Posted By Dan Greenfield on Jul 23, 2026 | 1 comment

Plus, Bob Phantom and Black Jack return for Christmas…

Archie Comics’ Facsimile Edition for October is the offbeat Archie’s Madhouse #1 from 1959, designed to draft off the popularity of Mad Magazine, using the Riverdale gang for all sorts of goofy gags and satires.

Plus, the publisher will release two Christmas issues, one featuring two new classic-style stories — including one starring MLJ faves Bob Phantom and Black Jack — and the other the latest digest.

Dig the solicitation info, which will be formally released by Archie later this week:

ARCHIE’S MADHOUSE #1: FACSIMILE EDITION

In 1959, things went a little off the wall in Riverdale! Archie Comics introduced the new series ARCHIE’S MADHOUSE, which saw Archie and all his friends in wacky, nonsensical short adventures! Similar to the popular MAD Magazine, ARCHIE’S MADHOUSE focused on oddball and satirical stories to start, and would later feature monsters, space stories, and other wacky short stories, and eventually the debut of Sabrina the Teenage Witch! But we’re celebrating the issue that started it all—issue #1! Journey back to ’67 (don’t say it!), for a wild ride packed with puns, dipsy doodles, nursery rhymes with a Riverdale twist, and tons more of hilarious entertainment! Go mad with Archie and the gang in ARCHIE’S MADHOUSE #1, faithfully reprinted in a full-facsimile edition!

Script: Sy Reit
Art: Dan DeCarlo, Harry Lucey, Samm Schwartz
Main Cover: Harry Lucey

Variant Covers: Matt Talbot (Mad Magazine Parody), Bob Montana (Archie Fan Club Card)
Foil Variants: Harry Lucey, Matt Talbot (Mad Magazine Parody), Bob Montana (Archie Fan Club Card)

On Sale Date: 10/1432-page, full color comic
$4.99 (REG) / $7.99 (FOIL)

Matt Talbot variant

Bob Montana Archie Club variant

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Main Parent/Rosario cover

ARCHIE’S CHRISTMAS SPECTACULAR (ONE-SHOT)

It’s time for the Archie Comics Christmas Party, and you’re all invited! In TWO BRAND NEW STORIES, characters from all across the Archie universe partake in holiday cheer! It’s a veritable who’s who of Riverdale and beyond—but something is amiss, and it leads to folks disappearing during the secret Santa gift exchange! Bob Phantom gets a lead, and recruits fellow hero Black Jack. Can they find the missing characters and uncover the mystery? Or is everyone in for some not-so-merry mayhem? Find out in this DOUBLE-SIZED holiday spectacular!

Script: Ian Flynn
Pencils: Dan Parent
Inks: Bob Smith
Colors: Glenn Whitmore
Letters: Jack Morelli

Main Cover: Dan Parent w/ Rosario “Tito” Peña
Variant Covers: Jamal Igle (Bob Phantom), Matt Talbot (Blackjack)
Foil Variants: Dan Parent w/ Rosario “Tito” Peña, Jamal Igle (Bob Phantom), Matt Talbot (Blackjack)

On Sale Date: 10/7
48-page, full color comic
$7.99 (REG) / $9.99 (FOIL)

Jamal Igle Bob Phantom variant

Matt Talbot Black Jack variant

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ARCHIE COMICS DIGEST #8: CHRISTMAS STOCKING

It’s the holiday season and Archie Comics is here with the perfect stocking stuffer! Packed with mistletoe, snowball fights, and more merry mischief, it’s a real holiday hootenanny in Riverdale!

Script: Various
Art: Various

Cover: Dan Parent w/ Rosario “Tito” Peña

On Sale Date: 10/21
96-page, full color digest
$9.99

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Buncha thoughts:

— I love the Archie Club variant cover for Archie’s Madhouse #1. Very clever.

— With all the groovy Facsimiles Archie has put out for its 85th anniversary this year, I’m still waiting for some MLJ titles. That’s like leaving money on the table because there are some great choices out there that I know collectors will snap up. Seeing Black Jack and Bob Phantom only makes me want them more.

— If you’re wondering which Mad Magazine cover Matt Talbot’s Madhouse variant homages, it’s this one.

— Obligatory Price Comparison: There are many unslabbed original copies of Archie’s Madhouse #1 for sale on eBay. None have sold recently (except as part of a lot), but prices range from $60 for a low-grader missing a page, to $200 for a restored copy.

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MORE

— 1958’s LIFE WITH ARCHIE #1 to Get FACSIMILE EDITION Release. Click here.

— TRICK OR TREAT! Dig Archie’s BEN COOPER-Style FLY-GIRL Cover Coming for Halloween. Click here.