If you’re a reader of Archie comics as I am, you know the Archie universe is drastically different than the DC or Marvel universes. Archie runs continuity-free, allowing the gang to stay teenagers, fresh, current, and fashionable forever. Even the way Archie runs as a business is a bit different. For other companies, a digest size trade paperback is a compilation of a miniseries, or the last year in comics. But an Archie digest —or my preferred DOUBLE digest—is a completely random sampling. Any given issue, you can have classic material from the ’40s or ’50s, great Dan DeCarlo material, or anything really. So I’d like to talk about a queer trend I’ve noticed as an avid reader of Archie’s Pals ‘n’ Gals Double Digest.

If you read Archie comics regularly enough, you’ll notice all the details hidden (or not hidden) in the art. My favorite panel is the gang in the background talking, and in the foreground we see a boy at a water fountain, looking at a very un-Archie-esque girl walking by. The boy has a very excited look on his face, and the water fountain is dispensing its product in orgasmic ribbons. A sight gag for sure, but for whom? This is one of the reasons I love Archie comics. They’re great to look at for messages hidden to the average 10-year old comics reader.

Then you have some not so hidden messages. Take Archie himself for example. He’s always girl-chasing, and he usually ends up with one or more. This womanizing is hardly objected to by either Betty or Veronica. In fact, for years, these two have accepted Archie toggling back and forth between them. Seems very liberal of them to share him so freely. Threesome, anyone? And why do they accept so much crap from this dorky, clumsy, freckle-faced, poor kid? I suspect he’s hung, 9” or better. In case you didn’t know, Betty and Veronica had a showdown and made Archie choose a year or so ago. After careful consideration between two equally smart and pretty girls, he chose Veronica—the one with the money. I guess if you can’t have your three-way relationship anymore, you might as well hang on to the cash if you have the choice. Nice message, Archie comics.

I know you’re all, “Tim, this isn’t queer at all, get on with it.” Alright already!

You’re probably familiar with the usual Riverdale gang, such as Archie, Jughead, Betty, Veronica, and Reggie. You may even know some minor characters such as Principal Weatherbee, crotchety old Miss Grundy, Moose, Midge, and Jughead’s ugly girlfriend. But I have seen some very interesting interactions between muscle-bound Moose and a lesser-known little brainy kid named Dilton.

Dilton is the most stereotypical nerdy brain, as Moose is the most stereotypical dumb jock. In reality, this pair shouldn’t even speak with each other in the high school cafeteria, but here, they are best friends. But they seem to be more. Dilton seems to be Moose’s emotional rock. In one instance, Moose is out of control angry, and it’s only Dilton who can calm him.

Midge, Moose’s girlfriend, even notices how much time Moose spends doting on Dilton. In Archie’s Pals ‘n’ Gals Double Digest #85, we’re treated to two tell-tale, uh, tales. In “Charm Alarm,” we see pissed-off Midge yelling at Moose for lifting Dilton over his head, showing off his strength to some local boys. One hand supports Dilton under his ass, and Dilton looks quite happy. After a brief tiff with Midge, Dilton offers to Moose, “Could we discuss it from a more comfortable position?” Pushy little bottom.

The at-times-queeny Moose (note the scan), goes off to charm school to win Midge back. The gals at the school are throwing themselves all over Moose, but he has no interest in any of them. What high school jock wouldn’t be angling for at least a little action on the side? Not Moose. His priorities are (1) Midge; (2) Dilton; then no one else. By the end of the story, Moose is lifting Midge overhead, his hand placed under her back. While jealous Dilton looks on, at least he knows he’s getting more from Moose than Midge is.

In “The Moose is Still Loose,” Dilton is making a “special dragster that will make [him] invincible on the drag strip.” No, he’s not talking about cross-dressing cabaret, but car-racing—despite the fact that he’s named his rail “Dilton’s Dazzler”.

They cook up a scheme to cheat and beat Archie in the race with a new invention. However, Moose bungles the plan. In the process, Dilton’s clothes get ripped off, leaving him in his undies and all angry at Moose. He tells Moose to follow him, and Moose excitedly chases his little underwear-clad friend, saying aloud, “Good, I think he’s forgiven me!” Clearly, Moose thinks he’s about to have an ass-poundin’ good time.

Dilton has other plans, of the S&M variety, as he uses another invention of his to pummel Moose into submission. Looks like Dilton’s on top tonight.

Tim Fish writes and draws the 48-page quarterly soapy gay romance series CAVALCADE OF BOYS and created the Web anthology of gay romance YOUNG BOTTOMS IN LOVE at www.popimage.com. A retired DC Fanboy, today Tim focuses much of his Fanboy attentions on Josie and romance comics. You can learn more about Tim and his work at his Web-site www.timfishworks.com.

Prism Comics promotes the works of the LGBT community in comics. It does not implicitly endorse any other material or products associated with those works. Any opinions expressed are those of the author(s).