Kudos to the socially progressive folks at Archie comics who have sold out an issue chronicling the marriage of Archie's gay friend Kevin despite the usual conservative poutrage.
Now the Archie creators are about to release a new issue (#635) dealing with the Occupy movement — in this case, the economically divided town of Riverdale.
So the question is, does Archie choose hot 99-percenter Betty and her paradigm-shifting momentum or gorgeous one-percenter Veronica with her vast connections and bankroll?
Right now, we are all Archie. TRMS'ers, please weigh in.
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Which one does he love? That's who he should pick.
The solution is simple- Archie just get with Kevin
But Kevin is a married man!
Can't wait for the next issue when Riverdale gets up in arms about Rush Limbaugh calling Betty and Veronica "sluts" and "prostitutes." ;>
Has Archie comics found a topical niche?
As I recall, Archie never could seem to make up his mind between Betty and Veronica, usually wrecking his chances with both by trying to be even handed and not hurt anyone's feelings.
Which means that he will choose neither Betty and the 99% nor Veronica and the 1%; instead, he'll leave Riverdale to start his new job as a commentator on CNN.
the soliution is simple- Archie should just get with Kevin
Someone once said "love is blind" - that's not true, but if you marry say, a Koch brother, you can buy "blindness, indifference, disdain, et.al. to the suffering of others! Either Archie picks Veronica and forgets about where he came from or he picks Betty and because she can no longer purchase "birth control" he dies indebted because his job doesn't pay enough and his wife can't work because someone has to stay home with all those babies!! Decisions, decisions, decisions...
Archie has never been able to choose between the two! I don't think he ever will...it's good to know that Archie is taking a thoughful approach and perhaps examining his values a bit. It seems to me that back when I was reading these comics, Betty always got the short end of the stick.
Seeing as Archie has always done the right thing in the end, I predict he'll pick 99 percenter, Betty leaving Veronica alone with her money. As he should.
I think it's wonderful how the creators of this comic do not shy away from topics that are timely and are sure to p some people off. It's courageous and show their integrity. I remember when I was a kid some 35 years ago (omg am I old!) that Archie was my favorite comic. My big brother and I would literally save our pennies and go downtown and buy a comic book. Brother usually chose The Fantastic Four, The Hulk or some similar comic. I almost always got an issue of Archie comics. I also recall they had a character of color before the others. And if my memory serves me correctly, they had several story lines back in the 70's where Archie and the gang stood up for someone either different then themselves.
I can just hear the caterwalling from over at Fox News now, lol. They are going to blow a gasket or two over this one. Poor Foxies..first Kermit and now Archie, lmao.
Perhaps he could become a Latter Day Saint and marry both.
That doesn't seem like Archie's style though -- nor does marrying Ronnie just to later divorce her and take half her fortune.
He seems like a good Scottish-American lad, who is a faithful husband and a devoted father to the children he and his eventual wife would ultimately have.
Years ago when I read these (I am 61), there were Archie comics with strong Christian stories. If these are still done by people who are same minded, it makes me happy to think they are liberal Christians, as am I. Either way I am glad to know that they are taking on social issues. Who reads these things these days, I wonder, nine to ten year old's maybe?
So you just choose to ignore verses like 1st Corinthians 6:9? The men who wrote the Bible were guided by the Holy Spirt. When you decide certain parts of it are wrong, you are starting to question the accuracy of itself, because it says the Bible is perfect and complete. God has not changed his views on sin. Love tour neighbor as yourself, not love or accept their sin.
Archie picks the 50% in the latest Gallup poll and ends up with Jughead protesting for legalized marijuana. He forgets all about Betty and Veronica and he and Jughead open a Baskin's Robins in Riverdale.
Anybody ever wonder if Archie is "bottle-redhead?" I mean, look at his eyebrows (black) compared to the hair on his head...
As for whether he should "side with" 99-percenter Betty Cooper or 1-percenter Veronica Lodge, what did Archie grow up? He grew up as a member of the 99%, with a father who is a middle-management exec at an unnamed company. Furthermore, he has known Betty longer, and they both grew up in similar circumstances, not with a silver bell (with which to summon the servants) in one hand and Daddy's charge card in the other. Besides, who's to say that Ronnie's father, Hiram Lodge wouldn't cut her off if she marries Archie, leaving her a new member of the 99%; though she could do worse than to be in a relationship with someone as down-to-earth as Archie.
Did not know Archie comics were still published. I was not a big fan as a kid. I do not however remember Archie comics getting into political and/or social issues back in the day. The topics pretty much stayed in the high school antics area (dating, malt shop, Jughead constantly eating, etc). If this comic is still geared towards kids, why does it have to tackle hot button items like this? Can't our younger children still just be kids and laugh about silly "comic-book" situations. They are comic books, right (emphasis on the comic part)? In today's world especially, with 24/7 cable news and "reality" shows, they get enough exposure to the "adult" world/problems without comic books doing it too.
Look at that cover - doesn't look like there will be many laughs in that issue.
There weren't always a load of laughs in other comic books, either -- and plenty of drama or things to make you think. Superman, Batman and the Amazing Spiderman often had stories that made you gasp at the deeds of the villain, wonder at the feats of the hero, and yes, even think about an issue like racism, injustice, or even just the eternal battle between good and evil.
Maybe Ms. Penny, but usually not in a comic like Archie. And yes it was good vs evil, but more in the fantasy vein like star wars. I really don't remember racism being played out as the topic. It was usually the Joker or Lex Luther against the good citizens of Metroplis or Gotham city. More fantasy than reality. But I guess it's the sign of the times - there is no longer laughter for adolescents. You can not have simple fun with a silly little comic book like Archie to escape the depressing world that you will have to face as an adult. It's time to grow up if your past 10. Pretty crappy if you ask me. I mean we're talking about Archie....
Seriously, how many kids will buy this issue with that cover? They know it is not funny.
P.S. - I was always a Betty fan. I also liked Betty more than Wilma in the Flintstones too :).
When I look at the cover what I see is $2.99 insted of 10 cents!!
I'm not sure about anyone else, but to me it looks like Betty is going to slap the mess out of Veronica if she keeps posing that way.
Somehow, I don't think Miss Cooper would ever resort to physical violence, least of all against one of her friends. Betty and Veronica may have somewhat differing philosophies and attitudes toward life, but they ARE still friends -- even if they are at times rivals for the affections of "Archiekins," as Ronnie sometimes calls him.
C'mon people, this is 2012! He will marry Veronica and still keep tapping Betty on the side.
Unfortunately, I agree this is the most likely scenario....as long as they all have access to contraception. Hmm, I suppose that makes the ladies 'sluts and prostitutes.'
Oh, Ben, so jaded.
I've always thought Archie should go for Betty. This clinches it!
But if he makes up his mind, that's the end of the comic, pretty much. It'd be like the castaways getting off the island. What would be the point of continuing after that?
I am gob-smacked at how much y'all bloggers know about Archie. I had forgotten about "Archiekins" and "Ronnie". (..and I always thought Betty was the better soulmate for Archie as well)
So is it time to re-do the look-alike sitcom "Dobie Gillis" with some more modern themes as well? It gets my vote... even if it does cause a bit of right wing "poutrage".
- Henry
I've always been a Betty guy. Ronnie'll f**k you up.
(Ronnie/Romney, hmm.)
Mary Ann, too.
I think Archie should stick with Edith, if only for the piano duets of "Those were the days".
Here's an idea....leave politics out of Archie Comics...What he should REALLY concentrate on is graduating....I mean, he's been in High School for 50 years, hasn't he?
Reggie is on the side of the 1%, so clearly that is the Side of the Villain.
When I occasionally read Archie comics during the 1960s, they weren't exactly progressive. Rather, they were stuck in the 1950s. Glad to see the comic has grown a bit since then.
Reggie always seemed to me to be a more natural match for Veronica than Archie was. And I can only hope that Dilton had a high-tech startup operating out of his garage.
Ok. Here's my storyline.
Archie begins to realize the world is not split along a Betty vs. Veronica line. Midge Klump has a fight with her boyfriend, up and coming Wall street analyst Moose Mason. Midge joins the protesters and Archie falls hard for her. When Moose finds out, he funds a provocateur attack by hoodlums in which Archie is beaten within an inch of his life. Midge decides the protest scene is not for her and tearfully leaves Archie at the hospital and goes back to Moose. Naturally, Veronica has no interest in giving Archie moral support. Betty feels slighted and petulant and stays away as well. Indignant at how Archie one of the few who stood up to the hoodlums is being treated by his "girlfriends", Nancy Woods visits Archie daily and their friendship grows into a romance. One day, Betty gets over her anger at Archie and visits the hospital in order to forgive him and surprises the couple while horsing around. Betty screams racial slurs and Archie is shocked at a side of Betty he had never seen. Impatiently waiting downstairs, Veronica rushes up to the hospital room and takes Betty away. Veronica comforts Betty and commiserates with her, encouraging her to go out with Chuck Clayton in order to make both Archie and Nancy jealous. Betty is repulsed due to her prejudices, but Veronica tells Betty that Chuck is very good in bed (though this is a lie- he is somewhat indifferent about girls). Veronica's plan is to bust up Nancy and Archie's deepening and heartfelt relationship, and to make Betty damaged goods in Archie's eyes.
The end of it is that Chuck's humanity teaches Betty how ugly her racist feelings are. Archie and Nancy discover how deeply they care for each other and get married. Veronica is not satisfied. She never is.
Awesome.
Wait I thought Archie and Jughead were an item and that Archie just pretended to like chicks because this comic came out when in the 1950's? I am so confused by Archie.
I'd go with Betty she is down to earth, less demanding and has a good heart. While Veronica is merely wealthy and hot and would make a great Kardashian.
Archie decides to play up to Veronica so her dad will support his presidential bid. Jughead will take on the job as his campaign manager while Betty waits on the sidelines for the inevitable V.P. pick.After winning Archie reclaims democracy by going back to Reagan era tax tables and imposing stiff tarriffs on American Corporations that outsource jobs. Jughead gets the job of EPA secretary with Veronica as his mistress.
Guys! Come on! This is an easy one! After much confusion on Archie's part, along with tugs at the heartstrings from Betty, Veronica decides to open a homeless shelter, hires Betty to manage it, and thereby eases Archie's conscience and returns to the neverending ping-ponging between the two women!
I still read the ones I buy for my children once in a while... :-)