Faculty Funnies #1 (2026 Comic Book & Graphic Novel Reading Challenge)

In the late 1980s, Archie Comics revisited the Riverdale superheroes concept. Only this time, it was the teachers and staff of Riverdale High School that became empowered.

When Archie's science experiment explodes, several members of the faculty gain superpowers based on skills they've developed over their careers. Thanks to years of writing across a lengthy blackboard, Ms. Grundy's right arm becomes super-stretchy. Coach Clayton, develops super breath, thanks to his persistence with a P.E. whistle. His sneezes can also stun a criminal! Principle Weatherbee develops clairvoyance due to years of anticipating problems that arise within the realms of public education. Rounding out the group is Professor Flutesnoot, who became nigh invulnerable thanks to decades of suffering through exploding science experiments.

The four faculty members decide to become a superteam. Grundy sews up a quartet of very itchy wool costumes and the staff of Riverdale High become known as the Awesome Foursome. Their first adventure uncovers a plot in which the town's criminal underground seems to increase the crime rate through subliminal messages implanting in discount video tapes rented to Archie and his friends. 

George Gladir scripted with art by Stan Goldberg. Rudy Lapick inked. While not billed as a miniseries, Faculty Funnies was not intended to be a new regular title. The concept came to a planned end with issue #5, seeing the teachers losing their special abilities and realizing that being an educator who cared as their true super powers. 

The book was filled with the usual one-page gags and short stories; this time around starring other members of the RHS faculty. Gladir crafted a one-pager featuring the former drill Sargent turned Assistant Principal, Mr. Howitzer. Hal Smith wrote the 2-page filler starring the oft flummoxed Miss Haggly. And yes, that's the same Hal Smith who played town drunk Otis on The Andy Griffith Show! Again, the art in both was provided by Stan Goldberg with inks by Lapick. The pair also crafted the cover to this issue.

A fun, and at times silly comic of which I wouldn't mind having the other issues to round out a complete run.

Completing this review completes Task #26 (An Archie Comics release from the 1980s) of the 2026 Comic Book and Graphic Novel Reading Challenge.

Worth Consuming!

Rating: 9 out of 10 stars.

The Three Stooges, Volume 1: Bed-Bugged!

In 2012, the Farrelly Brothers, directors of Dumb and Dumber, released a reboot of The Three Stooges. Starring Sean Hayes, Will Sasso, and Chris Diamantopoulos, the film was expected to be a smash hit. While the movie did bring in about $20 million more than it's production budget, based on expectations, the film was not a major success. (Oddly enough, a sequel is supposed to be in the works. But whether it will be a box office release or go straight to DVD is another matter.)

To cash in on the predicted buzz, Papercutz purchased the rights to not only create all-new Stooges comics, but the reproduction rights of the Dell Comics series from the 1960s. For the publisher, the move was a mixed bag of success. The Best of the Three Stooges Comics Books, Volumes 1 and 2 were critical hits. Fans who grew up watching the Stooges as kids and read the comics, snatched up these collections. They're actually pretty hard to find now. 

On the flip side, Papercutz released 2 volumes of new material to coincide with the Farrelly Brothers film. They didn't do as well as while the comics were marketed to kids, the film was a little too adult for them. As a result, these books have ended up at discount outlets over the years, which is where I found this book.

Bed-Bugged is filled with several short stories of the Stooges either taking on menial jobs and failing miserably or attempting to cash in on get rich schemes. Written by Jim Salicrup and George Gladir, these adventures include training to become sumo wrestlers, guarding a shopping mall from a horde of zombies, creating a haunted house in what very well may be a haunted house. Archie Comics legend Stan Goldberg illustrates all of these stories, such as the title story in which the Stooges are pest control workers. Also included as is a reprinted story from the 1960s written and illustrated by Norman Maurer, who coincidentally was married to Moe's real life daughter, Joan Howard.

The 1960s story was the best. Only instead of starring Larry, Moe, and Curly, this tale featured Shemp. By the time that story was published, Curly had passed away and Shemp was long gone. Instead, by this time new Stooges adventures were being created with someone named Curly Joe. Why wasn't he in this story instead of Shemp?

And why am I complaining? I love Shemp. My Yahoo! handle is a blotched tribute amalgam of my favorites Stooge's name and also my favorite bounty hunter. I guess it's just the comic book historian in me.

Normally with a book like this, the rating I give would not pursuade me to buy volume 2. But volume 2 is holiday themed and since I have a collection holiday comics, whether good or bad, the sequel is on my wish list. 

A okay read that is entertaining but not 100% my Stooges. Well, that last story is, at least.

Rating: 6 out of 10 stars.