The almost incredible news from Archie Comics is that this July, the beloved character Archie Andrews will die! In the pages of the “flash forward” series “Life With Archie”, Archie Andrews will die in a heroic sacrifice to save a friend and loved one. The issue where it all happens is #36. Archie Comics released a statement from Publisher and Co-CEO Jon Goldwater:
“We’ve been building up to this moment since we launched LIFE WITH ARCHIE five years ago, and knew that any book that was telling the story of Archie’s life as an adult had to also show his final moment. Archie has and always will represent the best in all of us—he’s a hero, good-hearted, humble and inherently honorable. This story is going to inspire a wide range of reactions because we all feel so close to Archie. Fans will laugh, cry, jump off the edge of their seats and hopefully understand why this comic will go down as one of the most important moments in Archie’s entire history. It’s the biggest story we’ve ever done, and we’re supremely proud of it.”
What will happen afterward in issue #37 as the book jumps one year into the future? How will the remaining Riverdale crew deal with the legacy their lifelong friend left behind? The news of the death of Archie, even in a futuristic storyline, has rocked the world of comic book creators. Here are some of the variant covers for issues 36 and 37 created in honor of the comic character icon.
Fiona Staples
Images Courtesy of Archie Comics
Adam Hughes
Images Courtesy of Archie Comics
Mike Allred
Images Courtesy of Archie Comics
Francesco Francavilla
Images Courtesy of Archie Comics
Ramon Perez
Images Courtesy of Archie Comics
Walt Simonson
Images Courtesy of Archie Comics
Tommy Lee Edwards
Images Courtesy of Archie Comics
Cliff Chiang
Images Courtesy of Archie Comics
Jill Thompson
Images Courtesy of Archie Comics
Alex Ross
Images Courtesy of Archie Comics
Images Courtesy of Archie Comics
Images Courtesy of Archie Comics