Betty & Veronica (Jumbo Comics) Double Digest #278

Betty and Veronica team up to find a gift for Archie that costs no more than five dollars, but their competing styles and the surprisingly high price of even the simplest presents make the challenge far trickier than they expected. Written by a team known for sharp humor, the story captures the classic rivalry and friendship between the two girls as they navigate a budget that’s tighter than their patience.

When Veronica’s Christmas tree starts acting strange, only Sabrina can see the truth: the tree is inhabited by Obadiah, a disgraced warlock trapped in wood after his magic got him banished. As holiday cheer clashes with ancient enchantment, Jo and the gang find themselves caught in a spellbound season of mischief and mystery.

Betty’s simple mail-order doll arrives with a surprise: two instead of one. Trying to return the extra only sets off a chain of increasingly absurd mishaps, as the dolls seem to multiply with every attempt to send them back.

In "The Weirder Side of the News," Archie’s attempt to try on a gorilla costume takes a wild turn when he spots a traffic officer about to ticket his car—leading him to bolt out of the shop still in full costume. Pursued by Betty, dressed as a jungle girl, the chaotic scene draws attention and unintentionally disrupts the getaway of two bank robbers.

In "From the Heart," Veronica wrestles with jealousy when she learns Archie favors Betty’s modest gifts over her own. Determined to outdo her rival, she splurges on a diamond-studded platinum knife at La Snobbe Shoppe—just for spreading caviar—then swaps gifts with Betty in a surprising twist.