Archie: Love Showdown 30th Anniversary [Special Edition] #[nn]
☆ Be the first to review + Add to your collection — Join freeThis 2023 special edition commemorates the 30th anniversary of the classic Archie storyline where Betty and Veronica's rivalry over Archie reaches a fever pitch, culminating in a dramatic showdown that involves the entire Riverdale gang, including Cheryl Blossom, Jughead, and Reggie. The collection reprints the original four-issue miniseries from 1993, capturing the love triangle tensions and high school drama that defined the era.
In "Love Showdown, Part 1 Chapter 1," Archie and the gang are lured to the Lodges’ ski lodge for a weekend of tension and tangled feelings—especially when Jughead pulls a surprising card with Jason Blossom, Cheryl’s brother and Betty’s unexpected admirer. Written and illustrated by Dan Parent, with inks by Mike Esposito, colors by Barry Grossman, and letters by Bill Yoshida, this 30th Anniversary Special Edition features classic designs by Dan DeCarlo and Henry Scarpelli on the cover.
When Reggie spins a prank about a mysterious letter meant for Archie, he accidentally sets off a full-blown rivalry between Betty and Veronica—each convinced the other is vying for Archie’s heart. With playful sabotage and escalating antics, the girls dive headfirst into a battle of wits and charm, all while the real mystery of the letter remains just out of reach.
In "Love Showdown, Part II," Veronica’s latest move takes a clever twist when she slips tickets to the Lodge Charity Ball—dated incorrectly—into Betty’s hands, hoping to sabotage Betty’s plans to ask Archie out. Now, with the date mismatched, Betty’s intentions hang in the balance, and Archie’s next move could be the one that tips the scales.
In "Love Showdown, Part III," Betty takes a bold new approach to win Archie’s attention—showing up at a party with a dazzling look meant to outshine Veronica. But when Veronica counters with her own brand of charm, turning the tables with a cozy, homey vibe, the rivalry takes a surprising turn.
Veronica, newly sharpened by Reggie’s mischief, pulls Betty away from Archie at Pops with a dazzling display of style and dance. With tempers flaring and pride on the line, the two rivals agree to a high-stakes showdown the next day—complete with fresh looks, their finest outfits, and super soakers at High Noon, winner take all.
In "Love Showdown Chapter 4 Part 2," the tension reaches a soaking climax as the girls unleash their water guns in perfect sync—only to accidentally drench Archie and Cheryl in the crossfire. With the truth behind the love letter finally revealed, Archie makes a surprising choice that shifts the balance of the rivalry.
In "Love & War (Part 1)" from Archie: Love Showdown 30th Anniversary [Special Edition], Betty and Veronica team up to fill Ethel and Midge in on the latest twist in the Archie/Cheryl romance. When Ethel tries to go undercover to uncover the truth, her efforts only stir up more chaos — and the gossip train’s just getting started.
In a twist of teenage chaos, Veronica’s plan to break up Archie and Cheryl backfires when she invites the gang to the Lodge ski lodge—only for Jughead to pull a surprise card: Jason Blossom, Cheryl’s brother and Betty’s secret admirer. The moment Archie sees Jason’s attention toward Betty, his jealousy flares, exactly as the girls had hoped.
In "Love and War (Part 3)" from Archie: Love Showdown 30th Anniversary [Special Edition], Archie’s latest romantic misstep sends the whole gang scrambling—Betty’s off with Jason, Cheryl’s paired with Reggie, and Veronica delivers a crushing verdict: call her when he’s grown up. The chaos unfolds in just five pages of classic teen drama, where hearts flutter and egos take hits.
In "Love and War (Part Four)" from Archie: Love Showdown 30th Anniversary [Special Edition], Archie wakes from a dream where his friends have grown up and moved on—leaving him behind—and finds himself with a second chance. As Betty and Jason’s relationship ends, Archie is on the verge of speaking to Betty when Savannah Smythe, a new student, walks into the scene, turning his attention in a whole new direction.
Cheryl Blossom is back in Riverdale, and she’s not just visiting—she’s bringing a movie crew with her, eager to turn the town’s most famous love triangle into a blockbuster. With the whole town buzzing, her return stirs up old tensions and new surprises as Riverdale prepares to be the spotlight of a Hollywood production.
In "Directions, Please," Betty and Veronica go head-to-head in a playful rivalry, each trying their own style to win Archie’s attention—Betty with homemade cookies and a classic charm, Veronica with a bold dress and a hint of perfume. When Archie shows up, their competing efforts lead to a chaotic, laugh-out-loud collision of plans and kitchen disasters.
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↩ Reprints Archie's Girls Betty and Veronica #91 (1963), Archie's Love Showdown Special #1 (1994), Archie #429 (1994), Betty #19 (1994), Betty and Veronica #82 (1994), Veronica #39 (1994), Cheryl Blossom Special #1 (1995), Betty and Veronica Spectacular #64 (2004), Archie & Friends #79 (2004), Betty & Veronica (Jumbo Comics) Double Digest #136 (2005), Betty & Veronica (Jumbo Comics) Double Digest #160
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