Customer Reviews

Archie Americana Series Volume 1: Best Of The Forties Book 1

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
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1 star:		(1)

 

 

Just how did Archie meet Betty? How did his first date with Veronica turn out? Witness the evolution of Jughead's hat from the 1940's to now! This book reprints the best Archie stories that were originally published in the 1940's. Archie and the gang looked, talked, acted so differently that this is great way to get to know how they came about. Perfect for any Archie fan.

I've wanted this book for a long time and when I got it, I found out it was worth the wait. Seeing the first Archie Comics from the 1940s provided a wonderful view of what life was like back then. I have been reading Archie for all omy life, and this is a great contrast.

Fans who've followed the escapades of Archie Andrews and his Riverdale gang over the years will find great delight in this volume containing 15 stories spanning the length of the 1940's. The stories chosen in this first volume are included primarily for their historical significance. Kudos to the editorial staff for selecting such highlights like his first ever appearance in, 'Pep Comics' #22 along with other tales that introduce for the first time ever:

Betty Cooper
Jughead
Archie's Jalopy
Veronica Lodge
Mr. Weatherbee
Reggie Mantle
Mr. Lodge
Moose

While these early origin tales are not necessarily standouts storywise they do provide crucial insight into the genesis of this classic American comic series that fans will find much value in.

Let me tell you, I was looking for this book for years (literally!), and never could find it. Then, a friend made the purchase, and I found out that it was worth the wait. This is definitely a GREAT book. DEFINITELY worth buying.

There were very few comic book characters that got their start in the early part of the golden age that were able to sustain their titles all the way through to today. Superman was one, Batman, of course. But Captain America didn't, neither did The Flash or Green Lantern. But another who did was America's favorite teenager, Archie Andrews. In the years following the end of WWII, superheroes fell out of favor with comic book fans but Archie and his friends kept chugging right along, now over sixty years old!

This great new collection from Archie Comics re-prints fifteen classic stories from the 1940's. With an introduction written by Stephen King, himself a long-time Archie fan, we get classic Archie tales from the earliest years. It is so interesting to see how the comic has changed, and adapted over the decades from hair and clothing styles, to music and popular culture. I couldn't help but chuckle when Tyrone Power is mentioned in one of these early stories as being one of the girl's idols, talk about your changing times! For those like me who grew up in the 60's and 70's, it is quite a treat to see how different the characters appeared in those early days. That famous Archie "house style" had not been developed yet and they had a more unique look than they do today. Among the treats that are included in this volume are:

The very first Archie story from Pep Comics #22 in December 1941. Archie, Betty and Jughead are all introduced. In particular, Archie and Betty look more like 12-year olds than the teens we all know and love. Archie's jalopy, which would be the source of running jokes for years, makes its first broken-down appearance just a few issues later in Pep Comics #25, followed by Riverdale's favorite debutante Veronica in Pep #26, both in 1942.

Archie's nemesis Reggie mantle makes his first full appearance in Jackpot Comics # 6 in the Summer of 1942, and already the rivalry over Veronica would begin. Veronica's dad, Mr. Lodge comes along in Pep #31.

"Prom Pranks" from Archie Comics #1, 1942, relates the tale of how Veronica first met Archie and decided to go to Riverdale high. Ahhh...bet you though Ronny always went to Riverdale just like I did!

"Double Date" from Archie #7 gives us the first of what would be the decisive storyline in Archie comics...the love triangle between Archie, Betty, and Veronica as Arch is caught having a date with both at the same time.

In "Battle of the Jitterbugs" from Archie #30, Archie and Reggie challenge Betty and Veronica to a Jitterbug dance contest to prove that boys are better dancers. Each of the boys takes turns dressing up in drag for the big contest.

"Dangerous Sex" from 1949 introduces us to "Moose" as Jughead has to reluctantly tutor Moose's girl Lottie Little for a big test.

Wow! What a collection! When you read these stories it's not hard to see why this character has survived over 60 years. This is just good, old fashioned comic fun that is sorely lacking in comics of today...except for Archie Comics, of course! Highest recommendation!

Archie, Veronica, Jughead, Betty, Reggie, & the long-suffering Mr Weatherbee. We all know them. But the early versions were often startlingly different, while remaining recognisably our favorite characters. Jughead seems to have changed least, Weatherbee & Archie are tied for the greatest change, & Reggie was originally TWO characters, merged into one! (BTW--Veronica was EVEN BETTER LOOKING!)
Buy this. It's fun, & good reading.

The Hipster gives it a Big Thumbs UP!

Finally I get to see where Archie got his start! What a difference from today! Purchase this book, and see where it all started!

I loved the Archie comics as a kid and still enjoy them today. I was so glad to see how it began and he's basically the same kid today!

I was quite excited when the Archie Americana series was launched, and this is the volume that started it all. Best of the 'Forties Volume Two is sometimes regarded as more slapstick, but I find it the other way 'round. This volume, with an introduction by Stephen King is a lot better than volume two, although understandably Archie fans may want all of this reasonably priced series. I also found Best of the 'Fifties Volume one to be outstanding.

The archival nature of this series makes it perfect for Archie one-offs. My favorite comic was Archie's Mad House, which would seem ideal for this series, as would the Pureheart the Powerful comics or the Man from Riverdale episodes with Archie as a secret agent. Archie has been a hit wherever he's gone, including radio, TV, comics, books and toys. These archival volumes fill in some of the missing history, and aptly illustrate why for fans over the last six decades, everything's Archie.

I have to admit that I was very disappointed with this book. It was interesting to see how the characters developed and changed, but there were only twelve short comics in the whole book! When I first saw these books, I expected them to be crammed with comics- at least as many as in a double digest, but what I got was a flimsy, thin volume with a depressingly-few number of stips in it. If you're dyed-in-the-wool fan who wants every Archie comic ever produced, buy it, but for average fans, you're better off sticking with the digests.