Pop’s Last Stand

Steven — Fri, 28 Mar 2008 03:17:21 +0000

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.

I was Ben » Frivolous Lawsuits

Pop’s Last Stand