Archie Comics Digest #7

In "A Loan and Blue," Betty’s new dress steals the show at the Lodge mansion’s afternoon dance, but Veronica’s quick spill threatens to ruin the moment—just as the boys arrive. With a mix of playful rivalry and classic teen drama, the girls’ friendship takes a sly, stylish turn when a little blue stain becomes the center of attention.

In "Made for Trouble," Little Archie, fed up with a string of misfortunes, is startled when a demon appears with a bizarre offer: defeat his lifetime of troubles—personified as a dragon—and he’ll be trouble-free forever. With no time to think, Archie must face the monstrous embodiment of his bad luck in a battle that could change his fate.

In "Fish Tales," Jughead’s fishing trip takes a surprising turn when he reels in something unexpected, while Archie scores a small catch with a smelt. Veronica shows up with a pail of milk, claiming it’s the secret to catching catfish, and casually asks Jo about her fishing outfit.

Archie and the gang set sail on Mr. Lodge’s yacht for a fun-filled cruise, but a sudden hurricane forces them to abandon ship and strand them on a deserted island. With no help in sight, they’ll have to rely on their wits and each other to survive the wilds and find a way back home.

In "Think and Do," Betty insists that mental discipline is the key to staying cool during a sweltering heat wave, while Veronica proves that the real solution is diving into the pool—literally. The two take their differing approaches to the test, turning a simple summer day into a playful showdown of wit and splash.

In "Chip Off the Ol' Block!" from Archie Comics Digest #7 (1974), Little Archie balks at eating his fish until Fred spins a tale of a long-lost Andrews ancestor whose unexpected passion for fish played a surprising role in aiding American troops at Valley Forge. The story blends humor and history, weaving a lighthearted adventure around a family legend that might just change Little Archie’s mind—though whether it does is anyone’s guess.

In "SH Short Shorts," Archie Comics delivers five quick, silent gags that capture the humor of high school life with a quirky twist: Mr. Weatherbee’s TV is tucked inside a filing cabinet drawer, Archie’s abstract sculpture proudly bears an "R," his jalopy navigates tree tunnels, a record store flaunts a "Beatnik Spoken Here!" sign, and Jughead sips soda through a hole in his newspaper.

In "The Crusader," Betty’s sudden urge to be helpful sends the gang into panic mode—because, as everyone knows, her best intentions always spiral into chaos. To stop her, the group tries a drastic new tactic: deliberately being mean, hoping it’ll discourage her from trying to help again.

In "Danger at Cobb's Cavern," Archie, Reggie, Betty, and Veronica brave the unknown of a local cave despite Jughead’s warnings about landslides. When the ground gives way, the group is trapped inside, forcing Jughead to think fast and lead the way out.

In "Tipped and Topped! Part I," Betty puts a classic recipe to the test, aiming to win Archie’s favor with a homemade meal—only to find Veronica has her own take on the same advice. The humor unfolds as both girls try to outdo each other, each convinced their approach is the real secret to winning the heart of the boy they like.

In "Tipped and Topped! Part II," Betty and Veronica both try out a beauty tip from *Henrietta's Handy Hints on How to Hook Him!*—Veronica experiments with a new hairdo, hoping to catch Archie’s attention, but as always, he remains blissfully unaware. The humor shines in the girls’ competing efforts, all while Archie stays firmly in his own world.

In "Short Shorts," Jughead turns a "Wanted" poster into a prank with his signature mischief, Archie accidentally reels in Reggie’s swim trunks while fishing, and Mr. Weatherbee uses a "Think" sign as a makeshift fan—three quick, perfectly timed gags that capture the humor of small-town high school life.

In "Poor Little Rich Whirl," Betty’s envy of Veronica’s wealth takes a surprising turn when Veronica invites her for an overnight stay to flaunt her privilege and win Archie’s favor. But when Betty calls home and shares heartfelt moments with her parents, Veronica finds herself unexpectedly longing for the kind of family closeness she rarely experiences.