My local Barnes & Noble has expanded their comics selection (as has your local B&N probably).  After turning up my nose at the Fearful Crisis of Infinite Crossovers from Marvel and DC, there, behind a dozen copies of some guy who’s taken over Veronica’s title, I pounced upon this issue of Betty.  The stylish, eye-catching cover design and breathtaking fashion centerfold were all it took to sway my purchase.

This issue featured the Spy Girlz, who appear to be a recurring favorite of writer and artist, Dan Parent.  The premise of Betty and Veronica as uncover crime fighters (sans masks, which would obscure the lovely countenances of our heroines) is a little sketchy, but entirely cute.  This is Part Two of a storyline, continued from last month’s Veronica (which I was unable to pick up), before some unknown guy took over her title.  (She must be furious.) 

I can sum up the action in this issue quickly: completely gonzo.  Dan obviously had a good time with this.  If one could define a “serious” Archie comic, this issue would have none of those traits.  I think the gang is flexible enough to accommodate pretty much any concept and this one proves it. 

The girls are trying to thwart the evil scheme of their arch-nemesis, Cheryl Blossom, and her sidekick, Ginger.  All of the ladies are decked out in full-body, skintight suits, so you know they’re super-characters.  Dilton and Veronica’s cuz, Marcy, are in full support.  Archie, minding his own business, somehow gets in the middle of the action as a hostage. 

The revelation of this issue for me was Ginger’s portrayal: vicious, vindictive, and slightly insane.  Someone else on the boards here pointed out the best line of the issue, with Ginger ranting, “Everyone thinks I don’t have a mind of my own!  Like I’m some sort of second rate Cheryl Blossom substitute!”  A nice in-gag referring to Cheryl’s re-imagined adventures as Ginger, in what had to have been an editorial decision right on par with some of DC and Marvel’s recent character decisions.  (In sneaking that joke through and the rest of the wackiness, I wonder if Dan somehow bypassed the editors and sent this directly to the printer.)   

I’d been asking for more personality in the Archie secondary characters and it showed up here.  Ginger even abducted Archie for a psychotic date at Pop’s.  Doesn’t sound like a bad evening to me, but Archie was pleased to be rescued.  I doubt Ginger will be this extreme in the future, but I hope she will be more assertive (and devious) in future appearances. 

Overall, I rate this issue of Betty to be a lot of fun.

Beyond the review, I noticed on the subscriptions page that Archie is offering the Life With Archie magazine, six digests, and eight comics.  Of those comics, three are Sonic and Mega Man, and Veronica seems to have lost her own title to He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named.  In spite of the floppy market finally opening up a bit (thanks to Hastings and B&N), this format is declining.  It doesn’t matter what Archie or other publishers do as long as Marvel and DC keep chasing away their customers with their eternal mega-crossovers and publicity stunts.  I’m not a publisher, but I have to make a suggestion: drop the comic book format. 

I think the Archie floppy titles could be replaced by two magazines.  Archie and Jughead magazine could feature one story with each of the guys and another story featuring the whole Archie gang, the Archies, Reggie, Little Archie, and so on.  Betty and Veronica magazine (whatever happened to the Veronica and Betty magazine that was announced?) could feature a story with the girls together, a solo story (alternating each month), and a story featuring Cheryl, Sabrina, Josie and the Pussycats, or Katy Keene. 

The stories with the alternate characters could be used as tests for potential digital-only series.  In any case, these magazines would need to have the same level of quality in art and stories as the Life series.  If you’re only publishing a couple titles, you can’t afford to have a weak selling one.

I was harsh?  I liked the issue.

There are already nice characters like Betty and Maria in the Archie gang.  You need some different personalities to contrast them to.  Maybe Ginger could be a little naughty.  It would help if she had better motivation than just an inferiority complex to Cheryl.

I haven't noticed an announcement that Jughead was ending, but I did notice that it wasn't offered in the subscriptions form.  I like the floppies too, but the market seems to be moving away from them.