Little Archie #180

The thing about that was so striking about Little Archie was how incredibly dark this title could be. On several occasions, Archie and his pals have been kidnapped, pistol whipped, held hostage, punched, you name it. And this is supposed to be the kid friendly title!

And yet, I love it! 

I don't know why. But I LOVE Little Archie. Maybe it's because of the more adult situations that occurred. I wasn't being talked down to by the writers. With the classic Archie, everything is very saccharine. Things are more goofy and lighthearted with the teenaged version of Archie. I mean, I can't recall a time when somebody tried to kill high school aged Archie in a non-crossover classic story. Yet, it seemed like every other issue that someone has Little Archie or one of his friends in their crosshairs. This just happens to be one of those issues where nobody is out for Little Archie's blood.

In the cover story, it's Christmas Eve! Something is making a clatter on Little Archie's roof. Only it's not Santa but an alien in a UFO. The extraterrestrial is lost and needs directions. In order to communicate, the alien gives Little Archie a special helmet. Once on his way, the UFO allows Archie to keep the special headwear and holiday mayhem explodes as the device allows the tyke to read everybody's mind!

The secondary cover story stars Little Sabrina. Actually, the focus is on Salem, Sabrina's pet and feline familiar. With the holidays approaching, Salem is missing his family and thus plans to spend Christmas with them. Only, Salem's reunion isn't quite as inviting as the kitty had expected...

There's a third story in this book that is not holiday themed. When big bully Fangs ruins Jughead's lunch of burgers and shakes, Little Juggie snaps and knocks the villain's lights out! This stunning event leads Principal Weatherbee to draft Jughead onto the Riverdale Elementary boxing team. But Juggie's an eater, not a fighter!

First of all, what elementary school has a boxing team? I could see Riverdale High having a boxing team. The Jr. High, maybe. But not a school of 4th and 5th graders!

Then there's Salem. In this issue, Salem is reddish/orange. In the teenage comic version of Sabrina, he's black. 90s TV show, subsequent cartoon and  2010's Netflix series- all black. Is this a one-time oops? Or is Little Salem always this off-color? I'm eager to find out the answer. I just won't be able to find out in the pages of issue #181. This issue was the last of the series.

It's a great issue starring Little Archie and friends. Nowhere near as violent as some issues have been. But I felt that that pull no punches sort of attitude that has permeated the world of Little Archie is still in this book. Maybe not turned to an 11. But that's okay. It is supposed to be a Christmas issue. Plus, a special appearance by L'il Jinx! with a couple of one-page gags!

Worth Consuming!

Rating: 9 out of 10 stars.