Archie Launches Facsimile Line With Classic Viral Cover

Archie Launches Facsimile Line With Classic Viral Cover

As a long-time fan of Archie Comics, I must say, this upcoming Facsimile Edition of Betty and Me #16 has me utterly thrilled! With its rich history and iconic art by the legendary Dan DeCarlo, it’s like stepping back into my childhood, where the Riverdale gang was a constant companion.


As a long-time fan of Archie Comics, I’ve eagerly anticipated this announcement for quite some time. The company has always held a special place in my heart, and I’ve often found myself yearning to revisit the classic stories that first captivated me as a child. It was only natural that I would wonder if Archie Comics would eventually join forces with other publishers like DC and Marvel in offering facsimile editions of their timeless comics.

In simpler terms, “The first Facsimile Edition is ‘Betty and Me’ #16.” This might initially appear as an unusual pick considering the numerous debut issues at your disposal. However, upon closer inspection of the cover, you may find that there could be a significant interest in it due to its long-standing popularity online for quite some time.

Archie Launches Facsimile Line With Classic Viral Cover

The renowned cartoonist DeCarlo, famed for his work on “Josie and the Pussycats” and “Sabrina the Teenage Witch”, holds a significant place in Archie Comics’ history as one of its most impactful artists. Starting from the late 1950s and early 1960s, DeCarlo refreshed the visual aesthetic of the company, setting new design standards for the main characters that would shape a distinctive new artistic approach.

Archie has consistently prioritized a unique house style over other publishers, and DeCarlo was among the initial artists who defied this rule, expressing his exhaustion from continually imitating artists such as Bob Montana and Harry Lucey.

In a conversation with The Washington Post, DeCarlo shared that he had informed his colleagues of his decision to resign, expressing his frustration from constantly referring to reference materials. He stated plainly that he had reached his limit and wanted to express this. To his surprise, they responded by saying it was alright for him to continue working in his own style.

In essence, the DeCarlo style remains a significant influence in the classic Archie comics. Contemporary artists such as Dan Parent have added their own artistic flourishes and contemporary touches to this timeless style.

Here’s how Archie describes the issue in their solicitation text:

As a devoted fan, I can’t hide my excitement about the reissued Betty and Me #16 by Archie Comics! This iconic issue, which managed to slip past the Comics Code Authority, has since become a legendary source of countless memes. Now, you too can own this cherished issue, meticulously reproduced in its original form through a full-facsimile edition!

Facsimile editions are exact replicas of classic comics that have been published, preserving every part of the original issue including the cover, story pages, letters pages, editorial columns, and even the original ads. These editions aim to recreate the experience of reading the comic as it was back then, serving as a sort of time capsule.

Script: Various
Art: Various
Cover: Dan DeCarlo
32 pages

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2024-08-05 14:39