Betty and Veronica

"Betty and Veronica" is a comic book published by Archie Comics focusing on "best friends and worst enemies" Betty Cooper and Veronica Lodge, both girlfriends of Archie Andrews. These three characters along with Jughead Jones and Reggie Mantle are the five main characters of this long-running series of comics. The series has several spin-offs with similar titles. Both Betty and Veronica are permanently 17 years old. Typical stories feature the two high school girls as they hang out with each other, shop, and fight for Archie's affections. Together the pair form the female part of the classic love triangle which has been a staple of the comic series since 1942.

Betty first appeared in Pep Comics #22, also the first appearance of both Archie and Jughead. Veronica made her debut a few months later, in Pep #26, as an immediate rival to Betty for Archie's affections.

Blonde Betty is the sweet wholesome hometown "girl next door," in contrast to brunette Veronica, a spoiled and often selfish rich girl. The girls were featured in other Archie comics before launching into their own title, 'Archie's Girls Betty and Veronica' in 1950. In issue #6 artist Dan DeCarlo did his first work for Archie, beginning a fifty-year career with the publishing house.

Some highlights of the original title include:
* Issue #75 - Betty and Veronica sell their souls to the devil.
* Issue #118- Betty becomes the superheroine, Superteen, a spoof on popular superhero comics of the era.
* Issue #320- Cheryl Blossom from Pembroke, England, a redhead, is introduced to compete with Betty and Veronica for Archie.

During the initial title's run, the girls were shown in Pin-Ups and also featured parodies of other teen idols or musicians such as the Beatles or John Travolta.

In June 1987 a new Betty and Veronica title was relaunched with a #1, sans the 'Archie's Girls' to the title. This second title featuring these "Teen Queens" is still being published today, with 200+ issues to date. Older stories, which provide a wealth of information regarding teen fashions and fads over the past 50 years, are published in various small-format "Digest" issues (see title history below).

In 2007 a "new look" for the characters, with more realistic facial features was floated for an experimental run. [Introduction to comic cover with "new look" http://www.archiecomics.com/news/pr121706-bv-new-look.html] [Review at mediabistro http://www.mediabistro.com/galleycat/comicbookland/worlds_oldest_teenagers_get_makeovers_49534.asp] By 2008, the characters had clearly reverted to the traditional appearance. [Official archie.com Betty & Veronica "blog" http://archie-blogs.archiecomics.com/bettyandveronica/]

Betty and Veronica have also been featured in the various other titles published by Archie Comics, and have each had their own title, usually for brief runs. In 2004, a new line of dolls and fashion accessories was launched with the tag line 'Are you a Betty or Veronica?' and in 2005, a new series of traditional (non-comics) books were launched featuring the two girls and aimed at the pre-teen female market. At the end of 2005, an Australian girl-band, "The Veronicas", was adopted by the publishing house and incorporated in their marketing and products.

Stories are generally based on slices of "daily life" in Riverdale but do on occasion touch on more serious subjects, including divorced parents and broken families, cheating, and other moral issues. Both characters have been featured in various public-information campaigns against illicit drug use and smoking, and for environmental protection. Archie Comics has always exercised a very strict code for the stories and drawings, recognizing the impact the comics have on children. Drinking, use of tobacco, drugs, nudity, and other controversial practices are carefully avoided, although modern politically-sensitive matters are often involved. Dancing, sports, school, and part-time jobs are all an important part of life in Riverdale, although religion is generally avoided. Although both characters (and their female friends, including Midge Clump, Big Ethel, Cricket O'Dell, and others) are generally on the cutting-edge of teenage fashion, and fashion was often the subject of older stories, the extremes of teen female styles in the 1990s and first half of the 2000s have been avoided for the most part.

History of "Betty and Veronica" Titles

* Archie's Girls Betty and Veronica (1950-Apr 1987, #1-347)
* Betty and Veronica Vol. 2 (June 1987-present, #1-present)

Spin-offs of "Betty and Veronica"

* Betty (Sept 1992-present, #1-present)
* Betty and Me (Aug 1965-Aug 1992, #1-200)
* Betty and Veronica Spectacular (Oct 1992-present, #1-present)
* Betty and Veronica Summer Fun (1994-1999, #1-6)
* Betty's Diary (Apr 1986-Apr 1991, #1-40)
* Veronica (Apr 1989-present, #1-present)
* Cheryl Blossom (1997-2001, #1-#37)

"Betty and Veronica" Digest Magazines

* Betty's Digest Magazine (Nov 1996-1997, #1-2)
* Betty and Veronica Digest Magazine (Nov 1980-present, #1-present)
* Betty and Veronica Annual Digest Magazine (Sept 1989-Feb 1995, #1-14)
* Betty and Veronica Double Digest (1987-present, #1-present)
* Veronica's Passport Digest Magazine (Nov 1992-1997, #1-6)

References