Archie & Friends #52

The cover of this 2001 Archie & Friends issue sets up a deliciously dramatic band dilemma: Josie stands front and center with her electric guitar, dressed in red and looking every bit the would-be solo star, while a smooth-talking manager type eggs her on and her bandmates Valerie and Melody react with visible shock and hurt. Rex Lindsey's cover asks the question right out loud — "Is Josie Going Solo?" — teasing the first part of "Oh Solo Mio" with just the right mix of pop-star glam and friendship tension. It's a fun, colorful snapshot of the Pussycats at a crossroads, drawn with all the breezy energy that makes this era of Archie comics so enjoyable.