Betty and Veronica #209

A sunny beach volleyball match sets the scene for this breezy 2005 Archie Comics issue, with Betty and Archie on one side of the net facing a sharp-tongued Veronica and her partner on the other — a volleyball floating between them as the two girls exchange playful (if pointed) words about their pre-game ritual. The cover, penciled by Jeff Shultz and inked by Al Milgrom, captures that cheerful Riverdale energy perfectly, with the sand, surf, and swimsuits giving everything a warm summer glow. With writer Kathleen Webb's story "Chance Encounter!" waiting inside, this is a fun, lighthearted slice of Betty and Veronica at their competitive, friendship-testing best.