Riverdale Facelift

As we all know, today's comics industry is different in many ways from that of yesteryear. It used to be that fan turn-over was so high stories could be recycled every few years and no one would notice; comics were strictly for kids and something that readers "grew out of". Now, fans stick around for a lifetime. Comics are for grown-ups just as much as, if not far more than they are for kids.

With the exception of Archie and his pals. Between the unabashedly cartoony art and the "golly gee" storytelling, Archie comics are hard to enjoy after you hit puberty. But that's not necessarily a bad thing; personally Archie still holds a place in my heart. But of course, things always have to change.

Archie's publishers are going after a slightly more mature audience with a brand-new "realistic" look. Gone are Jughead's comical nose and paper crown, the mysterious tic-tac-toe shape in Archie's hair. Artist Steven Butler depicts the teen inhabitants of Riverdale (and probably Mr. Weatherbee, too) like real people, of all things.

Don't panic yet, though. According to Editor Victor Gorelick, the new art will only appear in one 4-part story in Betty & Veronica Double Digest (beginning with issue #151) to test the waters. Readers' reactions will dictate if Butler can keep his job drawing the new and-- ahem-- improved characters. And the official word on the future of the old style is that it's here to stay. The cartoony Archie will remain at the root of the books, at least for the forseeable future.

I think they should do it manga-style! Betty would be adorable. And Dalton is halfway there already. OK, maybe I still do love Archie comics. But I'm a grown-up, I swear!

-Elizabeth