Pep #159

A girl in a polka-dot top has completely taken over a telephone booth — settled in on the floor, chatting away without a care in the world — while a frustrated Archie stands outside with his arms crossed and Jughead delivers the deadpan verdict: "Archie, something tells me you've got a long wait for that phone!" This 1962 Archie Series gem captures the gang's everyday humor with breezy confidence, thanks to Dan DeCarlo's endlessly expressive linework (inked by Rudy Lapick, lettered by Vincent DeCarlo) bringing the comedy to life before you even open the cover. If you have a soft spot for the charm of early-'60s Riverdale, Pep #159 is a delightful snapshot of that era at its most fun.