Yes, the new more realistic style of the early 200s that sent shockwaves through the Archie fandom from those who were excited by this new style and those who were apalled. Either way, it provided new stories, new characters and new fun from everyone’s favorite teenagers.

The Matchmakers: If anti-dating, food loving Jughead falling in love wasn’t enough, proposing to her was a shock to the system. It’s a fun story weaving Archie, Betty, Veronica meddling into a riveting tale of surprising coupledom between Jughead and sporty new girl, Sandy Sanchez. Plus a hilarious couples’ race for Riverdale High’s game day that culminates in this suprise and its twists. I enjoyed the way that Jughead revealed his potential romantic side and his way of dealing with his good-intentioned but meddlesome friends. Plus he and Sandy did work out well in their own way which is briefly called back to in his Cyrano de Jones saga in Jughead Double Digest.

A Funny Kind of Love: Another surprising love story comes to Rivrdale’s class clown with another alliterative-named new girl, Bernadette Brown. She is annoyed by his constant tomfoolery but he insists on trying to catch her eye but showing his unexpected talent for debate. It was a clever idea to show that Reggie’s big mouth can be used for more than just one-liners. It’s an odd couple situation that adds to the romantic tension while delivering on more of Reggie’s hidden depths such as why comedy is so important to him whilst exposing a softer side that he didn’t even know he had.

Breakup Blues: This storyline didn’t focus on the main gang but on the eternal coupledom of Moose and Midge. For some more modern readers, it’s hard to see the appeal of them together with Moose’s aggressive jealousy ruining any interaction Midge has with a guy even if it’s as innocent as homework help. In fact, that’s why Midge has had enough and breaks up with him. Seemingly for good. Not with Betty, Archie and Veronica who insist that they belong together. While Jughead is of the mind that it’s just more meddling, the story does do its job in showing the special connection they have with one another and why they’re so infatuated. Plus convulated break-up makeup schemes are always funny.

My Father’s Betrayal: Veronica is one stubborn Lodge. A trait she undoubtedly inherited from her father but who will win when the two come to loggerheads over the fate of Pickens Park? The story tackles a realistic problem when there are jobs that can be created with Lodge’s new factory but enviromental conservation holds just as much importance which soon drags the whole town into the fight. It brings up valid points for each side and demonstrates the grey area between. But sometimes it’s urgent subject matter is whiplashed with dollops of Archie humor. However, it has a happy ending which is all I want from it compared to the dire realities of today.

No Baseball for Betty: Another timely tale as Betty tries to push through the sexist rules banning girls from the all-boys baseball team. You’d think it wouldn’t be applicable today but it is. Let’s face it, it is. Equality in sports has not progressed that far when it comes to girls trying out for male dominated sports like baseball or football. And here, Betty faces the full backlash from jealous players as well as irate adults. Once more bringing up both side’s arguments for and against with a happy ending not unlike A League of Their Own as some of Betty’s detractors change their mind when they see her in action.

Goodbye Forever: This is a bit of downer. Not just because of the subject matter that threatens that the Andrews family moving away from good ol Riverdale. While the story does a good job in pulling the heartstrings with flashbacks and tearful goodbyes, it is undercut that you know it’s not going to happen. I mean you know all of these stories are going to have a happy ending because it’s Archie but this story has been done before as seen in Archie Americana: Best of 50s, only in four parts instead of six pages.

Bad Boy Trouble: The debut of this new look had a lot to live up to and while it did its job in showing off its bold lines, stylized hair and cool casual fashions, the plot is typical with Veronica being enamoured of the bad boy Nick St. Clair as her friends try to make her see his true colors. It’s a bit square and probably limited by its shorter length compared to the other’s four part stories.