Why did I buy this?

I had never bought an all Jughead comic and wanted to give it a try.  Also, the artwork in first story caught my eye immediately.

What’s Good?

“The Big UFO Scare.”  Rex Lindsey does a really fine job on the artwork.  It reminds me of the Weird Mysteries show, which isn’t a bad model.  My only complaint is that the story didn’t remind me of Weird Mysteries.  Frankly, there wasn’t much of a story at all, which is a real shame given the art.

“A New Dish.” I thought this was pretty funny.  Archie and Reggie getting shot down by a hot new girl, while Jughead somehow manages to charm her.  Of course he only wants her for one thing. . . food.

“Just When You Thought. . .” Put Archie and Jughead alone somewhere and watch the mayhem begin, especial at Mr. Lodge’s cabin.  I don’t think I’m giving anything away by saying, there will be property damage. 

“The Riverdale Triangle.”  This is a good wacky sort of story, which seems all too self-conscious of it’s being a comic book story.   Jughead’s suspendered wardrobe would seem to date this from the 80’s.  Jughead is actually interested in girls in this tale, as long as there’s food involved.  Apparently, there’s only one way to his heart.

“The Rest is History.”  What would Jughead be like as an overnight houseguest?  Archie and Jughead attempt to relive their youths by having a sleepover.   Something I thought was interesting was that Fred Andrews looked the same as ever, but Mary Andrews has had massive makeover (and for the better). 

“Love Letters in the Snow.”  The ever reliable of comedy shtick of Archie trying to get Veronica’s attention.  Judging from this story, I think Archie tries so hard with Ronnie, because she’s such a great kisser. 

“The Dilemma.”  He’s not just all about sleeping and eating.  This story shows Jughead is a good guy at heart, though still thinking mostly with his stomach.

“The Intruder.”  The Jughead/Ethyl relationship.  Is Ethyl’s attention turning Jughead off from other women?  Or does Jughead realize that a relationship with Ethyl is inevitable and he’s putting it off as long as he can?  Would anyone like to offer some psychoanalysis? 

Clunkers?
“Soup’s On” and “Chemical Reaction” deserved a bit more story for the setup.  The soup story was especially cringe worthy, as Mrs. Beazley narrates the entire gag.   

“Paint It Ain’t.” Bad art in an odd format, but a reasonable gag though.

Little Archie/Jughead.  The “Little” gang has never been to my taste for some reason.  There’s nothing inherently wrong with the setup.  It just rubs me the wrong way.  This group of stories didn’t change my mind.  I almost didn’t buy the mag because of this.  If you like the concept, there’s plenty in here for you.
 
Recommendation?

While there’s plenty to like, it felt kind of empty.  While there wasn’t a lot of bad material, there also wasn’t anything to get really excited about.  The “Triangle” story was the only one that got me to snicker out loud.  Jughead feels kind of under utilized in this selection of stories.  His character marches to his own drummer and lives in his own world enough to make him good foil for any kind of story.  Unfortunately, the UFO story sort of sums it up: looks good, but there’s nothing substantial there.  (I am I really saying that about an Archie comic book?) 

If you have to have more Jughead in your life, get it.  If you’re looking for a good Archie comic, best keep looking.