Richie Rich Billions #12

In "The Smartest Ape Part 1," young Reggie, inspired by the clever apes tested in a lab, tries to prove he’s the smartest by donning a monkey costume and joining the older apes in their enclosure. When he impresses the scientists by sorting blocks alphabetically, his moment of triumph is cut short by a sudden, unexpected beat-down from the adult ape.

Richie Rich, ever the prank enthusiast, grows restless with his ever-expanding collection of tricks—until he hatches a plan to finally get a reaction out of Reggie. With a mischievous grin, he sends a filing cabinet to Reggie, knowing full well it hides a jack-in-the-box meant to startle him.

In "The Smartest Ape Part 2 Reggie Goes Ape," Reggie, determined to prove he’s more than just a clever ape, tries to escape the lab by mimicking human behavior—drawing a picture of Richie, whistling Dixie, and even running on two legs—only to find that freedom comes with a price. The story captures Reggie’s spirited attempt to outwit the scientist, blending humor and heart as he pushes his limits in a moment of bold, if misguided, ambition.

In "Living It Up," Shorty Smart’s attempt to live like Richie Rich backfires when his impersonation goes too far—leading to a crash that only a quick-thinking Cadbury can survive. As the dust settles, Shorty finally sees the cost of his recklessness, and with a quiet moment of reflection, begins to understand what it truly means to be a friend.

In "Mayda Munny's Money Plot," Mayda Munny sets out to win Richie Rich's favor by trying to make him lose interest in Gloria—only to find her plan backfires in unexpected ways when Gloria gives away the money she’s given. Written by a longtime contributor to the series and illustrated with the usual charm, this 1976 tale captures the playful rivalry and mischievous schemes that define the Richie Rich universe.