Betty Cooper
Encyclopedia
Betty Cooper is a fictional character
of Archie Comics
, the blonde-haired daughter of Hal and Alice Cooper. Betty likes sports, and is also a cheerleader. Betty was created in December 1941. Her older brother Chic Cooper and older sister Polly Cooper have both moved out of Riverdale
, their hometown. Chic moved to New York
and Polly to San Francisco, but both occasionally appear in flashbacks to Betty's childhood, and both occasionally visit their family.
Betty is interested in astrology
, particularly the Zodiac
. The official Archie Comics website lists her birthday as June 29 and her sign as Cancer
. While Betty is a Cancer under the Tropical
Zodiac, she is a Gemini
under Sidereal astrology
and astronomical observation. In at least one comic book story, Betty is identified as a Libra
and/or an Aquarius.
The quintessential 17-year-old girl next door
, Betty's middle class
upbringing is a world apart from the flashy lifestyle of her wealthy frenemy
(combination of friend and enemy), Veronica Lodge
. Nowhere is this more evident than when she and Veronica are competing for Archie Andrews'
heart, and yet they remain best friends (Veronica once told Archie that she and Betty are only rivals in unimportant matters...like boys).
In the late 1960s, the two girls joined Archie's band, a garage band
appropriately named The Archies
. Both sang (usually backup), and Betty played tambourine
, while Veronica played organ
. This implies that Veronica is more musically talented, but this is not necessarily true. Some stories indicate that Betty is the better vocalist. Additionally, there is little consistency in the instruments she is able to play. Betty has played the tambourine, maracas, guitar, banjo, keyboard, saxophone, cello, and the bongos.
Betty's hobbies include sports, repairing cars (mostly that of her crush Archie Andrews
), cooking, and making her own clothing. She is also known to take karate
lessons. She also has a doll hospital in her garage. Betty has a talent with animals (she owns a cat, Caramel) and often operates small businesses concerning them no matter how troubling they turn out. She is very concerned with the environment and other social issues and encourages the rest of the gang to clean up after themselves. She keeps a small garden in her backyard, to which she tends occasionally. She loves children and sometimes babysits Jellybean with Jughead as well as other children in Riverdale. Occasionally, families hire Betty to keep their elderly members company.
She does very well in school and is considered one of the smartest girls at Riverdale High. Unlike the stereotypical dumb blonde
, she has an above-average IQ; she is very intelligent and has won many awards. In one story she won an award and was sent to compete in New York and has won numerous academic awards. At one point, she gained ESP
when an encyclopedia accidentally fell on her head. This ability took away all hope for the future; Archie asked her on a date but she knew Archie would dump her for Veronica. She lost her ESP power when a ball that Reggie kicked accidentally hit her; in her gratefulness, she gave him a thankful kiss.
Betty appears in all of the current Riverdale-related titles that are published by Archie Comics. Specifically, Betty stars in Betty, Betty and Veronica
, and Betty and Veronica Spectacular.
and Veronica Lodge
, and sometimes she becomes a second fiddle to Veronica. Archie cannot decide which girl that he prefers, but often chooses Veronica over Betty (although in the love showdown, he chose Cheryl Blossom
). Archie says on many occasions that he considers Betty to be his best friend (occasionally comparing her to a sister, which does not please her), someone that he can confide in, and is more comfortable with her. That does not stop him from seeing Veronica or other girls. Deep down inside, Betty will always hope that, in the end, Archie will choose her. Betty, however, as much she tries to break up with him and stop being a spare fiddle to Veronica, cannot bring herself to do so.
By far, however, Betty's best friend is Veronica. Although the two are constantly involved in disputes over Archie or something else that evokes jealousy between the two, they have remained the best of friends since their childhood. Once, the two even said that Jughead and Archie's friendship couldn't compare to theirs. In many stories, Betty and Veronica are team up or help each other in any way they can. However, deep down, each is jealous of the other. Her other female friends include Ethel Muggs
, Midge Klump
, and Nancy Woods
, and they all share common interests and group activities such as shopping and cheerleading.
Frequently, Betty dated Reggie Mantle
early on in the titles' runs and occasionally still, more often than not as a casual date when Veronica beat her to the punch to have Archie take her out. Sometimes, Reggie and Betty seem flirting with each other; when Betty was feeling sad, Reggie always tells her that she won a date with the most handsome man in the world, which Betty only replied that she would even consider to date Reggie instead if he was free. Although Reggie never admits it, he genuinely likes Betty, but his self-image sometimes is more important as the most popular jock in school, and he's afraid to damage their friendship, so they date frequently but without any attachment.
Betty's relationship with Jughead Jones
has mostly been that of close confidant and close friend, as they normally discuss their issues more candidly with each other than anyone else, as Jughead will provide commentary on her feelings for Archie, and she will attempt to "better" Jughead, by getting rid of his slothful attitude and laziness. Once when she had a sprained ankle, Veronica told both Archie and Jughead to visit her. The four of them were having dinner together, when guys from the school mistaken Jughead as Betty's boyfriend because he was carrying chocolates to her house. However, Jughead cares more about Betty than other girls, and there have been hints of a potential romantic relationship between them. In one story, Jughead even says that if the time ever comes that he would willingly kiss a girl, it would be Betty. A happy tear is seen sliding down Betty's face at this comment.
She had a friendship with an elderly woman named Lydia Wyndham, whom she found when doing research about World War I
. With this acquaintance Betty got to know an accomplished writer and poet with a sharp mind (and a sad past—Betty's research had turned up a beau of Ms. Wyndham's who was killed in combat), but after a while Ms. Wyndham herself died.
At times, Betty gets jealous or even angry at Cheryl Blossom
for flirting with Archie, even though Cheryl Blossom is friends with Betty. However, Betty and Veronica often unite against Cheryl when she tries to lure Archie away.
Jason Blossom, Cheryl's twin brother, has genuine interest towards Betty instead of the popular Veronica, which makes Archie jealous. But Cheryl Blossom
, being one of Betty's best friends tells her that sometimes her brother is not good for her. Betty, always seeing other people's good side, chooses to date Jason anyway.
Currently, Betty has a 'relationship' going on with Adam Chisholm, her new boyfriend. It is thought by some people that Betty has chosen Adam over Archie when in truth, she is still choosing. This event has made Archie jealous and he concentrates his attention to Betty, ignoring Veronica, if he thinks there is a chance that Adam might take Betty away from him.
In some stories she finds employment as an assistant teacher at the local elementary school
. In the TV movie Archie: To Riverdale and Back Again
, and a comic book based on it, the characters are depicted as adults 15 years after their high school graduation. Betty is shown to be an elementary school teacher and aspiring novelist, engaged to a jerk named Robert, who is jealous of Archie. In the end, she breaks up with Robert, and switches to teaching at Riverdale High.
Fictional character
A character is the representation of a person in a narrative work of art . Derived from the ancient Greek word kharaktêr , the earliest use in English, in this sense, dates from the Restoration, although it became widely used after its appearance in Tom Jones in 1749. From this, the sense of...
of Archie Comics
Archie Comics
Archie Comics is an American comic book publisher headquartered in the Village of Mamaroneck, Town of Mamaroneck, New York, known for its many series featuring the fictional teenagers Archie Andrews, Betty Cooper, Veronica Lodge, Reggie Mantle and Jughead Jones. The characters were created by...
, the blonde-haired daughter of Hal and Alice Cooper. Betty likes sports, and is also a cheerleader. Betty was created in December 1941. Her older brother Chic Cooper and older sister Polly Cooper have both moved out of Riverdale
Riverdale (Archie Comics)
Riverdale is a fictional town somewhere in the United States that is the setting for most of the various characters that appear in Archie Comics...
, their hometown. Chic moved to New York
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
and Polly to San Francisco, but both occasionally appear in flashbacks to Betty's childhood, and both occasionally visit their family.
History and character
Betty is a nice, sweet and funny girl with blonde hair. Her eyes are typically described as blue, but are only drawn as such in later years and during close-up shots of her face; at all other times, her eyes are simply drawn with black ink.Betty is interested in astrology
Astrology
Astrology consists of a number of belief systems which hold that there is a relationship between astronomical phenomena and events in the human world...
, particularly the Zodiac
Zodiac
In astronomy, the zodiac is a circle of twelve 30° divisions of celestial longitude which are centred upon the ecliptic: the apparent path of the Sun across the celestial sphere over the course of the year...
. The official Archie Comics website lists her birthday as June 29 and her sign as Cancer
Cancer (astrology)
Cancer is the fourth astrological sign in the Zodiac. It is considered a water sign and one of four cardinal signs. Cancer is ruled by the Moon. Individuals born when the Sun is in this sign are considered Cancerian individuals...
. While Betty is a Cancer under the Tropical
Western astrology
Western astrology is the system of astrology most popular in Western countries. Western astrology is historically based on Ptolemy's Tetrabiblos , which in turn was a continuation of Hellenistic and ultimately Babylonian traditions....
Zodiac, she is a Gemini
Gemini (astrology)
Gemini is the third astrological sign in the Zodiac, which spans the Zodiac between the 60th and 89th degree of celestial longitude. Generally, the Sun transits this area of the zodiac between May 21 to June 20 each year...
under Sidereal astrology
Sidereal astrology
Sidereal and tropical are astronomical terms used to describe two different definitions of a "year". They are also used as terms for two systems of ecliptic coordinates used in astrology....
and astronomical observation. In at least one comic book story, Betty is identified as a Libra
Libra (astrology)
Libra is the seventh astrological sign in the Zodiac, originating from the constellation of Libra. In astrology, Libra is considered a "masculine", positive sign. It is also considered an air sign and is one of four cardinal signs...
and/or an Aquarius.
The quintessential 17-year-old girl next door
Girl next door
The cultural and sexual stereotype of the girl next door or the All-American girl is invoked in American contexts to indicate wholesome, unassuming femininity, as opposed to the culture's other female stereotypes such as the tomboy, the valley girl, the femme fatale, girly girl, or the slut. The...
, Betty's middle class
American middle class
The American middle class is a social class in the United States. While the concept is typically ambiguous in popular opinion and common language use, contemporary social scientists have put forward several, more or less congruent, theories on the American middle class...
upbringing is a world apart from the flashy lifestyle of her wealthy frenemy
Frenemy
"Frenemy" is a portmanteau of "friend" and "enemy" that can refer to either an enemy disguised as a friend or to a partner who is simultaneously a competitor and rival. The term is used to describe personal, geopolitical, and commercial relationships both among individuals and groups or institutions...
(combination of friend and enemy), Veronica Lodge
Veronica Lodge
Veronica Lodge is a fictional character in the Archie Comics books series.-Fictional history and character:She is called both by her name Veronica and her nickname Ronnie...
. Nowhere is this more evident than when she and Veronica are competing for Archie Andrews'
Archie Andrews (comics)
Archie Andrews, created in 1941 by Vic Bloom and Bob Montana, is a fictional character in an American comic book series published by Archie Comics, as well as the long-running Archie Andrews radio series, a syndicated comic strip, The Archie Show, and Archie's Weird Mysteries.-Character and...
heart, and yet they remain best friends (Veronica once told Archie that she and Betty are only rivals in unimportant matters...like boys).
In the late 1960s, the two girls joined Archie's band, a garage band
Garage band
The term garage band can refer to:* A band that performs garage rock* GarageBand, audio production software published by Apple Inc.* GarageBand.com, a website that helps publicize emerging bands...
appropriately named The Archies
The Archies
The Archies are a garage band founded by Archie Andrews, Reggie Mantle, and Jughead Jones, a group of adolescent fictional characters of the Archie universe, in the context of the animated TV series, The Archie Show...
. Both sang (usually backup), and Betty played tambourine
Tambourine
The tambourine or marine is a musical instrument of the percussion family consisting of a frame, often of wood or plastic, with pairs of small metal jingles, called "zils". Classically the term tambourine denotes an instrument with a drumhead, though some variants may not have a head at all....
, while Veronica played organ
Electronic organ
An electronic organ is an electronic keyboard instrument which was derived from the harmonium, pipe organ and theatre organ. Originally, it was designed to imitate the sound of pipe organs, theatre organs, band sounds, or orchestral sounds....
. This implies that Veronica is more musically talented, but this is not necessarily true. Some stories indicate that Betty is the better vocalist. Additionally, there is little consistency in the instruments she is able to play. Betty has played the tambourine, maracas, guitar, banjo, keyboard, saxophone, cello, and the bongos.
Betty's hobbies include sports, repairing cars (mostly that of her crush Archie Andrews
Archie Andrews (comics)
Archie Andrews, created in 1941 by Vic Bloom and Bob Montana, is a fictional character in an American comic book series published by Archie Comics, as well as the long-running Archie Andrews radio series, a syndicated comic strip, The Archie Show, and Archie's Weird Mysteries.-Character and...
), cooking, and making her own clothing. She is also known to take karate
Karate
is a martial art developed in the Ryukyu Islands in what is now Okinawa, Japan. It was developed from indigenous fighting methods called and Chinese kenpō. Karate is a striking art using punching, kicking, knee and elbow strikes, and open-handed techniques such as knife-hands. Grappling, locks,...
lessons. She also has a doll hospital in her garage. Betty has a talent with animals (she owns a cat, Caramel) and often operates small businesses concerning them no matter how troubling they turn out. She is very concerned with the environment and other social issues and encourages the rest of the gang to clean up after themselves. She keeps a small garden in her backyard, to which she tends occasionally. She loves children and sometimes babysits Jellybean with Jughead as well as other children in Riverdale. Occasionally, families hire Betty to keep their elderly members company.
She does very well in school and is considered one of the smartest girls at Riverdale High. Unlike the stereotypical dumb blonde
Dumb blonde
The blonde stereotype, the stereotypical perception of blond-haired women, has two aspects. On one hand, over the history, blonde hair in women has been considered attractive and desirable...
, she has an above-average IQ; she is very intelligent and has won many awards. In one story she won an award and was sent to compete in New York and has won numerous academic awards. At one point, she gained ESP
Extra-sensory perception
Extrasensory perception involves reception of information not gained through the recognized physical senses but sensed with the mind. The term was coined by Frederic Myers, and adopted by Duke University psychologist J. B. Rhine to denote psychic abilities such as telepathy, clairaudience, and...
when an encyclopedia accidentally fell on her head. This ability took away all hope for the future; Archie asked her on a date but she knew Archie would dump her for Veronica. She lost her ESP power when a ball that Reggie kicked accidentally hit her; in her gratefulness, she gave him a thankful kiss.
Betty appears in all of the current Riverdale-related titles that are published by Archie Comics. Specifically, Betty stars in Betty, Betty and Veronica
Betty and Veronica Magazine
Archie's Girls Betty and Veronica and the subsequent series Betty and Veronica are comic book series published by Archie Comics focusing on "best friends and worst enemies" Betty Cooper and Veronica Lodge, both girlfriends of Archie Andrews...
, and Betty and Veronica Spectacular.
Relationships
Betty is always involved in a love triangle with Archie AndrewsArchie Andrews (comics)
Archie Andrews, created in 1941 by Vic Bloom and Bob Montana, is a fictional character in an American comic book series published by Archie Comics, as well as the long-running Archie Andrews radio series, a syndicated comic strip, The Archie Show, and Archie's Weird Mysteries.-Character and...
and Veronica Lodge
Veronica Lodge
Veronica Lodge is a fictional character in the Archie Comics books series.-Fictional history and character:She is called both by her name Veronica and her nickname Ronnie...
, and sometimes she becomes a second fiddle to Veronica. Archie cannot decide which girl that he prefers, but often chooses Veronica over Betty (although in the love showdown, he chose Cheryl Blossom
Cheryl Blossom
Cheryl Blossom is a fictional character of the Archie Comics universe. She is a wealthy teenage girl, the privileged daughter of a software engineer.-History and character:...
). Archie says on many occasions that he considers Betty to be his best friend (occasionally comparing her to a sister, which does not please her), someone that he can confide in, and is more comfortable with her. That does not stop him from seeing Veronica or other girls. Deep down inside, Betty will always hope that, in the end, Archie will choose her. Betty, however, as much she tries to break up with him and stop being a spare fiddle to Veronica, cannot bring herself to do so.
By far, however, Betty's best friend is Veronica. Although the two are constantly involved in disputes over Archie or something else that evokes jealousy between the two, they have remained the best of friends since their childhood. Once, the two even said that Jughead and Archie's friendship couldn't compare to theirs. In many stories, Betty and Veronica are team up or help each other in any way they can. However, deep down, each is jealous of the other. Her other female friends include Ethel Muggs
Big Ethel
"Big" Ethel is a fictional character by Archie Comics. She is a student of Riverdale High School, known to her schoolmates by the nickname Big Ethel, though this nickname has virtually fallen out of use since the 1990s...
, Midge Klump
Midge Klump
Midge Klump is a fictional character appearing Archie Comics.-History:The character of Midge was designed by Dan DeCarlo and bears an uncanny resemblance to pin-ups he did for men's magazines just before he started working for Archie Comics. She was originally created simply to serve as Moose's...
, and Nancy Woods
Nancy Woods
Nancy Woods is a fictional character, an African American, who appears in the Archie Comic books. A friend of the whole gang, Woods dates Chuck Clayton, a football player at Riverdale High.-History:...
, and they all share common interests and group activities such as shopping and cheerleading.
Frequently, Betty dated Reggie Mantle
Reggie Mantle
Reggie Mantle is a fictional character in the Archie Comics book. His full name is given as Reginald Mantle, but he is usually called by his nickname Reggie, and sometimes refers to himself as "Mantle, The Magnificent." The character was introduced in 1942...
early on in the titles' runs and occasionally still, more often than not as a casual date when Veronica beat her to the punch to have Archie take her out. Sometimes, Reggie and Betty seem flirting with each other; when Betty was feeling sad, Reggie always tells her that she won a date with the most handsome man in the world, which Betty only replied that she would even consider to date Reggie instead if he was free. Although Reggie never admits it, he genuinely likes Betty, but his self-image sometimes is more important as the most popular jock in school, and he's afraid to damage their friendship, so they date frequently but without any attachment.
Betty's relationship with Jughead Jones
Jughead Jones
Jughead Jones is a fictional character in Archie Comics who first appeared in the comic in December 1941. He is the son of Forsythe II; although in one of the early Archie newspaper comic strips, he himself is identified as Forsythe Van Jones II...
has mostly been that of close confidant and close friend, as they normally discuss their issues more candidly with each other than anyone else, as Jughead will provide commentary on her feelings for Archie, and she will attempt to "better" Jughead, by getting rid of his slothful attitude and laziness. Once when she had a sprained ankle, Veronica told both Archie and Jughead to visit her. The four of them were having dinner together, when guys from the school mistaken Jughead as Betty's boyfriend because he was carrying chocolates to her house. However, Jughead cares more about Betty than other girls, and there have been hints of a potential romantic relationship between them. In one story, Jughead even says that if the time ever comes that he would willingly kiss a girl, it would be Betty. A happy tear is seen sliding down Betty's face at this comment.
She had a friendship with an elderly woman named Lydia Wyndham, whom she found when doing research about World War I
World War I
World War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...
. With this acquaintance Betty got to know an accomplished writer and poet with a sharp mind (and a sad past—Betty's research had turned up a beau of Ms. Wyndham's who was killed in combat), but after a while Ms. Wyndham herself died.
At times, Betty gets jealous or even angry at Cheryl Blossom
Cheryl Blossom
Cheryl Blossom is a fictional character of the Archie Comics universe. She is a wealthy teenage girl, the privileged daughter of a software engineer.-History and character:...
for flirting with Archie, even though Cheryl Blossom is friends with Betty. However, Betty and Veronica often unite against Cheryl when she tries to lure Archie away.
Jason Blossom, Cheryl's twin brother, has genuine interest towards Betty instead of the popular Veronica, which makes Archie jealous. But Cheryl Blossom
Cheryl Blossom
Cheryl Blossom is a fictional character of the Archie Comics universe. She is a wealthy teenage girl, the privileged daughter of a software engineer.-History and character:...
, being one of Betty's best friends tells her that sometimes her brother is not good for her. Betty, always seeing other people's good side, chooses to date Jason anyway.
Currently, Betty has a 'relationship' going on with Adam Chisholm, her new boyfriend. It is thought by some people that Betty has chosen Adam over Archie when in truth, she is still choosing. This event has made Archie jealous and he concentrates his attention to Betty, ignoring Veronica, if he thinks there is a chance that Adam might take Betty away from him.
Career
Betty enjoys writing and keeps a diary that is featured in the miniseries Betty's Diary. She wants to be a famous writer someday, an aspiration that her teacher Ms. Grundy approves of. She submits her work to writing magazines and has been published a number of times. At the same time, she takes various types of employment, including some work as a mechanic, which is also a career that she is interested in.In some stories she finds employment as an assistant teacher at the local elementary school
Primary education
A primary school is an institution in which children receive the first stage of compulsory education known as primary or elementary education. Primary school is the preferred term in the United Kingdom and many Commonwealth Nations, and in most publications of the United Nations Educational,...
. In the TV movie Archie: To Riverdale and Back Again
Archie: To Riverdale and Back Again
Archie: To Riverdale and Back Again was a live-action television movie based on comic book characters published by Archie Comics...
, and a comic book based on it, the characters are depicted as adults 15 years after their high school graduation. Betty is shown to be an elementary school teacher and aspiring novelist, engaged to a jerk named Robert, who is jealous of Archie. In the end, she breaks up with Robert, and switches to teaching at Riverdale High.