Archie #663, arriving just months before the title’s big makeover, deals with some key elements of the character’s legacy. Just one story in the issue, with multiple subplots, trendily titled “Sons of Anarchie.” In the first few pages, Archie’s old Mustang-like automobile falls apart (and into a lake) so he goes to his grandfather (who looks alarmingly like his grandson, even though neither of Archie’s parents resemble him in the least) to see if his previous vehicle, that red Model T jalopy of yore, can be revived in time for that night’s big opera concert, a mandatory event for those who want to pass Prof. Flutesnoot’s music class. Grandpa offers Archie an old motor scooter instead, which turns out to be a hip and influential choice. Veronica, meanwhile, also becomes carless, and rides a house too School. Hilarity ensues.
There are obvious problems with this story. Like, when did Prof. Flutesnoot stop teaching chemistry and switch to music?; did Archie blow up the chem lab one too many times? But in most respects, the tale (written by Chuck Dixon, not an established Archie scribe) follows the comfortable and familiar model of clumsy, penniless Archie getting in scrapes while trying to survive high school and please his girlfriend. If the impending “new Archie” changes too many of these essential characteristics, well at least the old title is going out in classic style.