Writer: Dan Parent
Artist(s): Dan Parent, Rich Koslowski (i), Barry Grossman (c), Jack Morelli (l)
Publisher: Archie Comics
You really need to check out the cover of this issue. It’s one of the better ones in recent memory, being both eye-catching and setting up the story within beautifully. Betty and Veronica pose against a shaded pink background; Betty, professional, yet still perky in a trendy business ensemble, and grease-smudged Veronica in a form-fitting coverall. Readers familiar with the characters will want to know what’s up, while the casual passer-by will be caught by the bright teen magazine-like cover. Rather than outlining the characters with the traditional black line, artist Dan Parent uses a variety of colors – black, brown, blue, and orange. The colorful outlines have a gel-pen like look to them that really make the figures stand out from the cover and catch the attention.
Inside, a cross between a second cover and a table of contents page features more of the same colorful style. The Dharma and Greg look Veronica sports is very appealing. It’s a shame it doesn’t appear later in the issue.
Once the story proper “High School Switcheroo” begins, Parent reverts to the more traditional character style. It works for the most part, though some of the profiles resemble those of a smooshed-in sock puppet. He also does some fun things with panel shape, border size, and layout. Barry Grossman’s bright palates of colors – especially his use of pink – add a real sense of energy to the pages.
As for the story, it’s one most jr. high and high school students can relate to. After an enjoyable summer, Betty and Veronica are actually looking forward to getting back to school and taking their elective classes this year. Betty’s signed up for “Domestic Living” – which old-timers like myself recognize as a combination of Home Economics and Shop – and Veronica is signed up for “Corporate Business.” But in a move that reminds readers why Guidance Counselors are among the most disliked of school personnel, the girls’ schedules have been tweaked. Betty will now be learning to run a business – complete with the attendant evils of firing employees – while Veronica will have to learn how to put a 30 minute meal together.
It’s a cute idea that Parent plays out well. The girls are completely out of their depth at first, and while Veronica’s mistakes are just straight up funny, Betty’s point out in a subtle way some of the problems every business owner faces. However, her business advice to Pop Tate is an overly optimistic solution that only scratches the surface of the problem and doesn’t really make sense if you think about it. If you could work some place else for more money, why would you – oh, never mind. It works in Riverdale and that’s what matters.
One of the best things about this story – aside from the fact that Ronnie’s meatloaf has to be removed by a Hazmat crew – is that Parent has both girls learn something. And not only do they learn something, but they’re both open to learning. It’s a positive message put forth in a non-preachy way.
The rest of the comic is very similar to the tween and teen magazines it’s modeled after. Aside from the fact that they’re heavy on the illustration, light on text, any one of the remaining features would fit right in in American Girl, Discovery Girl, or Girls’ Life. Two of them are fashion spreads, with Betty and Veronica posing with different hairstyles, outfits, backpacks, and purses. Frankly they’re wearing better looking outfits than most stores are selling. Dan Parent makes them look stylish without being too outrageous.
The eight question quiz that helps readers determine their adaptability to change will probably be one of the most looked at pieces in the comic. Not only do people love taking quizzes about themselves, but it also has uber-cute spot illustrations of a changed Betty and Veronica.
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