Archie Comics Digest #80

When Archie agrees to cat-sit Mr. Weatherbee’s tabby Roscoe, a sudden escape sets off a frantic search across Riverdale. With help from his friends, Archie scrambles to find the real Roscoe amid a growing parade of lookalike cats—each one more convincing than the last.

In "The Numbers Game," Archie seeks help from Veronica with a tricky math problem involving improper fractions, setting off a playful chain of events. When Betty arrives to assist, her focus shifts from equations to Archie—only for Veronica to catch on and spark a lighthearted rivalry. The girls soon realize Archie has vanished, leading them on a search that ends with him lounging under a tree, his head in the lap of Dilton's striking cousin, who’s impressed by his answer.

In "Sculpture Scuffle," Veronica is all set to claim victory at the sand sculpture contest, but Betty’s intricate sand throne proves to be a formidable rival. When Reggie pulls a prank that leads Archie to accidentally ruin Betty’s work, the outcome takes an unexpected turn—though Veronica takes home the prize, it’s Betty who ends up with Archie’s attention.

In this playful six-page tale from *Archie Comics Digest #80* (1986), Betty takes a jab at Veronica, accusing her of having Archie trained like a puppy—always at her command. But as the day unfolds, it becomes clear that Archie’s loyalty isn’t one-sided, and Betty, too, finds herself unexpectedly under his quiet influence.

In "In a Lane Vein," Archie and Reggie, confident from past victories, decide to teach Betty and Veronica how to bowl—only to find themselves outshined when the girls effortlessly outperform them on the lanes.

In "The Escape Caper," Hot Dog finds himself in a sticky situation when he ducks into the park to evade the dog catcher, only to pretend he’s the well-behaved pet of an elderly woman. His cover starts to unravel when he accidentally flattens her tiny dog, leaving him scrambling to keep up the ruse.

In "Good Samaritan," Archie takes it upon himself to help two kids retrieve their ball from the back of a moving truck—only to find himself stranded inside when the vehicle starts up unexpectedly. With his usual mix of enthusiasm and misjudgment, Archie’s well-intentioned act quickly turns into a wild ride he never saw coming.

In "Happy Hallucination," Betty’s attempt to hide a crumpled fender on Archie’s car sets off a chain of small lies and frantic planning, all while she tries to keep Veronica in on the secret. With Archie’s return looming, the pressure mounts as Betty’s carefully laid plans begin to unravel.

In "Hired Girl," Betty takes on a surprising role by offering her services as a maid to her friends, turning the usual dynamics of the Riverdale gang on its head. Archie, seeing how the others are taking advantage of her, steps in with a thoughtful gesture that gives Betty a rare chance to step back and just be herself.

In "Nature Boy," Jughead sticks to his signature laid-back style, favoring worn clothes and easygoing vibes. When Archie and Veronica decide to back him by dressing down for a fancy garden party, the trio’s unexpected look turns heads and tests the limits of style and friendship.

Archie’s trying to win over Debbie by signing up for every class she’s in—only to discover her sudden move to Hawaii leaves him scrambling. A short, sweet, and bittersweet moment in the Archie universe, where teenage crushes and school life collide in a single, perfectly awkward week.