Enraged at Archie's engagement to Veronica, fan sells comic's first issue for Rs 18.7 lakh
Enraged at Archie's engagement to Veronica, fan sells comic's first issue for Rs 18.7 lakh
When comic book store owner Dave Luebke heard that after 67 years,u00a0 Archie, was proposing to rich girl Veronica instead of girl-next-door Betty, he decided to protest by selling his copy of the series' rare first issue.
Luebke's Archie Comics No 1 sold for $38,837 (Rs 18.7 lakh) when Dallas' Heritage Auction Galleries offered it on Friday. Heritage spokesman Noah Fleisher said the buyer did not want to be identified.
"Betty it is. Not Veronica," said Luebke, whose Richmond, Va, store has more than 1 million comics in stock. 
He said, 99 per cent of his customers agree that perky, blond Betty is the clear choice over shiny dark-haired Veronica in the seemingly never-ending love triangle.
The Archie Comics website shows Archie proposing to Veronica on a bent knee on the cover of No 600, which hits comic book stores August 19.
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"It begins a six-issue story arc that takes place in the future when the perpetual high schoolers have graduated from college," said Victor Gorelick, editor-in-chief of Archie Comics.
Gorelick added, "Stick with it. Read through it and you'll see what happens."
The proposal issue is followed by an issue with a cover featuring the couple at the altar, Veronica proclaiming "I do!" and Archie saying "Do I ever!" In the next issue, twins are on the way.
"After the six-issue story arc, the gang will return to high school," said Gorelick.
Tom Michael, a teen comics collector from Iola, Wis, has a feeling all might not be what it seems.
"I have a feeling that the last issues will have him asking Betty to marry him," said Michael.
Sandoval, who said Luebke's No 1 is in excellent condition, suspects Luebke's reason for selling might have a bit more to do with the money than anger.
Luebke concedes that the economic downturn was a factor, but he said his outrage on behalf of Betty is real.
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