Archie: A Celebration of America’s Favorite Teenagers

Title: Archie: A Celebration of America’s Favorite Teenagers
Author: Craig Yoe
Publisher: IDW (Ideas and design Works, LLC)
ISBN: 13:978-1600107542
Publication – 2011 (covers Archie Comics Publications from 1941-2010)
Cost $49.99 U.S. and page count 220.
Reviewed by: Allen Klingelhoets

Jazma Online

Archie (Archibald) Andrews is a fictional average American teenage comic book kid. He has average parents in a town called Riverdale. Archie has two girlfriends named Betty Cooper and Veronica Lodge. Betty is a pretty blonde and Veronica is a beautiful brunette. All three go to school at Riverdale High as junior classmates.

Archie first appeared in comics in Pep Comics # 22, December 1941. The 6 page art story was even reprinted by Craig Yoe in color. The story told how Archie Andrews and Betty Cooper first met each other. Betty was in first frame of comic book story by Bob Montana and Vic Bloom. Jughead and his dog even made appearance in story as did Archie’s parents and Betty’s Grandfather and father. Jughead’s dog though was unnamed in story. Archie wanted to be called “Chick” and not Archie.

I liked how Craig Yoe book revealed history of Archie characters and how idea for Archie comic book was inspired and published in 1941. The company that eventually brought about Archie Comics was first called MLJ. These initials were from the first letter of the company’s owners given names. Maurice Cayne (1901-1971) Louis Horace Silberkleit (1905-1986) and John Leonard Goldwater (1906-1999).

Archie comic was not really superhero book. It was about a teenager in love triangle with Betty and Veronica. The comic dealt with many things from days of high school kids at Riverdale High. Many characters were added in future issues after Pep # 22. Archie was not even on cover of Pep # 22. Veronica Lodge did not even appear until Pep Comics # 26, April 1942.



Craig Yoe told how Reggie Mantle III made first appearance in fifth issue of Jackpot Comic. He was called Scotty. Midge Clump, Marmanduke “Moose” Mason, Ethel Mugg, Dilton Daily, Nancy Woods and Chuck Clayton are just some of the characters that have appeared in Archie Comics throughout the years since 1941.

Riverdale School faculty included Principal Waldo “The Bee” Weatherbee, Ms. Geraldine Grundy as older white haired teacher. Ms. Bernice Beazly, cook for cafeteria, Mr. Svenson, as Swedish janitor,Professor Benjamin Flute Snoot, couch Kleats. The parents for Archie who are Mary and Fred Andrews. Betty Cooper’s parents are Alice and Hal Cooper. Her father is town pharmacist. Veronica’s parents are Harem and Ms. Harem Lodge. Craig Yoe discussed in depth John Goldwater and birth of Archie comic book characters.

Craig gave insights about Archie artists like Bob Montana and script writer Harry Shoten. Artist Victor Gorlick worked 52 years for Archie Comics. Dan DeCarlo drew Archie Comics for 40 years. Dan kept Archie characters visually up to date and fashionable. Dan DeCarlo drew Archie, Betty and Veronica sharing with straws ice cream soda. The picture was used as a U.S. postage stamp in 2010.

I enjoyed how lots of artists and writers were talked about by Craig Yoe giving true history of Archie comic book. I also liked how many comic book pages were reprinted from original comic book art pages. In addition the book showed some of the Archie Comic related items for sale. Archie tattoos, Board game, model car of Archie’s jalopy car, coloring book and many other collectable items. The comic even spawned Archie comic book fan club. Also, many spin-off comics like “Jughead”. There even was a television cartoon which debuted on September 14th, 1968. The show went on for ten years with several different names. The even had positive effect on Archie Records with song “Sugar, Sugar” selling 15 Million copies.

I also appreciated reading unpublished Sam Hill story which was wrote during Cold War Era – story was about Archie Andrew’s cousin Andy Andrews. He was a reporter for an American Foreign News syndicate. The story was wrote and drawn by Harry Lucey. The actual art pages were reprinted by Craig Yoe.

I also noticed Archie appeared on multiple Pep 1940 comic book covers involving super heroes. Archie even had covers with monsters like Frankenstein, The Creature from the Black Lagoon, Wolfman, vampires, witches or even ancient Egyptian mummies came to life on Archie comic book covers.

The 1960’s brought success to The Batman television show. This caused archie comics to revive some of their 1940’s superhero comics in spin-off series called Radio Comics. Riverdale gang would even wear capes and masks. Archie became Pureheart the Powerful. Jughead became Captain Hero. Betty Cooper became Super Teen. The Shield character was even brought back. Shield beat Captain America by almost a year as star spangled patriot in publication time.

The Craig Yoe book also got into talking about some of the more current artists like Stan Goldberg, Dan parent, Fernando Ruiz. Also, he talked about writers George Gladin, frank Doyle and Craig Boldman.

Another thing I liked was Craig Yoe and his interviews with Victor Gorelick and separate interview with Jonathan Goldwater. I also enjoyed seeing picture of Elvis P. reading Archie Comic. There was also a subscription form from 9 year old Amy Carter. She sent in two quarters and dime for a subscription to Jughead with Archie digest. Amy is President Jimmy Carter’s daughter.

Dan Parent is mentioned a person that created Kevin Keller, Riverdale’s first gay character.

Jonathan Goldwater took over as Co-CEO in 2009 for Archie Comics. He succeeded his brother Richard who passed away in 2007. Archie Marries Betty and Archie Marries Veronica 6 issue series were created by Michael Uslan. This was talked about in Craig Yoe interview with Jonathan Goldwater.

I also liked seeing Hot Dog starring in his own comic book. “ Jughead’s Pal Hot Dog # 1” was published in January 1990.

Reading age for Archie: A Celebration of America’s Favorite Teenagers is teen to adult. I found in library in 741 section. I suppose could also get through interlibrary loan or buy through internet websites.



Allen Klingelhoets