Bad Boy Trouble
Encyclopedia
"Bad Boy Trouble" is an American
comic book
story by writer Melanie J. Morgan and artists Steven Butler
and Al Milgrom
that was originally serialized in Betty & Veronica Double Digest # 151-154. The story features Betty and Veronica (and other Archie Comics
characters), and is notable because of its length (at approximately 100 pages, much longer than most Archie Comics stories) and because it was the first of an occasional series of Archie Comics stories drawn in a more realistic style. Also unusual for Archie Comics, the story was collected into a trade paperback edition within a month after the original serialization was completed.
This story was adapted from a Riverdale High novel written by Michael Pellowski. The novel was titled Bad News Boyfriend and was published in 1991.
The next story using the more realistic character designs was The Matchmakers, serialized in Jughead's Double Digest
# 139-142. It is also based on a Riverdale High novel (It's First Love, Jughead Jones by Michael Pellowski and John L. Goldwater
). A third story in this vein, titled Break-up Blues (and based on the Riverdale High novel The Big Breakup), was released in Pals 'n' Gals Double Digest #125-128.
Two more of the realistic style stories were made, the first called Goodbye Forever and the second, A Funny kind of Love.
, Veronica
, and Midge
go to watch a movie where they meet Nick St. Clair, a smooth-talking teenage biker
nephew of the Anderson family. He had recently moved in with his aunt and uncle due to trouble at his previous high school in New Jersey
. Betty and Midge are suspicious of Nick (because he sneaks into the movie theater), yet Veronica is interested. Nick learns Veronica is wealthy, and they go for a joy ride on his motorcycle. Betty and Midge return to the Lodge Mansion to tell Mr. Lodge
what happened to Veronica. Nick and Veronica return hours later, and Nick drops her off without a word. Mr. Lodge forbids Veronica from bringing Nick to the Lodge Mansion. She insists that nothing happened. She recounts the story to her friends after Mr. Lodge leaves the room. They had went to a pizzeria where several other bikers mocked Nick and tried to hit on Veronica. Nick fights them, and one of the bikers breaks his hand when punching Nick's helmet. Midge then warns Veronica that she can't juggle Archie
and Nick forever. Veronica gives up Archie in order to be with Nick.
class with them, where he is disruptive. Because Archie tells on him, Nick is sent to the principal's office. Nick is also thrown out of history class for talking to Veronica. Veronica and Nick try to join Archie, Chuck
, Nancy
, Midge, Betty, Jughead
, and Dilton
at lunch, but only Betty and Jughead will sit with him. Nick later flirts with Betty, who tells him she is not interested.
Nick's rude behavior continues for weeks, but Veronica chooses to ignore it.
to write the essay for him. Archie tries to stop Nick, and Coach Clayton
offers to let them fight in a boxing ring as long as they keep it secret. Archie fights well, causing Nick to fight dirty. Coach Clayton declares Archie the winner after two rounds.
The next day, Reggie tells Archie and Betty that Nick finally realized what true friendship is about. Unfortunately, Nick was caught cheating on his essay and Ms. Grundy failed him. Nick is sent to military school as punishment, but decides he wants to go so he can get straightened out. Nick admits to Veronica what he has been doing, and Veronica and Betty forgive each other.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
comic book
Comic book
A comic book or comicbook is a magazine made up of comics, narrative artwork in the form of separate panels that represent individual scenes, often accompanied by dialog as well as including...
story by writer Melanie J. Morgan and artists Steven Butler
Steven Butler
Steven Butler is a comic book artist. He is known both for penciling the Archie Comics series Sonic the Hedgehog as well as creating new designs for Archie characters in 2007.-Career:...
and Al Milgrom
Al Milgrom
Allen "Al" Milgrom is an American comic book writer, penciller, inker and editor, primarily for Marvel Comics. He is known for his 10-year run as editor of Marvel Fanfare; his long involvement as writer, penciler, and inker on Peter Parker, the Spectacular Spider-Man; his four-year tenure as West...
that was originally serialized in Betty & Veronica Double Digest # 151-154. The story features Betty and Veronica (and other Archie Comics
Archie Comics
Archie Comics is an American comic book publisher headquartered in the Village of Mamaroneck, Town of Mamaroneck, New York, known for its many series featuring the fictional teenagers Archie Andrews, Betty Cooper, Veronica Lodge, Reggie Mantle and Jughead Jones. The characters were created by...
characters), and is notable because of its length (at approximately 100 pages, much longer than most Archie Comics stories) and because it was the first of an occasional series of Archie Comics stories drawn in a more realistic style. Also unusual for Archie Comics, the story was collected into a trade paperback edition within a month after the original serialization was completed.
This story was adapted from a Riverdale High novel written by Michael Pellowski. The novel was titled Bad News Boyfriend and was published in 1991.
The next story using the more realistic character designs was The Matchmakers, serialized in Jughead's Double Digest
Jughead's Double Digest
Jughead's Double Digest is an American comic book. Begun as a companion publication to the Jughead 32-page comic book and Jughead With Archie Digest magazine, it is a publication of Archie Comics. The Double Digest series are larger versions of the Archie Digest publication line...
# 139-142. It is also based on a Riverdale High novel (It's First Love, Jughead Jones by Michael Pellowski and John L. Goldwater
John L. Goldwater
John L. Goldwater founded MLJ Comics , and served as editor and co-publisher for many years. In the mid-1950s he was a key proponent and custodian of the comic book censorship guidelines known as the Comics Code Authority.-Early life and career:John L...
). A third story in this vein, titled Break-up Blues (and based on the Riverdale High novel The Big Breakup), was released in Pals 'n' Gals Double Digest #125-128.
Two more of the realistic style stories were made, the first called Goodbye Forever and the second, A Funny kind of Love.
Part 1
BettyBetty Cooper
Betty Cooper is a fictional character of Archie Comics, the blonde-haired daughter of Hal and Alice Cooper. Betty likes sports, and is also a cheerleader. Betty was created in December 1941. Her older brother Chic Cooper and older sister Polly Cooper have both moved out of Riverdale, their hometown...
, Veronica
Veronica Lodge
Veronica Lodge is a fictional character in the Archie Comics books series.-Fictional history and character:She is called both by her name Veronica and her nickname Ronnie...
, and Midge
Midge Klump
Midge Klump is a fictional character appearing Archie Comics.-History:The character of Midge was designed by Dan DeCarlo and bears an uncanny resemblance to pin-ups he did for men's magazines just before he started working for Archie Comics. She was originally created simply to serve as Moose's...
go to watch a movie where they meet Nick St. Clair, a smooth-talking teenage biker
Motorcycle
A motorcycle is a single-track, two-wheeled motor vehicle. Motorcycles vary considerably depending on the task for which they are designed, such as long distance travel, navigating congested urban traffic, cruising, sport and racing, or off-road conditions.Motorcycles are one of the most...
nephew of the Anderson family. He had recently moved in with his aunt and uncle due to trouble at his previous high school in New Jersey
New Jersey
New Jersey is a state in the Northeastern and Middle Atlantic regions of the United States. , its population was 8,791,894. It is bordered on the north and east by the state of New York, on the southeast and south by the Atlantic Ocean, on the west by Pennsylvania and on the southwest by Delaware...
. Betty and Midge are suspicious of Nick (because he sneaks into the movie theater), yet Veronica is interested. Nick learns Veronica is wealthy, and they go for a joy ride on his motorcycle. Betty and Midge return to the Lodge Mansion to tell Mr. Lodge
Hiram Lodge
Hiram Lodge is a fictional character by Archie Comics. He is married to Hermione Lodge and they have a daughter, Veronica Lodge. He is also the richest man in Riverdale . Bob Montana, creator of the original Archie characters, knew the Lodges, a Massachusetts Brahmin political family because he...
what happened to Veronica. Nick and Veronica return hours later, and Nick drops her off without a word. Mr. Lodge forbids Veronica from bringing Nick to the Lodge Mansion. She insists that nothing happened. She recounts the story to her friends after Mr. Lodge leaves the room. They had went to a pizzeria where several other bikers mocked Nick and tried to hit on Veronica. Nick fights them, and one of the bikers breaks his hand when punching Nick's helmet. Midge then warns Veronica that she can't juggle Archie
Archie Andrews (comics)
Archie Andrews, created in 1941 by Vic Bloom and Bob Montana, is a fictional character in an American comic book series published by Archie Comics, as well as the long-running Archie Andrews radio series, a syndicated comic strip, The Archie Show, and Archie's Weird Mysteries.-Character and...
and Nick forever. Veronica gives up Archie in order to be with Nick.
Part 2
Midge and Betty initially hide the whole episode with Nick from Archie. Nick in is Mr. Flutesnoot's biologyBiology
Biology is a natural science concerned with the study of life and living organisms, including their structure, function, growth, origin, evolution, distribution, and taxonomy. Biology is a vast subject containing many subdivisions, topics, and disciplines...
class with them, where he is disruptive. Because Archie tells on him, Nick is sent to the principal's office. Nick is also thrown out of history class for talking to Veronica. Veronica and Nick try to join Archie, Chuck
Chuck Clayton
Chuck Clayton is an African-American teenage fictional character published by Archie Comics. Chuck lives in the fictional town of Riverdale, and is the friend of Archie Andrews, Betty Cooper, Jughead Jones, and other students at Riverdale High School....
, Nancy
Nancy Woods
Nancy Woods is a fictional character, an African American, who appears in the Archie Comic books. A friend of the whole gang, Woods dates Chuck Clayton, a football player at Riverdale High.-History:...
, Midge, Betty, Jughead
Jughead Jones
Jughead Jones is a fictional character in Archie Comics who first appeared in the comic in December 1941. He is the son of Forsythe II; although in one of the early Archie newspaper comic strips, he himself is identified as Forsythe Van Jones II...
, and Dilton
Dilton Doiley
Dilton Doiley is a fictional character in the Archie Comics universe. He is the smartest teenager in Riverdale High School.-History:Characters resembling Dilton appeared quite early in Archie stories—one can be seen, unnamed, in Archie Comics #1...
at lunch, but only Betty and Jughead will sit with him. Nick later flirts with Betty, who tells him she is not interested.
Nick's rude behavior continues for weeks, but Veronica chooses to ignore it.
Part 3
Veronica goes with Nick St. Clair to a nightclub, and they kiss and stay late. At school, Ms. Grundy assigns a two-thousand word essay, threatening to fail anyone who fails to complete it. Nick strongarms Dilton DoileyDilton Doiley
Dilton Doiley is a fictional character in the Archie Comics universe. He is the smartest teenager in Riverdale High School.-History:Characters resembling Dilton appeared quite early in Archie stories—one can be seen, unnamed, in Archie Comics #1...
to write the essay for him. Archie tries to stop Nick, and Coach Clayton
Coach Clayton
Coach Clayton is a fictional character, an African American coach of the Archie Comics universe. He is Chuck Clayton's father. He first appeared in Archie at Riverdale High #14....
offers to let them fight in a boxing ring as long as they keep it secret. Archie fights well, causing Nick to fight dirty. Coach Clayton declares Archie the winner after two rounds.
Part 4
Nick tells people about the fight, but lies and claims to have won. Archie tells the true story at Pop Tate's, and everyone congratulates him. Betty tries to tell Veronica about Nick's advances, but Veronica accuses Betty of being jealous and refuses to listen. Betty sets a trap for Nick by agreeing to see a movie with him. Archie takes Veronica to the same movie, where she sees Betty kiss Nick. Veronica breaks up with Nick and dumps Betty as a friend.The next day, Reggie tells Archie and Betty that Nick finally realized what true friendship is about. Unfortunately, Nick was caught cheating on his essay and Ms. Grundy failed him. Nick is sent to military school as punishment, but decides he wants to go so he can get straightened out. Nick admits to Veronica what he has been doing, and Veronica and Betty forgive each other.
Characters
| Character | Appearances | |||
| Book 1 | Book 2 | Book 3 | Book 4 | |
| Betty Cooper Betty Cooper Betty Cooper is a fictional character of Archie Comics, the blonde-haired daughter of Hal and Alice Cooper. Betty likes sports, and is also a cheerleader. Betty was created in December 1941. Her older brother Chic Cooper and older sister Polly Cooper have both moved out of Riverdale, their hometown... |
♦ | ♦ | ♦ | ♦ |
| Midge Klump Midge Klump Midge Klump is a fictional character appearing Archie Comics.-History:The character of Midge was designed by Dan DeCarlo and bears an uncanny resemblance to pin-ups he did for men's magazines just before he started working for Archie Comics. She was originally created simply to serve as Moose's... |
♦ | ♦ | ♦ | ♦ |
| Veronica Lodge Veronica Lodge Veronica Lodge is a fictional character in the Archie Comics books series.-Fictional history and character:She is called both by her name Veronica and her nickname Ronnie... |
♦ | ♦ | ♦ | ♦ |
| Nick St. Clair | ♦ | ♦ | ♦ | ♦ |
| Mr. Lodge Hiram Lodge Hiram Lodge is a fictional character by Archie Comics. He is married to Hermione Lodge and they have a daughter, Veronica Lodge. He is also the richest man in Riverdale . Bob Montana, creator of the original Archie characters, knew the Lodges, a Massachusetts Brahmin political family because he... |
♦ | ♦ | ||
| Archie Andrews Archie Andrews (comics) Archie Andrews, created in 1941 by Vic Bloom and Bob Montana, is a fictional character in an American comic book series published by Archie Comics, as well as the long-running Archie Andrews radio series, a syndicated comic strip, The Archie Show, and Archie's Weird Mysteries.-Character and... |
♦ | ♦ | ♦ | |
| Dilton Doiley Dilton Doiley Dilton Doiley is a fictional character in the Archie Comics universe. He is the smartest teenager in Riverdale High School.-History:Characters resembling Dilton appeared quite early in Archie stories—one can be seen, unnamed, in Archie Comics #1... |
♦ | ♦ | ♦ | |
| Ms. Grundy | ♦ | ♦ | ♦ | |
| Chuck Clayton Chuck Clayton Chuck Clayton is an African-American teenage fictional character published by Archie Comics. Chuck lives in the fictional town of Riverdale, and is the friend of Archie Andrews, Betty Cooper, Jughead Jones, and other students at Riverdale High School.... |
♦ | ♦ | ||
| Jughead Jones Jughead Jones Jughead Jones is a fictional character in Archie Comics who first appeared in the comic in December 1941. He is the son of Forsythe II; although in one of the early Archie newspaper comic strips, he himself is identified as Forsythe Van Jones II... |
♦ | ♦ | ||
| Reggie Mantle Reggie Mantle Reggie Mantle is a fictional character in the Archie Comics book. His full name is given as Reginald Mantle, but he is usually called by his nickname Reggie, and sometimes refers to himself as "Mantle, The Magnificent." The character was introduced in 1942... |
♦ | ♦ | ||
| Moose Mason Moose Mason Moose Mason is a fictional character in the Archie Comics universe. He attends Riverdale High School where he is typically depicted as the best athlete but the poorest student. His difficulties with school were later attributed to dyslexia... |
♦ | ♦ | ||
| Mr. Flutesnoot | ♦ | |||
| Nancy Woods Nancy Woods Nancy Woods is a fictional character, an African American, who appears in the Archie Comic books. A friend of the whole gang, Woods dates Chuck Clayton, a football player at Riverdale High.-History:... |
♦ | ♦ | ||
| Coach Clayton Coach Clayton Coach Clayton is a fictional character, an African American coach of the Archie Comics universe. He is Chuck Clayton's father. He first appeared in Archie at Riverdale High #14.... |
♦ | |||
| Mr. Weatherbee Mr. Weatherbee Waldo Weatherbee is a fictional character in the Archie Comics universe. Mr. Weatherbee is the principal of Riverdale High School, where Archie Andrews is a student. To Riverdale students and staff, he is commonly called Mr. Weatherbee, due to his authority position. Sometimes, Archie and his... 1 |
- Note 1: Mr. Weatherbee though not shown in the issues was mentioned in Book 3.