Archie and Riverdale Get a New Look (Betty, Veronica Now Look More Like Paris and Brittany)

Newsarama ^ | 12/16/2006 | Matt Brady

[Mr. Blonde]

I don't think they look that bad, and certainly no where near Britney and Paris territory. I can't tell from the cover but it looks like they are both the underwear wearing type.

Not that it would matter. Everyone knows the reason Jughead wears the crown is because he is the king of queen Archie's world. (apologies to Kevin Smith)

[wideminded]

Not an improvement IMHO. I wonder if they sought the opinion of young people.

The ones who need the most updating are Mr. Weatherbee and Miss Grundy.

BTW I know that I am confessing to a juvenile sense of humor but I sometimes get a laugh from the covers of Archie comics while I'm waiting in grocery checkout lines.

[martin_fierro]

[RayChuang88]

Ah, er...

Why on Earth does Archie Comics want to alienate its readership with such a DRASTIC change in drawing style? The current "house style" doesn't need improvement and frankly, if I want to read more "realistic" looking comics I'd read something from Marvel or DC.

[grundle]

I own about 250 Archie comic books, and all of them are from the 60s, 70s, and early 80s. I love the series.

I say the series tanked when Archie stopped driving the jalopy in 1983. Wikipedia says it was issue 238 of "Life With Archie," although I've never read that particular issue.

That jalopy was a big part of his character. Losing the jalopy greatly reduced the charm of the series. Not just because of the jalopy, but also because of the mindset that it respresented.

Also, Big Ethel lost her ugliness. That ruined her character. I've seen her in some of the newer comics, and really, without her ugliness, there's no point in even having the character.

And Sabrina was changed to look like Melissa Joan Hart, and then later changed again to a Japanese magna style. I prefer the way she looked in the 70s. This is not a criticisms of Hart, whom I think is quite beautiful. But a cartoon character should look like a cartoon character.

I don't like this new look for Betty and Veronica at all. But since I don't buy new Archies, it doesn't really affect me at all.

[theFIRMbss]

>Why on Earth does Archie Comics want to alienate its readership with such a DRASTIC change in drawing style?

I'm guessing only manga fans actually BUY comics these days, so the publishers need to give the girls big eyes, sledge-hammer features, so people like this will think they're cool and pay for the Archie comics . . .

[cld51860]

Yeah, and they did it, too. Watched it, unfortunately. Leave it to Hollyweird to turn something fun and pure and American into something dark and twisted. And yes, there is a gay character. Sickened me.