I had to clarify 80s in the title as I felt it was only fair to highlight I haven’t read all the Katy Keene stories. I’ve only read the reprints in the 2000s Archie’s digest which are just 80s reprints. But to me, that is the Katy Keene with its shoulder pads, big hair and colorful palette. It made the world of supermodels as frothy, exciting and glamerous as you could you want.

1. Frizzy Tizzy: It’s a simple story of Katy trying to decide which hairstyle would work best for her upcoming photoshoot, showing off that glorious era of perms and upteased hair but it gets first place because it was the first Katy Keene story I ever read and nostalgia always wins.
2. How the Other Half Lives: This New Year’s Eve story reflects on Katy’s career triumphs and humble beginnings, highlighting her backstory and how her parents’ unexpected deaths forced Katy to become caretaker to her sister and unexpectedly a supermodel. This one probably deserves first as it has it all, pathos, Katy’s many boys, amazing designs and a funny Christmas gift twist at the end too.
3. New Year Cheer: Sis gets her own romance in a Cinderella-style daydream. It’s very sweet for Sis to get the spotlight (as well as her real name, Melissa) as her stories in this era usually involve an eccentric space professor, aliens and underwater creatures. Yeah, Sis’ stories can get surreal so this is a nice medium.
4. Luck of the Leperchaun: Whenever Katy’s friend, Lorelei is around, there’s a bit of a magic in the air. Usually it’s Houdini, but this time it’s leperchauns as Katy helps her friend get back her family’s ancestral castle in Scotland. It’s full of camp but who doesn’t love some supernatural fun in the Archie universe?
5. Supermodel: Katy gets into superhero mode when her brand new red pumps give her superspeed. It’s a lighthearted story where Katy uses her powers to save lives and save time on photoshoot changes but Gloria does her best to steal the heels for herself with unexpected results. Spidey said it best, “With great heels, come great responsibility.”