Archie, along with his 'Pals N Gals', made the scene for the first time in "Pep Comics"#22 (Dec. 1941). He's actually been around almost as long as Superman, Batman & Captain America! Archie was created by John L. Goldwater (publisher / editor); Vic Bloom (writer) & Bob Montana (artist). He was said to be patterned after "Andy Hardy" (portrayed by Mickey Rooney, in the movie series). The main core group of characters consists of---Archie Andrews (an All-American, girl-crazy, hot rod- driving teenager); 'Jughead' Jones (Archie's best pal, who prefers a monsterous plate of hamburgers, to a date with a pretty girl); Veronica Lodge ( a beautiful, but very spoiled rich girl, who is one of Archie's 2 main squeezes); Betty Cooper ( a beautiful, sweet,' girl-next-door' type of girl, who is also one of Archie's 2 main girlfriends); and Reggie Mantle (Archie's main rival for Betty & Veronica's affections, who is very vain, and is usually out to make Archie look bad in front of the girls; although sometimes he & Archie can actually be friends). Other frequent characters include---Mr. Lodge (Veronica's rich 'Daddy'); Moose (a lunk-headed, but strong football player); Midge (Moose's girlfriend); Big Ethel (girl who is crazy about 'Jughead'); Mr. Weatherbee (High School Principal);Miss Grundy (teacher); Miss Beazley (school cook); Li'l Jinx; and later characters like---Hot Dog (Jughead's Dog); Sabrina, The Teenage Witch; Chuck (African-American pal & comic book artist); Cheryl Blossom (rival to Betty & Veronica); and Dilbert (boy genius). Archie's parents also played a very prominent role in the series.
The premise is very simple: Archie is always trying to impress and go out with Veronica or Betty (He can't decide which one he likes better). Jughead is just along for the ride, while munching hamburgers and dodging big Ethel). Veronica is usually trying to decide between suitors and how she should spend Daddy's money. Betty is usually pining over Archie, but will sometimes go out with Reggie.Reggie is always plotting some new trick on Archie & Jughead, while trying to impress the girls. The Gang doing their best to dodge Mr. Weatherbee (although most of them are pretty smart students). Believe it or not; the plot-lines have always remained fresh and funny over the years. All of the "Archie" Brand comic books have always been very clean-cut, moral and completely "Family Friendly"! I've always been impressed with any "Archie" Series comics I've seen! There are, and always have been countless "Archie" titles including---"Archie" (since 1942);"Betty & Veronica"; "Jughead"; and oodles more, that would more than fill this page (in regular & digest form)! Archie' newspaper comic strip has been around forever!
There are also many unusual or 'Alternate Universes' Archie story-lines such as---The Archies (pop music group); Little Archie (The Gang as kids); Man From R.I.V.E.R.D.A.L.E. (Archie as spy); Explorers of the Unknown (spoof of DC's "Challengers of the Unknown", with Archie & Gang); and Archie 3000 (future version). My favorite of these is "Pureheart The Powerful" (started in "Life With Archie"#42 -Oct. 1965), which featured Archie as 'Pureheart', who possessed super-strength, flight & (almost) invulnerability. Jughead was "Captain Hero"; Betty was "Superteen"; Veronica was "Miss Vanity"; and Reggie was one of the villains, "Evilheart".
Spire Christian Comics released several Christian-Themed Archie titles during the 70's (with full rights from Archie Comics). They were drawn by Al Hartley (who also worked for Archie Comics at the time) They captured the same 'look'and feel of the regular "Archie" comics.
In 2007, the "Archie Comics" Company tried a 'New Look' Limited Series' which featured the characters in a more 'realistic, less cartoony style. This series was greatly surpassed by the 2009-2010 "Archie Marries Veronica / Archie Marries Betty" series. There were presented 2 possible "Marriage" future visions for Archie!
With Veronica 'Version' ("Archie"#600-602)---"The Proposal"; "The Wedding";and "It's Twins".
With Betty 'Version' ("Archie"#603-605)---"Will You Marry Me?"; "The Wedding"; and "Happily Ever After".
Issue #606 tied both stories together with an 'Epilogue' (Archie is trying to explain his 2 future visions to his friends).
Archie has several TV appearances including---"The Archie Show" (1968-animated), which only lasted one season, but spawned a #1 hit pop song-"Sugar, Sugar" by The Archies (Lead singer- Ron Dante)! There was also a live-action special in the 70's and a TV movie called "To Riverdale and Back Again", which featured Christopher Rich (from TV's "Reba") as a grown-up Archie, who returns home with the same dilemma of having to choose between Betty & Veronica. In 1999, there was an animated series, called "Archie's Weird Mysteries".
SO, if you want some good clean, hilarious fun to pass the time, grab an "Archie" Digest or Regular Comic Book! You'll have a blast! "Archie" is 'timeless'!!!
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