Quote from: DeCarlo Rules on April 07, 2018, 01:41:17 AM

Quote from: SAGG on April 06, 2018, 11:30:32 PMI'm speeding it up a bit to the end, obviously with Archie's death as the main plotline. I noticed that the writers shrewdly "merged" both universes because I couldn't tell which one was which. Maybe it didn't matter, which was the point.

Well, obviously the two universes couldn't actually be merged, because then you wind up with the Schrödinger's Cat-like probability paradox of a universe where Archie is married to both Betty and Veronica... but I do take your meaning, as the "Death of Archie" final story arc of LWA was being intentionally vague in details to the point where it could have been taking place in either, or both, the Bettyverse and the Veronicaverse. Oddly enough I remember 'way back on the old (pre-server crash) forum where someone else (I've forgotten who, now) argued that there were definite clues placing the DoA story in (I think it was) the Bettyverse, and I don't remember what those clues were or if I even recognized them.

In general, as the series neared its end and it became obvious that it would be necessary to wrap up the long, convoluted plot of many details and characters, there seemed to be lots of bits either summarily explained away rather casually, or forgotten altogether and left dangling. Things had gotten very science-fictional about three-quarters of the way through the run, and then they gradually moved away from that to end it all with Archie's death.

To me, the way how the other characters' story outcomes were left dangling was pretty sad.  We never find out if Reggie gets engaged or married. Do Moose/Ilana, Ethel/Dilton or Mr. Weatherbee and Louise get hitched. And how are Jughead/Ethel  doing after a year of marriage, or Jughead/Midge seeing their son take his first steps? I felt Miss Grundy's death actually had a bigger positive impact on Archie and the gang than Archie's death because of the the story ended. I don't blame Paul Kupperberg. He wanted to keep the story going at least to give a more complete ending.

Yes, but there are those few times where Jughead doesn't react to her the way she thinks he will and that throws her off a bit. I had mentioned earlier that it would be interesting to see how Jughead and Trula would interact with each other as adults. And I found a story! After a long absence, I decided to check "Big Ethel Energy" to see if and how the story has progressed since it's been going for almost a year. To my surprise, one of the most recent installments has Ethel interviewing Trula. And, of course, their main topic was Jughead. Apparently, Jughead fell in love with Trula. but she didn't feel the same way and that may be the reason why in this story, Jughead shuts everyone out. It seems like in BEE, Riverdale has become a romantic dystopia  where everyone is with no one and any pairings have fizzled out before Ethel came back. The only romance that may happen is between Ethel and Moose. 

I'm happy to see Trula making a comeback with some new stories, including one where she is playing drums! I don't know why the character was shelved for so long. I prefer Trula over Ethel as a potential love interest for Jughead. She is more fun and, let's face it, better looking than Ethel. And despite all her "trickery", if a guy (Jughead) was to fall in love with her, she wants it to be "the old fashioned way" as she has mentioned. I read an earlier post from DeCarlo Rules stating "If Jughead was to ever get married, it would be to Trula". It would have been interesting to see these two interact as adults in "The Married Life". And I think their pairing would have worked on the Veronica side, provided Jughead went into a different profession than owning the Chock'lit Shop. I think Jughead has some power over Trula if he really wanted to use it. That is, simply by ignoring her. Maybe Archie Comics could do a story on that and how Trula's reaction would be.

When Moose's character was introduced around 1948(?), his girlfriend was a petite shorthaired blonde names Lottie Little. And Moose treated her like he treats his current girlfriend, Midge, like a possession. If you're a guy, don't you dare look at or speak to Lottie, or you will incur Moose's wrath!! But it seemed like Lottie just vanished after a few years and replaced. My question is, Was there any Lottie "send off story" where she moves away, breaks up with Moose, etc? Or are her and Midge really the same girl?

Quote from: PTF on July 11, 2022, 10:48:56 PMWell, maybe Archie listens to at least one reader. I like Trula Twyst and I like Bingo Wilkin. So, um...let's try bringing back Regina Mantle!

And yeah,  I like Trula better than Ethel. But I do like the old time Ethel stories and I like the character. I mean, she has the misfortune of not being pretty and living in a town where everyone is at least a nine or ten. Plus she decided to fall in love with the only guy in town who doesn't care about romance and is pretty much the Bugs Bunny of the Archieverse. And I really like how she always took everything in stride. It's pretty admirable to keep going when the entire universe seems out to get you.

And that's one thing I don't like about today's world. It's kind of hard to do those Ethel stories now, given the social climate. And I understand why. But for Ethel you really are losing alot of what made the character fun and memorable. The most I can think of now is "Well, maybe later on she's successful and gets revenge." And I don't like that that's my idea because I watched a Netflix show like that and I did not like it. Had the actress who played Disney's Jessie as the star.

And corporate, yeah. Like we have Jake Chang in a few digest stories and he's going to be getting his own show on the CW. I'm kind of surprised that he doesn't get his own ongoing. It just looks like Archie Comics is banking on their tv shows, which does make sense. And it's always been like that. Cartoon doesn't sell toys or merch, it's gone; comic doesn't get some sort of tv or movie deal...unless it's selling well, goodbye.

The only thing I can question is why, in a world where super hero movies rule, that we haven't seen any of the Archie heroes like The Shield get some sort of movie or tv. That seems like an lay up shot to me.

And I guess characters getting new stories could be AC way of seeing "maybe this character can be used more or be in a show" Just to see if anything sticks. I don't know if that's the case with Trula. Honestly, I thought, given Riverdale, she would make a great villain but instead--she was a pussycat and a totally different character.

But again that's the world we live in. You have old properties being brought back or you have companies just making new shows or toons where only the likeness is the same and everything is--it's making new characters, but giving them old character skins. Still so upset about Jellystone.

You can't have a character like the old Ethel anymore in this political climate. There would be some group trying to get her banned as a sex offender because of her unwanted advances on Jughead. Remember they tried cancelling Pepe Le Pew. Yeah, she acted like an kindergartener trying to kiss a boy which I thought was made for laughs. And Jughead usually got away from her in most stories. And I do feel that the characters have to grow. Ethel, over the years, became more attractive, hair is longer, she is given curves and is less obsessed with Jughead. But, I hope that her progression was simply made to help grow the character who, before, was mostly a one trick pony. 

Since this is the "Jughead The Lover" topic, I'm a little surprised I haven't seen more talk about one of the most recent and popular Jughead pairings which was featured on the Riverdale show: BUGHEAD. (Betty and Jughead). I admit that I have never seen the show, but I did read their romance was a big hit with many fans. Supposedly, some fans also expressed they would like to see these two become a couple in the comics also. The reason? Archie takes Betty for granted and that's something Jughead would never do. Betty would finally have a guy who appreciates her. Jughead has even confronted Archie about the shabby way he treats Betty. I did read something where Archie comics have said that a Jughead/Betty pairing could destroy the 80 year old ABV love triangle and that's why they keep these two as close friends even though there is some romantic tension between them.
      My feelings about these two becoming an item? They look great together, but it would end badly. All that has to happen is Archie having a breakup with Veronica and he'll go back to Betty and tell he that he loves her. Betty's heart will melt and she'll end up giving Jughead the "I'm sorry, Juggie, but my heart belongs to Archie." It's never a good idea to date the best friend of someone you love. It never ends well. And Jughead will go back to hating girls again!

These are most likely all corporate decisions to shelve some characters in favor of others. But I wonder how much influence do fans have in either the company doing away with a particular character/storyline, or, even bringing them back. For instance, as I said earlier, Trula Twyst is making a comeback. For the longest time, there were no Trula stories. But she's been brought back and the explanation was she was in school overseas. Of course, the first person she wants to see when she gets back is Jughead!! I'll take Jughead/Trula over Jughead/Ethel every time. She's much more interesting. But I wonder if the was solely a corporate decision to bring her back, or did the readers have also something to do with her return?

I have also noticed some of the promotionals for the new Archie releases I see on Facebook and other sites have excluded Reggie. It's even referred to as the "Core Four" with Archie, Jughead, Betty and Veronica. Is Reggie getting cancelled also?

Quote from: DeCarlo Rules on June 20, 2022, 02:54:21 PM

Yep! I remember reading this one. I  also remember a storyline where Archie has a dream where he meets up with a rich, middle aged, hamburger chain mogul (sound familiar?) Jughead. And, Jughead tells Archie that he married Betty Cooper!!

Jughead was always about untapped and unlimited potential. He could be the star athlete or the Riverdale Romeo if he wanted to be. Him losing eating contests to new characters, Kevin and Toni, wasn't a necessary storyline. I like Trula Twyst and I see she's making a comeback. She doesn't always win in the battle of wits with Jughead. He throws her a curveball now and then when she goes to far with her schemes. But, it's pretty obvious to me that she was created to be a potential love interest for Jughead since she only tries her schemes on him.
As far as last decade's LWA Married Life stories I felt all of the characters had matured (especially in the Betty-verse) since the stories take place 6 years in the future, So, I can see where Jughead "outgrew" his fear of girls here.
I haven't checked out much of the rebooted stories. But, what I have seen of them, to me anyway, Jughead just seems weird and not as likable.
The old Jughead may have been snarky and indifferent, but you liked and rooted for him.

I had interpreted what Uslan meant in the interview is he had written an actual ending showing only one of the "Archie Marries" timelines will be "canon" and the other one is a "fantasy".  And like a lot of other fans of these stories, I tried to find any clues that Mr. Uslan may have left. Like, why did Archie look so distraught near the end of the Veronica timeline when he went for his Christmas Eve walk? He had money, family and his marriage to Veronica seemed pretty solid. We'll probably never know the answer and maybe we're not supposed to.

Quote from: DeCarlo Rules on June 02, 2022, 10:33:05 AM

Quote from: beatman10 on May 28, 2022, 01:56:44 PMIn my opinion, Jughead is the most versatile character in the Archie universe. You can put him in any storyline and he will fit in. Here are some of the qualities I most admire about him.
1. Although he'd perceived as being lazy, he is very helpful when a friend or someone is in need.
2. Food makes him nearly superhuman. There are stories where Jughead becomes Riverdale's star athlete when food is used as motivation. In one story , he pitches a perfect game for the Riverdale baseball team but then quits when he finds out Coach Kleats only has his players eat "health food". Food is to Jughead what spinach is to Popeye.
3. He likes animals (dogs especially)
4. In the rare stories where Jughead DOES show feelings for a girl, it means more to me than Archie unable to decide between Betty and Veronica, or, Reggie trying to steal someone else's girlfriend to satisfy his ego. The whole Jughead/ Debbie/ Joanni love triangle story failed because  Jughead became too much like his best friend.
5 He's Team Betty. Jughead gives Archie an earful when he takes Betty for granted. And it was obvious that Jughead was happier when Archie came to his senses  and married her.

So what happened to him to make his popularity slip to the point where he lost his own digest title?
 
I mean, not even one where he shares the billing with Archie?

Not even a bi-monthly...?

Quote from: DeCarlo Rules on June 02, 2022, 10:33:05 AM

Quote from: beatman10 on May 28, 2022, 01:56:44 PMIn my opinion, Jughead is the most versatile character in the Archie universe. You can put him in any storyline and he will fit in. Here are some of the qualities I most admire about him.
1. Although he'd perceived as being lazy, he is very helpful when a friend or someone is in need.
2. Food makes him nearly superhuman. There are stories where Jughead becomes Riverdale's star athlete when food is used as motivation. In one story , he pitches a perfect game for the Riverdale baseball team but then quits when he finds out Coach Kleats only has his players eat "health food". Food is to Jughead what spinach is to Popeye.
3. He likes animals (dogs especially)
4. In the rare stories where Jughead DOES show feelings for a girl, it means more to me than Archie unable to decide between Betty and Veronica, or, Reggie trying to steal someone else's girlfriend to satisfy his ego. The whole Jughead/ Debbie/ Joanni love triangle story failed because  Jughead became too much like his best friend.
5 He's Team Betty. Jughead gives Archie an earful when he takes Betty for granted. And it was obvious that Jughead was happier when Archie came to his senses  and married her.

So what happened to him to make his popularity slip to the point where he lost his own digest title?
 
I mean, not even one where he shares the billing with Archie?

Not even a bi-monthly...?

To be honest, I don't know the reason. So, I can only make some guesses.  Maybe younger fans of Archie feel Jughead and his characteristics are from a bygone era and they want stories with more recent characters like Kevin Keller. Or, they want to see more of secondary character stories (i.e Big Ethel Energy). And don't forget all the darker stories that came out over the past decade. Many of the older Archie fans  who followed Jughead as kids may have given up comics when they became adults, or unfortunately, they are no longer with us. But again, these are only guesses.

I have been working on a new fan fiction story featuring my favorite character, Jughead, Hopefully, this is the place to add it and, hopefully, you will all like it.
(the story takes place at the Riverdale Spring Fair, 2 months before Archie and the gang graduate from high school. Archie and Reggie are hanging out by the food stands watching Jughead do what he does best...EATING!!
Archie: Jug, that's the 5th time you got something to eat since you got here. And you've only been here for 10 minutes!
Jug: Sorry guys, but we were so busy at the Chock'lit Shop with the breakfast rush. I didn't get a chance to eat anything. (Chomp! Munch!)
Reggie: I hear everyone is raving about your cooking there since you started. You're like the Gordon Ramsey of the grill.
Archie: Yeah, dude, maybe you found your calling in life.
Jug: Well, I do enjoy cooking and coming up with new recipes. But, Pop told me he wants to retire in 6 years. And that may be the end of the Chock'lit Shop.
Archie: Maybe you can buy it from him then.
Jug: Where would I get the money for that?
Archie: Just a thought, Jughead.
Reggie: Alright Jug, since you're done stuffing your face, can we now go check out the scenery here?
Jug: Ahh Reg! "Check out the scenery"! That must be code for "We want to meet girls"!
Reggie: Yeah man. Why else would we be here? Oh, I forgot, Jughead doesn't notice girls!
Jug: I notice them! But I don't lose my head over girls like you 2 saps do!
Reggie: Hey Arch, "Lose my head over girls". That must be Needlenose's code for "My name is Jughead and I'm terrified of girls"
Archie: I think you're right, Reg. Hey Jug, when are you going to stop being afraid?
Jug: I'm not afraid of them.
Archie: Really? When was the last time you had a girlfriend?
Reggie: Or took one out on a date?
Archie: Or kissed a girl? And your Mom doesn't count!
Jughead: Guys, you know I'm way too smart to fall into that love trap. So, what I do is simply be friends with a few girls. We hang out, talk, walk around. And there's no romance, no pressure, no breakups. None of that complicated dating stuff!
Reggie: And who, pray tell, are these girls that you are "friends" with?
Jug: Hmmm. let's see. Betty, of course. Who would not want to be her friend? Also Ronnie, Nancy, Cheryl, Ethel, Trula, when she's not making me one of her experiments.
Archie: Wow, pretty impressive list there.
Jug: Oh, I forgot Midge.
Reggie: WAITAMINUTE!! You're friends with Midge? And Moose doesn't beat you to a pulp?
Jug: Moose trusts me, Reg. He knows I'm not out to steal his girl.
Reggie: Okay Jones. What do you and Midge talk about?
Jug: Just stuff. Like last week she told me she got a full scholarship to State U and she wants to own a business after college. I said I was happy for
her and told here she would make a great business woman. That's all.
Archie: Don't you worry one of these girl "friends" of yours may one day want more than just friendship with you?
Jug: Nah! All the girls are in love with someone else. Even Ethel has a new love. So I'm safe!
Reggie: Bah, I still think you're just chicken!
Jug: Ahh! I just saw a sign for Chicken tenders! Thanks Reg! I'll be right back guys! (Jughead runs back to the food stand)
Archie: He's hopeless!
Reggie: And whenever we talk about girls, he runs for food! He's 100% chicken!!
(Archie and Reggie hear a familiar girl's voice calling out to them. Betty Cooper)
Betty: Yoohoo, guys!
Archie: Betty! What's with the cheerleader outfit? Not the I don't like seeing you in it. Was there a game today?
(Betty runs up to Archie and Reg)
Betty: No, silly. Didn't I tell you about the fundraiser the cheerleaders are doing for the Riverdale Animal Shelter? For a 5 dollar donation you get to "kiss a cheerleader". All the cheerleaders are taking turns in the booth. It's over on the other side of the park.
Reggie: You mean like an old fashioned kissing booth? I thought those went out with pet rocks and mood rings!!
Betty: Nope!! And they work! We cleaned up moneywise last night. And it all goes to a good cause. And Archie, I'll be in the booth in a couple hours. And I'll be happy to give you some free samples!!
Archie: Yeah! I'll be there Betts!
Reggie: Who else is working the booth?
Betty: Well, Ronnie is the next hour and....
(Jughead is back without his tenders)
Jug: Can you believe they ran out of tenders? Oh, sorry! Hi Betty. Where's the cheerleading competition?
Archie: There isn't one. The cheerleaders are doing a fundraiser for the Animal Shelter today.
Jug: Well, I'd like to contribute.
Archie: Sorry Jug. It also involves kissing a girl which terrifies you!!
Betty: So, as I was saying, Ronnie's up next hour. And Midge is there now.
Jughead: Midge? How is Moose dealing with her kissing other people?
Betty: Not very well, Juggie. They had a big fight. Moose stormed off; said he be back in an hour and threatened to punch any guy he sees kissing her.
Reggie: Man, a chance to kiss Midge without her big, dumb boyfriend hovering over her? I'm going over there right now!
Archie: Right behind you, Reg.
Betty: (nervously) Juggie, I know this isn't your thing, You can stay here if you want.
Reggie: Oh no! Chicken Little is coming too! It's about time you learn about the facts of life, Jughead!!! Arch, you get one side, I'll get the other!
Jug: HEY! LEGGO OF ME!!
Reggie: Stop squirming, Jughead. This is for your own good!!
Betty: (hand over her mouth) Oh Dear! This is not going to end well!!
(The 4 friends walk over to the "Kiss a Cheerleader" booth with Jughead reluctantly being pushed along)
Betty: Hey Midge, Ronnie, how are things going since I left?
Veronica: Not good, I'm afraid. Nobody wants to make a donation with Midge in the booth. I think Moose drove everyone off with his rant.
Betty: Well, I brought a couple guys who will change that. What do you say, boys?
Reggie: Yeah! You go first Archie, then Mr. Chicken next. And I'll go last.
Archie: (suspiciously) Why are you going last, Reggie?
Reggie: Hey, because before me, Midge kissed the rest. With me, she'll be kissing the best!
Archie: Reggie, your modesty is overwhelming! Okay, I'll go first. Hey Midge, I'm here to make a donation. (Drops 5 dollars in the jar)
Midge: Awww! Me and the animals thank you, Archie! Mwwwahh! (kissing sound!)
(Archie walks back to Jug and Reggie)
Archie: See, Jughead? Nothing to it!! You're up, dude!
Jug: M-m-me?
Reggie: Yeah you, Chicken Boy! Get up there! It's time for you to man up!!
Jug: Okay! Okay! Quit pushing!! (Jughead walks up to the booth)
Midge: I don't believe it! I'm actually getting to kiss Jughead Jones?
Jug: Hey Midge, anything I can give to help unwanted pets get adopted I'll be more than happy to. Here you go. (Jughead puts a $20 in the jar)
Midge: Wow, Juggie, that is so sweet and awesome of you. Wait, were are you going? I owe you something.
Jug: You mean the kiss? That's okay Midge. We don't have to go through with it. I'll pass.
Midge: You don't want to kiss me, Juggie? I'm hurt!(pouty face)
Jug: It's not that I don't want to kiss you. I'm just.....
Reggie: He's a chicken, Midge! Always has been when it comes to girls! Haha!!
Midge: Leave him alone, Reggie!! Juggie, I get it. You're very shy which I find is so cute! But, I told you I want to own my own business one day and the number #1 rule is to "always give the customer what they have paid for". It wouldn't  be right for me to not give you what you paid for. So, you would be helping me out by kissing me. I know you're my friend and you do want to help me, don't you, Juggie? Look, all you have to do is close your eyes and pucker up. It's quick and painless, I promise!
Jug: Ah! What the hay! I'll help you out, Midge.
(They both move closer to kiss)
Betty:(Hands over her eyes) I can't watch!!
Archie: Betty, what's wrong? You're acting more nervous the Jughead!
(Jughead and Midge kiss. After the kiss....)
Jug: Hey Midge, that was kinda nice y'know? (Jughead turns to walk back to the others)
Jug: See guys? I didn't chicken out.
(Jughead feels a hand pulling him back) Where do you think you're going, Mr. Jones?
Jug: Huh? Midge? Is there something wrong?
Midge: Yes there is! You're going to kiss me like that and then just leave? I can't let you do that. (She wraps her arms tightly around the totally confused Jughead), You're not getting away from me this time, Sweetheart.
Jug: Midge, what are you doin,,,, MMMMFFT!!
(Midge kisses Jughead passionately before he can finish his sentence)
Midge: I've waited a long time for this moment,  Honey. (and continues to kiss Jughead all over his face)
Jughead: Midge, please!! I don't have enough money to pay for all these kisses!
Midge: There are on the house, Babydoll!!
Jug: Midge, don't you remember"? YOU'RE MOOSE'S GIRL!!!
Midge: I only want to be your girl. Yours alone, my love!
(Archie, Betty, Reggie and Veronica are all stunned by what's happening in front of them. Betty tries to calm Midge down)
Betty: Midge, please let go of Juggie. You don't want Moose to see this, do you?
Midge: Betty, you of all people know about my feelings! JUGGIE IS MINE NOW!!
Midge: Juggie, my darling, let's go where we can be alone and we can talk about our future together!
Jug: (Still being held tightly by Midge) If Moose sees us like this, I WON'T HAVE A FUTURE!!
(As fate would have it, Moose shows up and sees his girl with her arms wrapped around Jughead)
Moose: Ah ha!! So it's you, Jughead, trying to take my Midge away from me!! You know what this means?
Jug: EEP!!! (Midge immediately lets go of Jughead and pleads with her boyfriend)
Midge: Now Moosie, please! Juggie's innocent! It was me! I came on to him. I-I couldn't resist him!
Moose: Oh yeah, Midge? You couldn't resist him?
Midge: Please don't (POW!!! Moose sends Jughead flying end over end with his patented knuckle sandwich) hurt him (sigh)!!
Moose: Well, I couldn't resist punching that girlfriend stealer!! Come on, Midge, we're leaving! (He grabs Midge by the hand) And Jones, don't let me catch you 20 feet from my girl from now on, or you'll get worse! (He leads a tearful Midge out of the park)
Midge:(as she leaves) I-I'm so sorry, Jughead. (Sobs)
(The gang gathers around Jughead, who is still down)
Archie: Are you okay, dude?
Jughead: (sounding irritated) I'm fine!
(Jughead surprisingly springs back up and puts his cap back on and immediately runs over to Reggie)
Jug: You set me up, you jerk! You and Midge both did!!
Reggie:  Huh?
Jug: Don't play dumb with me. You've always had eyes for Midge and you figured the best way to cozy up to her it to get Moose to suspect someone else is trying to take her away instead of you. So, you and Midge must have come up with this plan to make me the culprit. I was a sucker to think Midge was my friend.
Reggie: Dude, I don't know what you're talking about. I had nothing to do with this.
Veronica: How can you accuse Reggie of coming up with such a ridiculous plan?
Jug: Because, he's an excellent prankster. But this time you've gone to far.
Betty: Jughead, listen to me. Reggie's telling the truth.
Jug: Come on, Betty,  you believe him?
Betty: Yes, I do.
Jug: Then why would Midge get all crazy on me like she did? Who made her do that?
Betty: YOU DID, JUGHEAD!!
Jug: Me? But I never tried to, y'know, get with her.
Betty: You didn't have to. You gave Midge something she's never had with any other guy....FRIENDSHIP.
Jug: Okay, so I'm her friend. I still don't get why she acted like that.
Betty: Because, dear Juggie, when you are with her, you treat her like she's a person and not a possession, or a trophy to be won from a rival. You've encouraged her to follow her dream of going into business. She was going through a rough time with her parents separation and you were there for her. She would have never applied for her scholarship if you didn't tell her to "go for it". Juggie, you were there for her when she needed you most.
Jug: But that's what friends do, Betty.
Betty: I know, Juggie. But I also know that true friendship can blossom into true love. Jughead, I'm not supposed to tell you this. But, Midge is crazy about you! (Reggie walks up to Jughead)
Reggie: Dude, after what I just witnessed, I have one thing to say. She's all yours, Jughead.  Hey Ronnie, can I help you get set up in the booth?
Veronica: You're a dear, Reggie. Let me give an early sample!! Mmmmnnn!! (Reggie and Veronica kiss and walk  toward the booth with arms around each other)
Betty: Juggie, you weren't supposed to know how she felt about you. She was afraid it would destroy the friendship and you wouldn't want her. I guess it doesn't matter now. She probably thinks you hate her.
Jug: I don't hate her.
Betty: Then you need to tell Midge your feelings. You and her would be perfect together. Jughead, Midge needs a guy like you.
Archie: Yeah, man. What do you say? I was just teasing about the  earlier "friendship turning into love" thing happening, but it really did.
Jug: Guys, I'm a realist. I'm not her type. Despite what happened, Midge has been with Moose throughout high school. She's Moose's girl and always will be. So, any chance that Midge and I would become an item now or in the future, is never going to happen. Never in a million years.
Betty:(dejected) I thought you would say something that, Jug. I'm just y'know...disappointed.
Archie: Hey, I'm getting hungry. Anyone else want to come with me to the food stand?
Betty: I'll go with you!
Archie: Jughead?
Jug: Naw. I'll stay here. For some reason, I'm not hungry now. (Jughead hangs his head low as if he lost his true love. Archie and Betty start walking to the food stand)
Archie: Man! Jughead turning down food? What's that all about?
Betty: I think I know, Archie. (Betty looks back at Jughead, who now has a tear running down his face, She smiles because she knows why Jughead is teary eyed) Jughead finally realizes when it comes to true love, he can NEVER SAY NEVER!!!
(The End)
I just wanted to have fun with these characters and write a prequel to the Married Stories which after 30 years, are what got me back into reading Archie comics again.

In my opinion, Jughead is the most versatile character in the Archie universe. You can put him in any storyline and he will fit in. Here are some of the qualities I most admire about him.
1. Although he'd perceived as being lazy, he is very helpful when a friend or someone is in need.
2. Food makes him nearly superhuman. There are stories where Jughead becomes Riverdale's star athlete when food is used as motivation. In one story , he pitches a perfect game for the Riverdale baseball team but then quits when he finds out Coach Kleats only has his players eat "health food". Food is to Jughead what spinach is to Popeye.
3. He likes animals (dogs especially)
4. In the rare stories where Jughead DOES show feelings for a girl, it means more to me than Archie unable to decide between Betty and Veronica, or, Reggie trying to steal someone else's girlfriend to satisfy his ego. The whole Jughead/ Debbie/ Joanni love triangle story failed because  Jughead became too much like his best friend.
5 He's Team Betty. Jughead gives Archie an earful when he takes Betty for granted. And it was obvious that Jughead was happier when Archie came to his senses  and married her.

I did read a 2009 NYT interview with Michael Uslan where he said he wrote "Archie's Fate in one of the two storylines". He said this after being asked about "which girl will Archie be destined to spend his life with". Of course, that will end the love triangle, but I'm curious to see which girl ends up being Archie's true wife.  I think I know who it is......