DIARY OF A GIRL NEXT DOOR: BETTY by Tania Del Rio and Bill Galvan
Alright, this is very different from any book I’ve ever reviewed and that includes anything I’ve been sent by Archie Comics. It’s not even a comic book. What it happens to be is a prose novel directed at young girls ages 9-12 and reads exactly like what the title promises – a girl’s diary. (Do kids these days still keep diaries? I thought blogs were more contemporary.)
Author Tania Del Rio does a good job of finding the proper voice for Betty and chronicling her experiences in a way that is in keeping with what you would normally find in Archie books. If you were worried that this would be a total departure, then you can rest easily. Bill Galvan provides illustrations that complement the narrative well and give this book its own identity. In short, the two creators have concocted something that may serve as a potential gateway for introducing young girls to the world of Archie and comics in general.
While this may not necessarily be my cup of tea, Betty die hards might want to give it a look, but do keep in mind that this is most suited for the younger audience. Since this is such a departure from my usual subject matter for reviews, it won’t receive the standard grading scale treatment; I’m not the target demographic and don’t feel that I would be able to properly score it. However, I will RECOMMEND it for young fans of Betty and anyone looking to introduce their daughter or niece to Archie characters.