35 Facts About Archie Comics

The Origins of Archie Comics

Archie Comics has been a beloved part of American pop culture for over 80 years. Let's dive into its fascinating history and evolution.

1. Founding and Early Years
   Archie Comics began in 1939 as M.L.J. Magazines, Inc., primarily publishing superhero comics. The company's name was later changed to Archie Comic Publications, Inc. in 1946.

2. Creation of Archie
   The initial Archie characters were created in 1941 by publisher John L. Goldwater and artist Bob Montana, in collaboration with writer Vic Bloom. They first appeared in Pep Comics #22 (cover-dated Dec. 1941).

3. Inspiration from Andy Hardy Films
   John Goldwater was inspired by the Andy Hardy films starring Mickey Rooney to create a comic book about a relatable normal person. Teenaged Archibald "Chick" Andrews debuted with Betty Cooper and Jughead Jones in Pep Comics #22 (Dec. 1941).

4. Name Change to Archie Comic Publications
   After Archie became the headliner, M.L.J. Magazines changed its name to Archie Comic Publications in 1946.

Expansion and Evolution

As the years went by, Archie Comics expanded its universe and adapted to changing times.

5. Expansion into New Series
   In the late 1950s, Archie Publishing launched its "Archie Adventure Series" line with a new version of the Shield and two new characters.

6. Silver Age of Comic Books
   During the Silver Age of Comic Books (mid-1960s), Archie switched its superheroes to a new imprint, "Mighty Comics Group," with the MLJ heroes done in the campy humor of the Batman TV show. This imprint ended in 1967.

7. Going Public and Private Ownership
   Archie Enterprises Inc. went public in the early 1970s. Just over 10 years later, Louis Silberkleit's son Michael and John Goldwater's son Richard returned Archie Comic Publications to private ownership.

8. Christian-Themed Comics
   In the 1970s and 1980s, Spire Christian Comics obtained a license to feature the Archie characters in several titles, including Archie's Sonshine, Archie's Roller Coaster, Archie's Family Album, and Archie's Parables. These comics used Archie and his friends to tell stories with strong Christian themes and morals.

9. Red Circle Comics Imprint
   Archie launched a short-lived fantasy and horror imprint, Red Circle Comics, in the 1970s. The company revived that imprint in the 1980s for its brief line of superhero comics.

10. Spectrum Comics Imprint
    Later in the 1980s, Archie planned to publish superheroes again with the Spectrum Comics imprint, featuring a number of high-profile talents, but it cancelled this attempt before publishing a single issue.

Partnerships and Modernization

Archie Comics has formed various partnerships and modernized its content to stay relevant.

11. DC Comics' Impact Comics
    Having licensed Archie's MLJ Superheroes in 1991, DC Comics launched its imprint Impact Comics with these heroes.

12. Partnership with Sega
    In 1992, Archie partnered with Sega to create a four-part series, Afterlife with Archie, which led to a second horror series, Chilling Adventures of Sabrina, launched in October 2014 from Aguirre-Sacasa and artist Robert Hack.

13. Life with Archie Series
    On April 9, 2014, Archie Comics announced that the adult version of Archie Andrews featured in the Life with Archie series would die in issue #36 (July 2014), which would also be the second-to-last issue. Goldwater said Archie's final fate would be the same in both of the possible parallel futures covered by the series.

Iconic Characters

The characters of Archie Comics have become cultural icons, each with their unique traits and stories.

14. Archie Andrews
    The lovable, freckled teenager caught in a love triangle between Betty Cooper and Veronica Lodge. He is known for his clumsiness and good-hearted nature.

15. Betty Cooper
    The kind-hearted, caring, talented, athletic, culinarily talented, and intelligent girl next door. She is romantically obsessed with Archie but usually ends up playing second fiddle to her best friend and romantic rival Veronica Lodge.

16. Veronica Lodge
    The rich, glamorous teenager who often competes with Betty for Archie's affections. She is depicted as fashionable and confident.

17. Jughead Jones
    Archie's best friend since childhood. A slim boy with a huge appetite, he is sarcastic, snarky, and smart. Despite his lack of interest in girls, he forms friendships with them, such as Betty.

18. Reggie Mantle
    Archie's main rival, particularly for Veronica's affections. He is highly vain and conceited, thinking he can date anyone he wants and expects everyone to think the world of him.

Supporting Characters

The supporting cast adds depth and variety to the Archie universe.

19. Moose Mason
    A muscular, handsome star athlete but a poor student. He often says "duh" at the beginning of sentences and is possessive about his girlfriend Midge. He is dimwitted and can be easily manipulated by others, particularly Reggie.

20. Dilton Doiley
    A highly intelligent nerd and inventor. He gets A's in every class except physical education and is the favorite student of most of his teachers. He is not especially interested in dating and is shy around girls, though he has shown interest in a few girls in the series, specially Betty Cooper whom he has a huge crush on.

21. Midge Klump
    Moose's girlfriend who is often frustrated with his jealousy and lack of intelligence but still loves him dearly. Boys cannot even talk to her without incurring Moose's wrath.

22. Ethel Muggs
    A tall, stringy, somewhat dorky but goodhearted teenager who always tries to win over Jughead, albeit unsuccessfully. Portrayed as plain and gawky in appearance, she has many close friends and leads an active social life.

23. Chuck Clayton
    Initially a shy loner, he came out as one of the most popular students in school. He is a very talented athlete and enjoys cartooning for fun. He has been a close friend of Archie's since his introduction.

24. Nancy Woods
    Chuck's steady girlfriend. She does not take an interest in other boys, being devoted to Chuck alone. However, she is often annoyed with his paying more attention to his hobbies than her. Nancy enjoys sports, fashion, cheerleading, and journalism, and is a close friend of the other girls.

Teachers and Staff

The educators and staff at Riverdale High play crucial roles in the stories.

25. Mr. Waldo Weatherbee
    The school principal, popularly referred to as 'The Bee'. A former United States Marine known for being obese and bald, he is often a victim of Archie's clumsiness, which often puts the latter in detention. He is often, however, quite helpful and friendly to students.

26. Hubert Smithers (or just Smithers)
    The Lodge Family's loyal butler. He is often frustrated with Archie's antics but remains faithful to the Lodges.

Family Members

The families of the main characters add another layer to the stories.

27. Fred Andrews
    The father of Archie Andrews. He is a kind and supportive parent who often finds himself dealing with Archie's misadventures.

28. Mary Andrews
    The mother of Archie Andrews. She is depicted as a caring and understanding mother who tries to keep the peace in the Andrews household.

29. Hiram Lodge
    Veronica's father and the owner of the Lodge Corporation. He is often portrayed as a wealthy and influential figure in Riverdale.

Evolution Over Time

Archie Comics has adapted to changing times, incorporating new themes and storylines.

30. Modernization Efforts
    In 2014, 11 years after a cease and desist letter, Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa became the Chief Creative Officer of Archie Comics. This marked a significant shift towards modernizing the brand and appealing to new generations of readers.

31. Diverse Storylines
    Archie Comics has introduced diverse storylines over the years, including the first interracial marriage in the series, depicted in Archie No. 633, where Archie marries Valerie Smith from Josie and the Pussycats.

32. International Reach
    Archie Comics has been translated into many languages and has a global following. The characters have been featured in various international adaptations, reflecting their universal appeal.

Celebrations and Milestones

Archie Comics has celebrated numerous milestones and achievements over the years.

33. 75th Anniversary
    Archie Comics celebrated its 75th anniversary in December 2016. To mark the milestone, a list of 75 fascinating facts about the origins and evolution of the company was curated.

34. Current Leadership
    Jon Goldwater, the late John L. Goldwater's son, has been leading the company since taking over. He has rehauled the brand, saying he found the old Archie "to be dusty, irrelevant and watered-down."

35. Fan Engagement
    Archie Comics has encouraged fan engagement by allowing readers to suggest plotlines. Bob Montana's children were encouraged to dream up plotlines for the Archie series, and if Bob used one, the child who suggested it would get 25 cents.

The Legacy of Archie Comics

Archie Comics has been a cornerstone of American pop culture for over 80 years. From its beginnings as M.L.J. Magazines to becoming a global brand, it has evolved with the times. Characters like Archie Andrews, Betty Cooper, Veronica Lodge, and Jughead Jones have become cultural icons, symbolizing teenage life and relationships. The company has embraced diversity, inclusivity, and modern themes, keeping it relevant for new generations. With numerous adaptations, including the popular Riverdale series, Archie Comics continues to captivate audiences worldwide. Its impact on pop culture is undeniable, and its legacy of friendship, love, and community will inspire future readers and creators. Archie Comics isn't just a series; it's a cultural phenomenon that has stood the test of time.