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Sunday, December 7, 2014

ARCHIE’S SUNDAY FINEST HC
Special Book Review!

Having the black & white newspaper strip collections of Bob Montana's Archie is really nice, but how about the color Sunday Full Page Strips? Oh yeah!

Once again, IDW has put together a really nice hardcover book, with a nice book mark tassel (that's Archie orange) and is even shaped like a traditional book shelf sized book.



Growing up in St. Louis, the Post Dispatch was one of two area newspapers, so of course I found this ad interesting in the intro for the book.
(from St. Louis Post Dispatch, date unknown, artist unknown)



Going back just 4 years, it’s refreshing to see Montana handling these characters and setting the tone for others to follow… he loved playing on Betty’s obsession with Archie! And we loved to see it!
(from Nov. 10. 1946, artwork by Bob Montana)


Montana consistently created interesting logo panels to start these Sunday stories, and here Betty makes sure she stands out!
(from Nov. 12. 1946, artwork by Bob Montana)


Gulp! Ah, the things they could get away with in a 1947 American Newspaper! 
(from Jan. 05. 1947, artwork by Bob Montana)


Jughead may not consider this his greatest moment, and.. neither does Archie!
(from Jan. 05. 1947, artwork by Bob Montana)


It’s ‘The Best I Ever Tasted!” - Yeah…. this may be my favorite Montana Sunday strip ever!
(from Jan. 05. 1947, artwork by Bob Montana)


Montana was so good at body language... Veronica relaxed, cool, well dressed - Betty working hard to get dressed up, tense posture...
(from May. 11. 1947, artwork by Bob Montana)


In Archie #20 (May/June 1946), a group of unnamed friends strip Archie and throw him into the local pond. Here in July 1947, Reggie and two others, do the same. What was going on in Riverdale?
(from July. 20. 1946, artwork by Bob Montana)


Veronica sporting a snazzy nightgown while Archie sports a shiner!
(from Dec. 14. 1947, artwork by Bob Montana)


Yeah there are just some situations you’ll see in a 1948 newspaper strip… even thought they’re being done in a humorous non-serious manner… that you just won’t see today….
(from Jun. 27. 1948, artwork by Bob Montana)


Yoinks!
(from Jun. 27. 1948, artwork by Bob Montana)


More Montana brillance, playing on the Archie in a girls outfit, pulling Reggie into the mix. 
(from Jul. 11. 1948, artwork by Bob Montana)



Veronica sporting her 1948 Halloween costume! 
(from Oct. 31. 1948, artwork by Bob Montana)


Any great Archie strip has at least one panel that makes you HAVE to read that story… Betty at it again!
(from Dec. 12. 1948, artwork by Bob Montana)


Archie always on the prowl...
(from Aug. 7. 1949, artwork by Bob Montana)


This is NOT how Archie planned it....
(from Aug. 14. 1949, artwork by Bob Montana)

My assessment? This book is worth having as a part of your collection!
(from Sep. 24. 1950, artwork by Bob Montana)