goofy, and cool. I imagine she'll end up single and loving herself but I hope she gets there soon because this moved way too slowly without anything happening for it to be more than two volumes.
The art is lovely, all manga-inspired cuteness and pastel shades. The guys are all designed, I assume, to be hot pinups for young adolescent girls - clean and safe. Ethel gets three love interests set up immediately: moody, goofy, and cool. I imagine she'll end up single and loving herself but I hope she gets there soon because this moved way too slowly without anything happening for it to be more than two volumes.
July 2, 2023
jughead turned emo
June 16, 2023
This review originally published in Looking For a Good Book. Rated 2.0 of 5
Ethel Muggs was a graduate of Riverdale High, alongside some of its better known students, such as Archie Andrews, Jughead Jones, Veronica Lodge and Betty Cooper. Ethel was the brilliant, quiet, rather frumpy looking girl generally ignored by the cooler kids and she couldn't wait to get out of town after graduation.
Now Ethel is a writer, a reporter, living the glamorous life (ha!) in New York City when she's asked to go back to her home town to write a history of the city. She doesn't want to do it and asks for an outrageous fee ... which is met, so she'll have to journey home. Could it be as bad as she remembers it? Will anyone even remember her?
I probably shouldn't have picked this up, but I have a soft-spot for Archie Comics, plus I've enjoyed the dark reimagining Riverdale series, so I thought I might enjoy this as well. I didn't. On too many levels - I may not list them all here.
There is a difference between a graphic novel written as a graphic novel and a graphic novel written as a series of comic books. The latter means that each issue of the comic has to provide a little catch-up to what has gone before in case you missed an issue. So for this 200 page book, we only have maybe 100 pages of advancing story and 100 pages of reminder. Having grown up with comics, this doesn't bother me too much. I understand the necessity. But what I didn't like was that this was released as a graphic novel with barely 200 pages, and the actual story has just barely begun when this collection ends. Some may call it a cliff-hanger. I call it an incomplete story.
One of the things that drew me to this was that it was going to be Ethel Muggs' story. Here is a chance for a minor character throughout the comic book (and television) series to shine. It would seem to make sense to use this character, whom we know very little about, since the drawing board was so bare (metaphorically speaking).
But that's presuming all the characters we do know, or at least more familiar with, are 'themselves'. But they are not.
I know ... Riverdale reimagined all the characters - gave the whole thing a dark tone. But the roots of those characters are still there. This book also reimagines the character ... but for no clear reason. This could just as easily (and perhaps been better off if it had) been a series of completely made-up, new to the reading public, set of characters. Betty is still a little over-the-top friendly and Veronica is still rich, but beyond that, none of the characters are recognizable (both in a physical/art sense and in a behavioral sense). There's just no reason for this to be "Ethel Muggs" if Archie isn't Archie, Jughead isn't Jughead, Miss Grundy isn't Miss Grundy, and so on. This story is not dependent on this being the Archie gang.
The art for this is ... let's just say it's not my style. It's badly drawn and I suspect that there's a horde of readers who really like this, and that's fine. But I don't understand why, when a character shows surprise, they are drawn, in one panel, like Funco Pop! characters. Huh?
It's a choice, and I suppose readers who grew up with Anime as a favorite style of art probably really dig these moments. This reader did not.
I think I liked the general idea of the story - now an adult but returning to high school that has many uncomfortable memories. A lot of us can identify with this. But the story is slow in developing because of the repeating of what's gone before, and because it barely gets interesting when the pages run, I can't say definitively that the story was worth reading.
Looking for a good book? If you want an Archies graphic novel that has nothing to do with any of the Archie comics or Riverdale series, and is an incomplete story, then pick up Big Ethel Energy Vol. 1.
I received a free digital copy of this book direct from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
Ethel Muggs was a graduate of Riverdale High, alongside some of its better known students, such as Archie Andrews, Jughead Jones, Veronica Lodge and Betty Cooper. Ethel was the brilliant, quiet, rather frumpy looking girl generally ignored by the cooler kids and she couldn't wait to get out of town after graduation.
Now Ethel is a writer, a reporter, living the glamorous life (ha!) in New York City when she's asked to go back to her home town to write a history of the city. She doesn't want to do it and asks for an outrageous fee ... which is met, so she'll have to journey home. Could it be as bad as she remembers it? Will anyone even remember her?
I probably shouldn't have picked this up, but I have a soft-spot for Archie Comics, plus I've enjoyed the dark reimagining Riverdale series, so I thought I might enjoy this as well. I didn't. On too many levels - I may not list them all here.
There is a difference between a graphic novel written as a graphic novel and a graphic novel written as a series of comic books. The latter means that each issue of the comic has to provide a little catch-up to what has gone before in case you missed an issue. So for this 200 page book, we only have maybe 100 pages of advancing story and 100 pages of reminder. Having grown up with comics, this doesn't bother me too much. I understand the necessity. But what I didn't like was that this was released as a graphic novel with barely 200 pages, and the actual story has just barely begun when this collection ends. Some may call it a cliff-hanger. I call it an incomplete story.
One of the things that drew me to this was that it was going to be Ethel Muggs' story. Here is a chance for a minor character throughout the comic book (and television) series to shine. It would seem to make sense to use this character, whom we know very little about, since the drawing board was so bare (metaphorically speaking).
But that's presuming all the characters we do know, or at least more familiar with, are 'themselves'. But they are not.
I know ... Riverdale reimagined all the characters - gave the whole thing a dark tone. But the roots of those characters are still there. This book also reimagines the character ... but for no clear reason. This could just as easily (and perhaps been better off if it had) been a series of completely made-up, new to the reading public, set of characters. Betty is still a little over-the-top friendly and Veronica is still rich, but beyond that, none of the characters are recognizable (both in a physical/art sense and in a behavioral sense). There's just no reason for this to be "Ethel Muggs" if Archie isn't Archie, Jughead isn't Jughead, Miss Grundy isn't Miss Grundy, and so on. This story is not dependent on this being the Archie gang.
The art for this is ... let's just say it's not my style. It's badly drawn and I suspect that there's a horde of readers who really like this, and that's fine. But I don't understand why, when a character shows surprise, they are drawn, in one panel, like Funco Pop! characters. Huh?
It's a choice, and I suppose readers who grew up with Anime as a favorite style of art probably really dig these moments. This reader did not.
I think I liked the general idea of the story - now an adult but returning to high school that has many uncomfortable memories. A lot of us can identify with this. But the story is slow in developing because of the repeating of what's gone before, and because it barely gets interesting when the pages run, I can't say definitively that the story was worth reading.
Looking for a good book? If you want an Archies graphic novel that has nothing to do with any of the Archie comics or Riverdale series, and is an incomplete story, then pick up Big Ethel Energy Vol. 1.
I received a free digital copy of this book direct from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
December 13, 2023
This was a lot cuter than I'd expected.
I have a weird relationship with Archie comics. I grew up reading them but I have never really liked any of the characters or their stories. I've loosely kept up over the years; I watched the first episode of Riverdale, the show, and noped out quickly because I didn't like that it went in a darker direction than the bright, joyful tone that's the whole point of these comics. See also: the new Sabrina. But I still don't like Riverdale and its teenagers.
Anyway, I tend to give new comics a quick look-see when they come across my desk. I often end up frustrated with them for one reason or another but I can't seem to let them go. So imagine my surprise when I liked this one. Possibly because it stars Ethel Muggs and the rest of the crew are side characters.
So it's seven years since graduation and Ethel is a journalist in NYC. She loves her life and her job and laughs at Mayor Gibb's offer to get her back to Riverdale so she can write a book about the town's history. Then everything changes, as everything always does, and she returns to Riverdale to reconnect with the few people she liked and agonize over how mean everyone else was to her back in the day.
Despite the characters now being in their mid-twenties, this is still very YA. And there are some weird parts, like her peers not recognizing her because she looks SO different now.
She doesn't look different, she's just heavier. She was supposed to have been an awkward little thing who had very few friends in high school and now she's thick (Veronica says all that walking around NY should have made her lose some weight) but to everyone else, she's hot. And so different, despite looking exactly the same but with longer hair and a rounder face.
She goes out of her way to think to herself that all these comments on her looks, well-meaning, or not, suck because everyone is implying she was hideous and gross back in the day so hearing that she's hot now makes her feel bad for not being perceived as attractive seven years ago.
I get the message, I know what's trying to be conveyed but that's a fairly immature way to go about it. A lot of the writing skews young, which is probably why this sits nicely in YA territory.
3.5 stars rounded up because I did enjoy this and I think this will get more smooth, more organic as it continues.
I have a weird relationship with Archie comics. I grew up reading them but I have never really liked any of the characters or their stories. I've loosely kept up over the years; I watched the first episode of Riverdale, the show, and noped out quickly because I didn't like that it went in a darker direction than the bright, joyful tone that's the whole point of these comics. See also: the new Sabrina. But I still don't like Riverdale and its teenagers.
Anyway, I tend to give new comics a quick look-see when they come across my desk. I often end up frustrated with them for one reason or another but I can't seem to let them go. So imagine my surprise when I liked this one. Possibly because it stars Ethel Muggs and the rest of the crew are side characters.
So it's seven years since graduation and Ethel is a journalist in NYC. She loves her life and her job and laughs at Mayor Gibb's offer to get her back to Riverdale so she can write a book about the town's history. Then everything changes, as everything always does, and she returns to Riverdale to reconnect with the few people she liked and agonize over how mean everyone else was to her back in the day.
Despite the characters now being in their mid-twenties, this is still very YA. And there are some weird parts, like her peers not recognizing her because she looks SO different now.
She doesn't look different, she's just heavier. She was supposed to have been an awkward little thing who had very few friends in high school and now she's thick (Veronica says all that walking around NY should have made her lose some weight) but to everyone else, she's hot. And so different, despite looking exactly the same but with longer hair and a rounder face.
She goes out of her way to think to herself that all these comments on her looks, well-meaning, or not, suck because everyone is implying she was hideous and gross back in the day so hearing that she's hot now makes her feel bad for not being perceived as attractive seven years ago.
I get the message, I know what's trying to be conveyed but that's a fairly immature way to go about it. A lot of the writing skews young, which is probably why this sits nicely in YA territory.
3.5 stars rounded up because I did enjoy this and I think this will get more smooth, more organic as it continues.
March 18, 2023
I grew up with a Archie collection lol. I used to love it but the older I got and the less I actually enjoyed it all. The mentality was the same as when it started in like the 60s or something. I really disliked how Betty and Veronica would do everything for Archie while he was basically using them cuz he couldn’t be alone to save his life. When the CW came out with Riverdale, I had hope, but I wasn’t that much of a fan and never finished it. When I saw that WEBTOON, right away my nostalgia got the best of me with how it was a world I knew and still kind of loved even tho I kind of didn’t lol. The fact it wasn’t the usual main character was pretty cool to me. Rapidly I was able to see it as a completely separate thing and it became my favourite part of the Archie world. The inclusivity is incredible. I love how the characters are a lot more 3 dimensional than in the original. I love how you can’t really dislike any characters because even when you don’t understand them, you can kinda understand them. Everyone can relate to a character, nobody is left behind. Also let’s be superficial for a second… I’ve never been so in love with the dimples of a character 😂 Moose is the MVP of this show and I am sooo happy about how amazing he is to everyone around him.
November 8, 2023
non è terribile, ma le cose che non mi sono piaciute, mi danno davvero fastidio 😭😭 la premessa è carina, i cameo e gli easter egg sono buffi, ma la storia è disordinatissima, ha una morale di fondo tremenda, che la maggior parte della volte contraddice se stessa. ogni conflitto viene risolto troppo velocemente, senza dare nessun tipo di soddisfazione e spazio di crescita personale. un sacco di trame secondarie, seppur rilevanti, vengono o dimenticate, o ricevono due pannelli per essere trattate. i personaggi sono a volte banali, inconsistenti e soprattutto le loro motivazioni non hanno senso. allo stesso tempo ipocriti, cosa di cui cade vittima anche la protagonista. il tutto viene peggiorato dai continui flashback, che, se fossero sensati e seguissero una logica, funzionerebbero nel contesto della storia, perché ti lasciano volenteroso di scoprire di più di un passato di cui si discute solo vagamente, ma purtroppo questo non è il caso. è davvero fastidioso quanto peggiori capitolo per capitolo. per non parlare del femminismo da quattro soldi che è di una superficialità terrificante. che fastidio ugh, all'inizio mi aveva presa un sacco 😭😭
November 11, 2025
"She used to be the laughing stock of Riverdale. Now she’s a successful New York journalist with a DGAF attitude. After graduating from Riverdale High, Ethel couldn’t get away from her hometown--and onto her chosen career path--fast enough. When the Mayor of Riverdale pays her handsomely to write a history of the city, she can’t wait to return to take down Archie, Jughead, Betty, Veronica, and all the other Riverdale natives who made her life hell all those years ago. The only thing she forgets to consider is... maybe they’ve all changed, too." --Webtoons summary.
I read this a while back, and I remember enjoying it, but that also there were parts of it that didn't work for me. Jughead didn't seem anything like the original character--he was ace, and not very nice. I thought some of Ethel's relationships were a bit sketchy in terms of her boyfriend(s) being too demanding or expecting her to change her life for them, but equally she wasn't totally loyal to them. So, not sure I'd 100% recommend it, but I did read the whole thing.
I read this a while back, and I remember enjoying it, but that also there were parts of it that didn't work for me. Jughead didn't seem anything like the original character--he was ace, and not very nice. I thought some of Ethel's relationships were a bit sketchy in terms of her boyfriend(s) being too demanding or expecting her to change her life for them, but equally she wasn't totally loyal to them. So, not sure I'd 100% recommend it, but I did read the whole thing.
September 24, 2024
(3.5 stars)
I really wanted to like this more than I did and, initially, I did! You see, I watched the first three seasons of Riverdale religiously when they aired and Big Ethel Energy is reminiscent of it in a good way.
Until it started started reminding me of Riverdale in a bad way...
A lot of plot points are introduced - Veronica's stalker, Ms Grundy's past, whatever the heck went down between Ethel and Jughead - but then their resolutions are so unsatisfactorily and anti-climatically presented in a single episode. I'm especially salty about the Jughead one because, yes, what he did was shitty, but he really needed more screentime in order for that storyline to be as impactful as it could have been.
Not to mention the preaching about various social issues. (Sometimes the chapters felt like anti-bullying skits for adults. 🤣) I think it is important to address these issues, but, in order for the message to be conveyed sincerely and effectively, time and care should be given in presenting the nuances of it in depth, and this wasn't achieved in most cases.
Other than that, I did still enjoy Season 1; it makes for a cosy, comforting read. (I love the art style and colour palette!)
I really wanted to like this more than I did and, initially, I did! You see, I watched the first three seasons of Riverdale religiously when they aired and Big Ethel Energy is reminiscent of it in a good way.
Until it started started reminding me of Riverdale in a bad way...
A lot of plot points are introduced - Veronica's stalker, Ms Grundy's past, whatever the heck went down between Ethel and Jughead - but then their resolutions are so unsatisfactorily and anti-climatically presented in a single episode. I'm especially salty about the Jughead one because, yes, what he did was shitty, but he really needed more screentime in order for that storyline to be as impactful as it could have been.
Not to mention the preaching about various social issues. (Sometimes the chapters felt like anti-bullying skits for adults. 🤣) I think it is important to address these issues, but, in order for the message to be conveyed sincerely and effectively, time and care should be given in presenting the nuances of it in depth, and this wasn't achieved in most cases.
Other than that, I did still enjoy Season 1; it makes for a cosy, comforting read. (I love the art style and colour palette!)
September 23, 2024
I have had this checked out for the longest time. I sat down today and was planning to flip through it, reading sections, just to reacquaint myself with the beginning of the series and how it was adapted into print format. An hour or so later, I was finishing the volume. As I have read the Webtoon (not quite caught up after a long slump), I was familiar with the series and story. Although I have not read the original Archie<.i> comics, I love Ethel and enjoy how Ahmed has moved the series into the 21st century, kept the background, but developed a story that fits into the Archie Universe.
I love the printed layout, and loved how the cartoonish "chibi" drawings of Ethel were included. The bright and vibrant color palette were wonderful on the semi-glossy paper and the slim size read quickly and fit well in the hands. This was a great addition to the Webtoon publish of the series.
I love the printed layout, and loved how the cartoonish "chibi" drawings of Ethel were included. The bright and vibrant color palette were wonderful on the semi-glossy paper and the slim size read quickly and fit well in the hands. This was a great addition to the Webtoon publish of the series.
September 27, 2023
I'm rounding up. Set 7 years after graduation, when they're adults and Ethel Muggs comes back from NYC, to write a history of Riverdale by the mayor for a expensive paycheck with per diem.
It was a Webtoon comic, so the chapters are short and it's writing is very episodic. The problem was that they art was too inconsistent for me. Ethel is fat now, but apparently she's described as awkward as a teen and she's supposed to be tall and fat, but it never is reflected in the artwork. During the high school fashion show, she looks to be the same weight as Veronica just taller. It also has the Webtoon lack of background, so there's not much of a sense of place except for a few establishing panels.
It was a Webtoon comic, so the chapters are short and it's writing is very episodic. The problem was that they art was too inconsistent for me. Ethel is fat now, but apparently she's described as awkward as a teen and she's supposed to be tall and fat, but it never is reflected in the artwork. During the high school fashion show, she looks to be the same weight as Veronica just taller. It also has the Webtoon lack of background, so there's not much of a sense of place except for a few establishing panels.
November 26, 2023
Giving it four stars, only because nothing will ever, ever beat the original series in my eyes. But this does hold up.
I grew up reading Archie Comics in a local corner store every Saturday morning with my dad, so the fact that these past few years, Archie has made such a big come back (no matter what you think of Riverdale) has been so super exciting for me! With one of the most recent iterations, a spinoff that focuses on Ethel Muggs coming back to Riverdale years after high school, that excitement was very well placed. All of my favorite characters are making a return, but they’re no longer roaming the halls of Riverdale High. Instead, they have jobs. They’re starting families. They’re grown up, and I feel like I’m catching up with old friends each time I read an installment.
I grew up reading Archie Comics in a local corner store every Saturday morning with my dad, so the fact that these past few years, Archie has made such a big come back (no matter what you think of Riverdale) has been so super exciting for me! With one of the most recent iterations, a spinoff that focuses on Ethel Muggs coming back to Riverdale years after high school, that excitement was very well placed. All of my favorite characters are making a return, but they’re no longer roaming the halls of Riverdale High. Instead, they have jobs. They’re starting families. They’re grown up, and I feel like I’m catching up with old friends each time I read an installment.
September 15, 2022
Highly enjoyed.
Loved the newer look of the characters. Appreciated that Betty wasn't perfect and showed some of her flaws in a nice way. Great to see Ethel as the main character, without being weird or perceived as ugly. Struggled with the fact that she's referred to as "fat" in the high school times but drawn as thin - wish that was hit on a little more, the misperception of her weight by both her and her peers.
Loved the Ms. Grundy back story! Excited to see more.
And Moose is adorable in this comic.
Loved the newer look of the characters. Appreciated that Betty wasn't perfect and showed some of her flaws in a nice way. Great to see Ethel as the main character, without being weird or perceived as ugly. Struggled with the fact that she's referred to as "fat" in the high school times but drawn as thin - wish that was hit on a little more, the misperception of her weight by both her and her peers.
Loved the Ms. Grundy back story! Excited to see more.
And Moose is adorable in this comic.
December 14, 2023
love the art style and some of the messaging is good, if a bit heavy handed. but i’m sooooo sick of media claiming to be “body positive” only portray men with the same insanely unrealistic body type. keep the same energy! the whole betty/seth dynamic is weird and uncomfortable, and ethel’s commitment issues are only really understandable to a certain extent. the art was really what kept this from being one star for me, but like lore olympus (that comparison itself should be a red flag) i’ll only use that logic for my rating of the first volume.
December 2, 2022
I can't even begin to tell you how much I loved this! As a kid I used to love the Archie comics and I always felt it was so mean to have Betty and Veronica be the only "pretty" girls and every other girl was made fun of. Especially Ethel. Did you see how they used to draw her? Ugh! But now, Ethel is smart, successful and totally HOT!!!! Thank goodness for progress. I loved the story, it had a lot of depth and I absolutely loved the artwork. I can't wait for the second one!
March 13, 2023
Not surprising, the post high school adventures of second tier Archie character, now main protagonists, Ethel Muggs, is all kinds of my jam. There are choices being made in this adaptation that are refreshing, if maybe a little heavy-handed. It's really a slice of life webcomic that tries to be more at times, to various levels of success. But it's still fun as hell. Have now continued reading the series on Webtoons so despite my quibbles, I'm hooked.
April 12, 2023
Super cute story! Loved the illustrations. I had no idea who Ethel was in regards to the Archie Comics, but I definitely like her! I definitely relate to her “awkward” teen years and wanting to move forward with her life. She’s a lot more likable than Veronica and Betty. I hope there are more stories to come because this definitely ends on a cliffhanger and I need more!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 55 reviews