The relationship between Archie Andrews and Reggie Mantle is not as clean cut as it may appear. They are friends and teammates but they often butt heads over football and Archie's friendship with Jughead Jones.
Throughout Riverdale[]
On Archie's very first day of sophomore year, Reggie joined him at his locker, hyped over Archie's new football-ready build. Reggie enthusiastically asked for tips before Archie explained that his recent change was from working construction all summer at his father's company. This led Reggie into his next question, if Archie had sex with any older women as he was out there working on private homes, but he smoothly deflected the question.
Following the back-to-school Semi-formal, Reggie attended Cheryl Blossom's after-party in which seconded Archie as Cheryl's pick play Seven Minutes in Heaven first and laughed delightedly when the bottle landed between both Betty Cooper and Veronica Lodge. After Archie left the closet with Veronica, Reggie gesticulated his approval.[1]
In the student lounge, after everyone in town was questioned about Jason Blossom's murder following the discovery of his corpse, Reggie loudly ruminated on who the killer might be. He derisively suggested Jughead Jones, who he referred to as a spooky, scrawny, pathetic, the perfect suspect. Reggie asked him what it was like to kill Jason, and if he did anything to the body afterwards. Jughead reminded him that the correct term was necrophilia, he proceeded to ask Reggie if he could spell the word. Offended, Reggie leapt out of his seat, towards Jughead, but Archie intervened, leading Reggie to wonder if they killed Jason together. Archie then shoved Reggie, who shoved him back a lot harder, and knocked Archie to the ground, before finishing him off with a single punch.[2]
Archie and Reggie must compete for the captaincy
Days later, following morning football practice, both Reggie and Archie were offered captaincy of the Riverdale Bulldogs. Coach Clayton, pit the two against one another to see who would impress him the most by week's end, with the winner becoming the new captain. Reggie believed if anyone deserved to be team captain, and wear Jason's jersey, it was him.
Despite Archie's best efforts to juggle football and music at the same time, Reggie got the better of him on every play, except for one, in which Archie managed to score on him. It wasn't long before Reggie discovered that Archie injured his hand, and insisted that he sit out on practice, but Archie refused. When it came time for the Coach to make his decision, he picked Archie, much to Reggie's surprise. He explained that he was very impressed when Archie gave Penelope Blossom her son's former football jersey, effectively retiring the number, which the Coach believed to be the right call, exactly what a captain would do. However, in an unexpected turn of events, Archie turned down the position, as he couldn't put all of himself in the team and still concentrate on his music. He wasn't quitting the team but suggested that it be given to Reggie instead, as the team deserved a captain who would make them his main priority.[3]
Reggie, along with multiple other players on the Riverdale Bulldogs, heckled Archie, as attempted his audition for the 75th annual Variety Show. Archie's stage fright was so severe that he believed that he saw the players wearing werewolf masks and ultimately ran off the stage. However, on the night of the show, he did amazingly and earned much applause from everyone.[4]
After Archie's father, Fred, was shot, Reggie showed up at Riverdale General Hospital along with the Riverdale Bulldogs, to show his support to Archie in a time of need.[5]
Special Delivery[]
Archie asking Reggie for drugs to keep him awake
The day after Archie's father was discharged from the hospital and back home, Archie was back at Riverdale High School. Reggie spotted him in the hallway in front of the guidance office and approached him, asking what was on his mind, whether if it was girl troubles or scabies. He was curious as to why Archie was seeking guidance. Archie response to Reggie's comment was simple, that he wasn't. Determined to get an answer, Reggie walked with Archie in the hallway, suggesting that maybe he should due to this horrible appearance. Archie asks Reggie if he had anything that would help him stay awake. Reggie replied that he had many things, such as "amphetamines, baclofen, modafinil, jingle jangle", while keeping his voice low so that no one would over hear him talking about drugs on school property. Archie questions Reggie as to what Jingle Jangle was, and Reggie elaborate that it was a drug that would be able to keep him up for days, but Reggie wants to know why he needs them. Archie confesses that he needed them until the Black Hood was caught, adding that he wanted to be on high alert while the killer was still out there. Done with the conversation, he asks Reggie if he could help him out; Reggie reassures him that he has him covered.
Reggie after being tackled by Archie
Later that night, Reggie thought it would be funny to play a prank on Archie and he dressed up like the Black Hood, wearing a homemade mask similar to the killer's. Archie spotted him through the back window of his kitchen and he quickly reacted, running towards him to tackle him onto the ground. Archie attempts to choke Reggie, not knowing that it was him under the mask, that is until he removed it; Archie immediately got off of him. Reggie, freaked out by what had happened, asked Archie if he was insane. Archie's furious, questioning Reggie as to why he would be by his house wearing a mask. Reggie informed him that he came by to deliver his "uppers", but after this event, he started to think that it was a bad idea to give him the drugs. Reggie saw Archie was already going crazy off of the situation that he was currently in, pointing out to Archie that he'd lost it. Archie then points out that he was the one under the mask. Reggie explains that he was only trying to play a prank on him, not expecting that he would attack him. Reggie counters the thought with his own question and asks Archie what if he was the guy, what would he have done in that scenario, asking Archie if he would've tackled the guy like he just did a moment ago. Archie admits that he would have. Reggie reminds Archie that the killer has a gun on him, that he's already shot people, and points out the fact that only a "lunatic would bring a bat to a gunfight."[6]
The Red Circle[]
Reggie telling the team about the shooting at Lover's lane
During practice, Reggie ran onto the field to inform Archie and the other members of the team that Moose and Midge were at Riverdale General Hospital after Moose was shot several times late last night at Lover's Lane. While making out and taking Jingle Jangle in the car, a hooded assailant approached the vehicle and opened fire. Fortunately, both Moose and Midge were alive. Moose had shielded Midge from the gunfire with his own body, saving her from any physical harm. Due to this tragic incident and Coach Clayton being at the hospital with the two students, practice was being canceled.
Shortly after cancelling practice, Reggie and several other players stopped by the student lounge to see if Archie would join them in visiting Moose at the hospital.
Archie and Reggie paying Moose a visit at the hospital
At the hospital, Archie and Reggie enter Moose's room at the hospital. Moose told Archie that if he wasn't so big, Midge might've gotten shot as well. Archie replied Moose was a hero as he saved her life. Ignoring the seriousness of the situation, Reggie took a seat at Moose's bedside, to ask Moose if his nurse was attractive. If so, he ran the risk of getting a boner during a sponge bath. Archie, determined to get answers, asked Moose about the shooters face to make sure that the killer wasn't wearing a ski mask; to confirm if he was indeed wearing a black hood. Moose nodded his head, indicating to Archie that he was. He probes Moose for more answers, asking if he remembered anything else. Moose brought up the subject of his eyes. Archie immediately asks if they looked green. Midge interrupted the conversation, informing Archie that the killers' eyes were "blank", as if there wasn't a person behind them. She goes on to describe them as if he was like "Micheal Myers", that he had the devil's eyes.
Archie calls a meeting
Fed up by the string of events that have been committed by the Black Hood, Archie called a meeting to discuss the best way to handle the situation before it gets any more worst than it already is. This time it was Moose and Midge, and while they were lucky enough to have survived, everyone else may not be so fortunate the next time the criminal strikes. The group agreed to start a watch group to focus on Riverdale High, to operate as an extra circle of protection. Reggie took this to mean that Archie wanted them to take action by heading into and seeking out their own version of justice. However, this was not the case. While that was Archie's first thought, he came up with a better plan that excluded the use of violence and weapons; a patrol. And extra sets of eyes and ears for the police. Should they encounter the shooter, Archie told them to call Sheriff Keller. They were watch dogs, not vigilantes. As for an official name, The Red Circle was specifically chosen by Archie. From that point forward, they would protect themselves. The Red Circle then took to the streets, passing out flyers to residents who may felt scared or need protection.
Reggie picking Archie up to patrol
The following night, Reggie waited in his car for Archie to arrive when he noticed the wooden baseball bat in Archie's hand, reminding him of his previous statement about not being vigilantes and having no need for weapons. Archie explained that he's had the bat since he was ten. In response, Reggie told Archie to look in the backseat, where he had a pipe and a lug wrench on standby in case the time came when he would have to use them. Reggie then pulled off, and together, the two of them began their patrol of the streets. It wasn't long before they received their first called; the caller being Ethel Muggs. She claimed that she was being stalked by someone in a large van on Hastings street. He and Archie soon arrived on scene to Ethel hiding in the corn field and the van that Ethel previously described, that had circled around the area that she was in three times, before later speeding off.[7]
Red Circle meeting
Archie met up his fellow Red Circle members, which primarily consisted of bulldogs, in the boys locker room, to discuss their suspension. Reggie was irate as he warned Archie against making the video. The reason in which they were wore red hoods was to conceal their identity, so that all the heat fell on Archie. However, it was falling on all of them. Reggie pleaded with Archie to sign the letter of apology, Archie refused. Disbanding the Circle would only show the Black Hood that they're weak and helpless. Archie figured that the best way to force the killer's hand was by bringing the fight to his home turf, the south side. Mrs. Cooper was convinced that the Black Hood is a Southsider with an axe to grind, which made sense after they realized that all his victims were Northsiders. If there was even a chance of him being a Southsider, going into his territory could draw him out. Unfortunately, Reggie and the rest of the team didn't share this sentiment. As the team exited the locker room, Dilton remained. He concluded that Archie's plan was always to get the Black Hood one-on-one, a fight to the death. The Circle was merely a means to an end. If Archie insisted on going into the South side alone, Dilton recommended that he first go to a place on the edge of town after dark for supplies.
Archie and Reggie at the front door
While Archie argued with Veronica on how best to approach the Black Hood situation, Reggie, Dilton, and the Bulldogs showed up at his doorstep unannounced. To what do we owe the unexpected honor, Veronica asked. Reggie explained that Archie showed a tremendous amount of loyalty by not telling Weatherbee that the black hood found in Archie's locker actually belonged to him. As Reggie continued, Veronica, who had heard engines revving just outside, looked beyond the front door to see a small group of Southside Serpents, led by Sweet Pea, coming to Archie's doorstep. Archie opened the front door as they approached, with Reggie joining him moments later. Sweet Pea stated that they were there for payback following his last encounter on the south side with Archie, during which time Archie stuck a gun in his face. Sweet Pea was clearly there for a fight, which Archie was more than willing to oblige, but he asked that Veronica stay behind. Veronica agreed to not leave the house, but if they insisted on fighting, they would do so under certain rules, no weapons for instance. Should they fail to adhere to these rules, Veronica threatened to call Sheriff Keller.
The Bulldogs at the lot
Archie, Reggie, Dilton and the rest Red Circle met with Sweet Pea and the Southside Serpents in a vacant lot, standing on their respective sides as the rain came pouring down hard. Both Archie and Sweet Pea slowly made their way to the center of the lot, where Archie, initiated the fight by throwing the first punch. That war declaring punch erupted into chaos as both sides ran forward, attacking each other. Reggie held his own against the Serpents as the two sides waged war. Archie then spotted Dilton pulling out a pocket knife in the midst of the fight, causing him to scream out Dilton's name, though before Archie could intervene, he was blindsided by Sweet Pea, who then delivered a massive kick as Archie laid on the ground. Fortunately for Archie, before Sweet Pea could follow through on one final blow, Veronica fired his gun in the air, bringing the rumble to an abrupt end as both sides scattered into the night.[8]
Archie and Reggie at Nick's party
Though they did not speak, Archie and Reggie both attended the party at Nick St. Clair Five Seasons hotel room, along with Veronica, Betty, Cheryl, Kevin, Josie, Valerie, and Melody. They were having drinks when Nick suggested they kick up the party with some Jingle Jangle that he scored from Reggie. Archie had already told him that they weren't interested, though Nick didn't seem too concerned with Archie's refusal, calling him a buzz kill. Although, he initially declined Nick's offer, Archie had a change in heart after hearing Veronica agree to indulge in the highly addictive drug. That night, with the exception of Betty, the teens got high off Jingle Jangle, Reggie partied with Josie as Archie danced with Veronica.[9]
Reggie enjoyed the Riverdale Drag Race sitting on the hood of a car along with Cheryl, Kevin, Veronica and Betty, cheering for Archie and Jughead competing against the Ghoulies led by Malachai.[10]
Archie and Reggie attending the Secret Santa gift exchange
While they did not speak to one another, Archie and Reggie were both invited to Kevin Secret Santa gift exchange. In the student lounge, they were joined by Betty, Cheryl, Kevin, Veronica, Jughead and Josie. Veronica opened her gift from Josie, which awkwardly enough was a gift certificate for a couples massage. Josie suggested that Veronica use the certificate to take someone other than Archie, given that they were no longer together, such as Betty or her mother. "Or I could go with your mom", Reggie joked. Thankfully, Betty was the last exchange for the evening, as the sudden awkwardness was too much to withstand. Based on the wrapping of her present, Betty instantly knew that it was Archie that picked her name. Veronica watched with a look of concern as Betty unwrapped the gift to find and old read-a-long record that she and Archie used to listen to when they were younger, entitled "The Swiss Family Robinson". Archie informed her that he and his father found it while they were cleaning out the garage. Moose and Midge then entered the lounge to join them for the Holiday event.[11]
Student hall meeting
As Veronica's running mate, Archie joined her at the school hall meeting where they squared off with Jughead, Betty, Reggie and Josie. The first question of the night came from Sweet Pea and Fogarty who were concerned about the Southsiders and their treatment since being transferred to Riverdale High. This was followed by Midge's question in regards to Archie and Veronica's parents being on opposite sides of the Mayoral election. She wondered if this would produce problems for their campaign. However, Archie and Veronica adhered to the old maxim that politics are never discussed at the dinner table. They were supposedly on the same page about everything. In the meantime, they were dedicated to improving the quality of life at Riverdale High, as were Reggie and Josie.
Reggie vs Archie
Archie and Reggie decided to settle their presidential differences once and for all in an arm-wrestling contest. They were both Bulldogs, who like wolves, supported the Alpha. At the moment, they risked splitting the teams' votes which Reggie had told Josie that he could deliver, hence the contest. Winner received Bulldogs' votes. Initially, the contest appeared to be at a standstill, but Archie overpowered Reggie and threatened to break his arm should he ever mention his dad again.
A couple days later, Archie headed down to Pop's to convince Reggie to stand alongside him as he needed Reggie's help in stopping Kowalski and Martin. While Reggie was against the Southside and for the prison, he couldn't see himself working with Archie. However, when Archie offered him the Bulldogs' vote should he help, Reggie reluctantly agreed.
The Dark Circle
That night, Archie, Reggie and the Bulldogs, disguised in black masks and bearing the name "The Dark Circle", sent a message to Kowalski and Martin by blowing up their car. Archie informed them that Hiram Lodge didn't stand a lone and that Riverdale was protected. Just as the rivaling sides were about to face off, they scattered at the sound of police sirens.[12]
Quotes[]
- Reggie: "Bro, you are ready for football, I'm not kidding you, dude, you got ripped. Dude, you're a beast. Look at this arm, it's diesel! How much are you benching, like 220? 225? You gotta give me some tips, man. Romanian deadlifts, right? Taking some T? Ginseng? Maca root? Tribulus terrestris?"
- Archie: "[laughs] It's from working construction, Reg."
- ―Reggie enthuses over Archie's new physique[src]
- Coach Clayton: "Now, Reggie your time will come. But for this season, at least, this is a new number, seeing as you took it upon yourself to retire Jason's. Now, which was, well, the right call. You know exactly what a captain should and would do."
- Reggie: "Dude, are you insane? Take the jersey."
- Archie: "I can't. I can't coach. I love playing football, but your starting lineup deserves a captain whose only love is playing football. Someone like Reggie. "
- Reggie: "What? I mean, yeah."
- ―Archie gives his potential position as captain to Reggie[src]
Notes[]
- In the comics, Reggie and Archie have an iconic rivalry, that mainly stems from fighting over Betty and Veronica.
