BETTY AND VERONICA DOUBLE DIGEST MAGAZINE #151 (July, 2007) Thoughts and Comments

written: Friday, February 13, 2009, 4:30 PM - 4:45 PM, 7:30 PM - 10:25 PM; Friday, February 20, 2009, 6:30 PM - 7:22 PM; Saturday, February 21, 2009, 7:30 PM - 9:37 PM, 11:00 PM - 11:51 PM


The front cover shows Betty and Veronica standing in front of (presumably) Riverdale High School and grinning. The girls looks stylish and even have B and V necklaces, respectively (though Veronica's necklace is longer and more ornate). The text at the top reads "See Betty and Veronica in a dynamic new look! Read: "Bad Boy Trouble"!". The cover is by Steven and Milgrom.


First, there's an (uncredited) 2-page introduction to the feature story.


Bad Boy Trouble!, Part 1
by Melanie J. Morgan
Character(s): Betty and Veronica (my observation)
25 pages

Archie Comics really hyped this story. It was to be a lengthy, more realistic story that portrayed the familiar Archie characters in a "dynamic new look". What many people didn't know was that the story itself wasn't new. It was based on a prose novel called "Bad News Boyfriend", which was published in 1991 as #2 in the "Riverdale High" series of prose novels. These novels were written by regular Archie Comics writer, Michael J. Pellowski. Considering there seems to be no actual information online about Melanie J. Morgan, the writer of this comic book adaptation, rumors have circulated that it's merely a pen name for Mike Pellowski, adapting his own story. Does anyone know for sure?

I've already reviewed "Bad News Boyfriend". If you haven't already done so, please read that review first.

Okay, before we get into the story, let's talk about the artwork, which is what most of the hype was focused on. It's gorgeous. I love the art style. All of the familiar characters (Betty, Veronica, Smithers, Midge, and Mr. Lodge) look good. Mr. Lodge does look a bit too old, though. We don't see Mrs. Lodge in this story. If she's younger, then, um, ew. If she's older, then I'd seriously be considering the possibility of Veronica being adopted. Anyway, Steven Butler (pencils), Al Milgrom (inks), and Stephanie Vozzo (colors) have done a great job. The artwork is lively and vibrant. I love the use of black-and-white in the darkened theater, too.

Because this is an adaptation of an earlier story (which I already summarized in detail), I won't do that again here. Instead, I'm going to point out the differences (additions, removals, compressions, etc.) and comment on each as I go along.

Part 1 of "Bad Boy Trouble!" adapts the first 3 chapters of "Bad News Boyfriend". It's adapting the first 31 pages of the novel (29 prose pages) in 25 comic pages.

There's a new beginning that's not found in the novel. The first 4 pages occur in Lodge Manor. Veronica can't find her leather handbag and has Smithers and the staff (which apparently consists of two maids) search the house for it. A maid named Angelina finds it. Meanwhile, Betty and Midge have to stand around and wait. Betty uses the time to think exposition about Veronica and their rivalry over Archie.

Okay, that's just clunky. Why would Betty daydream exposition about this stuff? I know it's for the benefit of new readers that know nothing about Archie Comics, but this should have been done as a "Betty's Diary" story and used captions.

Betty's homoerotic-sounding description of her relationship with Veronica from the novel ("love" and "deep affection") is substituted with...different homoerotic-sounding description (Betty thinks of Veronica as "drop-dead gorgeous").

Anyway, Midge snaps Betty out of her daydream, and Veronica treats them to a ride in the family limo, because they're her guests (and so she won't have to worry about parking).

This is where the storyline of the novel comes in.

The scene before the movie is condensed. There's no mention of the season (it's Spring in the novel). The movie (unnamed in the novel) is given a name here: "Night of the Killer Zombees!". Midge is made a wuss for wanting Moose to be there to protect her during the scary movie. The boxing program is mentioned, but Veronica doesn't disapprove of it or boxing. Veronica and Betty would rather be with Archie specifically (instead of simply a boy as in the novel), and Midge would welcome Reggie at the moment. Midge's slugging fetish from the novel is not present. The girls don't talk about popcorn or drinks.

The theater scene is condensed. Betty says Nick is dressed like a hood, but Veronica tries to make Betty not think of Nick as a gang member. The excuse to leave the theater is changed from Betty going for a soda to Midge going for popcorn. Betty doesn't try to disuade Nick from joining them but doesn't like it when he does.

The lobby scene is condensed. There's no mention of Betty knowing the theater owners, but Betty disapproves of Nick sneaking into the theater, anyway. Betty and Midge don't get sodas from a cup-dispensing soda machine. Instead, Veronica goes for a soda, and Midge goes for popcorn. Betty, not Veronica, asks Nick when he arrived. Nick rode in on his motorcycle yesterday instead of a few days ago. Betty is left alone with Nick, because Veronica and Midge go to the snack counter, not the ladies' room. Betty doesn't buy popcorn. Betty says she works part-time at a garage. Nick says he has a thing for "blonds", but that spelling refers to males. Nick doesn't downplay the importance of friends. Veronica doesn't dispute Midge's "billions" claim. They don't go back into the theater for Veronica's coat (which she doesn't have here). Nick and Veronica go out the front entrance, and Betty and Midge watch them leave. Betty and Midge go back into the theater to watch the rest of the movie, and Midge makes a joke about not having to sneak in (because of their tickets), which causes Betty to laugh.

After the movie, Betty and Midge wait with the chauffeur outside the theater instead of in the limo. Betty uses her cell phone to try calling Veronica on her cell phone (an update of technology that's not in the novel). Midge, not Betty, guesses that maybe Veronica went home. The rest of the discussion of Veronica's safety is cut.

At the Lodge mansion, Betty's explanation to Mr. Lodge is cut and simply referenced as a joint explanation while she and Midge wait in the sitting room. Mr. Lodge, not Smithers, speaks with Nick's uncle (and aunt) on the phone. Nick and Veronica arrive home without the others having to wait further. Mr. Lodge invites Betty and Midge to join him outside, and they do so. Betty and Midge, not just Mr. Lodge, yell at Veronica. Mr. Lodge compares Archie favorably to Nick. Mr. Lodge doesn't kiss Veronica on the cheek. Betty, not Midge, asks what happened but isn't enthusiastic to know.

The girls don't go up to Veronica's bedroom suite, change into pajamas, or gorge themselves on junk food or soda. Instead, Veronica recounts the evening in a hallway. The pizza place is "Pete's Famous Pizza!" in "South Side". There's no mention of the pizza parlor being new. There's additional material here: Nick beat up some "tough guys" that "got fresh" with Veronica. I'm not sure what the point of it is. Is it meant to make Nick seem more likeable? The rest of the discussion of the date is cut.

The girls go into Veronica's kitchen and get cake to eat (Midge gets hungry when she gets nervous) and milk. Midge says Veronica will have to choose between Nick and Archie, and Veronica says she'd choose Nick. Nick's reason for being here is changed (or at least toned down) from pushing a teacher and getting expelled to getting into a "scuffle" with a bossy gym teacher (no mention of expellation). Nick's "folks" (not just his father) sent him to Riverdale. No mention is made of military school. Betty doesn't compare Nick to Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde or voice her concerns. Midge doesn't talk about Moose or start a gossip session. Veronica says Betty can have Archie. Midge is happy for Betty.

Well, that's the first part of "Bad Boy Trouble!". Not counting the new material in the first 4 pages, this comic adapts 29 pages of prose in 21 comic pages. Obviously, some stuff had to go. Betty's personal observations and opinions are what suffered the most. It seems the writer tried to retain some of that as Betty's thoughts early in the story, but it's such an odd approach, and it was soon abandoned.

The gorgeous artwork is pretty much all that this adaptation has going for it. Storywise, the novel is much better.


Reprinted story:

"Quiz Fizz"
by Unknown
Character(s): Betty and Veronica
5 pages

Betty came over to Veronica's house to hang out with Veronica, but she spends her time with Mr. Lodge, playing chess. Mr. Lodge beat her twice, but it wasn't easy. Mr. Lodge offers her a third chance to beat him. Betty accepts but then, at Veronica's interruption, Betty excuses herself. Veronica insults chess, but Betty tells her to be careful, because it's her dad's favorite game. Veronica doesn't understand Betty's interest in chess. Betty says she likes the challenge, and it's a learning experience for her. Veronica says it's boring. Betty accuses Veronica of being jealous of her, because Veronica isn't good at it, and Mr. Lodge prefers to play with Betty. Veronica says Betty's off base and that the game just bores her. Betty gives up and leaves. Veronica admits to herself that Betty is right and wants her father to talk about her in the same glowing terms that he refers to Betty in. The next day, at school, Veronica talks (and hugs) Dilton into coming over and teaching her chess on that afternoon. That same evening, Betty is over at Veronica's house. Mr. Lodge has the chess board all set up for a game with Betty, but Veronica interrupts and plays a game with Mr. Lodge. She beats him. Mr. Lodge is surprised but says he's proud of her for learning such a complicated game. Betty challenges Veronica to a game. Veronica confidently accepts. Betty beats her in under seven moves, fives times in a row. Veronica is confused. Betty says Veronica's win was just beginner's luck, and Veronica's just reverted back to the same lousy player that she's always been. Veronica angrily throws Betty out the door. Betty, dazed and aching all over, jokes that Veronica won't be joining chess club anytime too soon.


1-page specials:

Veronica Is Definitely Clueless (word scramble)

Veronica's Party Fashions!

Betty's Pin Up: Beauty and Her Bears


Reprinted stories:

"Let It Rain"
by Unknown
Character(s): Betty's Diary
5 pages

"It's In the Stars"
by Unknown
Character(s): Betty
5 pages

"Madwoman of Riverdale"
by Unknown
Character(s): Veronica
5 pages

"Happy Mirthday To You"
by Unknown
Character(s): Betty
5 pages

"No Problem"
by Unknown
Character(s): Veronica
5 pages

"Dream Dilemma"
by Unknown
Character(s): Betty
5 pages

"Comfort Zone"
by Unknown
Character(s): Betty & Veronica
5 pages


2-page advice column, Dear Betty & Veronica, by Sara Algase


Reprinted stories:

"That Certain Something"
by Unknown
Character(s): Betty and Veronica
6 pages

"Sheer Fear"
by Unknown
Character(s): Veronica
1 page

"Chore Score"
by Unknown
Character(s): Betty and Veronica
5 pages


1-page special:

Fashions of Fancy (Betty and Veronica)


Reprinted stories:

Classick Teevee
by Unknown
Character(s): Veronica
1 page

"Point of View"
by Unknown
Character(s): Betty & Veronica
5 pages


1-page special:

Yee-Hah! (a Betty letter-arranging puzzle)


Reprinted story:

'Law of the Land'
by Unknown
Character(s): Veronica
1 page


1-page specials:

Learn To Draw Betty (by Dan DeCarlo)

Fashion Flirt (Veronica)


Reprinted story:

Queen for a Week
by Unknown
Character(s): Veronica
5 pages


1-page special:

Betty Has Fun With...Fashion Dont's


Reprinted stories:

"A Moving Experience"
by Unknown
Character(s): Betty and Veronica
6 pages

Gag Bag
by Unknown
Character(s): Veronica
1 page

"Missed List"
by Unknown
Character(s): Veronica
5 pages

"The Competitive Edge"
by Unknown
Character(s): Betty and Veronica
5 pages

"Worst Date Fate"
by Unknown
Character(s): Betty & Veronica
6 pages

"Talk Balk"
by Unknown
Character(s): Veronica
1/2 page

"Share Flair"
by Unknown
Character(s): Veronica
1/2 page

Full of Hot Air!, Parts I and Two
by Unknown
Character(s): Betty & Veronica
11 pages


1-page special:

Which 2 Are Alike (a find-the-identical-pictures puzzle with Archie and Veronica)


Reprinted story:

An Ugly Win
by Unknown
Character(s): Betty and Veronica
5 pages


1-page special:

Learn To Draw Archie


Reprinted stories:

Hit Or Ms.
by Unknown
Character(s): Betty and Veronica
5 pages

Jug's Jokes
by Unknown
Character(s): Jughead
1 page

"Get a Life"
by Unknown
Character(s): Betty and Veronica
5 pages

"Fab Job"
by Unknown
Character(s): Betty and Veronica
5 pages

"On a Roll"
by Unknown
Character(s): Betty and Veronica
6 pages

Betty's Gag Bag
by Unknown
Character(s): Betty
1 page


Don't Suit Yourself
by Mike Pellowski
Character(s): Betty & Veronica
5 pages

Betty and Veronica are at the Riverdale Mall, excited to be shopping for new swimsuits but disappointed that Archie couldn't come with them. Betty will miss his "input", which Veronica guesses means his loud, spontaneous outbursts. Betty thinks about that and agrees. Betty talks about Archie's opinions boosting their egos. Veronica agrees and thinks about that. Veronica says Archie had to go someplace with his parents. Betty says they'll have a fun time anyway. Minutes later, they've founds swimsuits and go into the dressing room to change. Veronica hates Betty's polka-dot bikini, and Veronica's swimsuit doesn't "excite" Betty. After a quick change, Veronica finds Betty's swimsuit boring, and Betty doesn't like Veronica's swimsuit. Later, Veronica says this isn't as much fun as usual. Betty says the usual "fabulous feedback" is missing. Veronica says what's missing is Archie. Betty agrees. Veronica suggests not buying anything until Archie can join them next weekend. Betty agrees. The following weekend, Betty and Veronica model swimsuits for Archie, get positive comments, and enjoy themselves.

Wow. That was extremely shallow. Female empowerment, this is not.


This issue is pretty enjoyable. Recommended.