It was announced recently that in the age-old struggle between Betty and Veronica for the heart of Archie Andrews, there is finally a winner. On the cover of Archie #600, there is a picture of Archie proposing to Veronica, and Veronica enthusiastically saying “YES!”
Such a monumental moment is going to bring out strong feelings on both sides of the Betty / Veronica debate. Who does Archie love more? Who would be better for Archie in the long run? Which of these girls loves Archie the most? Is it sweet-hearted Betty Cooper, or sassy heiress Veronica Lodge?
Personally, I always thought that Archie would choose Betty Cooper, the girl next door instead of the more high maintenance Veronica Lodge. Veronica is arguably the better catch, since she is wealthy and glamorous, and is often described as more beautiful than Betty. However, Veronica is the model of the unattainable woman, and this is a large part of her allure. On the other hand, Betty is ultimately attainable by Archie, but instead of recognizing this, he takes it for granted, referring to her as his ‘sister’. For his part, Archie has been perfectly content to let the girls fight for his affections as they have for over sixty years. I can’t say that I blame him.
There was a time when a newcomer named Cheryl Blossom was a third competitor for Archie’s affections, but she was more a flash in the pan, and was never considered a serious contender. Betty and Veronica also have side love interests (Adam Chisolm, Jason Blossom, etc.) but they too have never been portrayed as legitimate threats to the famous Archie-Betty-Veronica love triangle.
Interestingly enough (to me, anyway), in Archie’s earliest story (his first appearance, to use comic book lingo), it is Betty Cooper (his next door neighbor that has just moved in) that he is trying to impress by standing up on his bicycle while it rolls down the street. He gets into all sorts of problems trying to win Betty’s heart, and it is soon established that they are in a semi-committed relationship with Betty (as committed as high school relations go, which admittedly isn’t usually very committed).
Also, Veronica Lodge wasn’t in the original story that introduced Archie and his friends, Jughead and Betty. Her earliest appearances actually give her two different origin stories. In Pep Comics #26, she is a rich heiress who has recently moved to Riverdale, and Archie asks her out on a date. Archie (being Archie) is hard up for cash to impress the rich girl, so he takes a job at a restaurant…the same restaurant he takes Veronica to, and ham-fisted hilarity ensues. However, when Archie #1 came out in 1942, she is introduced as a New York debutante who receives a mushy letter from Archie asking her to be his date at the prom. Amused, she agrees, putting Archie in a bind since he was going steady with Betty. He gets Jughead to be Veronica’s escort, who gives her poison ivy for a corsage (?), causing Veronica’s date to end poorly, but humorously (at least by 40′s standards).
Personally, I think that Reggie Mantle would be a better match for Veronica than Archie. Reggie (like Veronica) is wealthy, and they share the same snooty, sassy personality. However, opposites attract, and Veronica has eyes only for Archie, causing Reggie to make Archie’s life miserable at every opportunity. Who knows how Reggie will react now that Veronica is engaged to Archie.
Jughead, being a pure misogynist, is not vying for the affections of Betty, Veronica, or any other girl, choosing instead a close relationship with his one love — food. However, with Archie possibly tying the know with Veronica, maybe Jughead will end up with Betty after all. He does like Betty more than Veronica, although this is because Betty is a great cook, and Jughead is crazy for food.
Apropos of nothing, did you ever notice how much Jughead looks like Alan Cumming? Is it just me?
Honestly, I think I know what is going on here. Knowing the folks at Archie Comics, this will be some kind of stunt. The cover clearly shows that this ‘proposal’ is taking place in, of all places, a jewelry store. It is likely that Archie is proposing just as a goof, and Betty and Jughead get the wrong idea when they pass by and see it thinking that it is an actual proposal, and (in true Archie fashion) hilarity ensues (yuk-yuk-yuk).
