Farewell, Archie: Beloved comic book character to die

[Jgarrick]

Since 1941, comic book fans have followed the exploits of teenaged Archie Andrews and his friends. This July, they'll find out how he dies. "Life With Archie" #36 hits stores on July 16, and CNN can reveal exclusively that it tells the story of how Archie sacrifices himself to save a friend. Few details are known, but it seems fitting that Archie would go out a hero. The 37th issue one week later will end the series.

The "Life With Archie" series has been telling the stories of possible future Archie scenarios for the past few years, and so Archie will continue to be alive in the comics set in the present day. CNN spoke with Archie Comics CEO Jon Goldwater (son of Archie creator John Goldwater) about the upcoming issues. CNN: Can you explain the "Life With Archie" series for the uninitiated?

Goldwater: "Life With Archie" is Archie's future -- it gives readers a look into what his life would be like after high school and college, which has never really been explored. Most fans are familiar with Archie as a high schooler, hanging out at Pop's Chocklit Shop with his friends. "Life With Archie" shows what happens when Archie becomes an adult and starts dealing with grownup issues.

Each issue is normally split into two storylines -- one telling a tale of Archie married to Veronica another with him ending up with Betty. The final issue, however, will show readers Archie's final fate in both timelines -- and they're the same.

(Excerpt, remainder of article at link)

[Agnosticsherbet]

1. Why has no movie maker grabbed Archie as a Franchise?

That being the gateway to the big bucks now-a-days.

[HughBeaumont]

2. Same reason the Liberace Museum closed: an aging/dying fanbase.

The core Archie fanbase of it's golden years were youths in the 1950s-mid 1980s. There have been a few TV shows in the 1970s and 1980s, but nothing more than that.

[Capt. Obvious]

3. *SPOILER*

Doomsday kills Archie.

[jollyreaper2112]

4. shit

This means in a few months we're going to have four new Archies running around all claiming to be him.

[geomon666]

10. Cyborg Archie is going to be the best

Just you wait!

[csziggy]

13. I was thinking they could revive the franchise

With Zombie Archie!

[Capt. Obvious]

16. Would be interesting to see what Betty writes in her diary about it

[The Straight Story]

17. Already done sort of:

http://afterlifewitharchie.com/

Been reading this one. Lots of zombies, deaths, etc

[csziggy]

18. I saw the mention of Afterlife With Archie after I posted

If I were into zombies, it would be a fun read!

[The Straight Story]

5. A lot of characters have in Archie Afterlife (zombies). This is just a spin off

Of when he is out of school, so he will still be around

[1000words]

6. My guess: Jughead kills him in a 'roid rage.

[displacedtexan]

7. My brother is Archie's age, and he's going strong.

70 is the new 55.

This killing sucks, IMHO.

[wheniwasincongress]

8. I'm sure Archie welcomes death

I would want to die if I was forever a high schooler

[The Straight Story]

9. This is a series where he is out of school and married to both Veronica and Betty

1/2 of each book is with one or the other.

As I mentioned above, if you want to see a lot of death in riverdale read the afterlife series where a lot of folks die/turn into zombies.

[MicaelS]

11. They're killing him because he's a Ginger.

And Gingers have no souls.

http://uncyclopedia.wikia.com/wiki/Ginger

I should know because I was a Ginger before my hair turned gray.

[blogslut]

12. What link would that be?

[Electric Monk]

14. Here are a couple. I don't know which the OP meant.

http://www.comicbookresources.com/?page=article&id=52012
http://www.cnn.com/2014/04/08/showbiz/archie-comics-death/
http://www.usatoday.com/story/life/2014/04/08/archie-comic-book-death/7457699/

[pinboy3niner]

15. Whodunit?

Betty or Veronica?

[ProudToBeBlueInRhody]

19. Archie will return....

....they all come back....even Bucky.