New Archie and the demise of the Comics Code
Archie Comics Update
Archie update February 22, 2011: news article at Scripps chronicles the headway made by the "new" Archie approach to broadening it's market exposure:
"Archie had leased its superheroes to DC Comics, but that deal has ended, so "Red Circle" characters like The Shield are returning. Archie is also working with the legendary Stan Lee, co-creator of most of Marvel's superheroes, on a secret project. "
The End of the Comics Code Authority
" In January, the company announced it was dropping the Comics Code after more than 50 years of submitting its books for Comics Magazine Association of America inspection. Archie was the last publisher still using the Code, so its withdrawal effectively ended the CMAA, after decades of being its staunchest member.
"...DC and Marvel better look out, because here we come."
So sayeth Jon Goldwater, CEO of Archie Comics, about the venerable publisher's plans. While DC, Marvel and Archie comics all date back to the late 1930s, Archie has always been the quiet one, staying out of the news while dutifully turning out G-rated laughs for the tween set.
Until now.
"I've been here about 18-19 months," Goldwater said in an interview. "We kicked up a little dust, to be honest with you."
And the results have been seen in the headlines, where it's obvious that Archie Comics is leaping from wherever it was culturally into the 21st century.
[Below: Sarah Palin, Barack Obama from Archie #617]
Above: Artwork by Dan Parent, interior page from Archie Comics #617. Archie Comics Pub., Mar 2011 Cover Date - see the entire page enlarged].
Related: The Sarah Palin and Barack Obama issue of Archie
Archie Comics: magazine size Life with Archie, the Obama/Palin issue, etc
Archie USPS stamp - Famous Funnies postal stamp