This is not documentary related, but I had to share some news with you. My aunt was kind enough to cut out an article in her local newspaper about the "new" and apparently "dynamic" look Archie Comics created for Betty and Veronica. You know Betty and Veronica. Even if you don't have a stack of their comics in your closet like I do, you are familiar with the duo of perky, curvy teenagers who are best friends and bitter enemies over the affections of one Archie Andrews. Fix a picture of them in your mind. The faces are exactly the same but one is brunette and one is blond. They have round cherubic cheeks, big black eyes and sideways "v" noses. They are both innocent and sexy and they always wear cool clothes.

Okay. Ready for the new look?



Um, WTF?

Yeah, that's a whole new world of ugly right there. Where's the "good wholesome Betty" and the "snobby but glamourous Veronica"? Where's Betty's kindness yin to counter Veronica's selfish yang? These generic jailbait teenagers are okay as background art in someone else's comic, but as icons with legions of stupid fans like me? NO WAY MAN. Veronica's face... Veronica's face will haunt my dreams. That is past ugly - it is all the way into fugly. Who knew that if you tried to make Betty and Veronica sexier and more lifelike you would get this?

Now I've been with Archie comics a long time. Even as an adult I pick up the odd double digest just to keep in the loop and feel like a kid again. I understand the need to keep things fresh, because God only knows the trials and tribulations of Riverdale High can get pretty old. A few years ago they wrote a story arc where Jughead got over his fear of girls (or as I always assumed - his latent homosexuality) and acquired not one but two girlfriends. They also tried introducing a third girlfriend for Archie - a saucy redhead named Cheryl Blossom. These attempts at updating the tested chemistry between the main characters was appreciated for a time, but ultimately any new characters were pushed back into the either and life returned to normal. Archie Comics has stated that they are only trying the "new" Betty and Veronica for a few issues starting in May and will go back to the old look soon after. I hope so. I'm tempted to buy the new comics because they might be good collector's items but seriously, how could I bring myself to look at those tarts and think of my beloved Betty and Veronica?

What do you think? Is this a good look for the girls or a HORRIBLE HORRIBLE mistake that should be immediately rectified and forgotten forever? Go ahead and share your thoughts - no pressure.