Posted By Dan Greenfield on May 11, 2024 | 4 comments

Archie Facsimile Editions begin in August!

On Friday, we brought you the EXCLUSIVE news that Archie Comics is jumping into the Facsimile Edition game, something we’ve wanted to see for some time now. The first issue, out in August, will be the risque classic Betty and Me #16 — a natural choice to launch a new line.

But after that, the possibilities are endless.

“The whole Facsimile lineup is a real treat for collectors and fans; first appearances, all-timer cover gags, and important moments in Archie history, it’s all here,” Archie Editor-in Chief Mike Pellerito said. “We’ve really gone deep to find the best of the best, not just in terms of great stories but genuinely classic issues that are works of art unto themselves as complete comic books, cover-to-cover.”

CEO and publisher Jon Goldwater added: “We use the word ‘iconic’ a lot at Archie and it’s with good reason: We’re in our ninth decade of publishing the adventures of Archie and the gang, and that has naturally given us the runway to make a big impact. There have been so many touchstones through the years, whether it’s the debut of major new characters like Josie and the Pussycats and Sabrina, or the smaller things fans have come to cherish, the quick gags and sweet scenes that over time have built such strong character personalities and a lasting legacy.

“The Facsimile Editions are a way for us to celebrate some of these iconic moments with our most dedicated readers in comics that instantly recall the past, while introducing new readers to what makes Archie special, as well,” Goldwater said.

In that vein, we here at 13th Dimension have put together 13 HISTORIC ARCHIE COMICS FACSIMILE EDITIONS WE’D LIKE TO SEE. But that’s not all! Our pal Paul Kupperberg — a former Archie writer himself (see below) — has 13 RISQUE ARCHIE COMICS FACSIMILE EDITIONS WE’D LIKE TO SEE. (Click here.) And just in case Archie decides to go the Mighty Crusaders route — we have 13 ARCHIE COMICS/MLJ SUPERHERO FACSIMILE EDITIONS WE’D LIKE TO SEE. (Click here.)

Here’s the first list. Right on!

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Pep Comics #22 (Dec. 1941). The biggest no-brainer of them all — the first appearance of Archie, Betty and Jughead!

Irv Novick

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Pep Comics #26 (April 1942). And then there’s Veronica’s debut!

Novick

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Archie Comics #1 (Winter 1942). Archie gets his own title and history is made.

Bob Montana

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Archie’s Pal, Jughead #1 (1949 [Nov.]). The Archie Empire expands further. Jughead gets his own comic (and Moose makes his first appearance, to boot).

George Frese

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Archie’s Girls, Betty & Veronica #1 (1950 [July]). Now it’s a bona fide franchise. B&V become headliners.

Frese

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Laugh Comics #166 (Jan. 1965). The Beatles never go out of style and as a huge fan of the Fab Four, I would love to own this. It would go well with my Batman #222.

Harry Lucey pencils, Mario Acquaviva inks

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Life With Archie #60 (April 1967). Forget the Monkees — it’s the Archies!

Bob White pencils, Jon D’Agostino inks

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Josie #34 (June 1968). One of the best comics covers of the ’60s, tapping perfectly into the zeitgeist.

Dan DeCarlo pencils

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Josie and the Pussycats #45 (Dec. 1969). Another band makes the scene!

DeCarlo pencils

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Sabrina the Teen-Age Witch #1 (April 1971). It’s not Sabrina’s first appearance but it is her solo-title debut. And it’s got an iconic cover, to boot!

DeCarlo pencils, Rudy Lapick inks

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Archie’s Girls, Betty & Veronica #320 (Oct. 1982). A twosome becomes a threesome: Cheryl Blossom challenges the Betty and Veronica hegemony.

DeCarlo

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Veronica #202 (Nov. 2010). Kevin Keller’s first appearance!

Dan Parent

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Life With Archie Commemorative Issue (Sept. 2014). A magazine-size issue collecting the two-part “Death of Archie” story from Life With Archie #36-37, written by the aforementioned Mr. Kupperberg.

Kennedy brothers pencils, Bob Smith inks

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MORE

— ARCHIE COMICS to Launch FACSIMILE EDITION Line — With the Classic BETTY AND ME #16. Click here.

— 13 Risque ARCHIE COMICS Facsimile Editions We’d Like to See. Click here.