Gulp! After 7 decades, Archie picks Veronica

Alas for poor Betty, sweet and loyal blond in comic book's triangle

After nearly seven decades of waffling, Archie Andrews has finally decided to end pop culture's most famous love triangle.

His bride-to-be? Snooty brunette Veronica Lodge.

Would it be her or the loyal, lovable blonde Betty Cooper? The issue was put to debate. The publishers have decided. Issue #600 will feature the long-time freckle-faced high-school klutz on bended knee with a ring in his hand. While Veronica screams out "Yes!" Betty stands wiping away a tear.

This relationship jolt leaves long-time readers of the checkout aisle comic a little lost. Wasn't Veronica forever going hot and cold on poor Archie? isn't her dad a rich "buttinsky" with strong control-freak tendencies? And wasn't sweet all-American blond Betty Cooper always there to pick up the pieces?

For those reasons, sentiment was running strongly in Betty's favour in the two weeks leading up to the pick, And it was running just as strongly on the side of proposal nullification. After all, Archie's been juggling dates for so long, he's probably not husband material.

"Why couldn't you wait until I was dead before you finally had him pick between the two?" 46-year-old fan, Valerie, wrote on the publisher's website.

In case you haven't checked for a while, Archie isn't 17 any more. He's now a college grad looking to explore vistas beyond Principal Weatherbee's office and the few last miles his jalopy can manage before backfiring her last.

But marriage? This is a big (REALLY BIG) step, And it immediately eliminates about 90 per cent of the narrative twists that have launched thousands of Archie stories.

"So is this the end of Archie Comics?" wrote another fan, Ebony, likely on a tear-streaked keyboard.

For those who fear that the magic is now gone, along with the eternal youth of all the kids at Riverdale High, there is some hope.

The title of Issue 600 is "Archie Marries Veronica, Part 1: The Proposal." That doesn't sound terribly definitive.

Could there be a Part II: Left at the Altar?

Or Part III: Betty Forgives, Again?

How about Part VII: What Happens at the Chocklit Shoppe Stays at the Chocklit Shoppe.

Thoughts? Betty or Veronica?