Swimsuit Girls of Comics: Betty and Veronica

The 2011 Sports illustrated swimsuit issue was released earlier this month and it seems to have inspired the folks at Archie Comics to come up with their own swimsuit themed comic book cover. Sports Illustrated usually selects just one model for their cover, but Archie Comics chose both Betty and Veronica to appear in skimpy bikinis on the cover of Betty and Veronica #251. Archie Andrews could never choose between Betty and Veronica and I guess the folks at Archie couldn't choose either. ...MORE>>>

Some say that the cover of Betty and Veronica #251 is the sexiest comic book cover that Archie Comics has ever created. I've seen a lot of Archie comic covers and I would have to agree. Of course, other main stream comic book companies like Marvel and DC go places that Archie Comics would never go, but for Archie Comics, this is historic. Take a look...

In my opinion, Archie Comics didn't stray too far from their typically tasteful way of presenting characters. Yes. It's slightly provocative. And, yes. It's definitely got a pin-up girl look and feel too it. But, that's not a first for Archie Comics. What makes it the sexiest cover created by Archie comics to date is the quality of the art.

In almost all comic books that Betty and Veronica appear in, you'll see them sporting skimpy bikinis or other sexy attire designed to accentuate their female anatomies. Archie Comics has been tastefully doing this since the 1940's and it's always done in a cute-sy sort of way. Of course, Betty and Veronica aren't the only swimsuit girls of comics, but I would be willing to bet that they've appeared in swimsuits more than any other comic book characters in history. After all, they've been doing it since the Golden Age of comics.

The Early Years

In the early years. Betty and Veronica didn't appear in bikinis and skimpy swimsuits nearly as much as they did in the 60's and beyond. but they did frequently appear in other skimpy outfits and tight clothing that accentuated they're anatomies...

Enter the Bikini

The popularity of bikinis in society flooded the pages of Archie comic books with Betty and Veronica swimsuit scenes. From the 1960's onward, the bikini became a staple wardrobe piece for Betty and Veronica and they regularly appeared in skimpy bikinis year round. And, of course, they still do today.

The Other Half of the Wardrobe

Of course, swimsuits aren't the only clothes Betty and Veronica wear. You'll also see them in other tight clothing and skimpy outfits that accentuate their female anatomies....

Why are Betty and Veronica presented this way? Well, these are comic books about pubescent teenagers designed for an audience of mostly pubescent teenage readers. The artists might be a little perverted too. Plus, Archie Andrews needs something nice to look at. After all, the poor guy's been puberty stricken since the 1940's. But, most importantly, Betty and Veronica are the ideal teenage girls living in an ideal world where everything is great and nothing bad ever happens. So, why wouldn't they be presented this way?

Anyway, while Betty and Veronica are perfect teenage girls living in a perfect world, they're stuck with some pretty imperfect nerdy dudes. I give you Archie and Jughead...

While Jughead is mostly concerned with eating burgers all day, Archie has his hands full with his two love interests, Betty and Veronica. They think Archie's a dream.

Betty, Veronica, and Archie and Love Triangle

Now, wait a minute!

How in the world does a red-headed, freckled face nerd have two hot chicks constantly competing for him? Sure, he might be a nice guy. But, lets face it. That would never happen in the real world. Looks like Archie has the perfect little thing going in comic land.

Well, at least Archie's appearance has improved since he first appeared in comics. Take a look at Archie on these covers from the Golden Age...

They probably should have named him Bucky, instead. What's up with those teeth? Anyway, to be fair, Archie isn't really that terribly nerdy anymore. He just started out that way.

Enter Cheryl Blossom

While Archie Comics had numerous swimsuit girls come and go throughout the years, none made as big of a splash as a new character they introduced in 1982. Cheryl Blossom, a stunningly hot sex bomb of a redhead, made her first appearance in Betty and Veronica #320 in a story entitled, Dare to be Bare. I used the words sex bomb to describe her for good reason as you'll shortly see.

The story starts out with Betty and Veronica hanging at the beach as they typically do on a sunny summer day. And, along comes Cheryl...

Cheryl Blossom - Dare To Be Bare from Betty and Veronica #320

Cheryl Blossom - Dare To Be Bare from Betty and Veronica #320

Of course, we never did get to see the true glory of Cheryl's physique, but her introduction was definitely memorable, to say the least. Here's the fashion page from the same issue...

Cheryl Blossom

Cheryl was considered a little too sexy for Archie readers at that time. The sex bomb in that issue caused an explosion of complaints from parents of readers, so, she disappeared from the world of Archie for a short stint. But, she did come back and became serious competition fot Betty and Veronica, much to their disliking. The Archie love triangle would suddenly become square.

Cheryl definitely had a MAJOR impact on the world of Archie. But, she has yet to compare to what Betty and Veronica have brought to the table over the last 70 years. Cheryl is a swimsuit girl, but she's not not yet in the same league as Betty and Veronica. Sure. She had her sex bomb of an introduction and she sizzles the pages of Archie Comics with her red hot antics and appearance. But, to become a true swimsuit girl of comics will require a few more years, at least.

Betty or Veronica?

For Archie and Archie comics fans, it always comes down to one question. Who will it be? The blonde bombshell Betty Cooper. Or, the lovely brunette babe, Veronica Lodge.

Well. not too long ago, Archie made his decision at last....

In reality, Archie's decision to marry Veronica happens in the future - 10 years from now. So, technically, Archie hasn't made a decision just yet. And, writers for Archie Comics say that the future isn't carved in stone and that it can change at any time. So, Veronica has not closed the deal just yet. But, I agree with the future Archie's decision tp choose the lovely...

And, why not? Veronica might be Wonder Woman too...

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