My cut-off date for Archie comics is usually 1985, but I’m willing to make the occasional exception. My most recent purchase was a copy of Jughead’s Double Digest #138, which contains a reprint of the first issue of Jughead’s solo book. I was even pleasantly surprised to find a few vintage stories sprinkled throughout, though I’m hesitant to look at them for fear of alterations (link courtesy of Journalista).

The real standout was the story Pop’s Last Stand, though not in a good way. In it, the Riverdale gang rallies to defend Pop Tate’s Choklit Shop from the legal machinations of burger conglomerate Pop’s, who are attempting to sue Pop Tate for trademark infringement.  What gets me is the gall of Archie Comics to publish such a story, considering their own litigious strong arming.

Nine years ago Archie Comics filed a lawsuit against the owners of Veronica.org, a website named after their toddler, for trademark infringement. That’s right, Archie Comics was attempting to corner the market on all Veronicas, four-colour and otherwise. Archie Comics eventually backed down, but not before taking a few hits in the media.

Either Pop’s Last Stand was some Archie writer’s sly attempt at sneaking in a dig at their employers, or Archie Comics has a lot of fucking nerve.

Over at the ISB, Chris Sims’ presents what he claims to be the greatest Archie panels of all time. While I’m not entirely convinced, I will admit that those two panels would probably make the top ten.

A side topic was brought up in the comments section, where various people questioned the veracity of the opening caption, which reads “Hot dogs have always played a big role (no pun intended) in Riverdale.”

I can verify that hot dogs have been an important aspect of Riverdale life for at least sixty years.

Hot dogs made Archie.

Edit: Booksteve beat us to the punch last year and came in on the frank beam with some hot ziggidy goodness. Check it out!

Having worked in the animation industry, I’m all too familiar with the kind of depravity that goes on behind-the-scenes of even the most innocuous of television shows and movies. Even so, I never get tired of those moments in Archie comics where the cracks in Riverdale’s facade begin to show. The majority of Archie comics are so sanitized that when something even remotely off-colour makes an appearance, it brings me great joy.

In Book Mark, Betty and Veronica stalk Archie, conspiring to keep him from returning a library book for some unknown reason. Archie mistakes this attention for infatuation, and brags to Reggie about his conquests. Meanwhile, Betty and Veronica meet at the steps of the library, where their true purpose in keeping Archie from the library is revealed.

Face it Tiger, you just hit the jackpot.

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