World of Archie (Jumbo Comics) Double Digest #12
☆ Be the first to review + Add to your collection — Join freeIn "The Challenge," Archie stumbles upon a surprising side of Principal Weatherbee during an air show, where he learns the man once served as a heroic helicopter pilot in Vietnam—saving a fellow soldier at great personal cost. Written by Bob Bolling and illustrated by Bob Bolling with inks by Bob Smith, colors by Barry Grossman, and letters by Bill Yoshida, this heartfelt story reveals a hidden past that reshapes how the Riverdale students see their famously gruff principal. The cover by Fernando Ruiz and Rich Koslowski captures the moment with quiet intensity.
In "The Challenge," Betty Cooper and her classmates pitch wildly creative (and hilariously impractical) ideas to cut school costs during a brainstorming session led by Assistant Principal Sanchez. When Principal Weatherbee dismisses the suggestions as nonsense, Betty and the drama coach secretly share the footage with a state board member—only to find their chaotic antics have unexpectedly become a powerful tool in a real budget debate.
Archie Andrews is surprised when Mr. Weatherbee starts acting like a dad to the whole school, with everyone from Veronica to Moose calling him "Pop" and asking for life advice. When the chaos reaches a peak, the principal calls an assembly to reclaim his authority—only to accidentally send a sympathy card to Archie’s own father, Fred.
In a heartfelt twist on Riverdale’s usual antics, Archie uncovers a surprising past when he spies Mr. Weatherbee at an air show, sharing a quiet moment with Charlie Perkins. What starts as a lighthearted rumor about the principal’s limp and bald head turns into a moving revelation about his courage and sacrifice during the Vietnam War. As Archie pens his essay, the truth reshapes how the students see their longtime principal — not as a figure of jokes, but as someone whose quiet strength has shaped more than just school hallways.
Denny the Drifter rides his time machine into the past, armed with a Frisbee, fly spray, and a TV, determined to claim a legendary 200-pound pearl. His journey takes him through ancient trials, where he must outwit a pair of oddball conquerors and a mysterious figure named Moogaipan, all while trying to avoid a very real, very large, and unexpectedly personable Pearl.
In "Minstrels of Yore," The Archies trade their modern lives for a medieval adventure as a band of wandering minstrels, hired by Sir Lodge to clear his castle of rats—only for Jughead to discover his singing has a far more powerful effect than expected. When a horde of invaders threatens the castle, Sir Reggie vows to fight alone, but it’s Jughead’s music that ultimately turns the tide.
Jughead spins a wild tale to scare Archie away from dating, inventing outrageous names for his friends' boyfriends—like "Thunderbolt Blast" and "Killer"—just to keep things fun. But when Reggie catches on and starts flirting with the Exterminator’s girlfriend, the joke turns real, and the Exterminator himself might just be as dangerous as his name suggests.
When Archie Andrews unexpectedly wins a week-long stint as teen mayor of Riverdale, the town braces for chaos—until a surprise twist from Mr. Weatherbee and a surprisingly shrewd move by Stuart Smart turn the school administration on its head. With Betty, Reggie, Jughead, and the rest watching, Archie’s new role as superintendent sets off a chain of hilariously awkward decisions that test just how much power a single day can truly hold.
In "Veronica's Wonderful Life! Part 1," Veronica Lodge finds herself questioning her place in Riverdale after watching a holiday film that sparks a whimsical what-if: what if she’d never existed? The Sugarplum Fairy grants her a glimpse into a world where her absence reshapes everyone—her parents doting on cousin Leroy, her father’s wealth absent, and Archie seemingly happy with Cheryl Blossom. It’s a delightfully twisted holiday twist on familiar faces, all wrapped in a lighthearted, festive tale.
In a whimsical alternate world where she’s absent, Veronica finds herself navigating a surreal version of Riverdale where Betty is stuck in a stifling relationship with Reggie, Jughead’s charm has turned into a full-blown romance hustle, and the gang’s bonds have frayed under economic strain. As she witnesses how her absence reshapes everyone’s lives—some for better, some for worse—Veronica begins to wonder if her role in the group might be more meaningful than she ever realized.
When Mr. Lodge departs, he leaves his robot butler to guard the fridge and chaperone Archie and Veronica—only to find the real trouble comes from the unexpected chemistry between George and Veronica’s robot maid, Ginger. As the robots mimic human behavior, they quickly bond over shared interests, leaving the teens to navigate their own awkward moment in the kitchen.
Archie’s latest video game gets confiscated by Mr. Weatherbee, who’s fed up with budget cuts and desperate for funding. When Mrs. Sanchez mistakes the discarded games for entries in the school’s collectors’ show, a surprise buyer pays a fortune for the lot—leaving Mr. Weatherbee stunned and Archie with a rare two-day break.
When Josie, Pepper, and Melody get stranded in a snowy cabin during a ski trip, their adventure takes a bizarre turn when the enigmatic Great One appears—claiming dominion over the universe, including Earth. With the girls stunned and wondering if this is the end, Melody offers a sly reminder: it’s only the end of Part One.
Josie, Pepper, and Melody are put to work serving the Great One—aka the reclusive hermit Beaver, or Mysto—while he demands the cabin be fit for a conqueror. With the boys on the trail and the Great One growing increasingly impatient, the girls must outwit his illusions and keep them from discovering the truth before it’s too late.
Josie finds herself juggling two dates for the big dance—Albert and Alexander Cabot III—while her dad warns her about the chaos of double dating. With Pepper and Melody’s help, she keeps the boys distracted and dazzled, weaving a web of confusion that only gets more tangled when she scolds them for paying attention to other girls.
Josie and her friends keep up their playful antics, leaving Albert and Alexander Cabot III utterly baffled as they finally admit defeat and bond over their shared confusion. Neither boy knows the other had secretly planned a date with Josie, and the girls are having a blast watching the chaos unfold—especially when Pepper and Melody show up with someone neither of them expected.
Archie Andrews, Betty Cooper, and Reggie Mantle navigate the usual holiday chaos in this lighthearted tale, where Reggie’s last-minute gift for Jughead—handed over with a grin and a shrug—might not be quite what the big guy was hoping for. It’s a small moment of humor and heart, with the usual mix of teasing and good-natured camaraderie that defines their friendship.
In "Season's Greetings," holiday cheer takes a mischievous turn when Reggie Mantle seizes the chance of mistletoe to sneak a kiss from Midge. Moose Mason, already on edge, isn't amused—especially when Archie calmly reminds him that Christmas isn’t the time for violence. With a mix of holiday spirit and playful spite, Moose decides to let a rigged gift do the work for him.
Archie Andrews is on a mission to deliver Mr. Weatherbee’s lunch to the principal’s office, but the moment he picks up the tray, the principal’s mind spirals into chaos. As Weatherbee summons the nurse, the custodian, Miss Grundy, and even Professor Flutesnoot in a panic, Archie navigates the hall with surprising precision—only to face the ultimate test of lunch delivery.
Betty Cooper’s latest musical experiment lands her in the middle of a band debate when she swaps her tambourine for a banjo—only to find her new instrument isn’t quite her forte. Reggie Mantle’s honest opinion earns him a swift reminder of the banjo’s true purpose, leaving the rest of the Archies caught between laughter and sympathy.
Archie’s holiday spirit is strong, but his cold’s got him sounding less caroler and more like a foghorn—so when the gang plans to carol for the senior center, Reggie suggests he stay out of the spotlight. But when the others insist Archie be part of the performance, Reggie brings him back with a muffler wrapped tight across his mouth, turning a simple tune into a hilariously muffled mystery.
Archie Andrews tries to outsmart the holiday rush by shopping early, but a maze of long lines, sold-out gifts, and confusing sales tactics leave him more stressed than festive. With Dilton Doiley’s over-the-top preparations and Jenna’s calm perspective, Archie’s quest for a simple gift becomes a chaotic comedy of errors.
When Ms. Beazly prepares her legendary cafeteria meal the day before Christmas vacation, Archie and Jughead worry she’ll be lonely—especially since she has no family. Jughead invites her to join his household for dinner, only to learn she’s already planning something far more meaningful: a special holiday feast at the Riverdale Rescue Mission, where her cooking brings joy to others every year.
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Reprints
↩ Reprints She's Josie #11 (1965), Reggie's Wise Guy Jokes #11 (1970), Jughead #214 (1973), Mad House / Madhouse / Madhouse Comics #101 (1976), Archie and Me #82 (1976), Archie Giant Series Magazine #454 (1977), Life with Archie #182 (1977), Everything's Archie #71 (1978), Life with Archie #211 (1980), Everything's Archie #113 (1984), Archie and Me #154 (1985), Everything's Archie #121 (1986), Archie's Pals 'n' Gals Double Digest Magazine #52 (2000), Veronica #108 (2001), Archie's Pals 'n' Gals Double Digest Magazine #99 (2006), Archie Comics Digest #229 (2006), Archie Comics Digest #230 (2007), Archie (Jumbo Comics) Double Digest #223 (2011)
Reprinted in World of Archie (Jumbo Comics) Double Digest #65 (2017), World of Archie (Jumbo Comics) Double Digest #81 (2018)
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