One of the first things I usually ask fans when I write about Archie is when was the last time you read an Archie? Many fans view them as children’s comics or simply as comics that don’t align with what they consider a fan should be reading. That’s a mistake, because Archie always produces high-quality comics, and for comics to continue growing, fans must read new ones. Do not just stick to the hottest trends.
This time around, I want to ask you when was the last time you read a Golden Age comic, particularly an Archie Comic? Despite their age, these stories still deliver plenty of laughs. Betty and Veronica’s rivalry is lighthearted and mischievous, with their clever ploys to win Archie’s affection often hilariously backfiring. Jughead’s dry wit and bottomless appetite are already legendary, making him the blueprint for the “too cool to care” archetype. And Archie? His well-meaning plans tend to unravel spectacularly. Whether he’s double-booking dates or trying to avoid responsibility, the setups are simple, but the comedic fallout is consistently entertaining.
There’s actually plenty of Golden Age Archie comics out there. For example, they have been archiving Pep Comics, with almost a hundred issues so far, including the first appearance of Archie from Pep Comics #22. Not too long ago, Archie archived every Archie’s Girls Betty & Veronica. That spanned hundreds of issues from the Golden Age Straight into the Bronze Age. The same applies to the original Archie series, which is also archived.
However, if you want a good sampling of Golden Age Archie, I suggest The Best of Archie Americana: Golden Age. It spans from the 1940s into the 1950s and features a fantastic selection of Riverdale stories. At over 400 pages and reasonably priced, there are lots of first appearances of characters. And it covers comics that were important to the overall legacy of Archie, like Laugh Comics and Jackpot Comics.
This collection serves as a charming snapshot of Archie Comics in their earliest, most uninhibited form. Covering tales from the 1940s through the early 1950s, it chronicles the emergence of Riverdale’s beloved crew—Archie, Betty, Veronica, Jughead, and Reggie—long before they became household names. The humor leans into broad, playful antics, the artwork bursts with expressive energy, and the overall tone radiates a wholesome simplicity. Even after all these years, the slapstick chaos and lighthearted romantic entanglements remain genuinely entertaining.
Depending on where you look, you can read tons of Golden Age for almost free. The lending library Hoopla offers a wide selection of Archie Comics. Recently, Global Comix has added Archie to its service. Now, when Archie hits the comic shops, it’s there on the app. Additionally, you receive a nice selection of past Archie titles. Although it’s somewhat out of favor over the past few years, there’s ComiXology Unlimited. Truthfully, they have the best selection of all-you-can-read Archie.
Of course, it would be nice for fans to actually buy some Archie Comics. They are one of three publishers that have survived since the Golden Age. But, maybe, after sampling some Archie—you’ll be a fan and add them to your personal collection.
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