By Debbie Schlussel
**** SCROLL DOWN FOR UPDATE. B&V CHANGE ONLY FOR FOUR ISSUES, NOT PERMANENT. ****
Sometimes tradition rules supreme after all. First, New Coke didn’t work, and Classic Coke returned. Now, it’s Betty and Veronica.
Recently, I lamented the change of Betty and Veronica in Archie Comics from their glam original look to a new, trashy Paris Hilton/Nicole Hilton “makeover.”
Archie Comics contacted me, and they say the story isn’t completely true. Apparently, the Wall Street Journal and a gazillion other mainstream media outlets got it wrong. The “new” Betty and Veronica were for one story in four digest comic books. But other than that, they’ll remain the same B & V we’ve always known and loved? I’ve e-mailed Archie Comics, asking about that. Also, what’s the point that they’ll stay the same in the other Archie Comics, if they are the new, trashy version on “Betty & Veronica” digests? Or is it only for one story line, after which they’ll revert back to the old version? Stay tuned.

— “[Archie Comics PR] Rik Offenberger” wrote:
From: “[Archie Comics PR] Rik Offenberger”
To: dschlussel@yahoo.com
Subject: If It Ain’t Broke . . .: This Time, It’s Betty & Veronica
Date: Sun, 7 Jan 2007 22:30:29 -0800
Debbie,
I just read https://www.debbieschlussel.com/archives/2006/12/if_it_aint_brok_1.html, Just so you know, we are only talking about changing Betty & Veronica in one story in one of our digest comics. All the other stories and comics will continue to have the classics Archie style. This story although longer will still retain all of the family values found in all Archie comics. When you see the story, you will be pleasantly surprised. If you would like we would be happy to send you a copy.
Rik
——————————————————————————–
Rik Offenberger
Public Relations Coordinator
Archie Comic Publications, Inc.
Archie Comic Publications, Inc.
325 Fayette Ave. Mamaroneck, New York 10543
Phone 914-381-5155
Fax 914-381-2335
www.archiecomic.com

I’ve accepted Rik Offenberger’s offer to send me a copy. And I’ll post my review. But I still don’t like the New Betty and Veronica, and hope it is just restricted to one Digest. We’ll see.
**** UPDATE: Archie Comics responds that the change is only for four issues and one story of the Betty & Veronica Digest. Only temporary:

Debbie,
It’s a 100 page story broken up into four 25 page parts it will be appearing in four issues of Betty & Veronica Double Digest numbers 151-154. The Double digest is 192 pages so this is just a part of that comics. The rest of the comic we will feature the classic Archie look as will every other comic we publish. Since this was planned in addition to what we are doing not instead of classic Archie we think fans will be excited. Somehow people got the impression we were changing the entire line and I have had to spend a lot of time clearing up that misconception. . . . [“Betty & Veronica” Digest] #155 is 100% classic Archie style.
Rik