Brains vs. Beauty

Growing up as kid, my mother would always buy me a Betty & Veronica comic book for road trips. This would entertain me for hours, leaving piece and quite for the car ride.

Of course my favourite books were the Betty & Veronica ones, and not the more manly ones like the original Archie and Jughead. Being a girl, it was very easy to relate to Betty, being a blonde and sporty girl, unlike Veronica, mostly fascinated with money, shopping and clothes. But, these two very different girls were always obsessing over one thing: ARCHIE.

For 68 years, these two apparently ‘best friends’ have been feuding over the same red head guy.

When archiecomics.com announced that Archie will finally choose between his high school sweethearts, many consistent readers thought he would chose the girl-next-door, Betty, over the snob, rich girl, Veronica.

However, when Veronica wrote to her own blog, saying, “I am so excited, I am getting married to Archie. There is so much to do, so many plans to make. I wonder if Betty wants to be my Maid of Honour? I bet she is so happy for me!” [1]

Reading the viewers comments on Ronnie’s blog, many people are very upset with this decision. Comments saying, “I cannot BELIEVE you would want to marry a klutz like Archie!” to, “It took him, what, 30 years to propose? Have some self respect and dump the loser already...” and, “NO! You don't deserve to be with Archie, you don't love him, Betty does”. [1]

Now, going over to the much loved Betty’s blog, she writes in her blog titled, The Saddest Girl in the World, “I am so sad; I don't even know what to say.” [2]

Her comments are very different then her soon-to-be ex bff. With people leaving her comforting messages like, “I really, really feel bad for you, Betty :( :( :(. I can't believe he chose Ronnie over you!! There is no way that marriage is going to last. Maybe he'll come to his senses and not marry her”, and “Archie is an idiot who should have picked you”, to, “You are the most awesome character ever! You're sweet, pretty, you're a good student - anyone who doesn't choose you is a loser for it.” [2]

After being broadcasted all over television programs and radio stations, shocking pretty much everyone who reads, or has read them, many people still think Archie will end up with Betty at the end. The rumor is, that Archie will arrive at the church, but will change his mind for Betty, and they will end up driving into the sunset, leaving Veronica and the entire Riverdale town waiting at the alter.

My opinion: Archie only chose Veronica for her lifestyle. She’s never had to work, do chores, and has a mansion to live in, filled with multiple closets. The Lodge family has many vacation homes & boats. Unlike the Cooper family, they work very hard for their paycheck, making Betty work a part-time job, while volunteering, playing sports, and doing many other extra-curricular activities. Betty is the kind of girl that’s not afraid to get her hands dirty; unlike Veronica who uses Archie and makes him do all the dirty work for her.

With many comments like, “Veronica is the gal you marry the first time. Later, when you want a real relationship, you marry a Betty” and “Sexy doesn’t last; wholesome does”, you wonder why the creators and writers for the Archie comic chose Veronica over Betty. [3]

But when I saw comments like, “It's about time the brunette wins over the blonde!”, or “Choose money over real love”, and “Maybe he took the recession into consideration...” it made me realize that Veronica did have some fans. However Betty still had the majority on her side. [3]

In the six-part story, Archie and the gang will finally graduate from Riverdale High school, and then will fast-forward to college graduation. Before getting engaged, this comic might even show the klutzy red-head having a part-time job (which he always refused to have).

This also brings up the question, who will be Archie’s best man? With only two possible men in mind, he must choose between the rude and competitive Reggie, and the kind-hearted, jokester Jughead. Numerous websites indicate that the viewers want Jughead to receive the role.

Even though I haven’t read the comic in a little over 5 years, I was shocked, yet excited for it to come out, so I could read the engagement of the year.

Let’s just say, even though it’s a comic book, and the characters aren’t real, many of us believe that Archie is make a horrible decision, and can’t wait to see what happens in the future.

[1] “I’m Getting Married”, archiecomics.com, May 27-2009, Veronica’s Blog, June 11-2009
http://archie-blogs.archiecomics.com/veronicas_blog/

[2] “The Saddest Girl in the World”, archiecomics.com, May 27-2009, Betty’s Blog, June 11-2009
http://archie-blogs.archiecomics.com/betty/

[3] “Poor Betty! Archie will propose to Veronica”, msnbc.com, May 30-2009, June 11-2009
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/30983247/