Instead of working on individual posts for each of these titles, my plan is to do a marathon post highlighting a bit from each book. So -- starting alphabetically --, here we go!!!
ARCHIE WINTER ANNUAL #265: This comic book digest will hopefully get you all excited for Valentine's Day. Which I just realized is one week away!!
The first story in this digest is titled "Love At First Fight." It's an original short story and it features writing by Angelo Decesare, pencils by Fernando Ruiz, inks by Rich Koslowsi, letters by Jack Morelli, and colors by Glenn Whitmore.
It's days before Valentine's Day and Veronica has plans for a fabulous date. She just hasn't figured out yet if Reggie or Archie will be going out with her yet! And neither have they!
Veronica is so offended by their fighting that she storms off to find another guy.
(Pitifully, Betty is such a sad sack in this story that she instantly pleads for a date with the guy who was just fighting over the right to date another girl!)
Ronnie begins planting hints for the guys that she has found the perfect Valentine's Day date. Can Archie and Reggie figure out the identity of Veronica's new boyfriend? And what will they do to him once they find him??
ARCHIE'S FUNHOUSE COMICS DOUBLE DIGEST #18: Our next story is "Too Pooped Pop." This short story features a script by Bill Golliner, pencils by Fernando Ruiz, inks by Bob Smith, letters by Jack Morelli, and colors by Glenn Whitmore.
Pop Tate is barely functioning. He hasn't had a vacation in months. Possibly even years! The Riverdale Gang offers to run the restaurant for one weekend so that he can take off for a brief vacation. To highlight how burned out he is? He actually agreed to this idea, even after knowing these kids for the past 75 years!!
To my surprise, things actually go over fabulously. The kids are exhausted by huge crews of visitors, but they actually manage to make it through the weekend without burning things down!
My favorite customers? The folks from the Magician's Convention! Our Gang is treated to nonstop magical tricks while filling orders for these folks! How fun!!!
JUGHEAD AND ARCHIE WINTER ANNUAL #18: This story features Archie and Juggie in a story of pranks. It's titled "Snowstruck" and it features writing by Craig Boldman, pencils by Pat & Tim Kennedy, inks by Jim Amash, letters by Jack Morelli, and colors by Glenn Whitmore.
Jughead pulls a snowman-themed prank on Archie. He texted Archie to arrive in a particular spot at a particular time. Archie arrives and is then promptly attacked by Juggie the Snowman! Archie is so impressed that he pinpoints the next perfect target for this prank: Veronica!
Personally, I think he should have picked Betty...
WORLD OF ARCHIE WINTER ANNUAL #56: Our final story is "Keep It Clean." This one is written and penciled by Fernando Ruiz, inked by Bob Smith, colored by Glenn Whitmore, and lettered by Jack Morelli.
It's Class Picture Day and both Archie and Jughead look stunning in their dapper suits! Curiously, Mrs. Jones is in tears! Jughead looks so good in his pictures, but she knows that he'll never keep himself clean and presentable long enough for his picture to be taken. Archie volunteers to do his best to keep Juggie "squeaky clean." Wanna bet how long this will last?
The boys come up with a substitution scheme to get them to the camera without any more damage. My only advise to Archie? Next time? Go first!!