ARCHIE COMICS FOR JANUARY

ARCHIE #605

Written by Michael Uslan, art by Stan Goldberg.

"Archie Marries Betty: Happily Ever After": Now that you've witnessed the engagement and wedding of Archie and Betty, prepare for the next stage of married life: parenthood! Of course, you haven't really had a taste of parenthood until you've seen it done Archie-style! Can Archie get through Lamaze class without causing a commotion? Never mind that ­ can he make it through the actual birth without full scale panic? Mixed in with the patented Archie humor is the heartwarming reaction among the new grandparents, friends and faculty. And let's just say there's a big surprise in store for the happy couple! But that's not the only surprise in Riverdale ­ just wait until you see the job Archie gets, and who ends up with whom among Archie and Betty's friends... not to mention yet another surprise wedding! When it comes to Riverdale, the surprises never end! With a script by famed movie producer Michael Uslan and art by legendary artist Stan Goldberg, this is sure to be one of the most talked-about Archie issues of all time.

32 pages, $2.50, in stores on Jan. 27.

ARCHIE & FRIENDS #139

Written by Alex Simmons, art by Dan Parent.

"Summer Spring Show": When Betty and Veronica babysit a girl named Summer, they're in for a really big show... and they're the stars! Summer is a "showbiz kid" with a flair for the theatrical, and she literally shines the spotlight on Betty and Veronica as she engages them in interactive skits, songs and more! Summer was the winner of the special contest at this year's Kids' Comic Con. Time Out New York Magazine's Time Out Kids web page held a poll where kids were asked who their favorite comic book characters are, with the grand prize being the chance to be drawn into an Archie comic book! Summer chose Betty and Veronica... and now, just like her faves, Summer is a part of comic book history!

Plus: "Moose & Me": When the gal pals get together for some girl talk, they compare each others' boyfriends, leading Midge to introduce her friends to "the real Moose!"

32 pages, $2.50, in stores on Jan. 13.

ARCHIE DIGEST #261

Written by George Gladir, Mike Pellowski and various, art by Tim Kennedy, Bob Bolling and various.

"Snow Woe": A snow day means no school, but Archie's cheers soon turn to chills when his dad turns down the thermostat! "Blood Line": Everyone knows Archie is a good sport... but is he as good an athlete as his dad was? Plus: Other new and classic tales! Bonus: Puzzles, games and pin-ups!

88 pages, $2.69, in stores on Feb. 3.

ARCHIE'S DOUBLE DIGEST #205

Written by Tim Kennedy and George Gladir, art by Pat Kennedy, Jeff Shultz and Bob Bolling.

"The Return of Ronald the Rubber Boy": Originally seen in the pages of Archie's Madhouse, Ronald had the bad habit of swallowing chewing gum. He swallowed so much gum that he began to take on its elastic properties, making him the goofy teenage equivalent of some famous super-stretchy guys! Now he's back and bouncier than ever, in a tale that's sure to stretch your funny bone! "The Pro": Archie looks just like a famous snowboarder who's popular with the ladies... and he aims to meet those ladies by pretending to be that snowboarder! "Down Memory Lane": Archie reminisces about the love triangle throughout the years and how Betty & Veronica have always competed for him! Plus: Other new and classic tales. Bonus: Puzzles, games and pin-ups!

176 pages, $3.99, in stores on Jan. 13.

BETTY #184

Written by Hal Lifson and Bill Golliher, art by Stan Goldberg.

"Betty at Beverly Hills High School": Betty gets an opportunity to see how students in "The Golden State" live when a student exchange program sends her to California! Unlike Riverdale High, glitzy Beverly Hills High feels more like a movie than a high school, with students decked out in the latest fashions, shades and accessories. Betty also loves the focus on athleticism and competition, and trains for the track team with her new friend Olympia. She also gets to see some of the sights, including Rodeo Drive. All we can say is: Veronica Lodge, eat your heart out! "No Room to Talk": When Betty and Jughead spend the weekend helping Archie organize his room, they learn the true meaning of "organized chaos!" "Kidding Around!": Betty babysits a girl named Emily, but with Emily's energy and imagination, Betty does anything but "sit"!

32 pages, $2.50, in stores on Feb. 3.

BETTY & VERONICA DIGEST #201

Written by Mike Pellowski and various, art by Jeff Shultz and various.

"Green Machine": Veronica decides to "go green" ­ as long as it means she can spend "green" on new eco-accessories! "Famous Name Game": The girls contemplate what it would be like to be pro athletes... except Veronica, who sees pro sports in a more monetary light! Plus: Other new and classic tales! Bonus: Puzzles, games and pin-ups!

88 pages, $2.69, in stores on Jan. 27.

JUGHEAD #199

Written by Craig Boldman, art by Re Lindsey.

Trula Twyst returns with her most cleve scheme ever! Jughead's nemesis Trula Twyst sets out to prove her thesis that there's only room for one Jughead in Riverdale ­ by becoming another Jughead! Who will be the last Jug standing? Trula's unique fascination with and conflicted feelings toward Jughead come to the fore in this tale that threatens to spin the Jughead mythos on its crowned beanie!

32 pages, $2.50, in stores on Jan. 20.

JUGHEAD'S DOUBLE DIGEST #157

Written by George Gladir, Mike Pellowski and various, art by Pat Kennedy, Tim Kennedy and various.

"Ugly Dog Contest": Things are about to get ugly... really ugly... when an ugly dog contest hits Riverdale! "Cold Case": An ice skating outing gets a "chilly" reception from Jughead, who is freezing from crown to toes! Plus: Other new and classic tales! Bonus: Puzzles, games and pin-ups!

176 pages, $3.99, in stores on Jan. 27.

PALS ŚN' GALS DOUBLE DIGEST #138

Written by Melanie J. Morgan and various, art by Tod Smith, Al Milgrom and various.

"A Funny Kind of Love Part Four": Beautiful and bright Bernadette Brownlee has had a rocky romance with Riverdale's resident wise guy, Reggie! Bernadette has seen another side of Reggie ­ as a charismatic, convincing orator. She would much prefer Reggie to pursue a spot on the debating team instead of fame, glory and laughs at the national stand-up comic search. But Reggie is committed to comedy, and this leads to a highly volatile breakup between the two! But Archie isn't convinced that Bernadette and Reggie are really through with one another, and he's determined to reach at least one of them. Will Archie's influence bring the pair back together, or will Reggie have the last laugh? Is Reggie's future with Bernadette truly open for debate? There's only one way to find out: reserve your copy of this thrilling conclusion to the most unexpected "New Look" yet! Rendered in the "realistic" art style that made Betty and Veronica's "Bad Boy Trouble" and "My Father's Betrayal," Jughead's "The Matchmakers," Moose and Midge's "Breakup Blues," and Archie and his friends' "Goodbye Forever" some of the most talked about Archie stories in recent years!

176 pages, $3.99, in stores on Jan. 20.

SONIC UNIVERSE #12

Written by Ian Flynn, art and cover by Tracy Yardley.

"Echoes of the Past Part Four of Four": This is it ­ the grand finale! Angel Island is about to be conquered, and our heroes are powerless to stop it, having been captured and at the mercy of the Dark Egg Legion! Will a last minute revelation save or doom our hapless heroes? It all ends with the fight you've been waiting for: Knuckles vs. Dr. Finitevus in a knock-down, drag-out, no holds barred ruckus! The explosive final chapter to Knuckles' return to the spin-off scene!

32 pages, $2.50, in stores on Jan. 20.

SONIC THE HEDGEHOG #209

Written by Ian Flynn, art and cover by Tracy Yardley.

"Iron Dominion Part Two": The Iron Queen is on the verge of total world domination, and only a handful of heroes are free to quell the threat! Sonic and Sally must brave the unknown to rescue one of their own, but at the risk of total annihilation! Meanwhile, Monkey Khan makes a grim decision, and only Tails can stand in his way to save the life of a Freedom Fighter! The stakes have never been higher in this pulse-pounding tale!

32 pages, $2.50, in stores on Feb. 3.

SONIC THE HEDGEHOG ARCHIVES #12

Written by Angelo DeCesare, Ken Penders and Kent Taylor, art by Dave Manak, Art Mawhinney, Ken Penders, Nelson Ortega and Manny Galan, cover by Patrick Spaziante.

The Sonic Archives series has emerged as one of Archie's best-selling trade paperbacks, as fans both new and old can relive the glory days of Sonic the Hedgehog in these high-quality, digitally-restored graphic novels, complete with all the classic Sonic stories from the 1990s! Now with Sonic Archives Volume 12, Sonic lovers can add issues 45-48 to their collections, stories which are almost impossible to come across now. And best of all, the colors are completely remastered to give the issues a brand new look! Stories include: "Guerilla Thriller": Everyone's favorite cave-bear, Mobie, returns... but he's unsuspectingly making a home for himself in the middle of a Robotnik stronghold! Can the Freedom Fighters warn him before it's too late? "Countdown to Armageddon": a sabbatical in the woods to reflect on recent events goes from relaxing to taxing as friendships are strained and loyalties questioned, setting up the dramatic events yet to come in the "Endgame" storyline. Guest-starring Lupe and the Wolf Pack from the animated series! "Endgame: Taking the Fall": The most talked-about Sonic saga ever unfolds as King Acorn vows to finish the war with Robotnik and regain the kingdom... but could he have predicted the enormous cost? The "death of Princess Sally" sent shockwaves through Sonic fandom, and now you can relive the events leading up to this milestone event. "Sonic the Fugitive": Not only has Sonic suffered a great loss in the passing of Princess Sally, he's also been framed for her murder! Now he must battle friend and foe alike as he seeks the real killer to clear his name! PLUS: The "Knuckles' Quest" saga continues, with the intrepid red echidna searching for answers to his origin and the mystery behind the Sword of Acorns.

112 pages, $7.95, in stores on Jan. 27.