# Archie and the gang gets updated. **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [December 18, 2006, 5:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/archie-and-the-gang-gets-updated/384655 "2006-12-18T17:13:01Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![B.Serum](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/b.serum/32/14266_2.png) [@B.Serum](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/B.Serum)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2006, 5:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/archie-and-the-gang-gets-updated/384655/1 "2006-12-18T17:13:01Z")
See [here](http://www.wizarduniverse.com/magazine/wizard/002774929.cfm?popup=1) and [http://www.wizarduniverse.com/magazine/wizard/002774929.cfm?popup=2](http://www.wizarduniverse.com/magazine/wizard/002774929.cfm?popup=2) My initial reaction was “Oh, Christ what a desperate, market-calculated, pointless decision.” But soon after, I thought, "Well, the art’s not bad for what it is and who it’s for. And they have been “updating” the character through the years anyway, the only thing to remain consistent is the various artists imitating the original artist style. Sort of like if every Spider-Man artist was required to imitate Steve Ditko’s style. So I end up at “Not a bad thing.” Your thoughts? ---
**Author:** ![Wee\_Bairn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/90db22/32.png) [@Wee\_Bairn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wee_Bairn)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2006, 5:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/archie-and-the-gang-gets-updated/384655/2 "2006-12-18T17:29:40Z")
It’s ridiculous. No one buys Archie comics for the realism. And then again, maybe that’s the point- no one buys them anymore, so it is an attempt to get them popular again. ---
**Author:** ![What\_Exit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/what_exit/32/10652_2.png) [@What\_Exit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/What_Exit)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2006, 5:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/archie-and-the-gang-gets-updated/384655/3 "2006-12-18T17:32:11Z")
I agree, not a bad thing. The artwork looks fine. So I have not read Archie since the Seventies and then they still seemed to mostly be stuck in the late fifties. Does Archie still drive and old Jalopy? Is the malt shop still around or have they updated? What are the other updates through the years? ---
**Author:** ![JThunder](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/e95f7d/32.png) [@JThunder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JThunder)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2006, 5:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/archie-and-the-gang-gets-updated/384655/4 "2006-12-18T17:46:52Z")
I’m with you, **Hey, you**. I was hesitant at first, but upon further reflection, I think that these changes aren’t too bad. They even make sense. ---
**Author:** ![NicePete](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/ee7513/32.png) [@NicePete](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/NicePete)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2006, 6:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/archie-and-the-gang-gets-updated/384655/5 "2006-12-18T18:20:46Z")
Yeah yeah. The art’s updated and all that. But it does nothing to solve that eternal question: Betty or Veronica? ---
**Author:** ![Alan\_Smithee](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/2acd7d/32.png) [@Alan\_Smithee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alan_Smithee)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2006, 6:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/archie-and-the-gang-gets-updated/384655/6 "2006-12-18T18:26:14Z")
Depends. First link, Veronica. Second link, Betty. ---
**Author:** ![Musicat](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/musicat/32/20189_2.png) [@Musicat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Musicat)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2006, 6:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/archie-and-the-gang-gets-updated/384655/7 "2006-12-18T18:27:06Z")
[QUOTE=NicePete] Yeah yeah. The art’s updated and all that. But it does nothing to solve that eternal question: Betty or Veronica? [/QUOTE] That’s easy. Betty! Yumm! I’d do her! Veronica: no way! Or is it the other way around? I forget… ---
**Author:** ![Alan\_Smithee](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/2acd7d/32.png) [@Alan\_Smithee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alan_Smithee)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2006, 6:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/archie-and-the-gang-gets-updated/384655/8 "2006-12-18T18:27:24Z")
Oops! Reverse that! ---
**Author:** ![Eve](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/9e8a1a/32.png) [@Eve](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Eve)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2006, 6:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/archie-and-the-gang-gets-updated/384655/9 "2006-12-18T18:30:05Z")
Wait! Veronica Lodge cut her hair? Now no one will get the “Veronica Lake” joke! (What? Oh.) ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_Angel](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/d26b3c/32.png) [@Johnny\_Angel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_Angel)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2006, 6:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/archie-and-the-gang-gets-updated/384655/10 "2006-12-18T18:45:47Z")
They should have left it, because I use Archie Comics as a warning to the young people. The trappings of your youth culture will continue to be made fun of long after nobody even remembers what all those details were referring to. Oh, and the update to the Chrispy version would of course have Jughead protesting a gay funeral. Are they changing 'Lil Archie? And if they’re going to start screwing with that, why not Harvey Comics? Richie Rich? Get some real pants on the boy. Have him pro-war, though he’ll never actually have to go fight in it. Caspar? I think modern kids, raised on CSI, wouldn’t mind knowing the gory truth behind his death. And Wendy? Tart her up. What’s the point in being pagan if you aren’t going to dress slutty. ---
**Author:** ![CalMeacham](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/calmeacham/32/35_2.png) [@CalMeacham](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CalMeacham)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2006, 7:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/archie-and-the-gang-gets-updated/384655/11 "2006-12-18T19:19:24Z")
I don’t like it. It didn’t bother me when they changed over **Sabrina, the Teen Age Witch** to manga style – that title could use a pick-me-up. They did the same with **Josie and the Pussycats**. (MilliCal loves Sabrina, BTW, manga or not) But Archie and the gang? I’m at least glad they didn’t go manga with them. I’d hate to have them with wide-open eyes and occasional 2-D mouths. But this new style _doesn’t fit the style of humor_!! What are they trying to do,turn it into Mary Worth? ---
**Author:** ![BrainGlutton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/82dd89/32.png) [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2006, 7:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/archie-and-the-gang-gets-updated/384655/12 "2006-12-18T19:24:24Z")
[QUOTE=CalMeacham] But this new style _doesn’t fit the style of humor_!! [/QUOTE] Maybe the style of the humor is what they really need to change. ---
**Author:** ![Viridiana](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/ebca7d/32.png) [@Viridiana](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Viridiana)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2006, 7:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/archie-and-the-gang-gets-updated/384655/13 "2006-12-18T19:25:00Z")
I don’t like the artwork at all. I sort of wish they’d go back to the 70s. I don’t know why. ---
**Author:** ![twickster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ec9cab/32.png) [@twickster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/twickster)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2006, 7:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/archie-and-the-gang-gets-updated/384655/14 "2006-12-18T19:32:17Z")
[QUOTE=CalMeacham] But this new style _doesn’t fit the style of humor_!! [/QUOTE] Oh shit, there’s supposed to be _humor_? ---
**Author:** ![Eve](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/9e8a1a/32.png) [@Eve](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Eve)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2006, 7:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/archie-and-the-gang-gets-updated/384655/15 "2006-12-18T19:54:33Z")
[QUOTE=Johnny Angel] Are they changing 'Lil Archie? [/QUOTE] Puh-_lease!_ Is that what he calls it? ---
**Author:** ![Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bosda_di_chi_of_tricor/32/16845_2.png) [@Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bosda_Di_Chi_of_Tricor)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2006, 7:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/archie-and-the-gang-gets-updated/384655/16 "2006-12-18T19:56:32Z")
The _real_ reason they’re changing, is to move away from the “Archie House Style” as developed by the late Dan De Carlo. They want to disassociate themselves from any & all possible recognition of Mr De Carlo’s legacy. > **[Dan De Carlo](https://www.lambiek.net/artists/d/de-carlo_dan.htm)** > > Dan De Carlo is an American comic book artist, best known for his work for Achie Comics and the modernization of the Archie characters. Born in New Rochelle, New York, he attended the New Rochelle High School and Manhattan's Art Students League in... > **[Dan DeCarlo](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dan_DeCarlo)** > > Daniel S. DeCarlo (December 12, 1919 – December 18, 2001) was an American cartoonist best known for having developed the look of Archie Comics in the late 1950s and early 1960s, modernizing the characters to their contemporary appearance and establishing the publisher's house style up until his death. He is the generally recognized co-creator of the characters Sabrina the Teenage Witch, Josie and the Pussycats (the title character of which was named for his wife), and Cheryl Blossom. Dan DeCarlo... > [@](#): > > In his later years he was involved in a bitter legal dispute with Archie Comics over ownership of Josie and the Pussycats characters, which were to be featured in the Josie and the Pussycats movie released in 2001 by MCA/Universal. In the midst of the dispute, the publisher terminated its 40-year relationship with him. Among his final works were a story for Paul Dini’s independent comics title Jingle Belle, and stories for Bongo Comics’ The Simpsons TV tie-in comic, Bart Simpson. > [@](#): > > Paul Dini: ""It was tragic that when he was at an age when many cartoonists are revered as treasures by more beneficent publishers, Dan felt spurned and slighted by the owners of properties that prospered greatly from his contributions. ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_Angel](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/d26b3c/32.png) [@Johnny\_Angel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_Angel)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2006, 8:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/archie-and-the-gang-gets-updated/384655/17 "2006-12-18T20:41:19Z")
[QUOTE=Eve] Puh-_lease!_ Is that what he calls it? [/QUOTE] Great, now I’ve got egg nog dribbling out of my nose. ---
**Author:** ![Draelin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ce73a5/32.png) [@Draelin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Draelin)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2006, 8:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/archie-and-the-gang-gets-updated/384655/18 "2006-12-18T20:55:18Z")
All afternoon, every time my eyes pass over this thread, I manage to read the title as “Archie and the gang get date-raped.” I wanted all of you to have that horrible image in your heads, too. ---
**Author:** ![rjung](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/45deac/32.png) [@rjung](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rjung)\ **Post date:** [December 20, 2006, 8:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/archie-and-the-gang-gets-updated/384655/19 "2006-12-20T20:56:14Z")
[QUOTE=Bosda Di’Chi of Tricor] The _real_ reason they’re changing, is to move away from the “Archie House Style” as developed by the late Dan De Carlo. [/quote] Considering that De Carlo drew some [_dang fine_ wimmen](http://www.comicsreporter.com/images/uploads/DeCarlo_thumb.jpg) (borderline NSFW), I have to say they’re nuts. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Kamino\_Neko](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kamino_neko/32/34_2.png) [@Kamino\_Neko](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kamino_Neko)\ **Post date:** [December 20, 2006, 9:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/archie-and-the-gang-gets-updated/384655/20 "2006-12-20T21:16:51Z")
[url=http://forum.newsarama.com/showpost.php?p=2901535&postcount=144]An Archie PR guy on Newsarama clarifies the story.[/url’ This is only being done for 2 Digests (The other one is Archie’s Pals ‘n’ Gals.), for a handful of issues, at first, possibly more in the future, depending how those digests sell. Or based on a poll. I’m not 100% sure what Rik meant by ‘[a]fter that the fans will tells [sic] if they want more’. The Traditional/DeCarlo style will continue in the other books, and, from the way the stories they’re doing in the new ‘Dynamic’ style stories are described, in the other stories in those digests - they’ll be 4 part stories, across 4 issues of the digest, 25 pages per digest (I think…that’s how the story reads to me, and Rik didn’t clarify that part.) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/archie-and-the-gang-gets-updated/384655.md?page=2)