Best of Josie and the Pussycats #1
☆ Be the first to review + Add to your collection — Join freeThis collection brings together standout stories featuring Josie and the Pussycats, the all-girl band navigating the chaos of fame and friendship in Riverdale. Written by Alan M. Mayberry, the volume highlights the trio of Josie McCoy, Melody Valentine, and Valerie Smith as they balance music, misadventures, and run-ins with the Cabot family and Archie Andrews. A nostalgic look at Archie Comics' beloved rock-and-roll series from the early 2000s.
"A Gym Dandy" kicks off with a classic clash of egos as Alexandra insists the Pussycats be rebranded as "Alexandra's Cool Time Cats" or she’ll walk—threatening to unravel the band’s fragile unity. Tensions rise when their manager, Alex, brings in new singer Valerie Smith, forcing Josie and Melody to navigate the chaos of a new member and a shrinking lineup. Written by Dick Malmgren and brought to life with Dan DeCarlo’s signature style, inks by Rudy Lapick, and letters by Bill Yoshida, this 2001 issue captures the band’s early struggles with humor and heart. The cover by Rex W. Lindsey perfectly captures the playful, high-energy spirit of the series.
In "A Gym Dandy," Melody’s fitness class ban sparks a wild idea when wealthy Alex Cabot III invites Josie and Pepper to his mansion for a private workout session—only to find the real workout might be keeping the boys from looking away.
In "Evolution of Alexandra's Stripe and Sebastian the Cat," Jo discovers her cat Sebastian is the reincarnated uncle who was once rumored to have dabbled in witchcraft—and now, when she holds him and speaks the right words, she can cast spells. The story unfolds with a mix of humor and mystery as Jo grapples with the absurdity of her cat’s past and the unexpected power she now holds.
When Alexandra insists the band be renamed "Alexandra's Cool Time Cats" or she’ll quit, Josie and Melody find themselves at odds—especially after their manager, Alex, brings in a new singer, Valerie Smith, a fresh face in town. The Pussycats’ next gig hangs in the balance as tempers flare and decisions loom.
In "Pussy Footing," Josie, Melody, and Valerie take the stage in their brand-new Pussycats costumes for their first big concert—only to face a feline twist when Alexandra casts a spell that silences them and turns their voices into meows. The trio must find a way to save the show before the magic takes over for good.
In "Quiet on the Set...", the Pussycats trade their usual high school routine for a trip to Hollywood, where they're being turned into animated stars by Hanna-Barbera. As filming begins, Alexandra's always-hungry for the spotlight takes a front-row seat—right in the middle of the camera's eye.
When Alex gets jealous of Josie's admiration for Alan, he fires him under the pretense of budget cuts—only to quickly learn just how much effort it takes to carry the band’s gear himself. The humor shines as ego meets reality in this lighthearted tale of pride, workload, and second chances.
When the Pussycats find their gigs at the local club mysteriously canceled, it’s not the music that’s the problem—just Melody’s legendary figure, which has the male patrons (and their dates) distracted in ways that aren’t exactly flattering to the other women in the room. Jo, Melody, and Valerie are left wondering how to keep the band together when the club’s crowd is more focused on the spotlight than the setlist.
Josie, Valerie, and Melody get an unexpected early ride to the beach from Archie, but their peaceful morning takes a wild turn when Alan M. streaks past on a motorcycle with a stuck throttle.
When the Pussycats need a new rehearsal space, Alex's dad offers them access to a mysterious, supposedly haunted mansion in Dark Valley—perfect for a band on the rise, if they can handle the eerie vibes and the whispers in the walls.
When Alexander’s latest publicity stunt goes hilariously awry, Josie and the Pussycats find themselves soaring through the sky in a runaway balloon—no pilot, no plan, just pure airborne chaos. The whole gang’s caught in the middle of a high-flying adventure they never saw coming.
When Josie and the Pussycats need a fresh backdrop for their latest music video, Alex is stumped—until Josie pitches an outlandish idea: shoot it inside his new super-stretch limo.
In "Cat at the Crossroads," Josie grapples with exhaustion and a crushing concert review that makes her question her place in the Pussycats, leading her to quietly consider stepping aside and handing the lead to Alexandra. The story captures a moment of doubt and introspection, exploring what it means to be part of a band when the music starts to feel like a burden.
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Reprints
↩ Reprints She's Josie #1 (1963), She's Josie #8 (1964), Josie #42 (1969), Josie #43 (1969), Josie and the Pussycats #45 (1969), Josie and the Pussycats #50 (1970), Josie and the Pussycats #53 (1971), Josie and the Pussycats #55 (1971), Josie and the Pussycats #56 (1971), Josie and the Pussycats #57 (1971), Josie and the Pussycats #58 (1971), Archie Giant Series Magazine #540 (1984), Archie Giant Series Magazine #562 (1986), Archie Giant Series Magazine #584 (1988), Josie and the Pussycats #2 (1994)
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