BETTY & VERONICA

In this Archie offshoot, BFFs Betty and Veronica encounter challenges throughout their senior year.

With blonde hair and an endless supply of curve-hugging clothes, plucky Betty Cooper is ready to spend her last year of high school with best friend Veronica Lodge, a raven-haired, wealthy beauty. Anticipating a year of fun, the girls face unexpected hardships both in and out of their relationship as they grapple with the idea of life beyond high school. While the girls’ problems may be relatable for some readers, their examination is superficial, playing out in an idealized version of yesteryear teen fare like Saved by the Bell; the story is pedestrian in its plotting, buoyed only by its emphasis on friendship. Despite this, those who enjoy sitcom-esque tropes and predictability may find something to enjoy in this volume that collects the first five issues of the series. The majority of the populace of Riverdale is white save for a smattering of characters in wide shots and underdeveloped secondary character Toni, a dark-skinned, purple-haired girl with a passion for science. The only named character who doesn’t have a tall, lithe physique is named Moose.

Niche escapism riffing on a well-worn formula.