Today in Comics History, February 14: Barbie vandalizes wall; is sentenced to two months of community service

cover of Barbie #28 (Marvel, April 1993), pencils by Amanda Conner, inks by Jeff Albrecht
Skipper dreams of going to the Valentine's Ball wearing on of Barbie's gowns! Yeah, it's like that when you can't afford all the newest Mattel fashions.


from "Funny Valentine!" in Barbie #28, script by Lisa Trusiani, pencils by Barb Rausch, inks by John Lucas, colors by Mike Worley, letters by Steve Dutro
Unfortunately the dress got switched at the cleaner's with Pennywise the Clown's laundry. And, apparently he didn't notice. Huh. Thanks, Barbie comics, for this enchantng visual image!


Skipper's dream date for the Valentine's Ball turns out to be...AIEEEEE IT'S THE CLOWN RUN EVERYONE


Special We Girls Can Do Anything™ Bonus Page: Barbie has an Etsy store now, apparently?


How does this make you feel about Valentines' Day now?

Paper Doll Month, Day 18: Geez, Paper Barbie has the same measurements as Doll Barbie

"Polynesian Fashions" in Barbie Fashion #12 (Marvel, December 1991), script and inks by Trina Robbins, pencils by Amanda Conner, colors by Ed Lazellari, letters by Jade Moede; George Roberts

Separated at Birth: You're a rich girl, and you've gone too far

Last week on "Separated at Birth," you may remember:

L: Betty #8 (September 1993), art by Dan DeCarlo and Alison Flood
R: Barbie Fashion #39 (March 1994), art by Amanda Conner and Jeffrey Albrecht
(Click picture to 20,000 leagues-size)

And while that Barbie cover is an apt Separated at Birth with Betty's, this past week I found an even more apter one; a complementary comic book that not only shows a certain similarly in design and style but also visually displays the never-ending struggle between the bourgeoisie and the proletariat:

L: Betty #8 (September 1993), art by Dan DeCarlo and Alison Flood
R: Veronica #171 (August 2006), art by Dan Parent and Jim Amash
(Click picture to Hiram Lodge's bank account-size)

That's right: Veronica just hit the jackpot, tiger; Betty gets squat. Ain't that the way it always works for the rich girls?

Separated at Birth: Look out, lad, a mermaid be waiting for you/In mysterious fathoms below

L: Betty #8 (September 1993), art by Dan DeCarlo and Alison Flood
R: Barbie Fashion #39 (March 1994), art by Amanda Conner and Jeffrey Albrecht
(Click picture to 20,000 leagues-size)