Archie Comics artists didn’t used to get credited for their work. In the ‘60s, when DC was ballyhooing talents such as Neal Adams, and Marvel referenced the names of their artists and writers freely in their “Bullpen” and “F.O.O.M.” columns, Archie wasn’t acknowledging their creators at all. But once those “story by” and “pencilled by” credits finally came about (sometime in the ‘80s, I believe), the floodgates opened. “Archie Artist of the Month” (or, less frequently, “Writer” or “Editor”) boxes appeared on the covers in the space where the price barcode would otherwise go, offering cartoon portraits of key Archie contributors.

Best of all, readers were suddenly in on the in-jokes which had been peppering Archie stories for ages. The “By Dan ’n’ Dick” message on the cover of She’s Josie comics (probably meant to play off of the “Dan ’n’ Dick” who hosted the then-hit TV show Rowan & Martin’s Laugh-In) could be recognized as Dan DeCarlo and Archie publisher Richard Goldwater. DeCarlo was parodied as a flamboyant golfer, “Dandy” Carlo, in an Archie story. “Where’s Samm Schwartz” became a recurring theme that spread through several tales.

In a story reprinted in Archie Comics Digest #252 (August 2014), Archie is envious of artists at the beach; the girls flock around them due to their talent. “They say nobody can letter like Bill Yoshida,” Archie proclaims, and there’s Archie letterer Bill Yoshida.

“Thanks for lettering my boat, Bill!,” a pretty girl exclaims.

“My pleasure, Gloria!” Yoshida answers. In the next panel, another girl approaches.

“Oh, Bill!” Would you letter my name on this jet ski?”
“Be glad to! Of course, Denise,” Yoshida politely responds—a big smooch mark from Gloria adorning his left cheek.