When was the last time YOU read an Archie Comic? Archie may not be one of the publishers putting out tons of comics every month. However, they are one of three publishers that have been active since the Golden Age. Whatever they do put out remains true to what we think of an Archie Comic, but they are constantly putting out quality, fresh spins on the citizens of Riverdale. It is by far the best non-hero comic story engine and doesn’t always get the attention Archie Comics deserves.
Too often, fans frown on Archie as “kiddie comics,” but most of their comics are all-ages. Anyone can read them and enjoy them—whether they are brand new or something that’s been around for decades. Older Archie comics may reflect the times, but I’ve yet to come across that read so stale that I regretted it. Archie stories remain timeless—something you can’t always say with other publishers.
When was the last time you sampled some Archie? Of course, I suggest that the next time you pick up your weekly comics, you swing by the Archie section and see what you can find. But there are many cost-effective ways to read Archie Comics. For example, the Hoopla digital library allows you to borrow all the current Archie Comics, and ComiXology Unlimited has countless Archie titles available to read. Or you can visit the Archie Comics website for some fantastic deals!
A perfect example of how the company never stops finding new ways to spin fantastically different stories and remain true to what Archie Comics is all about is the current four-issue mini-series. Mr. Justice. Written by Tim Seeley(I mean, who doesn’t know of HIS volume of work!) and art by Mike Norton, it is a fresh approach to telling the tale of Archie as a “real” superhero. Sure, sure… in the past, he’s been Pureheart, but that was more for comedy and a humorous approach. Here, we have something different that tells a story that grabs you from the first page. Fantastically worth checking out!
Speaking of heroes, Archie has, over the years, been archiving some older comics, but they haven’t done all that much with some of the Golden Age material—especially its superheroes. That is until now. Coming out is a reprint of the very first issue of Pep Comics from 1940 that also features the first appearance of the superhero The Shield. Yes, before Archie, the company had a big line of superhero comics during the Golden Age. (But, here’s something a little extra: many of the Golden Age Archie Comics are in the public domain, and you can easily download the first 70 issues of Pep Comics from sites like Comicbook+.)
Pep Comics is one of a few comics that continued to be published from the Golden Age straight into the Bronze Age. It lasted forty years and 353 issues! Lately, Archie has been archiving Pep Comics—mainly from the Bronze Age, and you can get around three dozen of those issues. It expects them to keep archiving a few every month. Just as before Pep—they archived every Betty & Veronica from the Golden Age through the Bronze Age.
Another little-known fact is Archie’s Digest comics regularly contain superhero stories—both new and timeless classics. Betty & Veronica Double Digest #331 starts with a Fly and Flygirl story. These digests, at around 200 pages and costing $9.99—or less, remain a fantastic bargain!
Each digest usually contains at least one new story, and the rest are filled with those timeless classics— from all eras of Archie! And don’t let the title fool you—other Riverdale favorites also appear in the digest! You might get some Sabrina, Lil’ Jinx, or any of the favorites you’ve come to know over the years.
Again, when was the last time YOU read an Archie Comic? Don’t be one of those fans stuck on the same old stuff they always pick up at their comic shop every week. The only way the comic book industry can continue to grow is to read comics outside of the buzz or the latest bestsellers. Archie is a perfect place to begin!
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