ARCHIE COMICS FOR AUGUST

ARCHIE #578

Written by George Gladir, Bill Golliher and Craig Boldman, art by Stan Goldberg.

"Zero Hero": Inspired by extreme skateboard star Tony Eagle and looking to help Pop Tate increase business, Archie persuades Pop Tate to open a "skateboard wing" of the Choklit Shoppe! "A 'Tax'-ing Situation": Cast your vote for hilarity: Mr. Andrews and Mr. Cooper sit on different sides of the fence when a new property tax to fund parks is proposed, so both of them run for town council! "A Trust Thing": Claiming it's trust that keeps him and Veronica together, Archie can't help but be "helpful" to the new girl in school. But can he "trust" the new girl's boyfriend with Veronica?

32 pages, $2.25, in stores on Sept 5.

ARCHIE & FRIENDS #112

Written by Mke Pellowski, art by Stan Goldberg.

The full-throttle sequel to Betty Cooper's race-track debut! "Crash Course": The wheel screeching action never stops as the saga of radical teen racer Betty Cooper and the Lodge Racing Team pit crew continues! Fresh from her thrilling victory lap in the pages of Archie #572, Betty once again dons her racing duds and puts the pedal to the metal Danica Patrick style!

32 pages, $2.25, in stores on Aug. 15.

ARCHIE DIGEST #237

Written by George Gladir and various, art by Pat Kennedy and various.

"The Big Rescue": A day at the beach is anything but for Archie as he plays pack mule for the girls while they entertain surfers and lifeguards! Will Archie get his day in the sun with the girls, or will the tide wash all his hopes away? Plus: Other new and classic tales! Bonus: Puzzles, games and pin-ups!

Digest format, $2.49.

ARCHIE'S DOUBLE DIGEST #182

Written by Angelo DeCesare and various, art by Fernando Ruiz and various.

"Ghost of the Coast": When Mr. Lodge flies the gang to a small beach community he vacationed at as a child, the teens get lost and soon find themselves in an abandoned part of town. Could it be a literal "ghost town," or is it just the kids' imaginations that are haunted? Plus: Other new and classic tales! Bonus: Puzzles, games and pin-ups!

Digest format, $3.69, in stores on Sept. 5.

BETTY & VERONICA SPECTACULAR #79

Written and art by Dan Parent.

"High School Switcheroo!": To offer a taste of variety, foster new interests and develop hidden talents, Riverdale High switches each student's elective courses. We're sure savvy Betty will do fine studying corporate business, but can pampered Veronica possibly handle "domestic living?"

32 pages, $2.25, in stores on August 22.

BETTY & VERONICA DIGEST #177

Written and art by various.

Bright and brassy, bold and beautiful, blonde and brunette -- teen dream queens Betty & Veronica romp through this collection of new stories and classic tales! Bonus: Puzzles, games and pin-ups!

Digest format, $2.49, in stores on August 8.

BETTY & VERONICA DOUBLE DIGEST #154

Written by Melanie J. Morgan and various, art by Steven Butler and various.

The explosive conclusion of a special four-issue saga featuring Riverdale's favorite teens in a whole new look! "Bad Boy Trouble Part 4": It all comes down to this: the months and months of debate over and media coverage surrounding Betty and Veronica's new looks culminate in a climactic conclusion as the "Bad Boy Trouble" saga draws to a close! The world will finally learn whether rough-and-tumble Nick St. Clair is a true "wild hog" on a souped-up cycle, or merely a misunderstood Romeo worthy of Veronica's affections. You won't want to miss the heart-thumping answer, so be sure to reserve your copy of this much-anticipated issue, drawn in an all-new realistic style that has everyone talking! Plus: Other new and classic tales! Bonus: Puzzles, games and pin-ups!

Digest format, $3.69, in stores on August 22.

JUGHEAD #184

Written by Craig Boldman, art by Rex Lindsey.

"The Right Moves": After breaking one of Mr. Lodge's prized crystal chess pieces, Jughead goes on a quest to find a replacement, and ends up being used as a "pawn" himself! "The Expert": When a virus knocks out the school's top competitors, Jughead is called upon to fill in ­ with the promise of food, he can accomplish anything! "The Chip Whisperer": Jughead convinces Reggie that corn chips talk to him... after all, a free burger is at stake!

32 pages, $2.25, in stores on August 29.

JUGHEAD'S DOUBLE DIGEST #133

Written and art by various.

It's double-decker sandwiches and double-trouble as the irrepressible Jughead tilts the laugh-o-meter in this uproarious collection of new stories and classic tales! Bonus: Puzzles, games and pin-ups!

Digest format, $3.69, in stores on August 8.

SONIC THE HEDGEHOG ARCHIVES #5

Written by Angelo DeCesare, Mike Kanterovich and Ken Penders, art by Dave Manak and Art Mawhinney, cover by Spaz.

The new series that lets fans relive classic Sonic stories continues! Volume 5 presents issues #17 through #20 of Sonic's ongoing comic book series in a special 5 x 7 inch edition. Each story is meticulously restored and printed on high-grade paper, so you can feel like you're zipping right alongside the cobalt champion as he saves Knothole Village! This action-packed edition features the first... and last appearance of Julayla, an early, important influence in Sonic mythology! Stories include: "Gorilla Warfare/The Apes of Wrath" and "Sally's Crusade Part 1: First Star I See Tonight" (issue #17), "Wedding Bell Blues" and "Sally's Crusade Part 2: In the Still of the Night" (issue #18), "Night of a Thousand Sonics" (issue #19), "That's the Spirit" and "Deadliest of the Species: Prologue" (issue #20).

112 pages, $7.49, in stores on Sept. 5.

SONIC X #23

Written by Ian Flynn, art by Tracy Yardley, cover by Spaz. "Hedgehogging Their Bets": Ever since he came to Earth, Sonic has been saving the day and becoming a worldwide hero! But not everyone is happy with our hedgehog's heroics - and they're going to do something about it! What is this alliance of evil bent on Sonic's destruction, and where have we seen its members before? Can Sonic unravel the mystery before it is too late?

32 pages, $2.25, in stores on August 15.

SONIC THE HEDGEHOG #179

Written by Ian Flynn, art by Tracy Yardley and Jim Amash, cover by Spaz.

"House of Cards Part 2 of 2": It was civil war before - now it's personal! The long-lasting friendship between Sonic and Tails has reached its breaking point! Can Sonic do what's needed to end the hostilities? Meanwhile, Tails' parents make their move, but how far will they go? On the flip side, how far will young King Elias go to protect his kingdom? The world of Sonic and his friends will never be the same!

32 pages, $2.25, in stores on August 22.

SABRINA THE TEENAGE WITCH #87

Written and art by Tania Del Rio.

"A New Leaf": To complete her Four Blades mission, Sabrina must get some dead leaves from the dying Mana tree... and that means a trip to the mysterious floating island of Sylphanari! Not wanting to go this perilous journey alone, Sabrina takes Harvey along. Getting alone time together does wonders for their relationship... until they run into Shinji's girlfriend Hemlock, that is! On top of that, there are no fallen Mana leaves in sight... and the eerie fox-man Vosblanc is on hand as well! It's more thrilling romantic intrigue as only Sabrina can deliver it!

32 pages, $2.25, in stores on August 8.

TALES FROM RIVERDALE DIGEST #23

Written and art by Fernando Ruiz and others.

Guest-starring nearly every teen in the Archie Universe! "Civil Chores Part Two": Last issue, the world of Riverdale was rocked when Archie decided to go on strike claiming there was no equity between his chores and his allowance. Before too long, the other teens in town chose sides... but when the other side is headed by Veronica and Reggie, watch out! They only want to maintain their status as Riverdale's richest teens, but when Jughead joins their side for his own ulterior motives, it turns everything upside down! As the story continues, the rest of Riverdale's fabled teens will choose sides... and you'll be surprised at not only who turns up but which side they choose! What will be the outcome? Whatever it is, we wouldn't be surprised if the crowned-one has the last laugh! Who are the guest-stars? Plus: Other new and classic tales! Bonus: Puzzles, games and your pin-ups!

Digest format, $2.49, in stores on August 29.

VERONICA #183

Written by Dan Parent and Mike Pellowski, art by Dan Parent.

"Madame President": Cast your vote for hilarity when Veronica decides to run for class president! "Camera Shy": When the Lodge mansion is profiled on TV's "Rich Folks' Cribs," Mr. Lodge insists that Archie stay off the premises ­ never realizing he's there all the while!

32 pages, $2.25, in stores on Sept. 5.