LIFE WITH ARCHIE #36
Publisher: Archie Comics
Writer: Paul Kupperberg
Artist: Pat Kennedy
Release Date: 7/23/2014
If you are astute, you’ll notice that I didn’t use the title for the particular story in this issue. There is a reason for that.
There is also a reason I waited to do this review.
***WARNING *** SPOILERS AHEAD***
If you’re a comic book fan, you probably already know what this issue is about – it’s been all over the comic book news sites for months.
If you don’t know what is special about this issue, and don’t want it to be spoiled, then I suggest you stop reading, rush out, and find a copy of this issue – if you can. This issue is very hard to find, I was fortunate to get mine and the variant covers. Of course, you can get the trade that reprints this issue and #37 follow-up.
Archie Comics called this issue a Landmark issue, and it is – for reasons beyond the main event that happens.
I waited to write this piece for a few weeks to give the issue and its event time to settle. That may seem silly, but really this one deserves that.
If you don’t know, what comes out of this book is this:
ARCHIE ANDREWS is dead.
Yes, Archie is dead. No Archie isn’t coming back – I don’t believe. That is what is being said.
The teenage Archie is still around, and will be published for years to come.
If you aren’t familiar with this Life with Archie series, it tells two tales of possible futures, one where Archie married Betty, and one where Archie married Veronica. Archie is an adult in this series, so the teenager lives on.
While this issue is about the Death of Archie Andrews, it is also about much more. It has a message and a purpose to it, steeped in events going on in the world around us right now.
The issue starts with Archie running through Riverdale, thinking about his life, how things have turned out, the future, and how good things are. It is written in such a way that even though Archie talks about his love for his family and WIFE, it is never revealed whom he is talking about in this story, Betty or Veronica.
The writing and the art show that it could be either one.
The story also touches on Kevin Keller and his husband – yes, if you didn’t know there is a gay Archie character – who is a rising politician and a gun control activist.
Threats have been made against the life of Keller, threats that are carried out at a party for Keller held at Pops (now owned by Jughead). Here someone tries to shoot Keller . . .
Only Archie dives in the way, taking the bullet meant for his longtime friend. Unfortunately, he also accepts the death that was meant for Keller.
A heroic Archie dies on the floor of his beloved hangout, sacrificing his life for a friend, surrounded by those he loved.
It is a landmark issues not just because of Archie’s sacrifice, but because it also touches upon the Gay Rights issue, and more prominently, the Gun Control/violence issue, two very prominent issues of our time.
Unfortunately, gun violence has killed a beloved character in Archie Andrew.
Unfortunately, gun violence has killed many beloved people in real life.
While the Death of Archie issue of Life with Archie was promoted in advance, this wasn’t a shock value death. They didn’t kill him in such a way that showcases a “how can we kill him and bring him back?” thought process.
This death was handled with Grace and Love.
Rating: 8
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