![]() ![]() Indeed “America’s typical teenager” (as the tagline for Archie’s solo book claimed) became so beloved that MLJ renamed itself in his honor. Goldwater and artist Bob Montana, Archie drew influence from the era’s youth-based Andy Hardy films and successfully predicted how teenage life would become the fulcrum for popular culture in the following decades. ![]() It was an instant success due to the humor and charm of its cast, which included lovely girl-next-door Betty Cooper and oddball pal Jughead Jones (Veronica Lodge was not yet part of the picture).Ĭreated by MLJ publisher John L. Some history: In December of 1941, MLJ Comics – a publisher then best known for its stable of superheroes like The Shield, a patriotic figure who predates Captain America – released Pep #22, featuring a backup story focusing on lovable klutz Archie Andrews. Despite the TV success, comics are still Archie’s bread and butter, from the digest reprints that beg for impulse buys at the supermarket to a series of innovative titles that have seen Archie and his “pals and gals” become critical darlings. The declaration is more than accurate, as the independently owned publisher is celebrating its 80 th anniversary with the massive CW hit Riverdaleentering its sixth season (one that will bring on board Kiernan Shipka’s teenage witch from the late, lamented Netflix series Chilling Adventures of Sabrina as a guest star). ![]() “It’s a golden age to be an Archie Comics fan right now,” says company president Mike Pellerito with infectious enthusiasm, adding “I just can’t imagine a better time.” ![]()
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