James Allen News Center

For more than 67 years, comic book fans have witnessed the endless dilemma plaguing protagonist Archie Andrews – who should he pick, blonde Betty or dark-haired Veronica? Now fans can finally let out a huge sign of relief (or disbelief), because the famous comic redhead teen has made a decision. In the first installment of a six-part series due to hit newsstand on September 1st, Archie presents an engagement ring to Veronica. That`s right, he went with the brunette.

"there`s very few things that I can ever think of that will trump this type of event," says Happy Harbor Comics owner, Jay Bardyla, "Especially something that`s of characters that are known by so many people."

Tim Lasiuta, a comic book historian, described the marriage as "a bold step" to create a buzz among Archie devotees.

Indeed the marriage comes as a surprise to most longtime fans, expecting Archie`s decision to go on indefinitely. Many are surprised that he chose Veronica over Betty.  Fan marc Desgagne said "To be honest, it would have been Betty for me, because she was more down to earth compared to Veronica."

The covers of the second and third issues have already been released as a teaser. One shows Archie and Veronica at the altar and the other shows the couple and their two children celebrating Christmas.

Archie's first appeared in Pep Comics #22 on December 22, 1941. He and the Riverdale Gang - Betty Copper, Veronica Lodge, Reggie Mantle and Forsythe "Jughead" Jones - were created by publisher/editor John L. Goldwater, written by Vic Bloom and drawn by Bob Montana.