That Wilkin Boy

"This article is about a spinoff series of Archie Comics."

"That Wilkin Boy" is a comic book series about a rambunctious 17-year-old teenage boy, Bingo Wilkin, who lives in Midville, next door to his girlfriend, Samantha Smythe. "Wilkin" debuted in the "Archie Giant Comics Series" in 1969, and ran until 1982. The series has much in common with other Archie titles- a somewhat clumsy "everyman" character (Bingo) dates, hangs out with his friends, and causes general mayhem among antagonists (including his girlfriend's father, reflecting Archie's own relationship with Mr. Lodge, and the Reggie-like Tough Teddy).

Principal characters

Woodrow "Bingo" Wilkin, III, the brown-haired rambunctious 17-year-old boy who's a popular student at Midville High School. He's steady with his girlfriend Samantha (see below), which is a source of trouble for her father. Bingo also leads his pop rock group "The Bingoes"—he's the lead vocalist and plays lead guitar. He also plays sports for Midville High School. "Bingo" Wilkin is the cousin of "Jughead" Jones as revealed in the lead story of Jughead & Friends Digest #5.

Samantha Smythe, a vivacious squash-blonde-haired 17-year-old. Samantha is Bingo's steady girlfriend, much to the chagrin of her tough, militant-minded father. She also fills-in with a tambourine with "The Bingoes".

Tough Teddy Tambourine, a slim, muscular, and machismic 18-year-old young man who knows how to play "cool". He sports closely-cropped black hair, thick eyebrows, and sunglasses. Teddy plays bass guitar for "The Bingoes".

Buddy Drumhead, a softspoken 17-year-old hippie chum of Teddy's, who plays the drums in "The Bingoes". He also likes to ride his motorbike.

Rebel, a golden orange spotted beagle with the power of conscious thought. He often comes to Bingo's aid in a pinch.

Supporting characters

Woodrow "Willie" Wilkin, Jr., Bingo's father.

Wilma Wilkin, Bingo's mother.

Uncle Herman, the uncle to both Bingo and Jughead Jones.

Samson Smythe, the militant-minded, muscular old father who hates the sights (and sounds) of his daughter going out steady with Bingo (see above). He often picks fights with the neighbors, and (tries to) foil Bingo and his pals. In one story, he was nicknamed "Hurricane".

Sheila Smythe, his down-to-earth homemaker wife.

Mr. Parker, the phys ed teacher and sports director at Midville High School.

The reintroduction of Bingo Wilkin in Archie Comics

Archie Comics reintroduced "That Wilkin Boy" in "Jughead & Friends Digest", which superseded "Jughead With Archie Digest".

The linkup of Bingo and Uncle Herman to Jughead is illustrated in the lead story "Cry Uncle" (or "Cousin Effect") in issue 5 (2006) of "Jughead & Friends Digest". In it, Jughead visits Uncle Herman and Bingo in Midville; as it turns out, Uncle Herman is related to both Bingo and Jughead, and their mothers as well! Teddy and Buddy briefly notice Jughead's famous gray crown beanie. Bingo and Samantha tried to bake a cake for their school's cooking class.

Previously published series from "That Wilkin Boy" are featured mainly in "Jughead & Friends Digest". One of these stories had a cameo appearance by Li'l Jinx.

The idea to make the two characters related was the brainchild of Archie Digest Editor Nelson Ribeiro. This would help link the characters since they would be appearing in the same book, "Jughead & Friends Digest". Through researching the archives Nelson found that at one point both characters are mentioned to have an 'Uncle Herman' so it only seemed natural than Bingo's Uncle Herman would be the family link between the two characters.