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.

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.

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.

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.

“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.”

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.

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.