It still strikes me as a bit strange that, in a world (Riverdale) where so many of the female characters look -EXACTLY- the same, and don't really have too many differing qualities

Off-topic, but this reminded me of something that I've been meaning to mention on here.

I recently read a story (reprint, I think) where Betty and Veronica attend Veronica's costume party. They interact with everyone, and then someone asks why they're not in costume. It turns out that they are. They're costumed as each other. Betty is wearing a Veronica mask, and Veronica is wearing a Betty mask. That disappointed me on a few levels.

First, how could everyone not see that masks are being worn?

Second, they should have poked more fun at the similarities by having Betty and Veronica merely dye their hair.

If the story proves anything, though, it's that Betty and Veronica have the EXACT SAME VOICE.

Oh, and I remember an Archie story from a few months back where they're all dressed up for a Ren Faire-type thing, with both Betty and Veronica in wigs, and Archie repeatedly mistakes them for each other.