Makeover time: Betty, Veronica redesigned by artist Adam Hughes for Archie Comics

They’ve long tread the line between being best friends and jealous rivals. But in the very first issue of their relaunched comic book title, Betty Cooper and Veronica Lodge are waging all out war. At stake however, is not the affection of Riverdale’s favourite redhead Archie Andrews, but the fate of the group’s beloved hangout — Pop Tate’s Chocklit Shoppe. [caption id=“attachment_2727644” align=“alignnone” width=“825”]  This is the image of Archie, Betty and Veronica that we saw before the publishers relaunched the series[/caption] Apparently, Betty and Veronica # 1 will see the soda shop threatened with a takeover by a global coffee chain, and Betty and Veronica are on different sides of the issue. [caption id=“attachment_2727648” align=“alignnone” width=“825”]  The new title will see the girls fight it out over the fate of Pop Tate’s Chocklit Shoppe[/caption] However, it isn’t just what the girls are fighting about, that’s new in this edition. It is the girls themselves who have undergone a major makeover. [caption id=“attachment_2727650” align=“alignnone” width=“825”]  This retro panel shows an earlier avatar of Riverdale’s best known girls[/caption] Artist Adam Hughes has been roped in to create the new look for Betty and Veronica, and it is his vision for the characters that will be seen in the title launched in June. [caption id=“attachment_2727662” align=“alignnone” width=“825”]  When Archie was relaunched last year, Veronica was referred to as a ‘Kardashian clone’[/caption] “I want my Betty and Veronica to be timely and relevant, but not dated in 10 years,” Hughes told Vulture magazine about what his idea was, in transforming the Riverdale residents. He also weighed in on the decades-old question — Betty or Veronica? “I’m Team Betty, all the way,” Hughes said. “That being said, Veronica Lodge is delicious good fun to write.” [caption id=“attachment_2727666” align=“alignnone” width=“825”]  The looks for Jughead, Betty and Archie in the relaunched ‘Archie’ series last year[/caption] Incidentally, Betty and Veronica had also got new looks when Archie was relaunched last year under the creative stewardship of Mark Waid and Fiona Staples. In those series, Veronica was described as a “ Kardashian clone” (by Jughead, no less) while Betty’s characterisation was far more grunge than her girl-next-door personality in previous iterations. [caption id=“attachment_2727668” align=“alignnone” width=“825”]  ‘Vulture’ magazine presented a look at the cover of Betty and Veronica # 1, which features the characters as redesigned and rebooted by artist Adam Hughes[/caption] But under Hughes’ watch, the girls have received a relaunch in which they’re the stars, rather than serving as supporting cast members for Archie. Will this one find favour with fans? We’ll have to wait to find out.