I am a fantastic fan of Archie Comics, and they are always looking at how to spin their mythos in new ways. But, sometimes, sometimes… it’s fun to go back to the original—like Sabrina. And, like a lot of Archie Comics, you can go back to the beginning and start where it all began.
New fans, whose introduction to everyone’s favorite may be the Netflix series or some of the comics she’s appeared in in recent years, might be surprised to learn she goes back to the early days of the Silver Age—1962! Archie does a fantastic job of archiving older comics, and two volumes chronologically reprint Sabrina’s stories from the first ten years. They are The Complete Sabrina the Teenage Witch: 1962-1971 and The Complete Sabrina the Teenage Witch: 1972-1973. Together, they make for over 1,000 pages of Archie fun.
Here is something most people don’t know: every Archie Comic—even the new releases—is available to borrow through ComiXology’s Unlimited plan, which costs $7.00 a month. You’d be surprised at how many comics are available to borrow on the platform. Digital editions allow fans to try out comics before going to the comic shop and adding to their comic collection.
Don’t go looking for either Omnis at your comic shop or anywhere else because it is ONLY available in a digital format. It is something more comic book companies are embracing. For you, die-hard comic fans who like their shops, look how Barnes & Noble (physical bookstore) DOES quite well in a digital age of books. Stop frowning at digital comic books and look at the value they offer.
I am one big cheerleader when it comes to comic books because there are too many fantastic things to choose from than to waste it on negatives. I do have a couple of… quibbles. There’s not a listing of where the actual comics appear—only the year. Each costs $9.00 if you buy the digital editions—a steal! But… both are only in black and white. Still worth it? 100%.
Okay, maybe you are much into comics (that’s me over here raising their hand)—there’s still something for you. Archie has also archived in the original Sabrina series. All 77 issues from 1971 to 1983.
The key, even if you are still NOT into digital editions, Archie has Sabrina: 60 Magical Stories, which contains 500+ pages in COLOR and is available as a physical copy. The treat with this collection is it represents a sampling of ALL the Sabrina over the decades—including from recent years.
Back to those omnis—WHY read comics decades old that might not be read exactly like current comics? Two fantastic reasons. First, I believe there are fantastic fun reads for all ages if read in the context of times. Second, George Gladir and Dan DeCarlo, the creators of Sabrina. I think fans owe it to creators to at least acknowledge the contributions they made to the industry. Both have made major contributions to Archie—even outside of Sabrina. And, yeah, this Bronze Age Baby DOES register their names when I read a comic, and if only to myself, thank them for making so many fantastic comics.
Treat yourself to some Sabrina, and you might be surprised by the spell it casts. I love my superhero Big Two comics, but over the years, I have learned there are countless comics out there waiting to be discovered. Go and discover for yourself!
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