Archie's Girls Betty and Veronica #43

A charming slice of 1959 teen life, this issue captures Betty lounging with a knowing grin while Veronica — hairbrush in hand — reacts with wide-eyed alarm to a bit of motherly wisdom about hand-holding. The cover banter, with Betty quipping that Veronica should have claimed "self defense" for holding Reggie's hand, perfectly sets the playful, witty tone that made this series a staple of the Archie line. Harry Lucey's pencils and Marty Epp's inks bring a warm, expressive energy to the girls' bedroom scene, and the banner proudly announcing monthly publication makes this a fun snapshot of the series hitting its stride.