ARCHIE COMICS FIRST LOOKS: ANGELO DECESARE

Writer Angelo DeCesare talks about Archie Double Digest #199, due in stores on June 3.

Question: How did you become an Archie writer?

DeCesare: A friend recommended me to an Archie editor, who assigned me a Little Archie story. Victor Gorelick liked what I did and gave me more assignments.

Question: How do you make sure the eternal triangle between Archie, Betty and Veronica is still fresh and exciting?

DeCesare: I think that the eternal triangle renews itself with each new generation of Archie readers. Archie Comics does a great job of distributing the books around the world, and Victor, Mike and the other editors (and us writers) make sure that the stories reflect modern teenage life, as much as possible. So the freshness is always there.

Question: In Archie Double Digest #199, Archie gets a boat. What type of boat is it?

DeCesare: If you're referring to one of my stories, it's probably a simple motorboat. I go to Maine every year to visit family, some of whom are lobstermen (not the sci-fi kind). I've learned to share their love of boating and that's reflected in some of the stories I've written.

Question: Is Archie a good skipper?

DeCesare: Archie is a good skipper if you mean skipping his chores. If you mean driving a boat, I'm sure he does that Archie-style, so wear your life jacket!

Question: What do Betty & Veronica think about Archie new hobby?

DeCesare: Betty wouldn't mind being stranded in a motorboat with Archie, while Veronica would rather get Archie alone on Mr. Lodge's yacht.