Undercover Archie

LAUGH COMICS #45

(On Newsstands in April 1951)

Let's get caught up on our Laugh Comics issues!

So many of these Montana covers laid the groundwork for the next generation of Archie covers... 

(from Laugh Comics #45 - April 1951, artwork by Bob Montana)

The level of violence in these issues never ceases to amaze me... it was just a part of entertainment at the time. And it's funny.

(from Laugh Comics #45 - April 1951, artwork by Bob Montana)

Dick Briefer did some Archie stories back in the day (mostly Jughead), and his art seemed to really fit the house style. Well known for his humorous Golden Age Frankenstein, he left comics a few years after this when the Comics Code almost destroyed the business.

(from Laugh Comics #45 - April 1951, artwork by Dick Briefer)

See what I mean? How many times have we seen a variation on THIS cover?

(from Laugh Comics #46 - July 1951, artwork by Bob Montana)

More slapstick violence... gotta love when Betty lets loose!

(from Laugh Comics #46 - July 1951, artwork by Bill Vigoda)

An old joke today, this still makes a great Archie cover for all the reasons we love Archie. Later re-drawn for the cover of Katy Keene #9!

(from Laugh Comics #47 - August 1951, artwork by Bob Montana)

Yeah, we've seen the 'new French teacher' theme before, but not by George Frese... 

(from Laugh Comics #47 - August 1951, artwork by George Frese)

Even Weatherbee is acting like a teenager in love....

(from Laugh Comics #47 - August 1951, artwork by George Frese)

Another great moment between Juggie and Betty (out on a DATE!)

(from Laugh Comics #47 - August 1951, artwork by Dick Briefer)

Jughead seems to like these jack-ass themed jokes!

(from Laugh Comics #47 - August 1951, artwork by ?)

Bill Vigoda had come a long way in his art, but.. there are still times his characters, especially  Betty & Veronica, look more like blow up dolls than real people....Hmmm....

(from Laugh Comics #50 - February 1951, artwork by Bill Vigoda)

Archie kisses away, while Betty wobbles. Notice the blonde hair on Archie in the one figure!

(from Laugh Comics #50 - February 1951, artwork by Bill Vigoda)

Later redrawn for the cover of Archie #121

(from Laugh Comics #52 - June 1951, artwork by Bill Vigoda)

Betty lays her lips on Jughead, as a thank you!

(from Laugh Comics #52 - June 1951, artwork by Samm Schwartz?)