Archie Comics

Archie Comics is an American comic book publisher known for its many series featuring the fictional teenagers Archie Andrews, Betty Cooper, Veronica Lodge, Reggie Mantle and Forsythe "Jughead" Jones.

Archie's first appearance, in Pep Comics 22, December 1941, was drawn by Bob Montana, and written by Vic Bloom. Archie was conceived by John L. Goldwater, who some believe was influenced by the Andy Hardy movies starring Mickey Rooney.

History

Archie Comics started out in 1939 as MLJ Comics, named after the first initials of its three founders Morris Coyne, Louis Silberkleit and John L. Goldwater.

Early MLJ titles featured generic superheroes, remembered in the lore of comic collector's trivia. The Shield was the first flag-themed superhero, a year before Captain America. The Comet was the first superhero killed in the line of duty. The Hangman (the Comet's younger brother) might be the most brutal superhero of the '40s. Roy the Superboy preceded Superboy by a decade, and Steel Sterling was dubbed "the Man of Steel" before Superman. None remained popular.

Archie began as a back-up feature replacing Madam Satan, and within a year was a hit. So much so that by 1946, MLJ changed its name to Archie Comics. In 60 years Archie still hasn't graduated from high school.

Over the years Archie Comics has published innumerable Archie spin-offs and variant series. Some of the odder series feature Archie and his friends cast as superhero versions of themselves or playing spies in a parody of The Man from U.N.C.L.E. In addition, some series such as Life With Archie and Archie at Riverdale High which featured straight adventure and/or mystery stories.

Several attempts have been made to revive MLJ's original superhero line, without success. Today Archie Comics would rather forget its superheroes, but occasionally some appear in their comics, if only for the sake of maintaining a trademark.