Archie Comic Book History
by Gavin Roberts
Ahh, Archie, most of the older generations can vividly remember Archie, Veronica, Betty, Reggie, and Jughead. What? You don't know who Archie is. You've never heard of Archie comic books. Well, let me take you inside the story. Site back and prepare to learn what millions have already encountered, The Archie Gang.
Archie comic books or rather the character Archie was first realized in 1941. In his first appearance, on December 22 of the same year, in issue #22 of Pep Comics, his creator Bob Montana had started a phenomenon that would soon become the longest publication in the history of MLJ Comics. MLJ comics would soon become Archie Comics. In 1946, the name change was official.
For years, Archie comic books were brought by the collaboration of creator Bob Montana and writer Vic Bloom. During the 50's and 60's a new cartoonist was brought in from Atlas Comics to modernize the beloved characters of Archie, this cartoonist was Dan DeCarlo. However, Archie has not stayed in the comic book world, he's gone on to the be the subject of radio programs, comic strips, cartoons, and even a pop band in the 70's.
Bob Montana continued to treasure his creation by drawing the famed comic strip for newspaper until his passing in 1975. Now, let's talk a little about Archie and his world.
Archie comic books were made up of several fictional characters, who were based on real life acquaintances of Bob Montana. These were the main guy, Archie, who's full name was Archibald Andrews. Archie was an accident prone and clumsy, yet the typical boy. He was always interested in dating.
Of course you couldn't have the main character without his love interest or those interested in his love, the latter would lead us to Betty, AKA Elizabeth Cooper. Betty was something of a do it all type of girl.
She was the girl next door everyone loved, as well as an auto mechanic, cook, athlete, and of course a good student. Her best friend and the object of Archie's affections was Roni or Veronica Lodge. Veronica was the snobbish and nice girl all rolled into one, who had the money to carry both.
Then there is Archie's best friend Jughead, AKA Forsythe Pendleton Jones the third. He is a sarcastic, lazy, and a big eater. The last member of the Archie gang, Reggie, also known as Reginald Mantle was the jokester of the gang. He was a ladies man also having many love interests from Veronica to Betty to Midge.
While these were the main characters in Archie comic books, there many delightful and funny characters introduced throughout the years. Parents, teachers, townsfolk, and other teens made the adventure of Archie one of the most loved and sought after of all comic books.
The story lines always made for great laughs and you always wanted the next series right away so you could see what kind of trouble Archie and his gang were going to get into this time, of course, it was always something.
About the Author
Gavin Roberts has grown up with comic books and has compiled a massive comic book collection. He has also created a Comic Book Store that showcases thousands of constantly updated comic books. Check out some Archie Comics or any other of your favorite comics at his website >http://onlinecomicbookstore.net
