As one of the main characters in the Archie comics, Betty Cooper is present during all prominent storylines in the long-running series. Similarly, she's one of Riverdale's focal points, where she takes on a more active role in the plot.
In the comics, Betty represents the classic "girl next door" archetype. She's kind-hearted, affable, and outgoing. She's best friends with everybody and struggles to find any fault in others. Riverdale's cynical and proactive take on the character certainly deviates from the comics. However, both versions of Betty share many innate traits that keep the character rooted in her origins, proving hey might not be so different from each other, after all.
Different: Comic Betty Is Wholesome
Comic book Betty is a nice girl, through and through. She's almost too nice; a girl who's everyone likes and who likes everybody. She loves children, reads to the elderly, and rescues and cares for stray animals. She excels at pretty much everything she does and people love her for it.
Riverdale's Betty is also quite the overachiever, but she's not as thoroughly altruistic as her comic-book counterpart. Several times during the show's run, many characters express their surprise when they discover Betty isn't as nice as she seems.
Same: They Both Like To Sing
In the comics, Betty is part of The Archies alongside Veronica Lodge, Jughead Jones, Reggie Mantle, and of course, Archie Andrews. She serves as the lead guitarist, percussionist, and one of three main singers, the other two being Veronica and Archie. Their most popular single, "Sugar, Sugar," was a huge commercial success during the so-called bubblegum-pop era of the late sixties and early seventies.
Riverdale features musical numbers in nearly every episode. Betty made her singing debut during the now-infamous pole dance sequence, where she performed Michael Andrews and Gary Jules' cover of Tears For Fears' "Mad World."
Different: She Has No "Dark Side"
"Dark Betty" was a major Riverdale plot point during the earlier seasons. From the moment Betty wore a black wig and severely tortured a guy by burning him, audiences knew this version of Betty was dangerous. As the show progressed, however, the storyline became less relevant until it disappeared entirely. In more recent seasons, Betty's dark side tried to be explained by the presence of a "serial killer gene," but that plot crashed and burned faster than "Dark Betty."
In the comics, Betty couldn't have a dark side even if she tried to. The girl is all sugar, some spice, and certainly everything nice.
Same: Fashion Sense
In both the comics and the TV show, Betty's wardrobe is quite conservative. She dresses in a classic, all-American way, favoring jeans, polo shirts, sweaters, and hoodies. She almost always wears her hair in a ponytail and prefers sneakers over high heels.
In Riverdale, Betty's style remains pretty faithful. She also has a wide variety of sweaters, and her outfits are simple and almost plain, unlike her fashion-forward friends Veronica and Cheryl.
Different: Hobbies & Interests
In the comics, Betty engages in numerous activities. She's a part-time babysitter who plays baseball, gets involved in several social causes, enjoys cooking and reading to the elderly, is a gifted mechanic, likes and excels at skiing, car racing, and scuba-diving, and looks after animals. In fact, her many talents often make Veronica jealous.
In Riverdale, Betty only seems to care about reporting and solving gruesome murders and mysteries. The character is far from uninteresting, but her range of interests severely decreases.
Same: Intelligence
In both the show and the comics, Betty is a straight-A student who excels in multiple areas. In the comics, she's the character who shows an interest in writing, which her teacher, Miss Grundy, encourages. Over the years, she submitted her work to magazines and newspapers and was even published several times.
Although she runs the school newspaper and shows some superficial interest in writing, Riverdale focuses on Betty's instincts and intuitiveness. After the time jump, she works for the FBI, confirming her status as arguably the show's most intelligent character.
Different: Relationship With Jughead
In the comics, Betty and Jughead are close friends who confide in each other for nearly everything. Betty often tries to improve Jughead by making him let go of his slacker behavior, but the two share a genuine and caring relationship. Jughead's sexuality in the comics is unclear, although he often expresses his distaste for girls, dating, and romance. He once said that if he ever had to kiss a girl, he'd kiss Betty.
In the show, the two are at the center of the most popular but problematic relationship. And while "Bughead" might be over, for now, the two will most likely find their way back to each other by the show's end.
Same: Friendship With Veronica
Betty Cooper is best friends with Veronica Lodge, no matter the medium or storyline. In the comics, their dynamic is somewhat complicated because of their feelings towards the king of "nice guys," Archie Andrews. The two often compete for his affection, much to the redheaded boy's pleasure.
In the show, and because of Betty's relationship with Jughead, her friendship with Veronica is less complicated. They have different personalities and, as the show progresses, their storylines become less intertwined. However, they remain close, up until the time jump, at least.
Different: Romantic Relationships
Betty's infatuation with Archie is the bread and butter of the Archie comics. He sees her more like a close friend and confidant; a back-up of sorts when Veronica is unavailable. He dislikes when she dates other guys, as he prefers to have her sole interest.
Other than him, Betty has a flirtatious relationship with Reggie Mantle, and the two even marry in one of the series' many possible futures. She also goes out on dates with Adam Chisholm, who Archie openly dislikes. In Riverdale, Jughead is Betty's only love interest besides Archie.
Same: She's Socially Conscious
Both versions of the character share a commitment to truth and justice, although they both express it differently. In the comics, Betty cares deeply about the environment and sustainability. She often scolds her friends for littering and does her best to improve Riverdale's living conditions. She also cares for the homeless and stray animals.
In the show, she's a full-on detective, albeit a somewhat inconsistent one. She's tenacious and relentless in her pursuit for the truth, eventually making it all the way to the FBI. It's a good way of updating the character while still retaining her selfless and caring attitude.