In Archie # 608 (May 2010), Archie began a relationship with Valerie Smith, making her Archie's first black girlfriend; previously, Archie Comics has been very hesitant to depict interracial romantic relationships. The Archies and Josie and the Pussycats were touring together. While rehearsing, Archie and Valerie secretly fell in love as they co-wrote the song More Than Words that described their feelings. Issue #609 revealed that this relationship had seeped into common knowledge by the end of the tour. Archie and Valerie were forced apart when the Pussycats were touring Europe without the Archies, but hoped to keep their relationship going.
Thanks for this article. Itt's like a really bad flashback. Not like IG'd know, actually. I remember these comics, though. My cousin had most of the Archies (only ones she owned) and I wound up with some Barney ones and I know I had Godo's Smuggler and Cross & Switchblade, but I have no idea where I would have gotten them.
Great article... brought back a lot of memories. My first Spire Comic was a copy of God's Smuggler that was given out as a freebie in Sunday School. Before long I had heaps of the old Spire Comics (both Archies and non-Archies) in my collection as a kid... even back then I knew they were kind of lame but I couldn't help myself, if I came across them in a store I'd buy'em up anyway. They were like passing a bad car crash on the highway; you couldn't help but look. I'm glad I'm not the only one who noticed Al Hartley's trademark three exclamation points at the end of nearly every sentence. Wow!!! That got annoying really quick!!!
Archie Comics, home of the world-famous band, The Archies, features Nick Cannon’s hit teen band, School Gyrls, in the upcoming issue, Archie #607. The story, “Gyrl Crazy,” follows Mandy Rain, Jacque Nimble, and Mo Money of the School Gyrls with Archie and the rest of the gang as they escape one close call after another! The exclusive issue hits shelves March 24th, 2010 and is free to download from iTunes starting March 23rd through the Archie News blog or by searching “Archie 607” in the iTunes store.
