I’m skipping the spooky season this year, and I’m blaming it on Archie, who recently released Archie Comics Digest #2: Christmas Stocking. And since a lot of stores have had Christmas displays up since the summer, this fun, all-ages digest isn’t really an oddity.
Here’s the thing with Archie: unlike a lot of publishers, they don’t need to put out comic books. They would simply be fine living off other Archie revenue streams. The fact that they continue to put out comics, especially during the chaos in the industry, makes me root for them even more. You can read tons of Archie tales from the decades, and they will still feel timeless, kind of like some of those classic sitcoms that are funny after all these years.
The digest is a cheerful celebration of Riverdale’s holiday spirit, brimming with warmth and humor. Blending nostalgic charm with seasonal shenanigans, this digest offers a delightful mix of vintage reprints and festive tales that highlight the enduring magic of Archie and his crew. A standout inclusion is the complete reprint of Betty & Veronica #40 from 1959, transporting readers back to the golden age of Archie Comics. Whether it’s Betty and Veronica spreading holiday joy (with a dash of friendly rivalry), Jughead snacking on decorations, or the surprise appearance of a tropical fish, the stories are packed with whimsical moments and classic comic hijinks.
Why stop there? Archie has a ton of holiday tales going back to the Golden Age. Like, the original Archie #6. Published in early 1944, this Golden Age installment captures the festive energy of the season with signature Archie humor and playful holiday antics. The cover, drawn by Harry Sahle, features Jughead’s cousin Souphead in a cheerful Christmas scene, while the stories inside dive into yuletide traditions and comical misadventures that bring Riverdale’s holiday spirit to life. Today, Harry Sahle stands among the overlooked pioneers who helped shape the comic book industry in its formative years. Active throughout the 1930s and 1940s, he wore many creative hats—penciler, inker, editor, and cartoonist—while contributing to major publishers like Archie Comics, Quality Comics, and Timely Comics. Sadly, his promising career was cut short when he passed away in 1950 at just 38 years old.
And don’t forget some of those older digests, like Betty and Veronica Jumbo Comics Digest #329. Alongside its classic holiday reprints, the digest introduces fresh, original stories that center on sweet treats, Secret Santa surprises, and playful seasonal antics—all delivered with a cheerful, lighthearted tone perfect for the festive season. These digests are fantastic ways to delve into the Riverdale mythos, because you never know what character might pop up in one of them.
How about some Christmas trades? Archie has you covered there, too! The Best of Archie: Christmas Comics is a festive, 250+ page anthology that showcases some of the most beloved holiday stories from Archie Comics’ extensive archive, spanning the late 1950s through the 1990s. Arranged by decade, the collection offers a nostalgic tour through evolving art styles, comedic rhythms, and seasonal traditions—all anchored by the enduring appeal of Archie, Betty, Veronica, Jughead, and their Riverdale crew.
Despite its title, the book serves more as a curated sampler than a definitive “best of,” with a strong emphasis on tales from the 1970s and 1980s and fewer selections from later years. Standout moments include gift-giving mishaps, snowball-fueled chaos, Secret Santa surprises, and Jughead’s relentless pursuit of holiday treats. Legendary artists like Dan DeCarlo, Harry Lucey, and Stan Goldberg infuse the pages with expressive, cartoonish energy that perfectly captures the spirit of Archie’s holiday hijinks.
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