LAUGH COMICS #222 - Talk Dirty to Me!
As Archie got into the ’60s and 70’s, the amount of sexual innuendo obviously cooled - partly because of the Comics Code and partly because Archie Comics as a company brand, saw the wholesome family brand as a viable path to success.
They were RIGHT... it worked out great for them for decades - by the mid to late 60’s they were no longer leading in sales, but as an overall publisher, they were very strong.
But every once in a while you could still find an issue of Archie though that had its fair share of wink wink nudge nudge moments...
Al Hartley probably doesn't get the recognition that he should, mainly because he spent a great deal of his career doing a pretty good Dan DeCarlo impersonation. That's ok though. Because as many stories as they can fit in of Archie going to the beach, that's drawn in that clean house style is A-ok with me!
(LAUGH COMICS #222 cover-dated September 1969, on newsstands July 1st, 1969, with art by Al Hartley with inks by Jon D'Agostino)
You'd think Archie was the one waiting all these years to hear VERONICA say those three little words...
(LAUGH COMICS #222 cover-dated September 1969, on newsstands July 1st, 1969, with art by Al Hartley with inks by Jon D'Agostino)
But she isn't done! I don't think Archie knows what hit 'em!
(LAUGH COMICS #222 cover-dated September 1969, on newsstands July 1st, 1969, with art by Al Hartley with inks by Jon D'Agostino)
But Veronica isn't the only one who can make double entendre's... Betty IS after all, the wilder one...
Here, Al Hartley looks a little more like Al Hartley in his art. Maybe it's because he doesn't have the house expertise of Jon D'Agostino inking his pencils. Not knocking it... it still is a quality Archie Comics production. And I love his occasional cloud formations on the horizon to fill out the scenery. On the horizon? Who does that?
Anyway... I love it!
Obviously, you'd NEVER see a panel like this in today's Archie. It was, what they call an 'off color' remark then, it's pretty much a complete no-no now. And I guess it makes sense that it's Reggie who makes the comment!
(LAUGH COMICS #222 cover-dated September 1969, on newsstands July 1st, 1969, with art by Al Hartley)
And he isn't letting up!
(LAUGH COMICS #222 cover-dated September 1969, on newsstands July 1st, 1969, with art by Al Hartley)
And then Al Hartley draws the hottest female in the whole comic as Archie's 'reward' for being nice to the lost little girl! 'Venus' is, of course, extremely appreciative of Archie looking out for her sister and the rest of the gang realize, THEY are the dum-dums!
(LAUGH COMICS #222 cover-dated September 1969, on newsstands July 1st, 1969, with art by Al Hartley)