Scans_Daily

When MLJ Magazines, as Archie Comics was originally known, began publishing in 1939, its focus, like that of nearly every early Golden Age publisher, was superheroes: the Shield, Black Hood and Comet (the latter succeeded by his brother, Hangman). By 1946, however, the combination of Archie's popularity and readers' loss of interest in superheroes after WWII led not only to a company name change but also to the gradual phasing out of its caped characters.

Two decades later, of course, the Silver Age was in full swing and superheroes were back, big time. So in 1965, Archie Comics revived their old hero characters in their Mighty Comics Group line. However, recognizing that their teenage humour characters were the real stars, they also hit upon the idea -- months before the debut of the Batman TV series -- of having said teens moonlight as parodies of the superhero genre. Thus, in the fall of 1965 Archie became Pureheart the Powerful (aka Captain Pureheart), while Betty became Superteen. The coming months saw the debuts of Jughead as Captain Hero and Reggie as the supervillain Evilheart. (Veronica would have to wait until 2001 to become Powerteen.) Neither the serious Mighty Comics titles nor the goofier teen superheroes lasted much longer than a couple of years, but the latter at least are still remembered today, thanks to the Power of Digests! :-)

( 'Why can't you use doors like everyone else?' )

Of all the regular writer/artist team-ups in the long history of Archie Comics, one of my favourites is Frank Doyle and Dan DeCarlo. Once his editors gave DeCarlo permission, circa 1959-1960, to draw in his own style rather than that modelled after Bob Montana (because he said he'd work much more quickly that way), his pencilling helped establish the house style the publisher would use for the next four decades at minimum. Doyle brought to the table his witty dialogue, eye for characterization, and a willingness to stretch and sometimes subvert the conventions of comics storytelling. Together, the two men created a number of the most memorable and frequently reprinted Archie stories.

Today's post, as this 80th anniversary series moves on to the sixties, shows how at times, Doyle and DeCarlo created stories capable of more than just making us laugh.

( 'My daddy [...] does not DROP IN to see people!' )

Long before Cheryl and Jason Blossom were the victim and victimizer within a taboo relationship in Afterlife with Archie, or respectively mentally disturbed and dead in the Riverdale TV series, they were more lighthearted elitist troublemakers in the old Archie Comics continuity. That doesn't mean what they got up to wasn't envelope-pushing in its own way for the relatively family-friendly venue. Especially in this, their first appearance.

( 'Maybe it's time to shake them up around here!' )

"One of the most talked-about Archie Comics stories ever [...] This one has taken on such legendary status that many don't even believe it exists."

--Paul Castiglia, Archie 75th Anniversary Digest #5



In 2012, One Million Moms protested against the marriage of Kevin and his boyfriend Clay in Life with Archie. I wonder what they would've made of this story, back when it was first published.

( 'I hope you like warm climates, Betty!' )

Yes, you read that right. In 1971, Archie Comics took a rare foray into current events and an even rarer stance on political issues with "Summer Prayer for Peace," which sees Archie, Jughead and Reggie inducted into the army, then debating the morality of draft dodging with a radical friend.

( 'Sing, sing of freedom / Sing a song of joy...' )