Clicking on the following links or images will take you to the different lists of the Archie comics family covered in this section:
The Archie Comics group has a storied history that dates back to 1939, when it was originally founded as MLJ Magazines, Inc. Archie was created in 1941 by publisher John Goldwater and artist Bob Montana, in collaboration with writer Vic Bloom. The three main characters (Archie, Betty, Jughead) first appeared as a backup feature in Pep Comics #22, but the Archie stories soon became its most popular feature and eventually took over the the title entirely.
The group’s flagship title, Archie, started in 1942 and became its longest-running publication. It introduced readers to a colorful and relatable cast of characters who have become household names. Among them is the freckled and good-natured Archie Andrews, the girl-next-door Betty Cooper, the glamorous and rich Veronica Lodge, the burger-loving and laid-back Jughead Jones, the obnoxious and malicious Reggie Mantle, the strict yet well-meaning school principal Mr. Weatherbee, the strong and dim-witted Moose Mason, and the intelligent and inventive Dilton Doiley.
Throughout its history, the Archie Comics group has seen the contributions of notable writers and artists who have shaped the stories and visuals of these beloved characters. Frank Doyle stands out as one of the key writers, known for his humor and ability to capture the essence of the Archie gang. Artists like Dan DeCarlo and Harry Lucey made significant artistic contributions to the Archie lore, defining the iconic appearances of the characters and establishing the distinctive Archie art style that fans know and love.
In addition to the main Archie series, other titles focused on the humorous escapades of the supporting cast of characters. Betty & Veronica delved into the never-ending rivalry between Archie’s two girlfriends, while Jughead shone a spotlight on the character’s hilarious capers, showcasing his insatiable appetite and laid-back attitude. Betty & Me offered readers a glimpse into Betty’s life and her personal experiences, mostly trying to woo Archie. Reggie & Me focused on the dynamic between Reggie and Archie, highlighting their frequent rivalries and less-frequent alliances. The series Archie & Me mostly featured stories of Archie getting on Mr. Weatherbee’s nerves in many different ways. The Life with Archie series contained longer stories than the other Archie titles, often set in an alternate universe where Archie and his friends engaged in espionage, became super-heroes or formed a music band called the Archies.
As indicated above, Pep Comics became an anthology of stories about various characters in the Archie universe, often with at least one backup feature, of which the most popular was Li’l Jinx. The Li’l Jinx stories often highlighted the challenges and joys of childhood and provided a delightful contrast to the teenage escapades of Archie and his friends. Another similar title was Laugh Comics, which also contained an assortment of stories featuring Archie characters, as well as a Li’l Jinx backup story. One of my favorite parts of both Pep and Laugh was the Li’l Jinx Pen Pals page, which had addresses of kids interested in becoming penpals. In the early 1970s, I ended up with quite a few penpals whom I found in the pages of these two comics. (I am still connected with one of those penpals today, over 50 years later!)
With its memorable characters, talented creators, and diverse publications, the Archie Comics group has left an indelible mark on the world of comics and popular culture, capturing the hearts of readers young and old for generations. I have tried to provide a comprehensive list of the above-mentioned comics from their inception until the mid-1970s, and I hope others will enjoy browsing through the lists I have compiled. I also have a large digital collection of comics and would be happy to share some of them with my fellow comic lovers – please fill out this form if interested.
Please see below for a brief summary of the different Archie comic series covered on this site (in chronological order, based on the first publication of each title).
Pep Comics (1941): This comic book (later called just Pep) holds a unique place in the publication history of the Archie universe as it played a pivotal role in introducing the iconic character of Archie as a backup feature in 1941. The character quickly captured the hearts of readers with his relatable charm and humorous misadventures. Archie’s popularity soared, prompting the rapid transition of Pep into an Archie-centered comic title. The series lasted until 1987.
Archie (1942): As a result of Archie’s soaring popularity in Pep Comics, the series Archie Comics (which later became just Archie) was introduced as a spinoff in 1942, and it eventually became the flagship title of Archie Comics Publications. Archie and his friends Betty, Veronica, Jughead and Reggie became household names. A modern version of Archie is still in publication.
Laugh Comics (1946): Just like Pep, the Archie Comics publication Laugh Comics (later simply Laugh) debuted in 1946 as an anthology of humorous comic stories, mostly centered around Archie and his gang. One of the notable backup features was Li’l Jinx, about a mischievous and spunky young girl who also appeared regularly in Pep and made irregular appearances in other Archie publications. Laugh ceased publication in 1991.
Jughead (1949): Archie’s best friend Jughead has always been a fan favorite right from the time of his debut along with Archie in 1941. He received his own spin-off title in 1949 called Archie’s Pal Jughead (later just Jughead), focusing on his unique personality and various eccentricities. The Jughead comic lasted for a long time in various forms and ultimately ended in 2017.
Betty & Veronica (1950): The comic series debuted in 1950 as Archie’s Girls Betty & Veronica (with the prefix being dropped later) and has consistently portrayed the delightful rivalry between the two girls in pursuit of Archie. The love triangle remained a central theme throughout the series. The Betty & Veronica comic went through various incarnations which lasted until 2019.
Reggie & Me (1950): Introduced in 1950 (as ‘Archie’s Rival Reggie‘) and published sporadically until the early 1960s (when it was re-introduced as ‘Reggie‘), Reggie & Me focused on Archie’s arrogant and scheming rival Reggie Mantle and his never-ending attempts to one-up Archie. The Reggie & Me comic continued for a long time in various forms, with the last issue being published in 2019.
Life with Archie (1958): This comic series which began in 1958 was different from other Archie titles in that it contained longer stories than the other titles (often full-length), and these stories were often set in alternate universes such as the Archie Super-Teens, “The Man from R.I.V.E.R.D.A.L.E.” and the music band The Archies. The original series ended in 1991, and a new series of the same name ran from 2010 to 2014.
Archie & Me (1964): This title had a particular focus on the interactions of Archie with Mr. Weatherbee, the principal of Riverdale High School. Mr. Weatherbee served as a foil to Archie’s impulsive nature, providing a source of comedic tension and representing a comically authoritative figure. The series ran for a couple of decades and ended in 1987.
Betty & Me (1965): Introduced in 1965, this comic showcased the adventures and misadventures of Betty Cooper, with the central theme being her untiring (though usually abortive) efforts to win Archie’s affections. The original Betty & Me series ended in 1992, followed shortly thereafter by a new title called Betty, which ran until 2012.