family circle, the cold homestead, all in the family
Given that the Little Archie version condenses this story from 6 to 5 pages, it is a little curious this gets topped off with this expository thingy. But maybe Dexter Taylor thought this would take it into a semblance of topicality, befitting a title inspired by a popular sitcom. And the Little Archie story follows exactly the first two into the fourth page anyways. Except that it inserts Spotty to lead Fred to Pop Tate to get Archie upon walking into an empty home. In the other two Fred just figured that was where he would be.
I think for a split second Mary Andrews may be accusing Fred Andrews of cheating, or rather simply offering amorous affection to another woman. I am not sure how else to read it.
It might be a mark of Betty's lack of import in the life of Archie 1951 that he refers to a "Mrs. Cooper" that is friends with his mom and does not get her confused with Betty's mom. Upon returning home, the first versions get bored, while the third Little Archie variant skips to mom and teen calling their friends in.
Militias not allowed into the Little Archie world.
Little Archie and friends are listening to Reggie's disco albums. Different musical accompaniment then the other two. I wonder if given an extra page, Dexter Taylor would have wanted to fill this panel out a little.
So. It is an anti-family time message from Archie Comics. Or maybe just a pro-bowling one.















