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Monday, September 30, 2019

ARCHIE COMICS #71
(On Newsstands September 8th, 1954)


The evolution of Bill Vigoda's 'look' - Archie with Beaver teeth, females who look like blow up dolls - still managed to render Jughead perfectly.
(from Archie Comics #71 - September 8th, 1954, artwork by Bill Vigoda)



Archie's a Lifeguard and Betty is trying to get noticed. The perfect set up for a story!
Who'd let Archie watch their beach???
(from Archie Comics #71 - September 8th, 1954, artwork by Samm Schwartz?)




Archie has his game plan all figured out...
(from Archie Comics #71 - September 8th, 1954, artwork by Samm Schwartz?)




And here comes Betty. Yep. Walked right into that one!
Interesting to note, especially this being an Archie Comic, that this story occurred just three months before the Comics Code went into effect (the last week of December), otherwise Archie could've never gotten away with punching Betty in the eye!
 Even in a humor story!
(from Archie Comics #71 - September 8th, 1954, artwork by Samm Schwartz?)




ARCHIE COMICS #72
(On Newsstands November 10th, 1954)


Whenever I complain about Bill Vigoda's style, especially his 'women as a blow up doll' look, I always point to Betty on this cover as a prime example.
However... honestly I don't mind his 'look' at all for Archie.
(from Archie Comics #72 - November 10th, 1954, artwork by Bill Vigoda)





Holy Smokes... I know Archie is kind of a nerd and the book is aimed at wholesome fun, but this story just cracks me up. Archie Comics gearing up for the Comics Code already!
(from Archie Comics #72 - November 10th, 1954, artwork by Samm Schwartz?)



We were a year and 2 months away from Elvis Presley's first TV appearance, but Bill Haley and the Comets had already started Rock n Roll with 'Rock Around the Clock' just 4 months earlier.
This look would spread pretty quickly...
(from Archie Comics #72 - November 10th, 1954, artwork by Samm Schwartz?)



A fine example of profiling if I've ever seen it!
Over the years, Archie would actually show a lot more tolerance for those different than him, and this 'holier than thou' attitude would be replaced by more of a 'Ah shucks, we're really all the same' demeanor.
Which I like better.
(from Archie Comics #72 - November 10th, 1954, artwork by Samm Schwartz?)