Archie Giant Series Magazine #542

Another of the comics my brother-in-law gave me.

Title: Archie Giant Series Magazine
Issue: 542
Date: September, 1984
Publisher: Archie Comics
Writer: George Gladir
Artist: Samm Schwartz
Letterer: Samm Schwartz
Colorist: Barry Grossman
Editor: Victor Gorelick

Four stories featuring versions of Jughead in different historical eras. 

First up, newly-captured barbarian slave Jughead gets a tour of all of the wonders of ancient Roman civilization, and is quick to choose the barbarian lifestyle when he gets the chance. This was a pretty standard play on the absurdity of "civilized" life.

The second story, with Jughead as the court jester in a medieval fiefdom who dresses up in armor and is ordered to enter a tournament, is pure slapstick.

The best story here is the third, with Jughead as the nerdy new sheriff in an Old West town, who outsmarts a series of typical bad guys, This was a smarter rendition of the usually hapless Jughead, and it was a fun interpretation.

The last story was set around the beginning of the 20th Century with Jughead as the Luddite who's frustrated with all the new technology his friends are into like motion pictures and motor cars.  He finally finds a new invention he can get behind when he tries is first ice cream soda. Now there's the Jughead we know and love.

Harmless fun, but more misses than hits on the jokes.

Rating: 5/10