Archie continues to archive Golden Age Pep Comics, and I can imagine some fans, with a collective eye-roll, saying, “So, what?” Pep Comics played a significant role in the Golden Age of Comics. Published by MLJ Magazines Inc., which later became Archie Comics, the series first appeared in January 1940 and continued for 411 issues until its conclusion in March 1987.
Pep Comics was notable for introducing The Shield, the first patriotic superhero to wear a costume inspired by a national flag, debuting more than a year before Captain America. It also launched Archie Andrews, who eventually became the cornerstone of Archie Comics, steering the series away from superheroes and toward humor and teen-focused storytelling.
Archie Andrews, Betty, and Jughead all appeared in Pep Comics #22, December 1941. The central character, Archie, debuted in this issue and quickly became the face of the franchise. For all you die-hard fans who debate on whether Archie belongs with Betty or Veronica, keep in mind Betty was introduced first! Veronica didn’t show up until a few issues later in Pep Comics 26.
Reggie Mantle also made his first Pep Comics in the same issue as Veronica, but his first appearance was in Jackpot Comics #5, cover-dated Spring 1942, where he was briefly introduced in two panels. His full debut came later in Jackpot Comics #6, released in the Summer of 1942.
It should be noted that the Archie heroes were the big draw for comic fans during the Golden Age. The Shield appeared on the cover of the first three dozen issues. And, with Pep Comic 36, we finally get Archie on the cover with theShieldd and Hangman. For over a dozen issues, Archie would share the cover with the heroes. When Pep Comics #52 hit shelves in March 1945,. The issue marked a pivotal moment in the series, as Archie took center stage, officially replacing The Shield as the primary focus of the book. It also introduced a new character to the lineup—Suzie—making it a landmark installment in the history of Pep Comics.
Now you’ll be wondering, “Who’s Suzie?” Glad you asked! Suzie headlined Suzie Comics, a humor series from Archie Comics. Her first appearance was in Top-Notch Laugh Comics #28 in July 1942, and she eventually earned her title. Cheerful but hopelessly scatterbrained, Suzie often found herself caught in comedic misadventures, frequently losing jobs due to her clumsiness and knack for attracting trouble.
The writing on the wall for the heroes before Pep Comics #52. The Hangman, a superhero from Archie Comics, made his debut in Pep Comics #17 and would have his final story in Pep Comics #47. The Shield’s tenure in Pep Comics concluded with issue #65, cover-dated January 1948. Following this, Archie Comics shifted its focus away from superheroes, instead spotlighting Archie and his friends as the primary characters in its publications.
It is interesting to see how Archie and the Riverdale Gang slowly gained momentum, pushing the heroes to the side. But Archie has always had heroes around since the Golden Age. Today, those heroes are known as the Mighty Crusaders and still regularly appear in new stories. The Archie heroes were unique and worth exploring further. And there’s a perfect book on those heroes!
The MLJ Companion is an in-depth exploration of Archie Comics’ superhero legacy, with a particular focus on the Mighty Crusaders. Authored by Rik Offenberger, Paul Castiglia, and Jon B. Cooke, the book traces the evolution of these heroes across multiple eras—beginning in the Golden Age with The Shield, the first patriotic superhero predating Captain America, through the Silver Age, Bronze Age, and Modern Age.
The companion covers notable periods, including the Mighty Comics revival, the Red Circle imprint, and DC Comics’ Impact line. It also offers rare insights, including the Mighty Crusaders board game, The Shadow’s brief stint as a superhero, and the short-lived Spectrum comics venture. Additionally, the book features interviews with industry legends Irv Novick, Dick Ayers, Rich Buckler, Steve Englehart, and Jimmy Palmiotti.
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