For years, Archie comics have been like a tradition in my family. My mother and uncles all used to collect the comics when they were young. In those days, some were black and white, and the artwork
was quite different! So, perhaps it is hereditary that I love to collect the books, too. I started at the age of two. It took me about an hour to read one double digest, mumbling out the difficult words. Today my collection is nearing 500, not to mention the boxes and boxes full of them in my grandmother?s house. The reason is that when I delve into one comic, I am pulled into a world which is full of comedy, happiness, adventure and many more genres.
Back to the Beginning
A long time ago, in 1939, a comic book company named MLJ was created. It had three owners, Maurice Coynt, Louis Silberkleit, and John Goldwater. They first printed Blue Ribbon comics, then Top Notch comics and then Pep. MLJ had created many superheroes, but due to the fact that there were many similar genres around, John Goldwater created Archie. Archie appeared in Pep, Issue 22. Archie was instantly a hit with everyone, infants and senior citizens alike. Everyone loved Archie; spin-offs were unsuccessful. And MLJ companies changed their name to Archie Comics Publications, eventually!
The Characters and their Origins
Archie was there in the first comic strip. He?s the sort of kid you feel sorry for, and hate him at the same time. The redheaded, freckled teenager needs no excuse to fall for girls, here and there. His parents are Fred and Mary Andrews, and they sometimes fume at him, while other times they think that he?s the best child ever. No matter how much he tries, he can never figure out to choose either Betty or Veronica. Archie is always getting weird ideas to make money for dates, all of which backfire ? like delivering bait worms while wearing a Chinese restaurant?s T-shirt, so that all customers think that he?s delivering Chinese food! His first issue was Archie 1. Archie is the leader of the Archies.
Betty was also there in the first comic itself. She?s always the girl who does anything for Archie. Fixes his car, and he thanks her ? for rescuing his date with Veronica. Ironically, she and Veronica are the best of friends. When Archie isn?t around, they team up brilliantly ? whether it?s projects, sports or shopping! Betty is from a middle class family, like most of the people in Riverdale. Her parents are Hal and Alice Cooper, and they are always proud of her ? for Betty excels in cooking, sport, school, auto mechanics and pretty much everything else! Betty also has a sister, Polly, who is a news reporter in San Francisco, and a brother Chic, who is a policeman who is usually under cover. Betty plays the tambourine in the Archies.
Veronica appeared in Pep, Issue 26. She was the posh, rich daughter of Hiram and Hermione Lodge. She had just moved into Riverdale and every boy was after her. Archie managed to land a date with her ? and one with Betty at the same time. This is carried on until now, the same concept ? and it still hasn?t lost its appeal! Veronica is crazy about shopping, and is never at ease until she has bagged clothes and more clothes ? and put her father into financial trouble! Veronica usually thinks too high-and-mighty of herself, which is her weak point. She can always hook Archie whenever she wants. Veronica plays the piano/synthesizer in the Archies. But she can?t cook at all - her cookies would work as a death penalty. Veronica is used to her servants doing everything for her. She is woken up by her maid, has breakfast in bed, is bathed and massaged, then groomed and dressed, and preaches that she can?t stand someone who doesn?t do their work themselves. Veronica is a born leader, but her idea of being crippled is having a broken fingernail.
Jughead was introduced in 1949. He is, by far, my favourite character! He runs away from girls ? but girls are always after him! The list includes Dilly and Debbie Dalton, Lottie, Ethel, Debbie and Joani Jump. Dilly and Debbie are twins. I don?t know much about Lottie, but Ethel is always looking for ways to grab Jughead for herself! Debbie is Jughead?s friend, who shares his interest in Free Willy Jim, who, like Jughead was a drummer and Jughead had had a chance to meet him just before his death. Joani was Jughead?s friend when he lived back in another town, which he left for Riverdale at the age of five. But now Joani lives in Riverdale, and Jughead tries to avoid her father and muscular brother who don?t like him very much! Jughead?s real name is Forsythe P S Jones, which he hates. He has a little sister Jellybean (real name is Forsythia, but he doesn?t want anyone to know!) who appeared in the late 90?s. His dog is faithful Hot Dog, who loves to eat and sleep just like his lazy master. Jughead was introduced in 1949 as Archie?s best buddy.
Reggie was introduced in the early 50?s as Archie?s enemy and the resident prankster. He runs after girls, but his pranks put them off. He likes Veronica, though Midge is the one who is the real challenge. This leads to him often being massacred by Moose. Reggie is so vain, he has pictures of himself put up everywhere ? even one on the ceiling so that the last thing he sees before he goes to sleep is his face! Reggie?s comic books were axed by the 90?s, but he is still one of the most hated characters ? though some people have him as their favourite character! He is the drummer in the Archies, but he only sees it as a temporary recruitment until a big man from a music company notices him. This leads to him wearing flashy outfits in concert, and playing extra well in football.
Moose is a muscular boy with a small brain. He can do barely anything right. Many times has he been threatened to get off the football team if he doesn?t pick up in his studies. He is very possessive of Midge and can?t stand anyone even looking at her, because if that happens, then he will turn the person into fertilizer! Midge isn?t too smart either ? she giggles at every possible moment!
Dilton Doiley is the resident genius. He excels at Science, however. Hand him a piece of wire and he?ll turn it into a time machine! Another thing is that he always makes something that causes strange happenings. His time machines always end up in weird happenings that might cause him, Archie and Jughead to change the future, his Wonder Car is incredibly brilliant and succeeds in solving all the crimes of Riverdale, which are increasing by day. Dilton is usually shy of girls, and his virtual reality experiments are brilliant.
Chuck and Nancy appeared in the early 70?s. Chuck is tone-deaf and a good sportsman, but more important than sports to him is his cartooning. He usually uses Archie for his comic strips. Due to this, Nancy is sometimes put off because he is usually too busy to do anything with her. Chuck is the son of Coach Clayton.
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