Mr. Weatherbee
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Waldo Weatherbee is a fictional character in the Archie Comics universe. Mr. Weatherbee is the principal of Riverdale High School, where Archie Andrews is a student. To Riverdale students and (most) staff, he is commonly called Mr. Weatherbee, due to his authority position. Sometimes, Archie and his friends playfully call him The Bee. Mr. Weatherbee is a heavyset man with tiny round eyeglasses perched on the tip of an aquiline nose and a tiny wisp of a toupee that perpetually flies off whenever he is upset or startled.
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[edit] Character History
Mr. Weatherbee is a former member of the United States Marine Corps. According to a story in one of the digest magazines, he was a helicopter pilot in the Vietnam War (1957–1975). A previous story had placed him as a veteran of the World War II Battle of the Bulge (December 16, 1944–January 28, 1945), thanks to retconning and the "sliding time scale" principle. His first appearance was at the Pep Comics #5 of March 1942, as a passenger of a taxi driven by Archie. After not impressing him with his driving skills, Archie learns that Weatherbee is Riverdale High's principal.
In one story, Coach Kleats, explaining to Archie and his friends the value of not underestimating Weatherbee's physical prowess, mentions that Weatherbee was a good athlete in high school, excelling in football and baseball.
Weatherbee's first appearance as a regular character occurred in the spring 1942 issue of Jackpot Comics.
Recently, In Archie Digest #233, Archie's Dad accidentally reveals that Waldo was known as "Wild Willie" in high school. Wild Willie was a troublemaker, and, after the kids find out, contrary to what he expects, they learn to appreciate it.
[edit] Relationships
Weatherbee is constantly annoyed by Archie, so he often tries to avoid him. Ironically, he can not escape from Archie even in the summer months, as he also serves as head of the camp where the Riverdale teens serve as junior counselors. He constantly dreams of the day when (or if) Archie graduates from high school, although there are numerous stories in which Archie and his friends save him from various crises.
Despite their conflicts with each other, Weatherbee is friends with Archie's father, Fred, even inviting him to lead the parents' association during one episode. During that episode, Weatherbee also admitted that while Archie's school work has been careless at times, his grades were quite adequate.
There are, however, times when Weatherbee takes an interest in teaching Archie valuable lessons about life, nature, or things he enjoys. At times he even tries to hang out with the gang to be, as he says, more "in."
While Weatherbee appears to be single, there has been speculation about the nature of his relationship with fellow Riverdale High veteran teacher Miss Grundy.
Despite the students' fear of Weatherbee, they still recognize his affection for the school and appreciate his efforts. In a story titled "Sheer Gratitude" in Archie's Double Digest #167, Weatherbee's age is said to be 65, the required age of retirement, according to the rules of the Board of Education. Archie produces a petition from the entire school, however, and the Board agrees to let Weatherbee continue working at the high school.
In one story, Mr. Weatherbee's motorcycle-riding mother visits the school. During her visit she refers to him as "Willy".
His niece Wendy first appeared in Tales From Riverdale #10. She became a minor recurring character, noted for her quirky, eccentric interests, such as odd fashions and exotic pets. She is the daughter of Mr. Weatherbee's twin brother, Tony, as revealed in Tales From Riverdale #28.
The Weatherbee twins were very different as teenagers: Waldo focused on his career and education, while Tony focused more on girls and motorcycles (he opened his own motorcycle shop). Tony dated Miss Grundy when they were teenagers, but they broke up. His friend Hiram Lodge apparently wanted to follow Tony's example, but instead settled down as a businessman and married Hermione.
[edit] Friends
The Staff of Riverdale High School, Archie Andrews, Reggie Mantle, Betty Cooper, Veronica Lodge, Dilton Doiley, Moose Mason, Big Ethel, (also known as Ethel Muggs) Chuck Clayton, Nancy Woods, Midge Klump, and other characters from Archie Comics.
[edit] See also
Wendy Weatherbee
Riverdale High School (Archie Comics)
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