7 Things You Didn’t Know About Archie Comics
Archie, Jughead, Betty, Veronica, Reggie, and Mr. Weatherbee. You know the characters that we’ve read and loved from Archie Comics. Their universe just wouldn’t be the same if high school wasn’t complicated and Archie wasn’t awkwardly attracting girls way out of his league.
Created in 1941, Archie first starred in the 22nd issue of comic book anthology Pep Comics by artist Bob Montana. It was first based on the Andy Hardy movie series, which starred a redhead who was in a love triangle with the girl next door, Betsy and a rich, beautiful woman, Lana Turner (among others!).
While the first Archie Comics issue was released in the winter of 1942, starting with Archie Comics #114, the title was shortened simply to Archie. Since this time, we’ve come to expect Archie’s car breaking down, Jughead’s love for food, and Reggie’s love of himself. That said, here are seven things you may not have known have happened in the Archie Comic series.
#1 ARCHIE DIES
The newest Archie series, “Life With Archie,” looks into the future when Archie and his friends are graduated and are adults. This series is unique as it follows a different structure where one-half of each issue focuses on how his life played out depending on whether he married Betty or Veronica. When he chose Betty, Archie moved to New York to pursue a career in music before returning to Riverdale to become a teacher. When Veronica’s husband, Archie works for her father at Lodge Industries just as it hits a PR fiasco.
The series combines into one for issue #36 when both series arrive at one dramatic conclusion – Archie’s death. Archie was shot at the iconic high school meeting place for Archie and his friends – Pop Tate’s Shop. He was killed protecting his friend Kevin Keller (more on him later), a newly-elected senator and a campaigner for gay rights and gun control, from an assassin’s bullet.
Discussing his death, Archie Comics CEO Jon Goldwater indicated, “Archie dies as he lived — heroically. He dies saving the life of a friend. [This issue] is probably the most different comic book we’ve ever published.”
The series concludes with issue #37, which takes place a year after Archie’s death and serves as a legacy to Archie. Despite the end to Archie’s adult life and this specific series, the rest of the Archie Comics series fortunately continues to go strong.
#2 MISS GRUNDY DIES FROM CANCER
Ms. Grundy has appeared regularly in numerous Archie comic books since 1942, making her first debut in Pep Comics issue #30. Thus far, Comic Vine says she has appeared in 959 issues as a Riverdale High School homeroom teacher, occasionally teaching English and math. In issue #41 of Archie’s Double Digest, she was revealed to be an alumna herself of Riverdale High School.
Returning to the very first issue of the Life with Archie series, fans are witness to Miss Grundy’s fate being foreshadowed when she tells Mr. Weatherbee that she is gravely ill and he responds by proposing. By Issue #5, Miss Grundy realizes she’s in love with the principal and she marries him! Two other weddings happen at the same time as Miss Grundy’s doppelganger, Jughead (seriously, are they not the same person!?), marries Midge, while her Riverdale colleagues Mr. Svenson and Miss Beazly also get hitched.
Just a few issues later, however, the sad news that Miss Grundy has passed away from terminal cancer is announced. The issue focuses on the best moments of the teacher’s life and displays how her death inspired change in her students as both Archie and Betty become Riversdale teaches while hangs up the mirror to pick up a pen and begin working at a newspaper.
As an aside, I’m wondering why Miss Grundy’s illness seems to take place only in the Archie Marries Betty version. One has to wonder, if Archie marries Veronica, does Miss Grundy get to live happily ever after with Mr. Weatherbee?
#3 ARCHIE IS ACTIVE IN POLITICS
Throughout the entire Archie Comics series, Archie is constantly batting Reggie Mantle in one way or another – whether it’s who drives the better car, who gets the better grades, who has the better looks, or, the battle we know most – who gets the girl.
In December 2010, Archie Comics released issue #616 that featured another Archie and Reggie battle but this time for Student Body President of their high school, Riverdale High.
The story starts with Archie, as always, being over his head in a battle. It’s at this point that Veronica does what she does best and uses her power to stage a photo opportunity with Barack Obama. The moment that Archie uses Obama in his campaign, Reggie’s campaign manager, Trula, retorts by using Sarah Palin to strengthen Reggie’s debate.
Both political leaders are unaware of what transpired but hear about what has taken place and so arrive in Riverdale to deal with the event. Surprisingly, in the end, the two sides eventually work together, and arrive at a conclusion in unison.
“Archie and the Riverdale gang have always been a reflection of what is happening in America,” Goldman said. “Bringing Obama and Palin to Riverdale is kind of a “What If?” type story. What if these two people crossed paths in Riverdale and got involved in the election of the President of Riverdale High with Archie, Jughead, Betty and Veronica?”
While Obama helps Archie and his friends find a solution in this issue, he also appeared in
Veronica #199 where he had a conversation with Veronica about the economy. He’s also infamous for appearing on the cover of The Amazing Spider-Man (No. 583) for the story, “Spidey Meets the President” once Marvel Comics found out he was a huge comic book fan.
#4 ARCHIE COMICS RECOGNIZE SAME SEX MARRIAGE
Riverdale High’s first openly gay character, Kevin Keller, premiered in the #202 issue of Veronica in September 2010 in an article entitled, “Isn’t it Bromantic?” In the issue, Keller had to promptly fend off the affections of a smitten Veronica. While all characters (especially Veronica herself) are confused why Kevin is so distant, he later bonds with his pal Jughead over food and admits that he is gay.
Later, Kevin’s life gets more stressful as he and his boyfriend, Devon, share a kiss at Pop Tate’s. When this happens, a nearby mother is appalled by what she sees and proclaims, “Did I just see that with my own eyes? Young man, there are children in this place! Your behavior is unacceptable!”
While Kevin is used to this reaction, Veronica is very upset. She records the whole thing and of course uploads it to the Archie equivalent of YouTube, which starts a huge debate.
Kevin’s appearance proved so popular that the issue sold out, prompting Archie Comics to issue a reprint for the first time in its history and Kevin earned a 4-part miniseries later in the year.
Discussing the miniseries, author Dan Parent indicated, “Riverdale has to reflect contemporary culture and to show it is an accepting, diverse place […]. That’s why Kevin is important; to show that everybody is welcome in this all-American town we’ve embraced for over 70 years.”
In Life With Archie #16, Kevin achieves his life goal of joining the Armed Forces. Unfortunately, however, while serving time in Iraq, he becomes injured in the line of duty. Kevin is able to turn his fortune around, though, and ends up falling in love with his doctor, Clay, and the two get married.
Kevin’s wedding issue caused so much controversy that One Million Moms boycotted the issue
from Toys ‘R’ Us. “These comic books are sold at the front checkout counters so they are highly visible,” They told the Huffington Post. “Unfortunately, children are now being exposed to same-sex marriage in a toy store. This is the last place a parent would expect to be confronted with questions from their children on topics that are too complicated for them to understand.”
Goldwater’s immediately responded to the outlandish claim. “Riverdale is a safe, welcoming place that does not judge anyone,” he was quoted in The Guardian. “We’re sorry they feel so negatively about our product, but they have every right to their opinion, just like we have the right to stand by ours. Kevin Keller will forever be a part of Riverdale, and he will live a happy, long life free of prejudice, hate and narrow-minded people. Kevin and Clay getting married really is just a reflection of what’s going on in the world today”
#5 ARCHIE AND… ZOMBIES!!!
Just when you thought you have read it all – you haven’t. In the newest Archie series, “Afterlife with Archie,” Archie and his friends all become zombies in what very much resembles a Walking Dead storyline. It’s a well-told horror comic, with the normal characters we know and love, except some of them are… well, dead. The series depicts a zombie apocalypse which begins in the beloved town of Riverdale in a crazy alternative reality. While most Archie comics are known to be for kids and adults of all ages, this series is aimed towards teens and above, as many of the issues include content and subject matter related to violence, some gore, and moderate language.
One of the best scenes comes from the first issue and sets up the series when Jughead asks Sabrina to bring his dog, Hot Dog, back to life after Reggie killed it accidentally with his car. The issue gets crazy as Hot Dog becomes a zombie and then he kills Jughead, and then they both continue to spread the contagion.
Crazy, huh?
#6 THERE ARE LOTS OF (AMAZING) ARCHIE CROSSOVERS
Archie gets KISSed
Archie and his friends got to ‘rock and roll, all night’ when a four-issue special is released featuring KISS. In the issues, Archie and his pals are turned into zombies as Riverdale is under attack and everything is in dismay. All seems lost until the amazing music of Gene Simmons, Paul Stanley, Eric Singer and Tommy Thayer save the day! “This is awesome! They’re going to destroy those monsters with music!” exclaims Archie.
(Thankfully, no bats were harmed in the making of these issues).
Archie Bops with The Ramones
2016 will be celebrated as the 75th anniversary of Archie Comics and the 40th anniversary of Punk band, The Ramones. This obviously it the perfect time to release an Archie Comic where our favorite red-headed teen can meet these New York City punk legends, right?!|
Right!
While the Archie’s are known predominantly for their 1969 #1 single, “Sugar, Sugar” they should be looking forward for their opportunity to meld into their infamous punk songs including, “Hey Ho Let’s Go” and “Blitzkrieg Bop”
While we don’t know everything that will happen in this much-anticipated crossover, co-writer Alex Segura says, “Fans can expect a fun, rockin’ and heartfelt extra-sized adventure that will stand up there with some of the best Archie crossovers ever.” That of course, is saying a lot as we’ve already detailed some crazy crossovers! (i.e. see above and below!).
Excitement over the issue isn’t only felt by the two fan bases. Artist Gisele shares in the enthusiasm, “Getting to draw Archie Meets Ramones has me fangirling in excitement. I will draw with the energy and passion of a Ramone to ensure my beloved Riverdale gets a Rock ‘N’ Roll High School.”
Co-writer Matthew Rosenberg echoes Gisele’s comments. He adds the combination between the two may seem unusual to some, but for him, who has loved both his entire life, it’s a perfect unity. “Archie is what got me into comics, the Ramones are what got me into punk rock, and those two things have always been connected for me,” said Rosenberg. “The Ramones are my punk rock heroes, and Archie has a long history of being connected to music, and being willing to try new things. To me, this makes perfect sense.”
Remember the Predator? Archie does.
Released in 2015, one of the most unexpected Archie crossovers was released as Archie Comics combined with Dark Horse Comics character, the Predator. In a four-part series, the character, first known for starting in the Arnold Schwarzenegger 1987 movie, attacked the beloved high school students we know and love first while they are vacationing in Costa Rica for Spring Break before attacking the town of Riverdale. Without giving the entire premise away, what you need to know is that one of the ways that Archie and his friends defeat the Predator is by having Jughead dress in drag…. yup! I dare you to even try to guess what else happened!
Archie runs from Punishment
Archie Meets the Punisher was a 1994 one-issue special that brought together Riverdale’s favorite teen with Marvel Comics vigilante known for employing murder and violence as he continues his war on crime. This issue was both released by Archie and Marvel, but under different covers, though both contained the same content.
In the issue, the Punisher is searching for a drug dealer that looks exactly like Archie. He’s made a deal with the government to catch the mischievous character known as ‘Red’ instead of relying on his normal ways of apprehending the suspect and killing him.
This is a relief for Archie as when our red-headed pal runs into the Punisher, and of course, in true Archie-gets-into-trouble style, the vigilante believes he is the culprit. It’s only when he realizes Archie doesn’t have the same buck teeth as ‘Red” when he realizes Archie is innocent.
Realizing his mistakes, the Punisher decides to help Archie, and helps Archie and his pals save Veronica, who in the midst of this, has been kidnapped by Red.
The comic ends with the joking suggestion that the next crossover will be between Wolverine and Jughead… which while I doubt it happens, I hope it really does!
Archie, and, you guessed it, Sharknado 3
When we think of the summer, we think of relaxing in the sun on the beach – but not being attacked by sharknados!
Sharknado, known primarily for airing in 2013 as a made-for-television disaster film about sharks in the oceans in Los Angeles, has now also made an appearance in an Archie Comic
“Sharknado 3; Oh Hell No” aired this past July 22nd and is specific the focus for this Archie Comic issue. Released this week, the Archie Sharknado 3 special was written by Sharknado 3 author Anthony C Ferrante and was also drawn by Dan Parent. Timed perfectly to coincide with the release of the movie on SyFy Channel, the special edition comic gives Sharknado 3 a true multimedia premiere.
No one shows up to Mr. Weatherbee’s dance, and while many think it’s because of the storm, they find out soon that it’s not the weather, but the sharks! When Archie and his pals arrive late to the dance, where Josie and the Pussycats are playing, Archie announces what has transpired with the sharks to which Mr. Weatherbee exclaims, “Get inside, no sharks are going to crash this dance!”
If only it was that easy.
The Sharknado movies are best known for their ridiculous, over-the-top B-movie flair and this Archie issue does not disappoint. Even when beloved characters are getting their limbs bitten off, the story gives all of the dismemberment and destruction a humorous feel that’s not at all horrific. In fact, whenever the story gets too serious or gruesome, Ferrante throws in some humor to bring the audience back in.
There’s recently been a Sharknado 4 announced, so Archie fans just have to wonder of whether we will see another Sharknados in Riverdale.
#7 GIRLS CAN PLAY BASEBALL
A quick editor’s note: for those of you that know me, you know I grew up playing baseball. But because there wasn’t any hard ball leagues, I had to play, like many other women who loved the sport, on the men’s baseball team. It turns out – so did my favorite character did too (sorry Veronica). In the four-part series, “No Baseball for Betty” which aired in Betty & Veronica Double Digest #180-183, Riverdale’s best shortstop decides to hang up her softball glove to play baseball with the guys. Way to go Betty!
As the series plays out, there is an all-out debate whether or not a girl should be allowed on the Boys’ team, and they even threatened to ban Betty from baseball. Fortunately, all works out and Betty is allowed to play on the team and becomes the first girl ever to play for Riverdale high.
And just like every feel-good story, Betty and her team win the conference title. I wish I could say the same thing happened back when I used to play!
What is your favorite Archie Comics storyline? Comment below.
