Over the years, Archie Comics has presented many “real people” in its pages. Sometimes they appeared in parody form, with satirical versions of their names and likenesses used. Other times, the actual people lent their names and likenesses. A wide-range of “real” folks, from school librarians to comic shop owners to famous celebrities like Don Kirschner, Glenn Scarpelli and The Veronicas have appeared in Archie Comics-form.

The trend of having real people appear in Archie comics continues this issue. Real-life husband-and-wife team Chris and Lynda Barnes are noted for winning the most prestigious titles in bowling: Chris is the PBA player of the year and Lynda the 2008 USBC Queens champion. Now, bowling’s reigning championship couple thrills Archie Comics readers in the story “7-10 Slip” from PALS ‘N GALS DOUBLE DIGEST #131.

It all starts when Pop Tate breaks his arm in a fall. Naturally, the kids want to help, so they rally together to raise money for his medical bills. While their individual efforts to use their talents to raise funds are noble, the gang soon realizes they need some extra-special help. They call in Chris and Lynda Barnes for a special charity bowling event that attracts the attention of the whole town. With Chris and Lynda on board, it’s the most “striking” Archie story yet!

PALS-N-GALS DOUBLE DIGEST #131

“7-10 Slip”: When Pop Tate breaks his arm in a fall, the kids rally together to raise money for his medical bills. They get some help from real-life bowling champions Chris and Lynda Barnes. This husband-and-wife team is noted for winning the most prestigious titles in bowling: Chris is the PBA player of the year and Lynda the 2008 USBC Queens champion. Now they’ll “bowl” you over Archie Comics style, in the most “striking” story yet!

SCRIPT: Stephen Oswald.

ART: Pat Kennedy.

“Music to my Ears”: Frankie Valdez decides to cut a singing demo, but when Maria discovers all of Frankie’s backup singers are female, their love song hits a sour note!

SCRIPT AND ART: Dan Parent.

“Bypass the Gas”: At Miss Grundy’s urging, the teens decide to use alternate methods of transportation to save fuel. Will the idea take off, or will it “run out of gas?”

SCRIPT: Bill Golliher.

ART: Bob Bolling.

PLUS: Other new and classic tales!

SCRIPT AND ART: Various talents.

BONUS: Puzzles, games and pin-ups!

Shipping Date: April 29th, 2009

On Sale at Comic Specialty Shops: May 6th, 2009

On Sale on Newsstands: May 19th, 2009

176-page, full color digest

$3.99 US.