For
those of you who have been reading this blog (and apologies to all of you for
not writing in here for a few days - life has gotten in the way a smidgen), you
probably all know that I am a major comic book geek - a label I've proudly worn
since March of 1987 when I received my very first comic.
As
far as what comics I've read, there have been so many titles that I have
read. I've dabbled in Harvey comics
such as Richie Rich and Little Lotta, I've read mostly every Peanuts and
Garfield comic strip, and I've even gotten into some superhero comics as
well. Things like Spider-Man, Batman,
and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles.
Of course, my main love has always been Archie Comics, and I have quite a sizeable collection of well over three thousand books. There are some that have a collection that is larger than mine, and many more whose collection is smaller. But every single book in my collection has been collected with love and has been read and re-read about a hundred thousand times. For I am one who believes that comics should be enjoyed and not sealed away in a plastic bag never to be read again.
Of course, my main love has always been Archie Comics, and I have quite a sizeable collection of well over three thousand books. There are some that have a collection that is larger than mine, and many more whose collection is smaller. But every single book in my collection has been collected with love and has been read and re-read about a hundred thousand times. For I am one who believes that comics should be enjoyed and not sealed away in a plastic bag never to be read again.
Just
recently, I have acquired a copy of Jughead With Archie Digest #6. Prior to now, it was the last issue I needed
to complete the whole set, and now I can boast that I have every single issue
of that title. In fact, I only lack
just a few digests overall before I can make the claim that I own every single
digest ever printed! Not bad for
someone who has collected the comics for over thirty years!
Of
course, the Jughead With Archie Digest has not been printed for quite some
time. The last issue was #200, which
was published twelve years ago.
And
later in 2017, we're going to be saying goodbye to Jughead and Archie Double
Digest. To me, this makes me sad,
because Jughead was always my favourite character, and now he won't have his
own digest title for the first time since 1974.
There
is a bright side to this, as replacing the Jughead and Archie Double Digest
title is a new one entitled the "Archie & Me" Digest, which is
set to release its first issue in October.
I'm actually excited about this as the original Archie & Me title
was a 32-page comic that ran from 1964-1987, and it depicted all of the crazy
adventures that Archie shared with Mr. Weatherbee.
And
it got me thinking...what other titles do I wish Archie resurrected?
Now,
everyone knows that Archie has recently celebrated its 75th anniversary, and
that many of the Archie titles have been rebooted in a new art style. This, coupled with the success of the CW
show "Riverdale", has sent the company into a new, daring
direction. However, the company is
starting to revisit the classic look that made them famous, and I appreciate
the fact that the company is trying to appeal to new fans and old. But we all have our wish lists over what
titles we'd like to see come back.
Here's my list of eight titles that I hope return in some format.
1. LITTLE ARCHIE
I wouldn't care if it was in the form of a 32-page comic or a Double Digest. Little Archie was my introduction to Archie Comics all those years ago, and it will forever have a place in my heart. I know that most of the artists who worked on Little Archie are now deceased, but surely with all of the new talent that Archie has, they can figure out how to bring the series back. There are still plenty of stories to tell, and I think that there is still a place for Little Archie in this world.
2.
ARCHIE'S STORY & GAME DIGEST
One of the things I loved about the Story & Game Digest was that it was brilliant to take with you on long car rides. The book had comic stories to keep you laughing, but it also had puzzles and games that you could play while passing the time. Or, even better...if they would just release a book that had nothing but puzzles and games - similar to the short lived Archie's Activity Digest, that would be even better.
One of the things I loved about the Story & Game Digest was that it was brilliant to take with you on long car rides. The book had comic stories to keep you laughing, but it also had puzzles and games that you could play while passing the time. Or, even better...if they would just release a book that had nothing but puzzles and games - similar to the short lived Archie's Activity Digest, that would be even better.
3.
BETTY'S DIARY
There was always something about Betty's Diary stories that I loved. I think it's because prior to the series debut in 1985, Betty was kind of disregarded as a goody two shoes character who always came in second best to Veronica. But with Betty's Diary, we learned that Betty had a lot of layers, and that she was capable of feeling all sorts of things. I can see a lot of people reading Betty's Diary and being able to relate to a lot of the things that Betty was going through. It was a highlight of 1980s Archie that really needs to come back.
There was always something about Betty's Diary stories that I loved. I think it's because prior to the series debut in 1985, Betty was kind of disregarded as a goody two shoes character who always came in second best to Veronica. But with Betty's Diary, we learned that Betty had a lot of layers, and that she was capable of feeling all sorts of things. I can see a lot of people reading Betty's Diary and being able to relate to a lot of the things that Betty was going through. It was a highlight of 1980s Archie that really needs to come back.
4.
VERONICA'S PASSPORT
Some of the biggest moments of Archie have taken place in the Veronica title, which ran from 1989 until 2011. It was the title in which celebrity guests made appearances, where Veronica went into outer space, and where the first openly gay Archie character debuted. But my favourite issues of that title were the first eighteen issues, where Veronica visited several different places all around the world from Africa to Switzerland (and everywhere in between). A collection of these stories were published in a digest title called "Veronica's Passport", but I think there have been enough stories where Veronica has visited the world that it could be resurrected. Come on Archie, make it happen!
Some of the biggest moments of Archie have taken place in the Veronica title, which ran from 1989 until 2011. It was the title in which celebrity guests made appearances, where Veronica went into outer space, and where the first openly gay Archie character debuted. But my favourite issues of that title were the first eighteen issues, where Veronica visited several different places all around the world from Africa to Switzerland (and everywhere in between). A collection of these stories were published in a digest title called "Veronica's Passport", but I think there have been enough stories where Veronica has visited the world that it could be resurrected. Come on Archie, make it happen!
5. ARCHIE ALL CANADIAN DIGEST
Once upon a time in the summer of 1996, Archie released a collection of stories in which Archie and the gang visited Canada, and for this Canadian fan, it was the highlight of his collecting experience. The problem was that only one digest was ever released. And considering that it's been 21 years since that book came out, I think we're long overdue for a second edition.
6.
LIFE WITH ARCHIE
I'm not talking about the recent magazine series which ended with Archie getting shot to death (not kidding about that either). I'm talking about the original series in which Archie and the gang find themselves in the most ridiculous situations (saving people from murderers, foiling kidnap plots, stopping drug trafficking), and come out the victors. Sure, the plots were extremely farfetched, but I loved the stories, and if they can bring back Archie & Me as a digest title, they can do the same with Life With Archie!
I'm not talking about the recent magazine series which ended with Archie getting shot to death (not kidding about that either). I'm talking about the original series in which Archie and the gang find themselves in the most ridiculous situations (saving people from murderers, foiling kidnap plots, stopping drug trafficking), and come out the victors. Sure, the plots were extremely farfetched, but I loved the stories, and if they can bring back Archie & Me as a digest title, they can do the same with Life With Archie!
7.
ARCHIE'S CHRISTMAS STOCKING/BETTY & VERONICA CHRISTMAS SPECTACULAR
Seriously, a regular holiday title would be a pleasure. I looked forward to getting a Christmas comic in my own Christmas stocking, and it makes me sad that they don't have anything like this.
Seriously, a regular holiday title would be a pleasure. I looked forward to getting a Christmas comic in my own Christmas stocking, and it makes me sad that they don't have anything like this.
Although
some digest titles have released special holiday themed issues, I think we
should have something like "Archie's Holidays Digest". It could be released every few months and
celebrate holidays like Christmas, Valentine's Day, Easter, the 4th of July,
Halloween, and Thanksgiving! I think
that would be very cool!
Okay, so I know the reason they cancelled the Jughead digests were because of low sales. But I still hold out hope that the Archie Comics people will reissue another Jughead Digest title one day. I can hope anyway.
Any other ideas as to what books you'd bring back?
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