TGIF Toys: Mego's "Dukes" 8-inchers

Last week for our new feature TGIF Toys, we brought you Mego's smaller figure line from "The Dukes of Hazzard." This week, we take a look at the ever-popular 8-inchers. Above, Will "The Voice Man" Rodgers shows us the cast of Season 3 of the show, while the next photo you'll see below features the characters from Season 5.

But hold the phone, you're thinkin'? There weren't that many "Dukes" Mego 8-inchers! Yes, you are correct (and you must have been reading the extensive information our friends at the Mego Museum have so thoroughly researched on their site!). Well, folks, what we have here is some very loving custom work. Read on, in this articulate explanation from Will ...

The packaging for both the 8-inch and 3.75-inch figures had the illustration of the following: Small shots of the General Lee and the Hazzard Sheriff's squad car, full body shots of Boss Hogg and Sheriff Rosco and big head shots of Bo, Luke, Daisy, and Uncle Jesse. For the 8-inch line, as a little kid, I was led to believe that this is what we would get. Unfortunately, it turned out not to be the case.

Bo and Luke were the easiest to find. Bo had a white/yellow shirt with long sleeves and light blue jeans and black boots. Luke had a long-sleeve bluish shirt that reminded me of the plaid shirts he wore in the first three seasons of the show. He had dark blue jeans and black boots. In 1981, Bo sported a short-sleeved white/yellow shirt and Luke sported a light powder-blue shirt reminiscent of his plain shirt from season two. Daisy Duke was the only other Mego that was made initially. My favorite has the blue top and the Daisy Duke shorts. The other one had a green top and blue Daisy Dukes.

Over the years, I've had each of the variations. Later, Mego added one more character, Boss Hogg in his white suit and hat. Sadly, that was all they made. We never got 8-inch dolls of Uncle Jesse and Sheriff Rosco. Nor did we ever get any vehicles for the upscale Dukes. Even to this day, I would pay well for somebody to custom-make a General Lee for the 8-inch Duke Boys. There was one made for the skits on "Robot Chicken." I wish I knew who made it.

In 1982, when Tom Wopat and John Schneider walked off the show, Mego's final figures were Bo and Luke with slightly altered heads. These two figures are hard to find and worth a lot to collectors. While they are "Bo and Luke" technically, these figures are actually and unofficially "Coy and Vance," even though they do not resemble Byron Cherry and Christopher Mayer.



CUSTOMS

My good friend Mike Barrett in Rifle, Colorado, who's a customizer of Megos, and I had talked for a long time about customizing the rest of the cast who were never made into 8-inch Mego figures. I came up with the recipes for most of the figures. First, I will say the only Megos I did nothing to are Daisy and Boss Hogg.

UNCLE JESSE: What 8-inch Mego "Dukes of Hazzard" collection would be right without the Duke patriarch? I would call it a sin. For his head, I bought an unpainted head of Blackbeard the pirate and he was smiling. His head was perfect for Jesse. Most of what I needed for Uncle Jesse came from the "Waltons" toyline by Mego. The Grandpa Walton Mego had most of what I needed. The body, the overalls and the same style boots worn by Bo and Luke. Mike painted the head and also gave it the twinkle in Denver Pyle's eyes. Mike custom-made the gray overalls with the red longjohn linings as well as the red cap.

SHERIFF ROSCO P. COLTRANE: It's a real shame we did not get a Rosco doll with all accessories! "Shame shame! Everybody knows your name, Mego!" But surprisingly, all the ingredients to make Rosco are available. It's just a matter of finding them and getting your materials together. On Dr. Mego's page, I found repro heads of the Robin Hood characters. The head of Will Scarlett looked to me like an exact replica of James Best along with the sideburns. All he needed was a repainting around the eyebrows. Of course, you need a basic male Mego body. Rosco's black sheriff's hat is available in Mego form. With their Western figures, it was the hat for Wild Bill Hickock. Dr. Mego has it listed as a reporter's hat, despite its Western look. While you could probably get the blue shirt, black tie, and black pants from Dr. Mego, my friend Mike custom-made Rosco's uniform and provided the sticker emblems for the shirt. My Rosco's shirt is a darker shade of blue since I wanted him to have the look of Season 1. My Rosco's hair is black, but maybe I should have had his hair painted salt-and-pepper.



COOTER: "Breaker one! Breaker one! Might be crazy but I am bummed!' That Mego didn't make a figure of Hazzard's number-one mechanic! At first, all I had in mind was Rosco and Uncle Jesse, but then I thought it would be cool to have customs of Cooter and Rosco's two dipstick deputies as well. For Cooter, the head that resembled Ben Jones the most was the head of John Walton (Ralph Waite) from the "Waltons" toyline. Of course, I used a regular male Mego body. For the blue jeans, either Bo or Luke's jeans and the Dukes boots work for Cooter. I'd say he's the easiest to make. Mike custom-made the sleeveless grey shirt and gave it and the jeans a greased look and even put a grease rag in the back of Cooter's pants pocket. Mike also made Cooter's cap. Mike painted the head to resemble Ben Jones and gave him the 5 o'clock shadow since I wanted this Cooter figure to resemble the Season 1 and 2 appearance. Someday, I'll make another Cooter that has him more clean-shaven. Mike also made the denim jacket Cooter wears. (The above photo shows the custom Cooter, along with Bo and Luke, inspired by the pilot episode "One Armed Bandits.")

CLETUS: "Flapjacks on a Ferris wheel! Buzzards on a buzz saw!" Why no Cletus?! Both Hazzard deputies proved to be a challenge for me and Mike. Using a male Mego body and making the clothes was no problem for Mike. For the head, the Mego who resembled Rick Hurst the most was Sgt. Getraer (Robert Pine) from "CHiPs." His hair was painted tan to resemble Cletus. The biggest challenge was the deputy hat. Mike had a real challenge and had to make a big one since the head was big.

ENOS: "Possum on a gum bush!' Mego's "Dukes of Hazzard" 8-inch line really needs an honest cop to keep everything straight. Well, speaking of straight, or should I say Strate, Deputy Enos Strate proved to be the hardest Mego to customize. All I could furnish was the basic male Mego body. Mike made the clothes, but Enos is the only Mego whose head had to be cast. There were no original Megos that resembled Sonny Shroyer. Also, the deputy's hat proved to be a challenge as was Cletus' hat.

HAZZARD LAW: For Rosco, Cletus, and Enos, the "CHiPs" line by Mego proved to be very helpful in that all three figures needed black boots, guns and holsters, and sticker emblems. Luckily, the "CHiPs" figures had all that, so I had to get extra, incomplete "CHiPs" figures to make the Hazzard Law Enforcement team's accessories complete.


COY AND VANCE: Very basic, simple thing. All I did was switch the shirts on the figures. After all, with the exception of the episode, "Dukes Strike it Rich" Coy wore the blue and Vance wore the white/yellow. (The above photo shows Coy and Vance, along with Bo and Luke and the rest of the characters, inspired by the episode "Welcome Back, Bo and Luke.")

THE VARIOUS APPEARANCES OF BO AND LUKE

To me, it was no wonder that there were toy action figures of "The Dukes of Hazzard," especially Bo and Luke since they always wore the same clothes in every episode as if they were uniforms or costumes. I am probably one of the very few people that's paid attention to Bo and Luke's appearances over the years. And I always wanted my Megos to resemble their early appearances, especially Season 1. So I used some extras.

In Season 1, Bo's yellow shirt was a beige yellow color. He also wore it in Season 2 and then on and off in Seasons 6 and 7. I used the beige shirt from the "CHiPs" line. Bo also sported a blue T-shirt underneath his shirt in Seasons 1 and 2 and part of Season 3. My friend Mike custom-made me three T-shirts: two shades of blue and the brown T-shirt John wore in the pilot episode, "One Armed Bandits." In Season 1, Luke sported a light denim jacket over his first plaid shirt. I discovered the Huggy Bear figure from the "Starsky and Hutch" toyline had a blue denim jacket that looked similar to Luke's , so I got a Huggy Bear figure and used the denim jacket for Luke, but sadly, I had to take his plaidish colored shirt and cut off the sleeves for a better fit. Luckily, I have a few more of those plaids.

-- Will Rodgers
Visit Will's "Super Friends" site and experience more of his geeky expertise!




Photos by Will Rodgers, too; please email before copying

Next week: The Mego vehicles!

Archie offers a "Summer Splash" for Free Comic Book Day

May is on its way, and for comics fans, that means that wondrous thing known as Free Comic Book Day! Here's a title that Archie has on tap for that day, so make sure you make it to your local comic book shop ...

ARCHIE’S SUMMER SPLASH – FREE COMIC BOOK DAY 2010

“Whose BEACH is it Anyway?”: Sun, sand, swimsuits and cool rockin’ tunes – no, it’s not a cinematic “beach party” blast from the past, but a whole new summer splash from Archie and his friends! In this fun-filled free issue, Cheryl and her snooty friends from Pembrooke form an all-girl group to compete head on with the Archies at a summer beach music festival. Will Cheryl’s group be a tuneful treat, or mistaken for bellowing whales?

SCRIPT AND ART: Dan Parent.

At comic shops May 1, 2010

All new, 32-page, full-color comic

FREE

Spotted: Robin Wright Penn

Her hair is mousy brown, if you can believe it, and her wardrobe is stapled by sloppy T-shirts, but it's still the lovely Robin Wright Penn, our own original Kelly Capwell of "Santa Barbara." Just as unmistakable are the slow pacing and spookiness of an M. Night Shyamalan film: If you didn't know it at the beginning of 2000's "Unbreakable," you certainly would by the end of the movie, especially with the filmmaker's trademark ending "big reveal."

In the flick, Penn is Audrey Dunn, the wife of Bruce Willis' seemingly invincible character, David Dunn. His sole survival from a deadly train crash causes a little soul searching: He can't recall ever being sick, and he knows he's scarcely been injured. There's no explanation for his invulnerability. His profession, irconially, is working security at an arena. Almost as ironic is Audrey's profession: physical rehab. Along the way, they encounter -- and are even downright haunted by -- Samuel L. Jackson's character, Elijah Price. Elijah has quite the different problem -- he becomes ill or breaks a bone at the slightest provocation. He has a theory for David, one that's hidden from us throughout the film, but David isn't interested.

On the sidelines, mostly, but once in a while chewing up her own scene, is Penn. She's quiet and patient, masking for the most part any bewilderment. And because this is an M. Night Shyamalan film, there's a whole lotta meaningful silence and deliberation.

Diahann Carroll stars in Lifetime movie "The Front"

Thanks to the folks at DiahannCarroll.net for the tipoff that the lovely Ms. Carroll, our own Dominique Devereaux of "Dynasty" will star in a new Lifetime movie based on a novel by Patricia Cornwell.

"The Front," which airs this Saturday at 9 p.m. Eastern, features Win Garano, an investigator for an ambitious Boston district attorney, who investigates a homicide involving "The Front," a coalition of local police departments serving the outlying Boston communities. Daniel Sunjata plays Win Garano. Andie MacDowell is Monique Lamont. Ashley Williams appears as Stump, a detective with whom Garono becomes romantically linked. Carroll plays Garano's grandmother, Nana.

To keep up with Carroll, who will also be bringing her acclaimed one-woman show “The Lady ... The Music ... The Legend” to PBS as part of their fund-raising program on U.S public television stations in August 2010, watch the news page on her official site.

Buckle your seatbelt for TGIF Toys!

We're starting up a new weekly feature here at the BRBTV News Blog, and we're thinkin' it's going to be a tidy bit of fun. Every Friday morning, bright and early (6 a.m. EST time in the U.S.!) we're going to be bringing you a photo -- and often a description! -- of a toy, or toys, relating to one of the shows covered by the various BRBTV reference guides. We're calling it TGIF Toys, because we all work hard during the week to play with our toys on the weekend, now don't we?

First-up on TGIF Toys, we draw from the extensive (did we mention mammoth?) collection of merchandise of our beloved "The Dukes of Hazzard." 'Round about 1981 or '82, the "Dukes" toys really exploded on the store shelves, and then again for the 2005 movie, so we could probably staff this new Friday feature with just "Dukes" stuff for years, we reckon. (But not to worry -- we'll be mixin' it up! We did just add Scooby-Doo to the BRBTV family at the beginning of this year, after all!)

This week's installment comes from our buddy Will "the Voice Man" Rodgers of Tennessee, who's really a part of BRBTV to begin with, because he's collaborating with BRB on three new reference book projects right now, as we speak. Will is an avid collector, so besides having an extensive repertoire of "Dukes" character voices at his disposal on a moment's notice, Will also has quite a lot of "Dukes" merchandise!

For this inaugural edition of TGIF Toys, Will staged the first scene from the very first "Dukes" episode, "One Armed Bandits," above. Here are our two Duke boys, Bo and Luke, with ole Cooter in a Hazzard squad car. These three handsome guys are from Mego's 3.75" line. So tell us what we're lookin' at, Will ...

Before Mego went into bankruptcy, one of, if not THE, last toy lines they did was "The Dukes of Hazzard." Sadly though, because of the time, we did not get all the toys of the "Dukes" that Mego could have made. Mego produced four (or technically six) 8-inch action figures and that was it! In terms of the 3 3/4-inch line, Mego gave us more. We had eight figures (technically all 11 characters) and four vehicles for the figures to fit in.

Mego gave us a better variety when it came to the smaller toys as far as the "Dukes" line went. And it was my favorite "Dukes" collectible as a kid. The General Lee with small figures of Bo and Luke Duke. The General did not exactly look like a Dodge Charger, but believable enough. But the only way to get the figures in and out of the car was a hatch opening on the roof, so the Confederate flag was a square shape instead of rectangular. The figures of Bo and Luke were built the same as the G.I. Joe figures of the '80s with three pieces held together by an O ring. These figures broke easily when the O rings came off. The original head designs resembled Tom Wopat and John Schneider. The coloring of the figures resembled their season one appearances.



Then, Mego began packaging the Bo and Luke figures on individual cards as well as Daisy, Boss Hogg, and Sheriff Rosco P. Coltrane. At the same time, Mego also made the Dixie Jeep with a Daisy Duke figure. They also made the Hazzard Police "chase" car with Sheriff Rosco P. Coltrane. While it was nice to have the sheriff's car, the Mego marketers got the car wrong. Instead of a Plymouth Fury, it's a 1950s model Chevy with one red siren. A poor subsitute for the real thing.

As a kid, I wanted a white Caddy with Boss Hogg and never got one, I assumed because it was never made. Au contraire! It turned out Mego did make it, but it was only available in Canada. But unlike the Hazzard squad car, the doors didn't open and it had a sticker with Boss Hogg's face on both doors. Boss fits in the driver's seat, but barely in the back. I have used the Wild Bill figure from G.I. Joe as Boss' chauffeur. Fortunately, I was able to find this collectible back in the '90s through a magazine called Toyshop. This was, of course, before eBay.

Finally, Mego made figures of Cooter, Uncle Jesse, and Cletus to round out the characters. Unlike Bo and Luke, the rest of the cast are figures whose legs don't bend. They are built differently. Rosco and Cletus have two different body molds: one with their arms bent and the other with their arms straight down. Cletus had more of a slimmer look and this figure can also double as Enos. To make them look different, I took the Cletus with the bent arms and colored his hair black with a pen and added eyebrows to make him into Deputy Enos Strate.

Thanks to eBay, I have two of the Hazzard Deputy figures, to have both Cletus and Enos, and I have two of the Hazzard squad cars. One for Rosco and the other for the deputy dipsticks!!

Finally in 1982, Mego began selling the General Lee by itself and it came with a slip to send away for the Bo and Luke figures at no extra charge. But these figures had bigger heads and the Luke figure looks more like Vance Duke. It's these versions of Bo and Luke that are easier to find. The original Bo is hard to find and the original Luke is semi hard to find. I had my friend Mike take the second variation Bo and Luke and turn them into Coy and Vance by switching their heads.

-- Will Rodgers

Visit Will's "Super Friends" site and experience more of his geeky expertise!

Photos by Will Rodgers, too; please email before copying

Next week: Mego's 8-inch "Dukes" line!

Christopher Cazenove dies

Following in the wake of John Forsythe's death, his "Dynasty" brother, Christopher Cazenove, has now passed away. Cazenove played the dashing Ben Carrington, the younger brother to Blake Carrington who had a serious chip on his shoulder. Though the relationship of the two characters was adversarial upon Ben's arrival in Denver in the 1986-1987 season, his character was softened considerably. The British actor, who was 64, continued working right up to his death.

"I am so saddened by the news of Christopher Cazenove's passing," the actor's "Dynasty" co-star Terri Garber posted on her Facebook status late yesterday. "He played my father on 'Dynasty.' He was a wonderful and kind man. We had a terrific relationship. He will be missed."

The IMDb has more information, including links to Cazenove's obituary in the UK's Guardian and other spots around the 'Net:
http://www.imdb.com/news/ni2009385/

Remembering John Forsythe

We knew he wouldn't live forever, but we're still sad that he's gone. And 92 years -- that's a good life. Really, what a very good life it was for John Forsythe, our own Blake Carrington of "Dynasty." With credits dating back to the early '40s, this handsome Jersey man had plenty of TV noteriety before he ever took the helm of Denver-Carrington. He even had his own show in 1965-66. So just in case you haven't learned enough about him in the past few days (and, truth be told, we're thinking the press on his death hasn't lived up to the actor he was), here are a few links to peruse, including some words from his co-stars, Joan Collins, Heather Locklear and Kate Jackson ...

http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2010/apr/03/john-forsythe-obituary
http://www.studiobriefing.net/2010/04/dynastys-john-forsythe-dead-at-92/
http://tvseriesfinale.com/tv-show/john-forsythe-dynasty-charlies-angels-13957/
http://www.realbollywood.com/news/2010/04/joan-collins-pays-tribute-dynasty-star-john-forsythe.html
http://www.digitalspy.com/showbiz/a212291/locklear-jackson-remember-john-forsythe.html?imdb
http://www.accesshollywood.com/friends-colleagues-react-to-death-of-john-forsythe_article_30790?__source=rss%7Cimdb%7Clatest-originals
http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0001234/news#ni1982004

Coming up in Archie Comics

ARCHIE #608
“It Starts With a Kiss”: It’s the double-bill of the century, as the Archies and Josie & the Pussycats co-headline a major concert tour… or so they think! Alex and Alexandria have sneaked behind everyone’s backs to ensure that Josie & the Pussycats are the main act while the Archies are merely the opening band. But the Archies have made Veronica’s cousin Marcy their manager and the ruse is soon exposed. Will the bands get through this dis-chord and once again find harmony?
SCRIPT: Dan Parent
ART: Bill Galvan
On sale at comic shops: April 21, 2010
Newsstands: May 4, 2010
32-page, 40 lb glossy stock, full-color comic
$2.99 U.S.

ARCHIE & FRIENDS #143
“Freshman Year—The Missing Chapters: Chuck”: For years, fans of Archie Comics have wondered what happened in the years before the fabled teens of Riverdale entered high school. How did everyone meet? Were the teachers always at the high school? Did all of Archie’s friends always live in Riverdale? Just when did the “eternal love triangle” first start? In the “Freshman Year” saga, originally presented in the pages of ARCHIE #587-591, readers finally learned the back-story behind Riverdale’s fabled cast of characters. But that wasn’t the whole story! In this follow-up series of stories, writer Batton Lash fills in the blanks, giving readers an even bigger glimpse of what went on with Jughead, Betty & Veronica, Reggie, Chuck, and Pencilneck G. In this story, Chuck’s cartoons of the past come back to haunt him when word gets back to him that a tough kid took exception to Chuck’s none-too-flattering caricatures. The subject of Chuck’s doodles isn’t happy about being “dissed” and has held a grudge for three years! Now Chuck must look back at the copious comics he did in freshman year to see what he did to diss his classmate!
SCRIPT: Batton Lash
ART: Bill Galvan
On sale at comic shops: May 5, 2010
Newsstands: May 18, 2010
32-page, 40 lb glossy stock, full-color comic
$2.99 U.S.

ARCHIE NEW LOOK SERIES VOLUME 4: VERONICA IN “MY FATHER’S BETRAYAL”
It's the fourth installment in Archie's dynamic “New Look” series! For years, Archie fans the world over wondered what their favorite Riverdale teens would look like if rendered in a realistic style, and in 2007, Archie Comics answered the question with the ground-breaking, pulse-pounding, media-grabbing story: “Betty & Veronica: Bad Boy Trouble!” The success of that story prompted them to create an entire “New Look” series, continuing with “Jughead: The Matchmakers” and “Moose & Midge: Breakup Blues.” Now, Archie Comics reprints “Veronica: My Father’s Betrayal,” originally presented in BETTY & VERONICA DOUBLE DIGEST #170 through #173. In this thrilling four-part series, Veronica and her friends face off against Mr. Lodge and his constituents as the teens try to keep a beloved nature preserve from becoming an industrial park! Petitions… posters… publicity… public meetings… it’s all part of a multi-tiered strategy by the teens to bring the plight of the forest to the public. They even enlist a botany professor to join their protest! But when people on both sides of the issue debate, the problem is grayer than ever. Who will prevail? Can the two sides resolve their differences peacefully and constructively? Can a compromise be reached before the trees all come down? It’s the story you just can’t afford to miss, served up in the “realistic” art style that made Betty and Veronica’s “Bad Boy Trouble” Jughead’s “Match Makers,” and Moose and Midge’s “Break-up Blues” some of the most-talked about Archie stories in recent years! Famous superhero art team and Eisner Award nominees Rick Burchett and Terry Austin lend their formidable penciling and inking talents to this intriguing tale, brought to you by “New Look” scribe Melanie J. Morgan.
SCRIPT: Melanie J. Morgan
PENCILS: Rick Burchett
INKS: Terry Austin
On sale at comic shops: April 14, 2010
Newsstands: April 27, 2010
ISBN-13: 978-1879794450
112-page, full color 6”x9” square bound paperback
$10.95 U.S.

ARCHIE DIGEST #263
“One Track Mind”: Archie finds a way to make mowing the lawn go faster… way faster… by pretending his rider mower is a race car!
“Limb Beau”: Archie thinks he’ll have to “kiss” his favorite “kissing tree” goodbye when a local developer threatens to raze it for a convenience store.
SCRIPTS: Mike Pellowski
ART: Randy Elliott
PLUS: Other new and classic tales!
SCRIPTS AND ART: Various talents
BONUS: Puzzles, games and pin-ups!
On sale at comic shops: April 14, 2010
Newsstands: April 27, 2010
88-page, full-color digest format
$2.69 U.S.

ARCHIE’S DOUBLE DIGEST #208
“Give Until it Hurts”: Archie decides to take up Mr. Weatherbee’s volunteering challenge… and a challenge it is, when he ends up doing duty as a grammar school crossing guard!
SCRIPT: Bill Golliher
ART: Pat Kennedy
“Clip Flop!”: What’s worse than Archie being embarrassed? Reggie filming it and spreading it through the internet!
SCRIPT: Mike Pellowski
ART: Bob Bolling
“No Company”: A quiet fishing outing is anything but when Archie encounters one wilderness dweller after another!
SCRIPT: Mike Pellowski
ART: Tim Kennedy
PLUS: Other new and classic tales!
SCRIPTS AND ART: Various talents
BONUS: Puzzles, games and pin-ups!
On sale at comic shops: April 28, 2010
Newsstands: May 11, 2010
176-page, full-color digest
$3.99 U.S.

BETTY & VERONICA #247
“Prom-itis”: With all the students totally obsessed with the upcoming prom, Mr. Weatherbee takes a drastic measure to try to get their minds on school again… by cancelling the prom! Will this dark cloud persist over the prom-minded teens, or are even principals prone to prom-itis? Press your gown and put on your tux for this very special occasion!
SCRIPT: Barbara and Samantha Slate
ART: Jeff Shultz
On sale at comic shops: April 14, 2010
Newsstands: April 27, 2010
32-page, 40 lb glossy stock, full-color comic
$2.99 U.S.

BETTY & VERONICA DOUBLE DIGEST #180
“No Baseball for Betty”: Spring is here again – time to “play ball!” But this year the Riverdale softball team’s best shortstop, Betty Cooper has decided to play hard ball instead! That’s great for Betty, but not so great for Archie and Veronica. After all, Betty will be competing with Archie for the shortstop position… and competing with Veronica for the amount of time spent with Archie! Will Betty’s big move be a grand slam or a total strike-out?
SCRIPT: Melanie J. Morgan
ART: Rod Whigham
PLUS: Other new and classic tales!
SCRIPTS AND ART: Various talents
BONUS: Puzzles, games and pin-ups!
On sale at comic shops: April 21, 2010
Newsstands: May 4, 2010
176-page, full-color digest
$3.99 U.S.

JUGHEAD & FRIENDS DIGEST #37
“The Joking Jester”: It’s medieval mayhem when Archie gets immersed in a new role-playing video game called “Storming the Castle” – especially with joking Jughead aboard as court jester!
SCRIPT: George Gladir
ART: Tim Kennedy
PLUS: Other new and classic tales!
SCRIPTS AND ART: Various talents
BONUS: Puzzles, games and pin-ups!
On sale at comic shops: April 21, 2010
Newsstands: May 4, 2010
88-page, full-color digest format
$2.69 U.S.

PALS ‘n’ GALS DOUBLE DIGEST #141
“Staff”: A new chauffeur is driving Veronica… and Veronica and her friends are driving him crazy!
SCRIPT: George Gladir
ART: Fernando Ruiz
“Picture This”: Chuck and Nancy make a picture-perfect couple – especially when they both enter a teen arts competition as painter and photographer, respectively!
SCRIPT: Mike Pellowski
ART: Stan Goldberg
“Bee Crazy”: After a week of detention, Reggie has “The Bee” constantly buzzing through his brain!
SCRIPT: Mike Pellowski
ART: Bob Bolling
PLUS: Other new and classic tales!
SCRIPTS AND ART: Various talents
BONUS: Puzzles, games and pin-ups!
On sale at comic shops: May 5, 2010
Newsstands: May 18, 2010
176-page, full-color digest
$3.99 U.S.


TALES FROM RIVERDALE DIGEST #38
“Ham(burger) to the Chief!”: It’s a colossal comedy of errors… covered with ketchup and pickles… when Archie is convinced the President of the United States is coming to town to visit the new burger joint!
SCRIPT: Bill Golliher
ART: Pat Kennedy
“Gag Drag”: It was bound to happen – after pulling off countless pranks, Reggie’s come down with a case of “jokester’s block!”
SCRIPT: Mike Pellowski
ART: Bob Bolling
PLUS: Other new and classic tales!
SCRIPTS AND ART: Various talents
BONUS: Puzzles, games and pin-ups!
On sale at comic shops: May 5, 2010
Newsstands: May 18, 2010
88-page, full-color digest format
$2.69 U.S.

VERONICA #200
IT’S THE MILESTONE 200th issue of VERONICA!
“It’s Good to Be 200!”: Since her series debut 20 years ago, Veronica has traveled everywhere – Paris, New York, Rome, London… she even took a trip to the moon via space shuttle in her 100th issue! Now in this 200th anniversary issue, Veronica chooses a destination to top them all when she uses Dilton and Marcy’s new time machine to travel back to Riverdale’s past! There she will witness amazing events in the history of her parents and her friends’ parents… but staying too long could alter that history forever! It’s a time-tripping anniversary issue you just can’t afford to miss!
SCRIPT AND ART: Dan Parent
On sale at comic shops: May 5, 2010
Newsstands: May 18, 2010
32-page, 40 lb glossy stock, full-color comic
$2.99 U.S.

BRBTV birthdays for April

- Jordan Charney, who is a BRBTV triple-shot as Lt. Sutton on "Dallas," Bill Cochran on "Dynasty" and Dr. Renfro on "Santa Barbara," turns 73 on April 1.
- Hunter von Leer, who was B.D. Calhoun on "Dallas," turns 66 on April 3.
- Billy Dee Williams, our own Brady Lloyd of "Dynasty," turns 73 on April 6.
- Judith McConnell, second and longtime Sophia Capwell on "Santa Barbara," turns 66 on April 6.
- Jane Rogers, the lovely Heather Donnelly on "SB," turns 50 on April 6.
- Marilu Henner, who voiced vivacious redheaded socialite Veronica Vreeland on "Batman: The Animated Series," turns 58 on April 6.
- John Schneider, the unstoppable Bo Duke of "The Dukes of Hazzard," turns 50 on April 8.
- Robin Wright Penn, the lovely original Kelly Capwell on "SB," is still such a young'un at 44, also with an April 8 birthday.
- Lee Bergere, the long-suffering and perhaps twisted Joseph Aynders of "Dynasty," was born April 10, 1918 and died on January 31, 2007.
- Joel Grey, the unforgettable Adam who taunted J.R. in the series finale of "Dallas," turns 78 on April 11.
- Michele Scarabelli, who was the menacing and highly psycho Connie Hall on "Dallas," turns 55 on April 11.
- Buck Young, who was Seth Stone and Sen. Cawley on "Dallas," was born on April 12, 1920 and died February 9, 2000.
- Howard Keel, the ever-responsible Clayton Farlow of "Dallas," was born on April 13, 1919 and died on November 7, 2004.
- Terry Lester, who was the second Mason Capwell on "Santa Barbara," was born on April 13, 1950 and died on November 28, 2003.
- Ron Perlman, voice of Clayface on "Batman: The Animated Series," turns 60 on April 13.
- Loretta Lynn, who gets some credit with BRBTV even though her time on "The Dukes of Hazzard" was brief, turns 75 on April 14.
- Randolph Powell, who portrayed Alan Beam on "Dallas," turns 60 on April 14.
- Lois Chiles, that slinky ole Holly Harwood on "Dallas," turns 63 on April 15.
- Michael Ansara, the voice of Dr. Victor Fries / Mr. Freeze on "Batman: The Animated Series, turns 88 on April 15.
- Peter Mark Richman, one of our favorites and certainly an amazing BRBTV quadruple-shot for his time as Andrew Laird on "Dynasty," Maynard Anderson on "Dallas," the first C.C. Capwell on "SB" and even the voice of Charles Baxter on "Batman: TAS," turns 83 on April 16.
- Byron Cherry, who stepped in as Coy Duke in the fifth season of "The Dukes of Hazzard," turns a very nice-lookin' 55 on April 17.
- Timothy Gibbs, our own Dash Nichols of "Santa Barbara, turns a very young 43 on April 17.
- John James, our Jeff Colby of "Dynasty," turns 54 on April 18.
- Bob Hastings, who voiced Commissioner James Gordon in "Batman: The Animated Series," turns 85 on April 18.
- Dick Sargent, who stepped in as Sheriff Grady Byrd on "The Dukes," filling in for Sheriff Rosco P. Coltrane, was born on April 19, 1930 and died on July 8, 1994.
- Christopher Mayer, our other replacement Duke as Vance in "The Dukes," and a BRBTV double-shot as T.J. Daniels on "SB," turns 55 on April 21.
- Steve Bond, our own Mack Blake on "SB," turns 57 on April 22.
- Ryan O'Donohue, the voice of Terry's little bro Matt on "Batman Beyond," turns 26 April 26.
- Hilary Bader, writer for "The New Batman Adventures" and "Batman Beyond," was born on April 27, 1952 and died on November 7, 2002.
- Nancy Lee Grahn, our own Julia Wainwright of "Santa Barbara" who's now turning in good time as Alexis Davis on ABC's "General Hospital," turns 54 on April 28.

Happy birthday!

Traveling all that way to hug the Hoff? Sure!

A year ago on this very news blog we brought you coverage of the first-ever Knight Rider Festival in Las Vegas. It was a fun time, as BRBTV journeyed with buds Krista and Mike across the country in a rental car, from Detroit to Sin City (no, that's not one sin city to another -- shut yo mouth) on a quest to nab some cast autographs on a KITT car dashboard and windshield visor. A trip full of adventure, for sure. But that's another story.

Well, there's one particular sig we missed -- David Hasselhoff, who ended up canceling his appearance at the weekend event celebrating the classic '80s TV show. Oh, the humanity. (And "Santa Barbara" fans may recall Hasselhoff fondly from that cameo spin in a phone booth in one episode, toward the tail-end of his "Knight Rider" gig.)

Fast-forward one year, to the second ever Knight Rider Fest, returning to the delightfully vintage Fremont Street area of Vegas for another March weekend, and what'dya have? The Hoff! Not only that, but you've got our altogether insane friend Krista (it's alright -- she said it first) flying out from Philly early Friday and heading back later that night, just to secure that elusive sig on her visor.

"I hugged the Hoff!" she reported later in her Facebook. Yea, girl. And somehow we suspect it might have been worth it, if for no other reason than her visor, and her KITT car, just got a whole lot more valuable.

Photo courtesy of Krista; please do not copy

Archie Comics takes marriage storyline a step (or two) further with new titles

From Archie Comics

New York, NY -- This July, Archie Comics—home to world-famous characters Archie, Sabrina the Teenage Witch, Josie and the Pussycats and more—will release the first issues of two completely brand new titles: "The Married Life: Archie Loves Betty" and "The Married Life: Archie Loves Veronica." Each title is an entirely new ongoing series with endless possibilities in its creative evolution, both in terms of its visual aesthetics and its more literary approach to storytelling.

Inspired by the overwhelming popularity and demand for the recent Archie wedding story, each title covers the detailed legacy of what might be in Archie’s most passionately debated futures, one married to the haughty debutante, Veronica Lodge, in “Archie Loves Veronica” and the other married to the compassionate girl-next-door, Betty Cooper, in “Archie Loves Betty.”

“Everything about 'The Married Life' series for both titles has exceeded our exceptionally high expectations,” says Archie Comics Co-CEO, Jon Goldwater. “The new direction of Archie Comics will be defined with the introduction of these two new titles, ‘Archie Loves Betty’ and ‘Archie Loves Veronica,’ and we couldn’t be more thrilled.”

The titles join other new projects being initiated at Archie Comics this year—including Stan Lee’s Super Seven, the popularity of Archie comics on iTunes and Archie’s Red Circle superheroes at DC, and new partnerships with Random House, IDW, and Dark Horse.

Archie artist Bill Galvan makes Utah appearance

From Archie Comics

Archie Comics artist and writer Bill Galvan (of "Archie: Freshman Year") will be at Dragon's Keep in Provo, Utah, this Saturday, March 27. He'll be signing comics and drawing sketches beginning at 11 a.m.

Go early to talk to the artist of the number one series on iTunes, Archie: Freshman Year! Catch up on the complete series of the original smash sensation “Archie: Freshman Year,” now available in one graphic novel!
Return to the mysteries from Archie’s past with Galvan in an expansion of the original “Archie: Freshman Year” saga with the follow-up five-part series, "Freshman Year: The Missing Chapters." The first two missing chapters, Archie & Friends #140 and #141, are in stores now!

And don't miss out on the upcoming Galvan-illustrated two-part romance between The Archies’ front man, Archie himself, and Josie and The Pussycats’ bassist Valerie, starting with part one in Archie #608—in stores April 21!

DRAGON'S KEEP
260 N. University Ave.
Provo, Utah 84601
(801) 373-3482
www.dragonskeep.com

Amid his typically busy schedule, John Schneider issues a special thanks

Anyone who's a fan of our own Bo Duke of "The Dukes of Hazzard" knows this year is a special year. This is the year he turns the big 5-0. That particular day is a week or two away, still, but that didn't stop a group of fans from giving Schneider a truly unique birthday gift.

The idea was hatched about a year ago, spearheaded by avid fan Phyllis Hinkle, and many folks joined in, supplying reminiscing essays and photos for John's reading enjoyment to mark the big day. What "The Dukes" have meant to them, and in particular, what John has meant to them, were popular topics in the highly personal and quite touching letters submitted for the project. The result? The 145-page, oversized, paperback, glossy-cover and full-color book "Dear John."

This is an item you won't see for sale in your favorite bookstore, as it was designed purely to be this once-in-a-lifetime gift (though those who participated were offered an opportunity to purchase a copy). Photos of General Lees and fans posing with Schneider abound throughout the pages. BRB also participated, supplying a couple photos of herself in her dazyduks at age 13, a big-time fan of the show back then.

The gift made its way to Schneider earlier this week.

"THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU!!!" he enthused in his email newsletter. "To everyone who participated in my wonderful, moving birthday book, from the bottom of my heart, thank you. I will read every word, look fondly at every picture and relish in the memories they bring. Thank you!"

Meanwhile, it's full-speed ahead on various other projects in Schneider's life. Some tidbits from the man himself ...

- "Back 9" is finished, funny and hopefully going to take the airwaves by storm. I warn you that everything about it is raunchy. I warned you!
- "Hot in Cleveland" was a blast and has been picked up. I'm just a guest star on the pilot but may come back in the future.
- "WWJD" is great I hear. Ask about it in your church or look online.
- "Wildthings 4" - What can I say. I had a great time and I think you'll like my part!
- "Demolition Men" (was "Crash Dummies" ) will air on Spike the evening of April 27. Please get as many people as you possibly can to watch this!!! I am not on it but am and executive producer/creator on the show and I need it to be picked up! It's stunt based and fantastic!

Spotted: Joan Collins

She begins the film in a conservative school-marm's attire, but boy, does that change! And if you could think of a Biblical role for our former Alexis Carrington Colby of "Dynasty," wouldn't Potiphar's wife come to mind? After all, the saucy Scriptural vixen saw the handsome Joseph and did what she could to tempt him and generally throw him off track.

And that's just what Joan Collins does in the 2000 film adaptation of the London Palladium stage production of "Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat." Andrew Lloyd Webber's musical, with rich lyrics by Tim Rice, gives Collins a whole new stage presence.

"She was beautiful but eeee-vil," the singers chime along in a scene awash in black and fuchsia as the black-sequin-clad Collins is introduced as Mrs. Potiphar. Aided by her entourage, she slinkily disrobes Donny Osmond's Joseph in front of what must have been stunned audiences. When the brou-ha-ha is discovered by the enraged Potiphar, his wife simply turns up her nose and poses her significant cigarette holder to her lips dismissively. Soooooo Alexis.

And alas, poor Joseph has to pay for her sins. (And the singerific Osmond really outlungs himself in this one, for sure. Doesn't look too bad in his desert briefs, either.)

Coming up in Archie Comics

ARCHIE #607
“Garden Variety Goofs”: Believing the quality of Archie’s work is proportionate to one’s expectations of Archie, Mr. Lodge gives him a major landscaping job. Will Mr. Lodge’s newfound confidence in Archie flourish and grow, or wither and die?
“Wappa! Wappa!”: The gang learns there’s nothing more novel than a fun-filled novelty when they become obsessed with a tethered paddle ball!
“Here’s a Thought”: Inspired by Dilton’s brilliance, Archie is determined to think until he has a profound thought… or until the fire department responds to all the smoke coming out of his head!
SCRIPTS: Craig Boldman
ART: Stan Goldberg
On sale at comic shops: March 24, 2010
Newsstands: April 6, 2010
32-page, full-color comic
$2.50 U.S.

ARCHIE IN WILL YOU MARRY ME
This is it – the Archie story of the century, now compiled in one collectible volume! For nearly 70 years, the eternal love triangle has been the bane of Archie’s existence. Not to mention fans, who have forever wondered, “Who will Archie choose, Betty or Veronica?” This year, the fans received an answer… not once, but twice! First came the announcement that Archie would marry Veronica… and the reaction was deafening! While some fans rejoiced, others were stunned, and one even sold his rare first issue of Archie! But just as it seemed Archie would forever settle into a life of wedded and parental bliss, a new twist was revealed, as the New York Times announced that Archie’s life with Veronica was merely one of two possible paths he could take… and for an encore, he decided to walk down the aisle with Betty! Relive the entire saga from beginning to end with every chapter under one cover. Includes all six installments from ARCHIE #600 through #605, plus the follow-up epilogue in ARCHIE #606. The landmark tale was written by acclaimed superhero movie producer Michael Uslan and rendered by legendary Archie Comics artist Stan Goldberg. Reserve your copy today!
SCRIPT: Michael Uslan
ART: Stan Goldberg
On sale at comic shops: March 10, 2010
Newsstands: March 23, 2010
168-page, full-color trade paperback
$14.95 U.S.

ARCHIE & FRIENDS #141
“Freshman Year – the Missing Chapters: Betty & Veronica”: For years, fans of Archie Comics have wondered what happened in the years before the fabled teens of Riverdale entered high school. How did everyone meet? Were the teachers always at the high school? Did all of Archie’s friends always live in Riverdale? Just when did the “eternal love triangle” first start? In the “Freshman Year” saga, originally presented in the pages of ARCHIE #587-591, readers finally learned the back-story behind Riverdale’s fabled cast of characters. But that wasn’t the whole story! Starting the previous issue and running through four consecutive issues, writer Batton Lash fills in the blanks, giving readers an even bigger glimpse of what went on with Jughead, Betty & Veronica, Reggie, Chuck, and Pencilneck G. In this issue, we follow Betty and Veronica through their freshman year, solidifying their friendship as they bond over their love of the Young Broz boy band. Just wait until they bond—or NOT—over their love for Archie!
SCRIPT: Batton Lash
ART: Bill Galvan
On sale at comic shops: March 10, 2010
Newsstands: March 23, 2010
32-page, full-color comic
$2.50 U.S.

ARCHIE & FRIENDS #142
“Freshman Year – the Missing Chapters: Reggie”: The backstories of everyone’s favorite Archie characters continue to be unveiled in this special series of follow-up tales to the acclaimed Freshman Year saga. This time, Reggie’s first year of high school is revealed… and you won’t believe just how far he’ll go to win the attention of the “cool upperclassmen.” But are they really Reggie’s friends, or just using him? Is the trouble Reggie faces worth hanging out with the “cool kids?” Will he realize who his true friends are? The answers await in this intriguing issue!
SCRIPT: Batton Lash
ART: Bill Galvan
On sale at comic shops: March 7, 2010
Newsstands: April 20, 2010
32-page, full-color comic
$2.50 U.S.

ARCHIE DIGEST #262
“The Ultra Cool School”: When school budget cuts hit, Archie is forced to home school via computer. Will he be late for class in his own home?
SCRIPT: George Gladir
ART: Pat Kennedy
“Dressing Downer”: A snow day brings out the adventurous side of Archie… and the warm side of his wardrobe!
SCRIPT: Mike Pellowski
ART: Jeff Shultz
PLUS: Other new and classic tales!
SCRIPTS AND ART: Various talents
BONUS: Puzzles, games and pin-ups!
On sale at comic shops: March 10, 2010
Newsstands: March 23, 2010
88-page, full-color digest
$2.69 U.S.

ARCHIE’S DOUBLE DIGEST #207
“Feathered Friends”: Archie learns that trying to catch a lost parrot just to get an award is for the birds!
SCRIPT: John Rose
ART: Stan Goldberg
“Party On”: Mrs. Andrews is quite pleased with her freshly spotless home… but with Archie holding a party, could it possibly stay that way?
SCRIPT: Mike Pellowski
ART: Randy Elliott
“Great Expert-tations”: To get a job at a local stationery store, Archie sells himself as a school supply expert, but can he actually sell the school supplies?
SCRIPT: Angelo DeCesare
ART: Henry Scarpelli
PLUS: Other new and classic tales!
SCRIPTS AND ART: Various talents
BONUS: Puzzles, games and pin-ups!
On sale at comic shops: March 24, 2010
Newsstands: April 6, 2010
176-page, full-color digest
$3.99 U.S.

BETTY #185
“Dancin’ in the Rain”: Archie hopes to win Betty’s heart by being her partner in a dance competition. Will Riverdale’s resident klutz trip the light fantastic, or merely trip up?
SCRIPT: George Gladir
ART: Stan Goldberg
“Tough Times”: The local paper sponsors a contest awarding a thousand dollars to the most frugal teen. Guess which master of the “cheap date” enters the contest?
SCRIPT: George Gladir
ART: Stan Goldberg
“Deli Meet”: When she gets a job making submarine sandwiches, Betty learns that special orders are more than
“meats” the eye!
SCRIPT: Mike Pellowski
ART: Stan Goldberg.
On sale at comic shops: March 31, 2010
Newsstands: April 13, 2010
32-page, full-color comic
$2.50 U.S.

BETTY & VERONICA DIGEST #203
“A Hearty Party”: Veronica’s latest masquerade party is sure to make history – literally, as the theme is coming dressed as a historical figure!
“The Nerd Word”: Betty becomes a “nerdette” and teaches Veronica that in today’s world, it’s chic to be a geek!
SCRIPTS: George Gladir
ART: Jeff Shultz
PLUS: Other new and classic tales!
SCRIPTS AND ART: Various talents
BONUS: Puzzles, games and pin-ups!
On sale at comic shops: March 7, 2010
Newsstands: April 20, 2010
88-page, full-color digest
$2.69 U.S.

BETTY & VERONICA DOUBLE DIGEST #179
“The Big Exam!”: The “nerdettes” strike again, as they set out to help the entire high school improve their aptitudes in science, math, technology and more.
SCRIPT: George Gladir
ART: Jeff Shultz
“Bear-ly Skating”: Betty and Veronica are going around in circles… no, they’re not arguing over Archie again – they’re skating for charity!
SCRIPT: John Rose
ART: Jeff Shultz
“Magic Mishap!”: It’s abra-catastrophe when the magician the kids hired for a charity magic show does a disappearing act, and Archie must step into his magic hat and shoes!
SCRIPT: Bill Golliher
ART: Jeff Shultz
PLUS: Other new and classic tales!
SCRIPTS AND ART: Various talents
BONUS: Puzzles, games and pin-ups!
On sale at comic shops: March 17, 2010
Newsstands: March 30, 2010
176-page, full-color digest
$3.99 U.S.

JUGHEAD #200
THE MILESTONE 200th ISSUE OF JUGHEAD FEATURING AN ISSUE-LENGTH EPIC WRITTEN BY ROBOT CHICKEN’S CO-HEAD WRITER AND CO-PRODUCER TOM ROOT!
“Something Ventured, Something Gained”: Riverdale High’s fabled teens embark on their wildest ride ever, as Jughead trades his metabolism to a witch in exchange for a mega cheeseburger… and all goes bonkers from there with a chain reaction of cataclysmic proportions! Before you know it, Archie is offering his pure heart to get Juggy’s metabolism back, and Betty and Veronica make offers of their own to get the old Archie back! Meanwhile, Jughead’s waistline is growing larger than Lodge Mansion! Needless to say, the kids are plenty disenchanted with being enchanted. Can they go from status woe to status quo? Tom Root, co-head writer and co-producer of the Emmy Award-winning Robot Chicken on Cartoon Network’s Adult Swim—and co-creator/executive producer of the network’s upcoming Titan Maximum—brings his patented irreverent humor to the milestone 200th issue of JUGHEAD!
SCRIPT: Tom Root
ART: Rex Lindsey
COVER: Dan Parent
On sale at comic shops: March 17, 2010
Newsstands: March 30, 2010
32-page, full-color comic
$2.50 U.S.

JUGHEAD’S DOUBLE DIGEST #159
MOVE OVER BETTY & VERONICA – ETHEL GRABS THE SPOTLIGHT IN THREE NEW TALES!
“The Green Scene”: Ethel nominates Jughead to be the first male member of The Green Girls… but can she convince him to eat her green veggie burgers? SCRIPT: George Gladir
ART: Pat Kennedy
“Where There’s a Will”: When Ethel gets a job at a movie theater, she anonymously sends Jughead free passes as a romantic gesture… but with Jughead involved, it’s more like a romantic comedy!
SCRIPT: George Gladir
ART: Tim Kennedy
“To Have and Have Not”: Ethel laments that her friends have it all while she has nothing… but just wait until she hears what those friends have to say about that!
SCRIPT: Mike Pellowski
ART: Tim Kennedy
PLUS: Other new and classic tales!
SCRIPTS AND ART: Various talents
BONUS: Puzzles, games and pin-ups!
On sale at comic shops: March 7, 2010
Newsstands: April 20, 2010
176-page, full-color digest
$3.99 U.S.

PALS ‘N’ GALS DOUBLE DIGEST #140
“Pranks for the Memories”: Can it be so? Is Reggie really throwing the comedic cosmos into chaos by completely abandoning April Fools’ Day Pranks? What is this, some sort of a joke?!
SCRIPT AND ART: Fernando Ruiz
“Teen Trauma”: When it comes to his students, Mr. Weatherbee is a real problem-solver… but when they take up all his time, that leaves him with a problem of his own to solve!
SCRIPT: Mike Pellowski
ART: Tim Kennedy
“Poet Tree”: Reggie thinks that he will never see a poem as lovely as a tree… unless it’s about a lovely girl of course!
SCRIPT: Mike Pellowski
ART: Tim Kennedy
PLUS: Other new and classic tales!
SCRIPTS AND ART: Various talents
BONUS: Puzzles, games and pin-ups!
On sale at comic shops: March 31, 2010
Newsstands: April 13, 2010
176-page, full-color digest
$3.99 U.S.

Come say hello to BRB -- and some good "Dukes" friends -- at the Motor City Comic Con

The Motor City Comic Con is the place to be this mid-May, to find out whether that stern ole Sheriff Little ever did catch them Duke boys -- or at least one of 'em! Byron "Coy Duke" Cherry will be making his first trip to the Novi, Michigan, event, and he'll be joined by Don Pedro Colley, who portrayed the long arm of the law on "The Dukes of Hazzard."

And while you're there, give a holler to Billie Rae Bates, who will be returning to the event (and her highly beloved Detroit!) again this year to sign copies of the BRBTV reference guide, "Them Dukes! Them Dukes!"

Cherry, Colley and Bates will all be a part of Paul Harrington's "Dukes of Hazzard" museum display, a comprehensive trip back in time to the bright-orange hills of Hazzard County. Inside the traveling museum, you'll find all kinds of fab "Dukes" memorabilia, including lotsa props from the filming of the popular '80s CBS series. The display will include a General Lee, a Hazzard County Sheriff's car (maybe two!) and even a very rare Hazzard County Sheriff's boat!

The Motor City Comic con runs Friday, May 14 through Sunday, May 16. The event, jam-packed with comics industry professionals, will also feature a slew of other classic TV stars, such as Mark Goddard, Todd Bridges, Angie Everhart, Jenilee Harrison, Herb Jefferson Jr., Lindsay Wagner and more. Visit the event site for details, and keep your eye on the Events page of BillieRae.com for your guide to BRB's book signings.

See ya in the Motor City!!!! Yeeeee-haaaaa!!!!!!!!!

BRBTV birthdays for March

- Jed Allan, the final and most commanding C.C. Capwell on "Santa Barbara," turns 73 on March 1.
- Catherine Bach, lovely Daisy Duke on "The Dukes of Hazzard," shares an exact birthday with Rick Edwards, hunky Jake Morton on "SB." They both turn 56 on March 1.
- Cassie Yates, who was Sarah Curtis on "Dynasty," turns 59 on March 2.
- Gordon Thomson , a BRBTV double-shot as Adam Carrington of "Dynasty" and the third and final Mason Capwell on "SB," turns 65 on March 3.
- Stacy Edwards, the sweet Hayley Capwell on "SB," turns 45 on March 4.
- Arlen Dean Snyder, who was Texas Energy Commisioner George Hicks on "Dallas" and Lt. Cobb on "Dynasty," turns 77 on March 5.
- Linda Gibboney, who played the first Gina DeMott (and really, the one we preferred for the role), turns 59 on March 7.
- Alice Hirson, who was Mavis Anderson on "Dallas" and was married to "Dallas" castmate Stephen Elliott (Scotty Demarest), turns 81 on March 10.
- Frank Welker, the voice of Isis the cat on "Batman: The Animated Series" and Ace the Bathound on "Batman Beyond," as well as the General Lee and Uncle Jesse's pet raccoon on "The Dukes" cartooon, turns 64 on March 12.
- Julia Campbell, the cute Courtney Caroline Capwell of "SB," turns a young 47 on March 12.
- Steve Kanaly, our own Ray Krebbs of "Dallas," turns 64 on March 14.
- Dennis Patrick, who was Vaughn Leland on "Dallas" and was also married to a castmate, Barbara Cason (Iris Porter), was born on March 14, 1918 and died on October 13, 2002.
- Patrick Duffy, our Bobby Ewing of "Dallas," is one of our St. Patrick's Day (how ironic) birthdays, turning 61.
- Lesley-Anne Down, who played Stephanie Rogers on "Dallas" and Nurse Ellena Corey on "Dynasty," is our other Patty's Day prize, turning 56.
- James L. Brown, that shrewd Det. Harry McSween on "Dallas," was born on March 22, 1920 and died on April 11, 1992.

Happy birthday to all!

Spotted: Before "Santa Barbara," Stella Stevens saw some stars (and stripes)

Playing the mom of the devious Gina DeMott Capwell on our beloved "Santa Barbara" must have had certain prerequisites. We're quite sure listing "wrestling Wonder Woman" on her resume must have moved Stella Stevens to the top of the casting list! Sure enough, Stevens, known to us as Phyllis Blake on "SB," starred in the first season of the 1970s "Wonder Woman" TV series starring Lynda Carter. Heck, she starred in the very first episode.

Stevens is a secret Nazi agent cloaked in the guise of Major Steve Trevor's assistant in the show's pilot, "The New Original Wonder Woman," originally airing in November 1975. As Marcia, her blond curls are piled high on her head, and her luscious '40s fashions could create almost as much a stir as when the enthralled Wonder Woman herself parades down a Washington, D.C., sidewalk for the first time in the old red-white-and-blue. Trim of shoulder, tight of waist, florals optional -- Stevens wears the dresses well. When the mysterious new Wonder Woman thwarts her secret plans, Stevens' Marcia sets out to learn more about her. Things get a little ugly when she tries a little hand-to-hand combat with the Amazon princess, however. Meow!!!!

Witness it for yourself at the WB.

Catfights .... hmmmm .... Remind you of anything? It should -- executive producer Douglas S. Cramer went on to work on "Dynasty" with Aaron Spelling! He comments in the DVD set for the first season of "Wonder Woman" that he sent this early catfight scene to the production crew of "Dynasty" while the show was being written!

The pilot episode of "Wonder Woman" is not without some other classic (and soapy) stars: Eric Braeden, legendary as Victor on "The Young and the Restless" plays a Nazi pilot intercepted over the Atlantic by Major Steve Trevor.

By the way, BRBTV's bud Tracy has been doin' some star-spottin' herself as she makes her way through Season 4 of "Charlie's Angels": Steve Kanaly of "Dallas" in "Avenging Angel," Louise Sorel of "Santa Barbara" in "Caged Angel," Peter Mark Richman of "Dallas," "Dynasty" and "SB" in "Cruising Angels," and Robin Mattson of "SB" in "Of Ghosts and Angels."

MTV calls R-13 the “Best Under-the Radar Comic Series”

From Robot Comics / Blacklist Studios

BUTLER, NJ (February 2010) – 2009 was another memorable year for the comic book industry. When it came time for journalists to reflect on the year gone by, several mentioned R-13 as being one of the standout comic books of 2009.

Among R-13’s many champions is MTV’s Rick Marshall, an editor of the station’s movie, pop culture and comic book news site, “The Splash Page.” Rick calls R-13 the “Best Under-the-Radar Comic Series” on the stands today.

This March, readers will get another chance to discover what all the excitement is about with the release of R-13 #3 (aka Robot 13). The thrilling issue from Blacklist Studios concludes the “Colossus” storyline and will be simultaneously released in the digital format for the Apple and Google mobile markets via special arrangements with Robot Comics and Panelfly.

The story of a skull-headed robot with an irresistible instinct to battle mythological creatures has captured the imaginations of comic book fans the world over. The reaction has been so widespread that the comic book’s co-creators, writer Thomas Hall and artist Daniel Bradford have fielded publishing offers from other countries and will soon be announcing their first international trade paperback collection.

“It’s really taken on a life of its own,” said Hall. “We have been interviewed by reporters from websites in Germany and Australia, seen our book raved about by Spanish and Portuguese comic reviewers and magazines in Canada and the UK have done pieces on Robot 13.”

The comic has also become a favorite among some famous folks in the realm of fantasy.

“We have gotten feedback from world renowned authors, top Hollywood executives and established comic book artists alike and all of it has been pretty positive,” added Hall.

Now, R13 returns with its third thrilling issue, packed with even more action and intrigue! The print edition of R-13 #3 can be ordered directly from Blacklist Studios. The 32-page, full-color comic retails for $3.99 US. Distributors and retailers are encouraged to contact Blacklist Studios for wholesale rates.

R-13 #3 can also be ordered in a digital edition from Robot Comics and Panelfly for Apple, Google and Amazon mobiles. The digital editions of R-13 #2 and R-13 #1 are also still available priced at $0.99 each.

Packed with action, intrigue and poignancy, the “Colossus!” storyline concludes with some amazing revelations about the skull-headed robot warrior. While convalescing under the care of an old man and his dog, R13 discovers more about his past than ever before…and not a moment too soon, as he may need to draw upon this newfound knowledge to battle the most fearsome monster yet! Now that he knows more about himself, R13 is one step closer to learning the identity of the one who keeps sending monsters to destroy him… clues that will lead him directly into his next awesome epic!

Writer Thomas Hall and artist Daniel Bradford continue the saga of their creation, and as an added bonus for their fans, this issue includes pulse-pounding pin-ups from fan-favorite artists including Tegaki blog artist Kim Low, animator-illustrator Jeffrey Cheung, action figure designer and trading card artist Bobby Vala, multimedia artist Kevin Olson and a thrilling new artist on the scene, Maur Cobb.

About Robot Comics
Robot Comics publishes mobile comics for hand-helds such as Apple's iPhone and iPod Touch, Google's Android mobiles, Nintendo DSi and Amazon's Kindle. It is one of the first and few mobile comic publishers who offer titles specifically designed and formatted to be read on e-devices. For more information contact: contact@robotcomics.net

About Panelfly
Panelfly offers comic book readers an online mobile store, complete library functionality, and sequential panel navigation that allows users to sequentially read each page, delivering the most true to print reading experience to date - just as the creators intended. For more information contact: team@panelfly.com

About Blacklist Studios
Blacklist Studios publishes the comics Robot 13 and KING (coming soon). Visit their official website at http://www.blackliststudios.com/ or the ROBOT-13 MySpace page at http://www.myspace.com%20/robotthirteen. Follow writer Thomas Hall’s blog at http://blacklistedtom.blogspot.com/ and check out more of Daniel Bradford’s art at http://blacklist-da.deviantart.com/.

Emmy Award-winning writer / producer tackles Jughead comic

From Archie Comics

Tom Root, co-head writer and co-producer of the Emmy Award-winning "Robot Chicken" on Cartoon Network’s Adult Swim — and co-creator/executive producer of the network’s upcoming "Titan Maximum" — brings his patented irreverent humor to the milestone 200th issue of JUGHEAD.

“Something Ventured, Something Gained” takes Riverdale High’s fabled teens on their wildest ride ever, as Jughead trades his body’s metabolism to a witch in exchange for an irresistible mega cheeseburger… and everything goes bonkers from there with a chain reaction of cataclysmic proportions!

Tom Root has been entertaining comic book and pop culture fans since his days writing “Twisted ToyFare Theatre” stories for ToyFare Magazine.

“Tom Root infuses his scripts with wild humor and energetic storytelling that perfectly fits Jughead,” said Archie Comics CEO Jonathan Goldwater.

This won’t be the first time Root has tackled the Archie comic book teens. One of "Robot Chicken"’s most popular episodes parodies the Archie Comics characters in a send up of the movie “Final Destination.”

“The Archie Comics characters are comedy icons,” said Root. “Each character’s personality has been so well-defined over the course of nearly 70 years that it was a lot of fun to shake them up and present them with new challenges. Mostly, though, I just wanted to write a funny issue. I hope Archie fans like it!”

Root’s comic book debut isn’t the only first associated with Jughead’s 200th issue — the book will also be available with Archie Comics’ first-ever variant cover, by noted comics artist and JUGHEAD penciller Rex Lindsey.

For every three regular issues purchased, the Lindsey variant will be included free.

JUGHEAD #200 retails for $2.50 and will be available March 17.

Mark your calendar for A "Moonrunners" Weekend this summer

You take a load of 200-proof corn liquor through a Georgia roadblock at 100 miles an hour and if you ain't a dead man, you're a moonrunner ...

You know, before there was a thing called "The Dukes of Hazzard," there was a thing called "Moonrunners." A movie, to be exact, drawing from elements familiar to all of us diehard "Dukes" fans ... fast cars, moonshine, Southern livin' ... Why, it even has an Uncle Jesse and a Waylon Jennings. You could call it the movie behind the TV show.

Well, the Hazzard County Car Club has announced "A 'Moonrunners' Weekend" on Friday, August 6 and Saturday, August 7. The place will be Griffin, Georgia, with host hotel to be announced.

This free event will include a screening of "Moonrunners" and a tour of the local filming sites. As the event approaches, more details will be added and confirmed, so keep your eye on http://www.dukesofhazzard01.com.

Archie Comics announces collaboration with Stan Lee's POW! Entertainment

From Archie Comics

LOS ANGELES – February 10, 2010 – A Squared Entertainment (A2), a full-service brand entertainment company, and Archie Comics, the leading producer of comic book entertainment, announced today an exciting collaboration with Stan Lee, founder, chairman and chief creative officer (CCO) of POW! Entertainment (PK:POWN), to create a new print and digital comic book line from the most successful comic book entertainment producer of all time. Lee is also known as the co-creator of Spider-Man, The Incredible Hulk, X-Men, and Iron Man, among many others.

Scheduled for release first is a new, original multimedia series called “Super Seven” to be distributed in print, online, on air and at retail. It’s the story about seven aliens who find themselves stranded on planet Earth after their spaceship crashes, only to be befriended by none other than Lee himself. Taking them under his care, Lee becomes their leader and enables them to resume their lives as superheroes on earth.

“A2 Entertainment is humbled and honored to be collaborating with such a legendary figure in the entertainment industry,” A2 Entertainment Co-Founder and CEO Andy Heyward says. “Stan Lee has been delivering groundbreaking entertainment to consumers for decades and we couldn’t be more excited to venture into the digital space together and introduce him to a new generation of fans.”

“Stan Lee is a global icon. He has singlehandedly changed modern entertainment. His legendary creations are timeless,” says Archie Comics Co-CEO Jon Goldwater. “Archie Comics is incredibly proud to be working with Stan Lee in publishing ‘Super Seven’.”

“Nothing is more exciting to me, as a writer, than creating a new type of story or introducing a new theme," says POW! Chairman and Founder Stan Lee. "Although I’ve briefly appeared in other comics, ‘Super Seven’ is the first time that I’ll actually be a continuing character in a far-out, original superhero series. Having been a fan of the Archie Comics line for many decades, it’s a real kick to have this opportunity to help them launch my new, highly-stylized superhero saga which we’ll soon bequeath to a grateful public.”

Gill Champion, POW!’s President and COO says, “Working with Archie Comics and A2 Entertainment provides us with another unique opportunity to further extend the Stan Lee POW! brand internationally through a diverse combination of distribution opportunities.”

Walt Disney Studios entered into a first-look deal with POW! and has a number of projects in development with the company and has also been working closely with the world-renowned Lee.

“Super Seven” is expected to debut in fall 2010 in digital, print and broadcast.

About A Squared Entertainment LLC
A Squared Entertainment (A2) is a full-service brand entertainment company that creates, develops, produces, programs, markets, merchandises and distributes content across all channels: online, offline, on-air and at retail outlets. Headquartered in Los Angeles, A2 Entertainment was created by Co-Presidents Andy Heyward and Amy Moynihan Heyward in 2009. Having spent the last quarter of a century in the kids industry, the two created A2 Entertainment with a mission to develop meaningful entertainment in various formats and recreate the way brands are managed and brought to market in a multimedia, multi-tasking world. A2 Entertainment is currently producing the “Secret Millionaire's Club” with billionaire Warren Buffett, “Gisele & the Green Team” with supermodel Gisele Bündchen and “Martha & Friends” with American media mogul and business magnate Martha Stewart.

About POW!
An advanced media and entertainment company, POW! was founded by Stan Lee, together with award winning producer Gill Champion and intellectual property attorney Arthur Lieberman, Esq., to create, produce and license original intellectual properties. POW! Specializes in franchises for the entertainment industry, including animation and live-action feature films, plus television, DVDs, video games, merchandising and related ancillary markets, all of which contribute to global expansion.

Coming up in Archie Comics

ARCHIE #606
DON’T MISS THE INTROSPECTIVE EPILOGUE TO THE ARCHIE STORY OF THE CENTURY!
“Archie Gets Married: the Epilogue”: The amazing events that occurred in ARCHIE issues #600 through #605 have left Archie in a daze! He doesn’t know how to explain it to his friends… especially Betty and Veronica! Can he readjust to the way things used to be before he walked up Memory Lane?
SCRIPT: Michael Uslan
ART: Stan Goldberg
“Unflappable”: Archie comes up with a new way to break a date with Veronica: he’ll push her buttons until she breaks the date with him!
SCRIPT: Craig Boldman
ART: Stan Goldberg
“Career Weak”: An all-week Career Fair at school has Archie leaping from job to job. If only any of them were paying gigs!
SCRIPT: Angelo DeCesare
ART: Stan Goldberg
On sale at comic shops: February 24, 2010
Newsstands: March 9, 2010
32-page, full-color comic
$2.50 U.S.

ARCHIE ALL-STARS VOLUME 3: THE CARTOON LIFE OF CHUCK CLAYTON
RIVERDALE’S RESIDENT CARTOONIST TAKES CENTER STAGE IN THIS SPECIAL STORY!
Originally appearing in the pages of ARCHIE & FRIENDS #126 through #129, “The Cartoon Life of Chuck Clayton” focuses on Chuck’s efforts to share his artistic talents with neighborhood kids, and the special relationships he develops as he teaches cartooning. It all starts when Chuck is asked to teach an after-school program in cartooning to elementary school kids… and it isn’t long before he learns the kids can be more hyperactive than his doodles! But Chuck is determined to connect with the kids and help them create the next comic book classics. Along the way, he gets some help teaching from an unlikely source, and reaches out to a troubled child known for spreading graffiti. Can Chuck’s world of collecting, drawing, and teaching kids how to make their own comics take on new meaning? The answer’s just a splash panel away! This poignant tale comes courtesy of someone who knows their way around both creating and teaching comics, namely acclaimed writer, children’s art advocate, and organizer of the world’s only “Kids’ Comic” convention, Alex Simmons.
SCRIPT: Alex Simmons
ART: Fernando Ruiz
On sale at comic shops: February 17, 2010
Newsstands: March 2, 2010
96-page, full-color trade paperback
$11.95 U.S.

ARCHIE & FRIENDS #140
“Freshmen Year – The Missing Chapters: Jughead”: For years, fans of Archie Comics have wondered what happened in the years before the fabled teens of Riverdale entered high school. How did everyone meet? Were the teachers always at the high school? Did all of Archie’s friends always live in Riverdale? Just when did the “eternal love triangle” first start? In the “Freshman Year” saga, originally presented in the pages of ARCHIE #587-591, readers finally learned the back-story behind Riverdale’s fabled cast of characters. But that wasn’t the whole story! Starting with this issue and running through four consecutive issues, writer Batton Lash fills in the blanks, giving readers an even bigger glimpse of what went on with Jughead, Betty & Veronica, Reggie, Chuck, and Pencilneck G. In this issue, we follow Jughead as his family moves out of Riverdale. What is life like in his new town? Can he make a friend as loyal as Archie? Who is Sadie – just a friend, or something more? You won’t want to miss the thrilling answers - reserve your copy today!
SCRIPT: Batton Lash
ART: Bill Galvan
On sale at comic shops: February 10, 2010
Newsstands: February 24, 2010
32-page, full-color comic
$2.50 U.S.

ARCHIE’S DOUBLE DIGEST #206
“The Archies Return to Beverly Hills”: After their first thrilling adventure in Beverly Hills (from December 2008’s ARCHIE’S DIGEST #250), The Archies have returned for more fun in the “Golden State!” This time, they’re playing a gig at the fabled Beverly Hills Hotel’s Crystal Ballroom, where many a movie star, president and other dignitaries have been entertained throughout the years! Of course, they plan to make time for some of the city’s other famous landmarks, too, including the Fountain Coffee room – home of grilled cheese and tomato sandwiches and the famous “Orange Freeze” drink, and the many shops on Rodeo Drive, including Guzzi and Dolsay & Cabana!
SCRIPT: Hal Lifson
ART: Rex Lindsey
“Do the Right Thing”: Archie faces his biggest dilemma: do what’s right (keep his date with Betty) or rock ‘n’ roll all night (at a concert with Veronica)!
SCRIPT: Bill Golliher
ART: Tim Kennedy
“Loving the Library”: Girls can read boys like open books – especially when those boys (like Archie) volunteer at the library just to meet girls!
SCRIPT: John Rose
ART: Tim Kennedy
PLUS: Other new and classic tales!
SCRIPT AND ART: Various talents
BONUS: Puzzles, games and pin-ups!
On sale at comic shops: February 17, 2010
Newsstands: March 2, 2010
176-page, full-color digest
$3.99 U.S.

BETTY & VERONICA #246
“The Great Debate”: Riverdale High’s biggest fashion plate squares off against its most practical dresser in a debate on formal school attire versus casual wear… and you’ll never guess which sides Betty and Veronica take!
SCRIPT: Hal Lifson
ART: Jeff Shultz
“Timely Tales”: Veronica grows very impatient with the service at a local restaurant, leading to the question,
“should the customers be called ‘waiters’ instead of the servers?”
SCRIPT: Mike Pellowski
ART: Jeff Shultz
“Same Game”: Veronica gets more than her “share” when she has to share a dorm with Betty and two other girls at a teen fellowship retreat designed to promote cooperation and team-work!
SCRIPT: Mike Pellowski
ART: Jeff Shultz
“Technologically Challenged”: A zapped battery in Veronica’s cell phone cuts off the lines of communication with Betty at a crucial moment: just when a new girl threatens to move in on their Archie!
SCRIPT: Kathleen Webb
ART: Jeff Shultz
On sale at comic shops: February 17, 2010
Newsstands: March 2, 2010
32-page, full-color comic
$2.50 U.S.

BETTY & VERONICA DIGEST #202
“Writer’s Blockheads”: Ms. Grundy decides to have the class collaborate on a story by having each write a section. The theme is spring, but somewhere along the line the story turns into an adventure about rampaging robots, a romance where Reggie is the lead Romeo, and a quest to find the perfect burger!
SCRIPT AND ART: Dan Parent
“Memory Lapse”: Betty and Veronica are astonished when they witness a hapless boy caught between two girlfriends in a loopy love triangle… they can’t even imagine such a thing!
SCRIPT: Mike Pellowski
ART: Jeff Shultz
PLUS: Other new and classic tales!
SCRIPT AND ART: Various talents
BONUS: Puzzles, games and pin-ups!
On sale at comic shops: March 3, 2010
Newsstands: March 16, 2010
88-page, full-color digest
$2.69 U.S.

BETTY & VERONICA DOUBLE DIGEST #178
“Plant One on Me!”: Pop Tate’s Chok’lit Shoppe turns into a little shop of horticulture when Betty & Veronica give him a plant... and it just so happens to be a hungry one!
SCRIPT: Bill Golliher
ART: Dan Parent
“Production Meeting”: Betty and Veronica relive their first steps… via Betty’s parents’ handheld video and Veronica’s parents’ professionally produced video!
SCRIPT: Mike Pellowski
ART: Pat Kennedy
“My Lucky Boyfriend/Worse for Wear”: it’s two stories in one, as both Veronica and Archie offer up accounts of the same event, each from their unique points of view!
SCRIPT: Tim Kennedy
ART: Pat Kennedy (pencils) and Terry Austin (inks)
PLUS: Other new and classic tales!
SCRIPT AND ART: Various talents
BONUS: Puzzles, games and pin-ups!
On sale at comic shops: February 10, 2010
Newsstands: February 24, 2010
176-page, full-color digest
$3.99 U.S.

JUGHEAD & FRIENDS DIGEST #36
“Tagger’s Delight”: Jughead must clear his name when graffiti artists start painting images of his crown all over Riverdale. When the trail leads to an art gallery, Jughead realizes he’s not the only one who’s being “framed!”
SCRIPT: George Gladir
PENCIL: Bill Galvan
PLUS: Other new and classic tales!
SCRIPT AND ART: Various talents
BONUS: Puzzles, games and pin-ups!
On sale at comic shops: February 10, 2010
Newsstands: February 24, 2010
88-page, full-color digest
$2.69 U.S.

JUGHEAD’S DOUBLE DIGEST #158
“Battle of the Bots”: Jughead doesn’t make the basketball team as his parents hope, but Dilton and Chuck convince Jughead that his imagination would make him a formidable teammate on the robotics team. Can Jughead’s unique intelligence help machines with artificial intelligence score baskets? “A Pair with Flair”: In a follow-up to the previous story, the robotics team takes on various other problems at Riverdale High – like school budget cuts in the maintenance and cafeteria crews, tardy students and more. But have they created a Frankenstein’s monster in the process?
SCRIPT: George Gladir
ART: Fernando Ruiz
PLUS: Other new and classic tales!
SCRIPT AND ART: Various talents
BONUS: Puzzles, games and pin-ups!
On sale at comic shops: March 3, 2010
Newsstands: March 16, 2010
176-page, full-color digest
$3.99 U.S.

PALS ‘N’ GALS DOUBLE DIGEST #139
“The Chatty Charioteer”: Archie goes Greek without having to join a college fraternity in this “what if” tale that imagines the teens of Riverdale in Ancient Greece! Can Archio beat Reggio in the big chariot race? Will Bettina and Veronique forever debate which of them is Archio’s biggest fan? One thing’s for certain – this story is one for the history books!
SCRIPT: George Gladir
ART: Pat Kennedy
“Let Your Hair Down”: After a week of science-fact with Professor Flutesnoot, the kids are ready to enjoy the local science fiction convention… but they’re not the only ones!
SCRIPT: Mike Pellowski
ART: Tim Kennedy
“On the Face of It”: The object of Reggie’s affections is compromised… when his own beloved face gets a zit!
SCRIPT AND ART: Tim Kennedy
PLUS: Other new and classic tales!
SCRIPT AND ART: Various talents
BONUS: Puzzles, games and pin-ups!
On sale at comic shops: February 24, 2010
Newsstands: March 9, 2010
176-page, full-color digest
$3.99 U.S.

TALES FROM RIVERDALE DIGEST #37
“Bite Plight”: it’s tooth or consequences for Jughead when the tooth fairy undervalues his tooth. Meanwhile, Archie is gaga over the fetching fairy while Betty takes a shine to her hunky supervisor! We promise you, this is one story you’ll love to sink your teeth into!
SCRIPT: Tim Kennedy
ART: Pat Kennedy
“Egology”: Everything you always wanted to know about big egos… straight from that most vain and conceited of wise guys, Reggie!
SCRIPT: Craig Boldman
ART: Fernando Ruiz
PLUS: Other new and classic tales!
SCRIPT AND ART: Various talents
BONUS: Puzzles, games and pin-ups!
On sale at comic shops: February 24, 2010
Newsstands: March 9, 2010
88-page, full-color digest
$2.69 U.S.

VERONICA #199
VERONICA MEETS PRESIDENT OBAMA IN THIS VERY SPECIAL ISSUE!
“Ms. Lodge Goes to Washington”: When the teens go to Washington, DC on a class trip, they visit all the historic sites, including the Washington Monument, Lincoln Memorial, National Archives and more! They also have an opportunity to meet President Obama in a question and answer session, and to everyone’s surprise, it’s Veronica who asks the President how to help the economy. Taking the President’s message about job creation to heart, Veronica puts Archie to work at Lodge Mansion… conveniently forgetting to tell her dad! She also gives Betty a job, strictly to keep her away from Archie! Will Veronica help stimulate the economy, or will she merely help stimulate her father’s anger?
SCRIPT AND ART: Dan Parent.
On sale at comic shops: March 3, 2010
Newsstands: March 16, 2010
32-page, full-color comic
$2.50 U.S.

It was chilly, but Davy Jones -- and a certain car -- were pretty hot

Neatly filed in the Sights You Don't See Every Day category ... How about a Monkee signing a Monkeemobile?

Yes, it's a real Monkee, and it's even a real Monkeemobile -- one of the two actual screen-used vehicles for the popular 1966 TV show. If you were in Tecumseh, Michigan, last weekend you might have seen this rare sight. Former teen idol Davy Jones, looking sharper than ever, came to town for a concert, and this red-hot Monkeemobile, snagged by our buddy Mel for a pretty penny a couple years back at the Barrett-Jackson Auto Auction in Florida, strolled into town for an appearance, too. Our friend Mike, kind enough to send us these photos by Gary DeLisle, noted it was "brutal cold" that night, and Mr. Jones -- having barely made it to town in time despite a snowstorm en route -- ran out and signed the car and ran back inside, in a flash. So glad Gary captured the moment!

It's not the first time this Monkeemobile has been reunited with a Monkee after so many years, by the way. It got to park itself right next to Micky Dolenz during a signing appearance at the Motor City Comic Con in 2008, as well.

Photos courtesy of Gary DeLisle; please do not copy without permission

BRBTV birthdays for February

- Kim Zimmer, who shone as Jodie Walker on "Santa Barbara," turns 55 on Groundhog's Day, February 2.
- Bo Hopkins, hotter than hot (in our opinion!) as Matthew Blaisdel on "Dynasty," turns 68 on February 2.
- Morgan Fairchild, one of the Jenna Wades on "Dallas" and so many other things in our soap-opera lexicon, turns 60 on February 3.
- Gayle Hunnicutt, who was the love of J.R.'s life, Vanessa Beaumont, on "Dallas," turns 67 on February 6.
- Bruce W. Timm, writer and artist for "Batman: The Animated Series," turns 49 on February 8.
- Dame Judith Anderson, the grand gal who originated the Minx Lockridge role on "SB," was born on February 10, 1897, and died on January 3, 1992.
- Tina Louise, the unforgettable Julie Grey on "Dallas," and an unforgettable redhead anyway (!), turns 76 on February 11.
- Richard Eden, who was Brick Wallace on "Santa Barbara," turns 51 on February 13.
- Stockard Channing, who voiced the Barbara Gordon of the future (that's Commissioner Barbara Gordon to you!) on "Batman Beyond," turns 66 on February 13.
- Gretchen Wyler, who is a BRBTV double-shot as Dr. Dagmara Conrad on "Dallas" and Judge Larson on "SB," was born on February 16, 1932 and died on died May 27, 2007.
- George Kennedy, so fun as Carter McKay on "Dallas," turns 85 on February 18.
- Michael Nader, the hottie Dex Dexter on "Dynasty," turns 65 on February 19.
- Kathleen Beller, who was Kirby Aynders on "Dynasty," turns 54 on February 19.
- Two "Santa Barbara" stars share a birthday on February 20: Marj Dusay (second Pamela Capwell), who turns 74 and Peter Love (Ric Castillo), who turns 47.
- Henry Polic II, who voiced the Scarecrow on "Batman: The Animated Series," turns 65 on February 20.
- Jack Coleman, the second Steven Carrington on "Dynasty," who's got a great show in NBC's "Heroes," turns 52 on February 21.
- John Ashton, who was cartel oilman Willie Joe Garr on "Dallas," turns 62 on February 22.
- Dennis Redfield, who played Roger Larson on "Dallas," turns 67 on February 23.
- Two "Dynasty" stars share a birthday on February 24: James Farentino (Dr. Nick Toscanni) turns 72 and Susan Scannell (Nicole Simpson DeVilbus) turns 52.
- John Vernon, the voice of Rupert Thorne in "Batman: The Animated Series," was born on February 24, 1932 and died on February 1, 2005.
- Leann Hunley, Dana Waring on "Dynasty," turns 55 on February 25.
- Bert Remsen, a double BRBTV star as Dandy Dandridge on "Dallas" and Jack Crager on "Dynasty," was born on February 25, 1925 and died on April 22, 1999.
- Margarita Cordova, who was Rosa Andrade on "SB," turns 71 on February 26.
- Barbara Babcock, Pam's steady boss Liz Craig on "Dallas," turns 73 on February 27.
- Stephanie Beacham, the spicy Sable Colby of "Dynasty" and "The Colbys," turns 63 on February 28.

Happy birthday to all ...