Data courtesy of the Grand Comics Database under Creative Commons license.

Issue Details

Issue #51
Published October 1979
Cover Price 0.40 USD
Pages 36
Editing ?
Notes No credits given for the cover. Moose is seen just to the left of the "J" in the title, pounding Reggie. Reggie is seen standing between the "s" in "Reggie's" and the "e" in "Jokes", kicking a football with a picture of Archie on it.

Cover Details - "Inferiority Complex"

Characters Reggie Mantle; Veronica Lodge; Moose Mason (logo); Archie Andrews (Football)
Synopsis Reggie and Veronica are in a canoe on a moonlit lake. Reggie tells Veronica that he has an inferiority complex. When Veronica asks him about it, he states that he didn't realize how magificent he really was.
Genre Teen; Humor
Notes No credits given for the cover. Moose is seen just to the left of the "J" in the title, pounding Reggie. Reggie is seen standing between the "s" in "Reggie's" and the "e" in "Jokes", kicking a football with a picture of Archie on it.

1 page Reggie story "Hole Control"

Characters Reggie Mantle; Veronica Lodge; Jughead Jones
Synopsis Reggie and Veronica are seen on a frisbee golf course, with Reggie tossing the frisbee into the basket. Reggie comments to Veronica that he has to do well on the next hole to beat Jughead. Reggie tosses the frisbee again, and as he's wondering where it landed, Jughead tells him he got a hole in one. In the last panel, Jughead points to Reggie's frisbee, which has landed in a trash can, and confirms that Reggie got a hole in one - only that it was in the wrong hole.
Genre Teen; Humor; Gag
Notes If you're unfamiliar with the game of frisbee golf, see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Frisbee_golf.

Half page Reggie story "Court Retort"

Characters Reggie Mantle; Veronica Lodge; Archie Andrews
Synopsis Veronica and Reggie are on the tennis court, and Veronica mentions that she's trying to drop 10 pounds. Reggie then tells her how she can drop 150 pounds - stop dating Archie.
Genre Teen; Humor; Gag
Notes Half-page, 3-panel gag strip. Bottom half of the page is occupied by "Chicken Licken" story.

Half page Reggie story "Chicken Licken"

Characters Reggie Mantle; Jughead Jones; Betty Cooper; Archie Andrews
Synopsis Jughead tells Betty that he has to do a biology report on Chickens. He asks Reggie how fast a chicken runs. Reggie says he doesn't know, and then asks Archie how fast he can run the 100 (meter dash).
Genre Teen; Humor; Gag
Notes Another half-page, 3-panel gag strip. Occupies the bottom half of the page. Top half is occupied by "Court Retort".

Half page Reggie story "Mad Lad"

Characters Reggie Mantle; Moose Mason
Synopsis Reggie is laying on the beach, when Moose storms up behind him saying that he's going to bop Reggie for kissing Midge last winter. Reggie points out that Moose already bopped him for that last winter. Moose says he knows. As he's chasing Reggie, Moose says that he now has summer reruns on boppings.
Genre Teen; Humor; Gag
Notes Another typical 3-panel gag strip.

Half page Reggie story "Dive Drive"

Characters Reggie Mantle; Archie Andrews; Veronica Lodge
Synopsis Archie, Reggie and Veronica are seen standing near a lake. Reggie tells Archie to jump in the lake, pointing to the lake. Veronica scolds him for this, but Archie says that it's ok, because Reggie is lending him his diving equipment to jump in the lake with.
Genre Teen; Humor; Gag
Notes This strip occupies the bottom half of the page. The top half is occupied by the "Mad Lad" story.

Half page Reggie story "Flower Power"

Characters Reggie Mantle; Dilton Doiley
Synopsis Dilton, admiring a rose, tells Reggie that there's something about a rose that turns him on. Reggie agrees with Dilton, pointing out that he has three of them in his "l'il black book".
Genre Teen; Humor; Gag
Notes Another half-page, 3-panel gag strip. This strip occupies the top half of the page.

Half page Reggie story "Game Aim"

Characters Reggie Mantle; Jughead Jones; Archie Andrews
Synopsis When Jughead hits his croquet ball into a nearby blueberry patch, Reggie tells Archie that Jughead is dumb for continuously doing this. Archie points out that Jughead isn't so dumb, as Jughead is seen enjoying the blueberries.
Genre Teen; Humor; Gag
Notes Occupies the bottom half of the page. Top half is occupied by "Flower Power".

Half page Reggie story "Door Score"

Characters Veronica Lodge; Archie Andrews
Synopsis When Archie tells Veronica that Reggie likes to see him crawl, Veronica tells him that it's only his imagination. Archie says it isn't, and points to what is assumed to be Reggie's house. Next to the main front door, there is a much smaller door, only a few inches high, with "Entrance for Archie" written on it.
Genre Teen; Humor; Gag
Notes This strip occupies the top half of the page.

Half page Reggie story "Fool Rule"

Characters Archie Andrews; Reggie Mantle; Jughead Jones
Synopsis When Reggie says that only fools are always positive, Archie asks him if he's sure. When Reggie replies that he's positive, Archie walks off saying "It figures!", as Jughead laughs.
Genre Teen; Humor; Gag
Notes This strip occupies the bottom half of the page. The top half is occupied by "Door Score".

1 page Reggie story "Checker Decker"

Characters Reggie Mantle; Moose Mason; Jughead Jones; Midge Klump
Synopsis Reggie is playing checkers with Moose on the beach, and tells Jughead that playing checkers with Moose is boring because he always has to tell Moose to crown him. In the next panel, Reggie whistles as Midge walks by. Moose then crowns Reggie with the checkerboard, to which Jughead replies "Not that time!"
Genre Teen; Humor; Gag
Notes 5-panel strip (2 panels on top, one in the middle and 2 on the bottom).

1 page Li'l Jinx's Pal, Greg story "Battle of Wits"

Characters Greg; Charley Hawse
Synopsis In the midst of an argument with Greg, Charley asks if it's going to be a battle of wits. Greg replies by saying that Charely is brave to fight unarmed. When Charley angrily asks if Greg is calling him dumb, Greg says that he finally caught on. Charley then asks Greg if he would like to step outside and call him dumb, as he heads out the door. Greg says he would, and then promptly shuts and locks the door behind Charley. Greg then leans out the window and tells Charley that he (Greg) certainly isn't dumb, but he's definitely chicken.
Genre Humor; Gag
Script Joe Edwards
Pencils Joe Edwards
Inks Joe Edwards
Letters Joe Edwards
Notes Greg's last name is not known. Charley's last name based on information from Wikipedia and the info on Joe Edwards from the Who's Who Project.

1 page Reggie story "Volley Folly"

Characters Reggie Mantle; Archie Andrews; Two men with metal detectors, one of whom is named Hank
Synopsis Reggie and Archie are playing a volleyball game on the beach, and Reggie keeps complaining about Archie's slow reaction times. Two men with metal detectors are walking by when one of the men's metal detectors starts buzzing. The man points this out to his friend, saying that there's some heavy metal nearby. Reggie tells the man to relax, saying that the heavy metal is only the lead in Archie's head.
Genre Teen; Humor; Gag

1 page Reggie story "Rink Fink"

Characters Reggie Mantle; Betty Cooper; Veronica Lodge
Synopsis As Reggie skates around the rink with Veronica and Betty, he tells them about his dream the previous night where he hit four home runs. Veronica calls him an ego-tripper and says he's always dreaming about himself. Reggie says this isn't true and that both Betty and Veronica were in the dream as well - cheering him on.
Genre Teen; Humor; Gag

1 page Reg activity "Sky High Sign"

Characters Reggie Mantle
Synopsis Readers must fill in the blanks with the letter corresponding to the number under the blank (using the legend at the bottom of the page) to see what Reggie put on a sign he hung up to help promote the school's planetarium.
Genre Puzzle

Half page Reggie story "Pane Refrain"

Characters Reggie Mantle; Veronica Lodge; Archie Andrews
Synopsis Reggie has just painted a portrait of Archie. Veronica asks Reggie why he painted a pane of glass on Archie's neck. Reggie replies that it's "deep symbolism" - Archie is a pain in the neck.
Genre Teen; Humor; Gag
Notes This strip gets credit for being the worst joke in the book. This strip occupies the top half of a page. The bottom half is occupied by "Sad Lament".

Half page Reggie story "Sad Lament"

Characters Reggie Mantle; Archie Andrews; Jughead Jones
Synopsis Reggie is sad because his neighbor is moving - not just because he hates to see an old friend move, but especially because his neighbor owed him 5 dollars.
Genre Teen; Humor; Gag
Notes This strip occupies the bottom half of the page. The top half is occupied by "Pane Refrain". This is the only strip in the book so far (besides the Li'l Jinx one) that doesn't have a rhyming title.

Half page Reggie story "Stuff Fluff"

Characters Reggie Mantle; Archie Andrews; Moose Mason
Synopsis When Moose is unable to stuff the ball in the basket during basektball practice, Reggie laughs at him. Moose then tells Reggie that he can too stuff it - right down Reggie's throat!
Genre Teen; Humor; Gag
Notes Half-page strip occupying the top half of the page. Bottom half is occupied by "Reflection Affection"

Half page Reggie story "Reflection Affection"

Characters Reggie Mantle; Marsha (Reggie's date)
Synopsis Reggie and Marsha are out on a lake in a rowboat. Reggie asks Marsha to stop rowing, and she hopes he's going to put his arm around her. Reggie then comments that the rowing disturbs his reflection.
Genre Teen; Humor; Gag
Notes Marsha does not have a last name. Occupies the bottom half of the page. Top half occupied by "Stuff Fluff"

Reggie story "Turn Burn"

Characters Reggie Mantle; Jughead Jones; Archie Andrews; Debbie
Synopsis Archie, Reggie and Jughead are out on the beach. Archie turns his head quickly to admire a girl named Debbie, and Jughead comments on how Archie's head really turns when he sees her. Reggie says that this is a coincidence - Debbie says her stomach turns green when she sees Archie.
Genre Teen; Humor; Gag
Notes No credits given. Half-page strip. Bottom half occupied by a "3 for $1.00 Checklist" offer.

Half page Archie promo (ad from the publisher) "3 for $1.00 Checklist"

Characters Archie Andrews; Betty Cooper
Synopsis Readers can check off the titles on the list and get any three titles for $1.00, or individual titles for 40 cents each.
Genre teen
Notes Occupies the bottom half of the page. Top half is occupied by "Turn Burn". Issues available in this offer: Archie's Joke Book #261; Betty & Veronica #286; Laugh #343; Pep #354; Life With Archie #209; Jughead #293; Little Archie #147; Archie #285; Archie At Riverdale High #67; Archie's Pals 'n' Gals #136; Everything's Archie #79; Betty & Veronica Summer Fun #484. The last issue in the list is a Giant Series issue based on the number. This offer expired on December 31st, 1979. Postage and Handling included in the price.

Half page Reggie story "The Pitcher"

Characters Reggie Mantle; Veronica Lodge; Archie Andrews; Betty Cooper; un-named umpire; un-named catcher
Synopsis Archie causes Reggie to strike out by throwing him a screwball. Betty comments that Archie throws the best screwballs in the league. Reggie says that it figures - it takes one to throw one.
Genre Teen; Humor; Gag
Notes Like most of the stories in this comic, this is a half-page, three-panel gag strip. This story occupies the top half of the page. Bottom half occupied by "Bam Slam". This is one of the few stories in the comic without a rhyming title.

Half page Reggie story "Bam Slam"

Characters Archie Andrews; Moose Mason; Reggie Mantle; Jughead Jones
Synopsis Reggie tells Moose he's "on the level". Moose doesn't believe him, and punches Reggie. As Reggie is laying flat on his back on the beach, Jughead says that NOW he's on the level.
Genre Teen; Humor; Gag
Notes Another 3-panel, half-page gag strip. Top half of the page occupied by "The Pitcher".

Half page Reggie story "Skate State"

Characters Reggie Mantle; Archie Andrews; Veronica Lodge
Synopsis Reggie informs Veronica that the skate park has hired him and Archie as instructors. When Veronica asks why they need two instructors, Reggie says that he teaches kids how to do stunts, while Archie teaches them how NOT to do stunts.
Notes Occupies the top half of the page. Bottom half occupied by "Quip Snip".

Half page Reggie story "Quip Snip"

Characters Reggie Mantle; Midge Klump; Moose Mason
Synopsis Moose says that if he ever has a son, he hopes his son will grow up to be just like him. Reggie responds to this by saying "A chip off the ol' blockhead". The last panel shows Reggie running from a very angry Moose. Reggie is wondering aloud - when will he learn to keep his big fat mouth shut?
Genre Teen; Humor; Gag
Notes Occupies the bottom half of the page. Top half occupied by "Skate State".

1 page Reggie story "Dating Dilemma"

Characters Reggie Mantle; Moose Mason; Midge Klump; Jughead Jones
Synopsis Reggie comments to Jughead that he'd like to date Midge. When Jughead says that there are easier ways to commit suicide, Reggie tells Jughead that he isn't afraid of Moose (and thinks "especially when he's not around"). Midge tells Reggie not to hang around because Moose is in the area. Reggie tells Midge to forget that big ox and let him take her out. Midge asks Reggie how he can take her out when he's going to be in the hospital for the next three weeks. When Reggie asks since when is he going to be in the hospital, Midge says "since the big ox heard you ask me out".
Genre Teen; Humor; Gag
Notes One of the few single-page gags in this book.

1 page Reggie story "Spurn Return"

Characters Jughead Jones; Reggie Mantle
Synopsis Reggie tosses a penny into a wishing well, saying that he'd like to score 50 points in the game against Central High. The penny is tossed out of the well, and a voice inside the well says that it doesn't grant wishes for a measly penny. As Reggie runs off screaming, Jughead is seen sticking halfway out of the well with water on the shoulder of his shirt saying "And that's the TRUTH!"
Genre Teen; Humor; Gag

1 page Reggie story "Rap Chap"

Characters Reggie Mantle; Susan
Synopsis In the first panel, Reggie is seen dishing out a cheesy line to his date Susan - saying that her eyes are "like limpid pools of azure" and that her "ruby red lips" cast a hypnotic spell over him. As the continue walking, Susan points to a poster for an upcoming rock concert by the Rolling Pebbles and asks Reggie to take her. Reggie tells her that she doesn't want to go to that concert because there will be a big line at the box office. Susan replies saying that she's used to big lines - she dates Reggie, doesn't she?
Genre Teen; Humor; Gag
Notes Susan doesn't have a last name.

Half page Archie promo (ad from the publisher) "Archie Club News"

Characters Archie Andrews; Betty Cooper; Veronica Lodge; Jughead Jones; Moose Mason
Synopsis Instead of the usual winning articles, this month's club news features a promo for their latest contest - a "Youth Day Contest". Club members are to write a letter (150 words or less) telling Archie why there should be a Youth Day (to go along with Mother's Day and Father's Day) and how they would celebrate it.
Notes The most creative and original entries would be awarded cash prizes!! Judges decisions were final! All entries were to be post-marked no later than September 30th, 1979. This is a half-page article with the typical Archie Club offer occupying the bottom half.

Half page Archie advertisement "Be an Archie Club Member"

Characters Archie Andrews
Synopsis An ad promoting the Archie Club and telling readers (specifically, teenagers) how they could join the Archie Club for only 50 cents and receive a "dressy, colorful Official ARCHIE CLUB BUTTON" and a "handsome, authentic ARCHIE REPORTER PRESS CARD"
Notes This was a regular feature for 40+ years. The price did go up over the years, and by the mid to late 80s, so had the number of incentives (in addition to the button and card, you also got a 4-color Archie pen and an Archie notepad). Not sure whatever became of this.

Half page Archie advertisement "You Won't Stop Laughing"

Characters Archie Andrews; Jughead Jones; Betty Cooper; Veronica Lodge; Miss Geraldine Grundy; Mr. Waldo Weatherbee; Reggie Mantle
Synopsis A half-page ad for Joke Book Comics Digest Annual. For only 95 cents (plus 35 cents postage and handling), readers could get their copy of this digest.
Notes Annual digests were apparently larger than the regular Comics Digests, so that's why this one cost more.

Half page Little Archie advertisement "First in Entertainment!"

Characters Little Archie Andrews; Little Jughead Jones; Little Reggie Mantle; Little Betty Cooper; Little Veronica Lodge
Synopsis A half-page ad for Little Archie Comics Digest Annual #5. This ad occupied the bottom half of the page - the top half was an ad for Joke Book Comics Digest Annual. This comic also cost 95 cents + 30 cents postage.

1 page Reggie story "Feet Feat"

Characters Archie Andrews; Jughead Jones; Reggie Mantle
Synopsis Standing in front of a poster advertising a championship fight between "Jake Hurricane" and "Victor Gorilla", Reggie dances around and punches the air. He tells Jughead and Archie that one day he's going to fight Moose, and that Moose won't lay a hand on him. In the next panel, he says that this is because he's light on his feet. Moose walks up behind Reggie and says "Is that so?". Reggie runs off terrified, and Archie says that Reggie was right - he IS quick on his feet.
Genre Teen; Humor; Gag

Half page Reggie story "Grid Kid"

Characters Reggie Mantle; Betty Cooper; Archie Andrews (pictured on Betty's shirt and Reggie's football)
Synopsis Reggie comments on Betty's shirt, which has a picture of Archie on it, saying that she isn't the only one who gets satisfaction from Archie's picture. When Betty asks if he has a picture of Archie on a shirt too, Reggie says no - just on his football, and kicks a football with a picture of Archie on it.
Genre Teen; Humor; Gag
Notes Strip occupies the top half of the page. Bottom half occupied by "Vain Swain".

Half page Reggie story "Vain Swain"

Characters Betty Cooper; Gladys (girl who dated Reggie)
Synopsis Betty asks Gladys how her date with Reggie was. Glady says that Reggie took her in his arm, held her tight - and then told her how wonderful he was.
Genre Teen; Humor; Gag
Notes Occupies the bottom half of the page, with "Grid Kid" occupying the top half. Gladys doesn't have a last name.

Half page Reggie story "Noise Annoys"

Characters Reggie Mantle; Archie Andrews; Betty Cooper; Veronica Lodge
Synopsis Archie is driving with Veronica, Betty and Reggie also in the car. Reggie, like usual, is busy bragging about himself, this time apparently talking about his performance at a football game. Archie stops in a service station and has apparently asked the attendant if they specialize in installing mufflers (an ad featuring a muffler called "The Silencer" is seen in the background). When the service station attendant says that they do specialize in installing mufflers, Archie asks if they have one that they can weld on Reggie.
Genre Teen; Humor; Gag
Notes Another half-page gag. Occupies the top half of the page, with "Palm Balm" occupying the bottom half.

Half page Reggie story "Palm Balm"

Characters Reggie Mantle; Betty Cooper; Archie Andrews
Synopsis Reggie is a palm reader at a charity bazaar. When Archie asks Reggie how much it will cost to have Reggie read his future, Reggie says it won't cost him anything - he doesn't HAVE a future.
Genre Teen; Humor; Gag
Notes Occupies the bottom half of the page with "Noise Annoys" occupying the top half. Interesting trivia: In the second panel, a balloon that looks like Miss Grundy can be seen floating by in the background.

1 page Loan Prone story "Reggie"

Characters Reggie Mantle; Jughead Jones
Synopsis Reggie is reading a book called "How to Improve Your Personality". Jughead tells Reggie that he's wasting his time with that book - after all, how can you improve on something that's already perfect? After hearing this, Reggie decides he will lend Jughead the $10 he asked to borrow after all.
Genre Teen; Humor; Gag
Notes This is the last story in the book.

1 page Reggie activity "Disco With Me"

Characters Reggie Mantle
Synopsis Readers must find their way through a maze shaped like the word "Disco" to help Reggie get from "In" (start) to "Out" (end).
Genre Puzzle
Notes Maze appears to be rather challenging.