Archie, Issue 391, Story Page 01 (1982)

Opening page of the first 5-page story featured in the issue, titled "M.V.S." The set-up gag in this tale is that Archie's new method of abbreviating every note causes problems when he can't remember what M.V.S. stands for on the calendar. Jughead experiences this first hand tying to decipher Archie's shopping list.

I've mentioned in various places that among the future squirrels on my collection list will be a few representative pieces from the Archie comicsverse. Kavi and I met for lunch on a recent trip I made to the east coast, and we exchanged some art gifts. He very thoughtfully got this new gallery of mine started with a bang with this Goldberg/Esposito example. Thanks my friend!

Notes in the margins appear to indicate this was prepared for issue 390, but held over for issue 391. Archie's original balloon lettering in panel one has been pasted over with revised dialogue. "STAT USED" is also penciled at the top of the board. It appears this was going to be a later story in issue 390, but moved to the first story of issue 391. As such, looking at the additional image of the published page, things were shifted slightly using the stat to add in the indicia and additional issue credits.

And if you are ever in the Franklin Park, NJ, area be sure and swing by Joe's Italian Deli & Restaurant and try the Bensonhurst sub!