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Archie comics and their characters have been around for a long time. In fact, Archie had been around for so long that it reached a pivotal issue (600). Our favorite red head proposes to Veronica in this hypothetical comic book story.
As we all know, Betty and Veronica have been fighting over Archie’s pinga forever. To have two people fighting over you is everyone’s dream, which is probably why the series has lasted so long. In issue 600, Archie reaches a turning point after finishing High School where he considers many paths in his future. In one of them, Archie marries Veronica. We do not get to see this in this issue, but rather the proposal and reaction from all parties involved.
Veronica is about to leave on a 3-month trip, so Archie needs to make a decision fast. He quickly decides to propose in a jewelry store. By pure coincidence, Betty is looking at the diamonds in the window, and sees Archie down on one knee. The shock of Betty picturing when Archie marries Veronica must have been too much to bear.
Frankly, I think the idea of Archie and Veronica being together is preposterous. Veronica is a rich, spoiled brat. Betty is the innocent girl next door that is easy to relate to. In addition, Archie is poor in the same way Betty is. The two are clearly a much better fit.
The art in Archie 600 is not the best. The artist has attempted to imitate the comic’s typical style, where there is an upward shadow line on the characters’ cheeks. Unfortunately, Stan Goldberg was unsuccessful with unbalanced facial proportions and with the cheek line way too high. It is actually amazing that the series has stuck with the same drawing style after all these years.
If you are interested, 50 Times an American Icon (affiliate link) is the best way to read about this. It includes over 50 different pages of artwork from various artists. One of the best is from renowned artist Michael Linsner, who portrays Betty in the sexiest way possible.
Why Archie Marries Veronica in Archie Issue 600 Still Sparks Debate
When Archie marries Veronica in the landmark Archie issue 600, it wasn’t just a plot twist, it was a cultural detonation. For decades, the Betty-Veronica tug-of-war had been a lighthearted staple of Riverdale’s charm. But this issue dared to ask: what if Archie actually chose? And what if he chose the one girl fans least expected him to end up with?
The story unfolds in a speculative future where Archie, fresh out of high school, proposes to Veronica before she leaves on a three-month trip. The moment is impulsive, dramatic, and witnessed by Betty, who just happens to be window-shopping at the same jewelry store. It’s a soap opera setup, but the emotional fallout is surprisingly grounded. Readers weren’t just reacting to a fictional engagement, they were confronting the end of an era where Archie’s indecision was part of the fun.
What makes Archie issue 600 so divisive is how it reframes the characters. Veronica, often seen as the spoiled heiress, is suddenly the one Archie chooses to build a future with. Betty, the perennial girl-next-door, is left behind. The creative team, led by writer Michael Uslan and artist Stan Goldberg, leaned into the drama with a six-part arc that explored alternate futures, including one where Archie marries Betty instead. But the Veronica proposal is what stuck in the collective memory.
Even now, fans debate whether this was a bold narrative risk or a betrayal of the series’ heart. Either way, Archie marries Veronica became more than a headline, it became a litmus test for what readers wanted Archie Comics to be: nostalgic comfort or evolving drama. And that’s why Archie issue 600 still matters.