If you haven't read the schedule for the next little while in this blog, just click on yesterday's entry. You'll see that for Saturday entries, it will be a completely random choice for topic selection.
And since I've already done a story about Reggie once this week, I thought I'd feature him in today's entry too. In fact, you might be in for a treat if you like the movie "Star Wars" because today's story combines Archie and Star Wars!
(Well, okay, the comic book changes it to Star Battles because "Star Wars" is copyrighted. But still, the character designs in the story pretty much tell you that it's Star Wars themed!)
Originally appearing in "Reggie and Me #104", this story is actually one of the most reprinted tales in the Archie library. I can't even begin to tell you the number of times this story has appeared in digest format, but I can definitely tell you that it appears in a number of high-profile books. It makes an appearance in "Archie Americana Series: Best of the Seventies", as well as "Archie's Spotlight Digest #6". And it also appears in "The Best of Archie Comics: Book Three" - where the scans for this story come from.
The story is called "Costume Caper", and Reggie is naturally dressed up as Darth Vader. Of course, Darth Vader's costume is black and Reggie's has a reddish tint to it...because of copyright infringement. But you know what? The artists of this story - Dan DeCarlo Jr. and Rudy Lapick - nailed the look perfectly! Since this story came out about a year after "Star Wars" was released in theatres, it makes sense for Riverdale High to have a masquerade ball and costume contest that is themed around the movie. Reggie seems to think that because he rented his costume from Hollywood that he has an edge in winning. And I can't say I blame him, as his costume looks wonderful.
But Reggie also understands that the competition will be fierce, and he sees Archie as being his biggest threat. Reggie watches in the distance as Jughead - who is dressed like Han Solo - opens the door for Archie. Archie is late getting to the party as he had to work a shift at his part-time job, but figures that he has enough time to shower before he changes into his costume. It makes me wonder what Archie plans to dress up as. Luke Skywalker? Chewbacca? Princess Leia?
Unfortunately, we'll never know, as Reggie decides to put his evil forces to the ultimate test. He not only steals Archie's costume, but his street clothes as well! Reggie takes delight in knowing that all Archie will have to wear is a towel. Wait, Reggie stole Archie's underwear and socks too? Man, that's hardcore!
Time passes and the masquerade ball is in full swing. It kind of makes me wonder if people are dancing to the same music that they play at the space cantina! I'd like to think so, anyway. But Jughead is concerned. Archie hasn't come out yet, and the contest is about to start. Jughead heads back towards the men's shower area in the gymnasium and sure enough he finds Archie - towel-clad and in a panic. Jughead and Archie seem to know that Reggie is involved and that he needs to be dealt with later, but right now Archie's main concern is getting out of the gym and getting back home without getting arrested for indecent exposure. Fortunately, Jughead spots something in the room that might give Archie a chance.
Yeah, Jughead's "hide from Ethel" garbage can costume just happens to be lying there at just the right time. Who says Archie comics don't use plot contrivance? But in this case, I think we all agree that having Archie in a trash can is much more family friendly than having Archie run around naked, so Archie dons the can which is a perfect fit.
And Jughead - proving what a good friend he is to Archie, even offers to shut the power off in the hallways of Riverdale High School so that Archie can sneak out without anybody noticing him. It's a good idea. But what Jughead doesn't realize is that when one tries to walk around in a trash can costume with a couple of small holes poked inside for vision, it reduces your vision even more when the lights are out. And once Archie steps into the darkened hallway, he has absolutely no idea where he is going. He thinks he finds the exit of the school, but he really runs into the school computer room where this happens...
Now, keep in mind that this story was written three years before the PC was invented, so when I say computer room, I mean those massive rooms where massive computers from the 1950s and 1960s were placed. So when Archie crashes into the room, a piece of the computer falls from the wall and lands right on top of Archie's head! It happens to be a perfect fit for the top of the trash can, so it stays wedged on top. But the impact causes Archie to lose his way even more, and he is literally stumbling around the hallway with no idea where he is going!
But before Mr. Weatherbee can get to Reggie's costume, guess who happens to come waddling out on stage?
Yep, the crowd goes wild over Archie's "made by accident" R2-D2 costume and Reggie can only watch in horror as Archie is declared the winner of the costume contest! We're not exactly sure what the grand prize is, but one of the prizes is a date with Veronica. Ah, so now it makes sense as to why Reggie wanted to knock Archie out of contention. Archie is left totally confused and he might even have a bit of a concussion after having a computer fall on top of him. But Jughead is quick on his feet and removes the computer, telling Archie to play along and enjoy the moment. Like I said before, Archie is lucky to have a best friend like Jughead.
Veronica, meanwhile, is blown away at the realistic costume that Archie put together and wonders how he came to settle on such an elaborate costume. I think Archie gets the best revenge by saying one line.
Now, I'd like to say that Reggie will have learned his lesson and that he will never bother Archie again. But come on...the "Star Wars" franchise has over ten films in it now. Just as Darth Vader came back in "The Empire Strikes Back", Reggie will strike back again. Mark my words on that one.
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