Editing Archie Comics (section)

===Independent era===

====M.L.J. Magazines====

=====1939–1946: early years=====
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[[Maurice Coyne (publisher)|Maurice Coyne]], [[Louis Silberkleit]], and [[John L. Goldwater]] formed M.L.J. Magazines, Inc., and started publishing in September 1939. The company name was derived from the initials of the partners' first names.<ref name=top>[http://arquivo.pt/wayback/20091016104033/http://www.toonopedia.com/mlj_arch.htm Archie (MLJ) Comics] at [[Don Markstein's Toonopedia]]. From the original on April 13, 2013.</ref>

Coyne served as M.L.J.'s bookkeeper and [[Chief Financial Officer|CFO]]. Coyne and Silberkleit had been partners in [[Columbia Publications]], a [[Pulp magazine|pulp]] company that published its last issue in 1960. Silberkleit had a college degree from [[St. John's University (New York)|St. John's University]], was a licensed and registered pharmacist, and had a law degree from [[New York Law School]]. His efforts were focused on the business, printing, separating, distribution and financial ends of the company. John Goldwater served as editor-in-chief. Goldwater was one of the founders of the [[Comics Magazine Association of America]], and he served as its president for 25 years. (The Comics Magazine Association of America is best known to comic fans for its [[Comics Code Authority]].) Goldwater was also a national commissioner of the [[Anti-Defamation League]].<ref>{{cite news| url=https://www.nytimes.com/1999/02/28/classified/paid-notice-deaths-goldwater-john-l.html | work=The New York Times | title=Paid Notice: Deaths: Goldwater, John L. | date=February 28, 1999}}</ref>

M.L.J.'s first comic book, published in September 1939 (with a November cover date), was ''[[Blue Ribbon Comics]]'' with the first half full color and the last half in red and white tints. The first issue featured [[Rang-a-Tang the Wonder Dog]]. In November 1939 (with a January 1940 cover date), ''Pep Comics'' debuted with the [[Shield (Archie Comics)|Shield]], the first US patriotic comic book hero, created by writer and managing editor [[Harry Shorten]] and designed by artist [[Irv Novick]]. ''[[Top Notch Comics]]'' was launched in December 1941. Until March 1944, the cover feature of ''Pep'' was the Shield when Archie took over the cover. The Shield was a forerunner for [[Joe Simon]]'s and [[Jack Kirby]]'s [[Captain America]], being published 13 months earlier.<ref name=bl/><ref name=icsh>{{cite web|title=The Shield|url=http://www.internationalhero.co.uk/s/shield.htm|work=An International Catalogue of Superheroes|publisher=internationalhero.co.uk|access-date=April 19, 2013}}</ref>

====Archie Comics====

=====1946–1990s=====
The [[Andy Hardy]] movies were an inspiration for Goldwater to have a comic book about a relatable normal person. Teenaged [[Archie Andrews (comics)|Archibald "Chick" Andrews]] debuted with [[Betty Cooper]] and [[Jughead Jones]] in ''Pep Comics'' #22 (Dec. 1941), in a story by writer Vic Bloom and artist [[Bob Montana]].<ref name=bl/> Archie soon became M.L.J. Magazines' headliner, which led to the company changing its name to '''Archie Comic Publications''' in 1946. Siberkleit and Coyne discontinued Columbia Publications.<ref name=bl/> In the late 1950s, Archie Publishing launched its "[[Dark Circle Comics#Archie Adventure Series|Archie Adventure Series]]" line with a new version of the Shield and two new characters.<ref name=top/>

The February 1962 issue of [[Harvey Kurtzman]]'s ''[[Help! (magazine)|Help!]]'' magazine featured his parody of the Archie characters in its ''[[Goodman Beaver]]'' story, "Goodman Goes Playboy", which was illustrated by frequent collaborator [[Will Elder]].<ref>[http://www.toonopedia.com/goodman.htm Goodman Beaver] at [[Don Markstein's Toonopedia]].</ref> ''Help!'' publisher [[James Warren (publisher)|Jim Warren]] received a letter on December 6, 1961, accusing ''Help!'' of [[copyright infringement]] and demanding removal of the offending issue from newsstands. Warren was unable to [[Product recall|recall]] the magazine,{{sfn|Harvey|2011|p=4}} but he agreed to settle out of court rather than risk an expensive lawsuit. Warren paid Archie Comics $1,000, and ran a note of apology in a subsequent issue of ''Help!''{{sfn|Kitchen|Buhle|2009|p=204}}  The story was reprinted in the book collection ''Executive Comic Book'' in 1962, with the artwork modified by Elder to obscure the appearance of the Archie characters. Archie Comics found their appearance still too close to its copyrighted properties, and threatened another lawsuit. Kurtzman and Elder settled out of court by handing over the copyright to the story. Archie Comics held onto the copyright and refused to allow the story to be republished. A request from [[Denis Kitchen]] in 1983 to include the story in his ''Goodman Beaver'' reprint collection was turned down.{{sfn|Harvey|2011|p=4}}  After ''The Comics Journal'' co-owner [[Gary Groth]] discovered that Archie Comics had allowed the copyright on "Goodman Goes Playboy" to expire, he had the story reprinted in ''The Comics Journal'' #262 (September 2004),{{sfnm|1a1=Markstein|1y=2010|2a1=Petersen|2y=2010|2p=249}} and made it available as a [[PDF]] on the magazine's website.{{sfn|Frauenfelder|2008}}<ref>[http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Category:Goodman_Goes_Playboy "Goodman Goes ''Playboy''"] [[public domain]] parody at [[Wikimedia Commons]]</ref>

In the mid-1960s, during the period fans and historians call the [[Silver Age of Comic Books]], Archie switched its superheroes to a new imprint, "[[Red Circle Comics|Mighty Comics]] Group," with the MLJ heroes done in the campy humor of [[Batman (TV series)|the Batman TV show]]. This imprint ended in 1967.<ref name=top/>

In the early 1970s, Archie Enterprises Inc. went [[Public company|public]]. Just over 10 years later, Louis Silberkleit's son Michael and John Goldwater's son Richard returned Archie Comic Publications to private ownership.<ref name=bl/> Michael Silberkleit served as chairman and co-publisher, while Richard Goldwater served as president and co-publisher.<ref name=wsj2012/>  Coyne retired in the 1970s as CFO.<ref name=bl/>

In the 1970s and 1980s, [[Spire Christian Comics]], a line of comic books by Fleming H. Revell, obtained license to feature the Archie characters in several of its titles, including ''Archie's Sonshine,'' ''Archie's Roller Coaster,'' ''Archie's Family Album,'' and ''Archie's Parables.'' These comics used Archie and his friends to tell stories with strong Christian themes and morals, sometimes incorporating Bible scripture. In at least one instance, the regular characters meet a [[Jesus Christ|Christ-like]] figure on the beach, and listen as he gently preaches Christian values.<ref>{{cite comic|publisher=Fleming H. Revell Company|title=Archie's Sonshine |date=1974|pages=12–17}}</ref>

Archie launched a short-lived fantasy and horror imprint, [[Red Circle Comics]], in the 1970s. The company revived that imprint in the 1980s for its brief line of superhero comics.<ref name=top/> Later in the 1980s, Archie planned to publish superheroes again with the [[Mighty Comics#Spectrum Comics|Spectrum Comics]] imprint, featuring a number of high-profile talents, but it cancelled this attempt before publishing a single issue.<ref name=tcj>{{cite journal|title=Archie Comics Scraps Spectrum Comics Imprint|journal=[[The Comics Journal]]|date=September 1989|issue=131|pages=5–7}}</ref>

Having licensed Archie's MLJ Superheroes in 1991, [[DC Comics]] launched its imprint [[Impact Comics]] with these heroes.<ref name=cbc>{{cite news|last=Renaud|first=Jeffrey|title=JMS Gets Brave & Bold with Archie Gang|url=https://www.cbr.com/jms-gets-brave-bold-with-archie-gang/|access-date=June 9, 2020|website=[[Comic Book Resources]]|date=October 30, 2008}}</ref><ref name=nyt>{{cite news|last=Gustines|first=George Gene|title=For Archie Comics, a Return to Superheroes|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2011/10/10/business/media/for-archie-comics-a-return-to-superheroes.html|access-date=October 10, 2011|newspaper=New York Times|date=October 10, 2011|page=B5}}</ref>

In 1992, Archie partnered with [[Sega]] to create a four-part [[Sonic the Hedgehog (Archie Comics)|''Sonic the Hedgehog'']] comic book miniseries based on the video game series [[Sonic the Hedgehog|of the same name]].<ref>[http://www.comics.org/series/20043/ ''Sonic the Hedgehog'' (Archie, 1992 Series)] at the [[Grand Comics Database]].</ref> This was continued with a full series launch in 1993, which incorporated elements from the 1993 [[Sonic the Hedgehog (TV series)|animated series]] by [[DiC Entertainment]].<ref>[http://www.comics.org/series/12006/ ''Sonic the Hedgehog'' (Archie, 1993 Series)] at the Grand Comics Database.</ref> The series ran for over 20 years, becoming the longest-running [[List of comics based on video games|comic series based on a video game]] by 2008.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://archie-blogs.archiecomics.com/sonic/2008/07/from_the_cuinness_book_of_worl.html |title=Sonic the Hedgehog enter Book of World Records |access-date=September 13, 2008 |date=July 7, 2008 |publisher=Archie Comic |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080912135723/http://archie-blogs.archiecomics.com/sonic/2008/07/from_the_cuinness_book_of_worl.html |archive-date=September 12, 2008 }}</ref>

=====2000s=====
On April 4, 2003, [[Dad's Garage Theatre Company]] in [[Atlanta]] was scheduled to debut a new play by [[Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa]], ''Archie's Weird Fantasy,'' which depicted Riverdale's most famous resident coming out of the closet and moving to New York. The day before the play was scheduled to open, Archie Comics issued a cease and desist order, threatening litigation if the play proceeded as written. Dad's Garage artistic director Sean Daniels said, "The play was to depict Archie and his pals from Riverdale growing up, coming out and facing censorship. Archie Comics thought if Archie was portrayed as being gay, that would dilute and tarnish his image."<ref>{{cite web |last=Hicks |first=Cinque |url=http://atlanta.creativeloafing.com/gyrobase/Content?oid=oid%3A11826 |title=Fallen Archies {{pipe}} Off Script {{pipe}} Creative Loafing Atlanta |publisher=Atlanta.creativeloafing.com |date=April 9, 2003 |access-date=August 16, 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100426154148/http://atlanta.creativeloafing.com/gyrobase/Content?oid=oid%3A11826 |archive-date=April 26, 2010}}</ref> It opened a few days later as "Weird Comic Book Fantasy" with the character names changed.<ref name="wcbf">{{cite web|url=https://creativeloafing.com/content-180708-theater-review---arch-humor|last=Holman|first=Curt|title=Arch humor: Fantasy sends comic characters into real world|date=April 16, 2003|access-date=October 28, 2012|publisher=[[Creative Loafing]]}}</ref> In 2014, Aguirre-Sacasa would become Archie's Chief Creative Officer.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.fastcompany.com/3028694/most-creative-people/how-archie-comics-new-chief-creative-officer-is-reimagining-riverdale|title=How Archie Comics' New Chief Creative Officer Is Reimagining Riverdale|date=April 8, 2014 |website=Fast Company|access-date=June 16, 2016}}</ref>

[[Bill Yoshida]] learned comic book lettering from [[Ben Oda]] and was hired in 1965 by Archie Comics, where he averaged 75 pages a week for 40 years for an approximate total of 156,000 pages.<ref name=weiland>{{cite web | last = Weiland | first = Jonah | title=Long Time Archive Comics Letterer Bill Yoshida Dies|url= https://www.cbr.com/long-time-archive-comics-letterer-bill-yoshida-dies/| date=April 3, 2005|access-date=June 9, 2020}}</ref>

Archie Comics sued music duo [[The Veronicas]] for trademark infringement in 2005 over the band's name, which Archie Comics alleges was taken from the comic book character. Archie Comics and Sire Records (The Veronicas's record label) reached a settlement involving co-promotion.<ref>{{cite news |title=Archie Comics sues The Veronicas |url=http://www.comicsbulletin.com/news/112421331634326.htm |access-date=February 15, 2019 |work=[[Comics Bulletin]] |date=August 16, 2005 |archive-date=March 3, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303234558/http://www.comicsbulletin.com/news/112421331634326.htm |url-status=dead }}</ref>

In 2007, Archie Comics launched a "new look" series of stories, featuring Archie characters drawn in an updated, less cartoony style similar to the characters' first appearance. There are a total of seven storylines and each one was published as a four-part storyline in a digest series. Also each "new look" story was based on a Riverdale High novel, a series of twelve novels; seven that are published, five that are not. They were published in the 1990s.

{| class="wikitable sortable" style-"font-size: 95%; center;"
|-
! Title
! Featured character(s)
! Comic Release
! Publication Date
! Riverdale High Novel Counterpart
|-
|"[[Bad Boy Trouble]]"||[[Veronica Lodge|Veronica]], [[Betty Cooper|Betty]]||''[[Archie's Girls Betty and Veronica|Betty & Veronica Double Digest]]'' #151–154||July–October 2007||"The New Kid. Grrrrr."
|-
|"[[Jughead's Double Digest#"New look series"|The Matchmakers]]"||[[Jughead Jones|Jughead]]||''[[Jughead's Double Digest]]'' #139–142||April–August 2008||"First Kiss by Jughead Jones"
|-
|"Break-up Blues"||[[Moose Mason|Moose]], [[Midge Klump|Midge]]||''[[Archie's Pals 'n' Gals|Archie's Pals 'n' Gals Double Digest]]'' #125–128||October 2008 – February 2009||"Big children. BIG challenges. Divorced."
|-
|"My Father's Betrayal"||[[Hiram Lodge]], [[Veronica Lodge|Veronica]]||''Betty & Veronica Double Digest'' #170–173||May–August 2009||"No Archies Allowed"
|-
|"Goodbye Forever"||[[Archie Andrews (comics)|Archie]]||''Archie's Double Digest'' #200–203||July–November 2009||"Will Archie Comics Have Its Defunct Date?"
|-
|"A Funny Kind of Love"||[[Reggie Mantle|Reggie]]||''Archie's Pals n' Gals Double Digest'' #135–138||September 2009 – February 2010||"Reggie Mantle, Prankster"
|-
|"No Baseball for Betty"||[[Betty Cooper|Betty]]||''Betty & Veronica Double Digest'' #180–183||May–August 2010||"Hit a Home Run"
|}

In 2008, Archie Publications once again licensed DC Comics its MLJ Super heroes for a DC Universe integrated line, [[Red Circle Comics|Red Circle]].<ref name=cbc/>

=====2010–present=====
Following Richard Goldwater's death in 2007 and Michael Silberkleit's in 2008, Silberkleit's widow Nancy and Goldwater's half-brother Jonathan became co-CEOs in 2009.<ref name=wsj2012>{{cite news |first=Jennifer |last=Peltz |url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/APfcbf388f6a2f4b0b89238ad78bf1fcd6|title=CEOs' Clash Roils Company Behind Comic Hero Archie |publisher=[[Associated Press]] via [[The Wall Street Journal]] |date=February 20, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120223175433/http://online.wsj.com/article/APfcbf388f6a2f4b0b89238ad78bf1fcd6.html |archive-date=February 23, 2012 |url-status=live |access-date=February 21, 2012 }}</ref> Nancy Silberkleit, a former elementary-school art teacher, was given responsibility for scholastic and theater projects, and Jon Goldwater, a former rock/pop music manager, was responsible for running the company's day-to-day publishing and entertainment efforts.<ref name=wsj2012 /> The company sued Silberkleit in July 2011, and Goldwater filed another lawsuit against her in January 2012, alleging she was making bad business decisions and alienating staff; she in turn sued him for defamation.<ref name=wsj2012 /> As of February 2012, [[New York Supreme Court]] Judge Shirley Kornreich, in [[Manhattan]], had fined Silberkleit $500 for violating the court's autumn order temporarily barring her from the company's headquarters, and said the court might appoint a temporary receiver to protect the company's assets.<ref name=wsj2012 /> {{as of|2016|May|}}, these legal proceedings had been resolved.{{citation needed|date=January 2017}}

Beginning in 2010, the company partnered with [[Random House|Random House Publisher Services]] for its bookstore distribution which included trade paperbacks, original graphic novels and additional book formats. Archie Comics saw its graphic novel and collected edition output increase from 11 book titles that year to 33 in 2012, and 40 in 2013. The company's sales also increased by 410% for books and 1,000% for e-books since 2010.<ref name=pw>{{cite news|last=Reid|first=Calvin|title=Archie Comics Grows Book Side |url=http://www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/industry-news/comics/article/57204-archie-comics-grows-book-side.html|access-date=May 13, 2013|newspaper=Publishers Weekly|date=May 11, 2013}}</ref>

Beginning in July 2010, the first issue of ''[[Life with Archie#Volume 2 (The Married Life)|Life with Archie]]'' was launched. The series featured two different storylines exploring two possible futures — a world where Archie marries Betty and a world where he marries Veronica. The series also incorporated more contemporary themes including death, marriage woes, same-sex marriage, cancer, financial problems and gun control.<ref name="pastemagazine">{{cite web|url=https://www.pastemagazine.com/articles/2015/09/the-life-afterlife-and-rebirth-of-an-american-icon-1.html|title=The Life, Afterlife & Rebirth of an American Icon: Jon Goldwater on The Reconstruction of Archie Comics :: Monthly :: Features :: Paste|date=August 18, 2015|publisher=pastemagazine.com|access-date=May 27, 2016}}</ref>

[[Kevin Keller (comics)|Kevin Keller]], Archie Comics' first gay character, debuted in ''Veronica'' #202 in September 2010.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.forbes.com/feeds/ap/2011/04/01/entertainment-us-comics-archie-gay-character_8387077.html |work=Forbes |agency=Associated Press |title=Archie Comics plans series for 1st gay character |last=Moore |date=April 1, 2011 }}{{dead link|date=January 2022|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref> The character was created out of a conversation between Goldwater and longtime Archie Comics writer-artist [[Dan Parent]] during the company's first creative summit, about bringing more diversity to Riverdale.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.cbr.com/archies-dan-parent-looks-forward-to-life-with-kevin/|title=Archie's Dan Parent Looks Forward to "Life With Kevin"|date=May 11, 2016|publisher=[[ComicBookResources.com]]|access-date=May 12, 2016}}</ref> The issue sold out at the distributor level, prompting Archie Comics for the first time to issue a second edition of a comic.<ref name="comiclist">{{cite web|url=http://www.comiclist.com/index.php/news/veronica-202-earns-first-reprint-in-archie-history|title=VERONICA #202 earns first reprint in Archie history - ComicList|publisher=comiclist.com|access-date=May 27, 2016}}</ref> In June 2011, Keller was featured in his own four-part miniseries.<ref name="newsarama">{{cite web|url=http://www.newsarama.com/7807-archie-tries-to-avoid-gay-stereotypes-in-kevin-keller-series.html|title=Archie Tries to Avoid Gay Stereotypes in 'Kevin Keller' Series|publisher=[[Newsarama]]|access-date=May 27, 2016}}</ref>  A bimonthly Kevin Keller series launched with writer-artist Parent in early 2012 received a [[GLAAD]] award for Outstanding Comic Book the following year.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.glaad.org/blog/video-kevin-keller-receives-outstanding-comic-book-glaadawards|title=VIDEO: Kevin Keller Receives Outstanding Comic Book at #GLAADAwards|date=May 9, 2013|publisher=[[GLAAD]]|access-date=May 12, 2016|archive-date=June 24, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160624212254/http://www.glaad.org/blog/video-kevin-keller-receives-outstanding-comic-book-glaadawards|url-status=dead}}</ref>

In March 2011, a copy of ''[[Archie (comic book)|Archie Comics]]'' #1, first published in 1942, was sold at auction for $167,300, a record for a non-superhero comic book.<ref>{{Cite news|last = Melrose|first = Kevin|title = Archie #1 sets auction record; more bookstore layoffs|publisher=[[Comic Book Resources]]|date = March 3, 2011|url=https://www.cbr.com/comics-a-m-archie-1-sets-auction-record-more-bookstore-layoffs/|access-date=June 9, 2020}}</ref>

In April 2011, Archie Comics became the first mainstream comic-book publisher to make its entire line available digitally on the same day as the print release.<ref name="wired.com">{{cite magazine|url=https://www.wired.com/2014/03/archie-comics/|title=Why Archie May Be Comics' Most Progressive Publisher|magazine=[[Wired (magazine)|Wired]]|access-date=May 27, 2016|last1=McMillan|first1=Graeme}}</ref> At the [[New York Comic Con]] in October 2011, Archie Comics announced that its superheroes would return as an all-digital line under the [[Red Circle Comics|Red Circle imprint]], a subscription model with back-issue archive access.<ref name="nyt" /> The imprint started in 2012 with a new ''[[New Crusaders]]'' series.<ref name="cbc0">{{cite news|last=Phegley|first=Kiel|title=Inside the Red Circle with Archie's ''New Crusaders''|url=https://www.cbr.com/inside-the-red-circle-with-archies-new-crusaders/|publisher=[[Comic Book Resources]]|date=October 12, 2011|access-date=June 9, 2020}}</ref>

In October 2013, Archie Comics launched its first horror title, ''[[Afterlife with Archie]],'' depicting Archie and the gang dealing with a zombie apocalypse that begins in their hometown of [[Riverdale (Archie Comics)|Riverdale]]. Written by [[Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa]] and drawn by artist Francesco Francavilla, ''Afterlife with Archie'' was also the first Archie Comics title to be sold exclusively to comic shops and to carry a rating of "Teen+".<ref name="cbc2">{{cite web|url=http://www.cbc.ca/news/arts/archie-comics-veers-into-horror-with-afterlife-series-1.1929380|title=Archie Comics veers into horror with 'Afterlife' series |publisher=[[CBC News|CBC]]|access-date=May 27, 2016}}</ref> The series adapted the Archie characters into a world with adult themes and horror tropes including zombies, the occult, demons, and [[Cthulhu]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://io9.gizmodo.com/hail-satan-afterlife-with-archie-and-chilling-adventur-1759270760|title=Hail Satan, Afterlife With Archie and Chilling Adventures of Sabrina Are Back This Summer|last=Whitbrook|first=James|date=February 15, 2016|publisher=[[io9.com]]|access-date=May 12, 2016|archive-date=May 7, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160507222232/http://io9.gizmodo.com/hail-satan-afterlife-with-archie-and-chilling-adventur-1759270760|url-status=dead}}</ref>

The success of ''Afterlife with Archie'' led to a second horror series, ''[[Chilling Adventures of Sabrina]],'' which launched in October 2014 from Aguirre-Sacasa and artist Robert Hack.<ref name="wired.com" /><ref name="ew">{{cite magazine|last1=Rivera|first1=Joshua|title=Archie Comics announces Archie Horror imprint, teases a third series following return of Sabrina and Afterlife|url=https://www.ew.com/article/2015/03/19/archie-comics-announces-new-horror-imprint-teases-series|access-date=June 18, 2015|magazine=Entertainment Weekly|date=March 19, 2015}}</ref> ''Chilling Adventures of Sabrina'' takes place in the 1960s in the neighboring town of Greendale, and follows a 16-year-old [[Sabrina Spellman]] as she struggles to balance her responsibilities as a witch-in-training, with her feeling for her boyfriend, Harvey Kinkle.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.themarysue.com/sabrina-1-review/#0|title=Review: The Chilling Adventures of Sabrina, #1|date=October 6, 2014|publisher=TheMarySue.com|access-date=May 17, 2016}}</ref>

On April 9, 2014, Archie Comics announced that the adult version of Archie Andrews featured in the ''Life with Archie'' series would die in issue #36 (July 2014), which would also be the second-to-last issue.<ref>{{cite news| url = http://www.nydailynews.com/entertainment/archie-slated-die-pages-comic-book-article-1.1749348 |title=Archie to die|work= [[Daily News (New York)|Daily News]]| location = New York City| date=April 9, 2014|access-date= April 9, 2014}}</ref> Goldwater said Archie's final fate would be the same in both of the possible parallel futures covered by the series.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.cnn.com/2014/04/08/showbiz/archie-comics-death/|title=Farewell, Archie: Beloved comic book character to die|first=Henry|last= Hanks|publisher=[[CNN]] |date=April 8, 2014}}</ref> This version of Archie was killed saving Senator Kevin Keller from an assassination attempt.<ref>{{cite news | url= http://www.nydailynews.com/entertainment/archie-die-bullet-gay-friend-comic-book-article-1.1865719|title=Archie to die taking bullet for gay friend in comic book|access-date=March 4, 2015|work=Daily News|location = New York City |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20140715013018/http://www.nydailynews.com/entertainment/archie-die-bullet-gay-friend-comic-book-article-1.1865719 |archive-date=July 15, 2014}}</ref>

In July 2014, Archie Comics announced that its superhero imprint Red Circle Comics would be rebranded as [[Dark Circle Comics]] in 2015.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Truitt|first1=Brian|title=Archie to launch Dark Circle superhero line in 2015|url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/life/2014/07/10/archie-comics-dark-circle-superhero-exclusive/12483965/|access-date=July 10, 2014|work=USA Today|date=July 10, 2014}}</ref> The new imprint focuses on self-contained stories featuring the superheroes from the Red Circle library while exploring the crime, horror, and adventure genres. The first wave included the superheroes the Black Hood, the Fox, and the Shield.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/life/2014/07/17/dark-circle-comics-superheroes-exclusive/12778383/|title=Heroic trio powers new Dark Circle Comics lineup|work=[[USA Today]]|access-date=May 17, 2016}}</ref> Dark Circle Comics debuted with ''[[Black Hood#Greg Hettinger|The Black Hood]]'' #1 (Feb. 2015) by writer [[Duane Swierczynski]] and artist [[Michael Gaydos]] in February 2015. The mature-readers title introduced policer officer Gregory Hettinger, the new Black Hood, who struggles with an addiction to painkillers as a result of a shooting outside a school in Philadelphia.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/comic-riffs/wp/2015/02/24/from-capers-to-conspiracies-dark-circle-kicks-off-reality-genre-stories-with-tomorrows-black-hood/|title=From capers to conspiracies, Dark Circle kicks off 'reality' genre stories with tomorrow's Black Hood|last=Betancourt|first=David|date=February 24, 2015|newspaper=[[The Washington Post]] | issn=0190-8286|access-date=May 17, 2016}}</ref> The launch continued with ''[[Fox (comics)#Archie Comics|The Fox]]'' (April 2015), picking up where Red Circle's ''The Fox'' series had left. The series was co-written by [[Dean Haspiel]] and [[Mark Waid]] with art by Haspiel.<ref>{{Cite web|url= https://www.cbr.com/dean-haspiel-gets-villainous-for-dark-circles-fox-hunt/|title=Dean Haspiel Gets Villainous For Dark Circle's "Fox Hunt"|date=December 23, 2014|publisher=[[Comic Book Resources]]|access-date=June 9, 2020}}</ref> ''[[Shield (Archie Comics)#Victoria Adams|The Shield]]'' #1 (Oct. 2015) from co-writers Chuck Wendig and Adam Christopher and artist Drew Johnson debuted a new, female Shield named Victoria Adams.<ref>{{Cite magazine |url= https://www.ew.com/2015/10/15/archie-comics-shield-relaunch |title= 'Shield #1' from Archie Comics relaunch: Chuck Wendig & Adam Christopher interview |magazine= Entertainment Weekly |first= Andrea |last= Towers |access-date= May 17, 2016 |archive-date= October 18, 2016 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20161018222429/http://www.ew.com/2015/10/15/archie-comics-shield-relaunch |url-status= dead }}</ref> ''[[Hangman (Archie Comics)|The Hangman]]'' #1 (Nov. 2015) introduced a supernatural horror series from writer Frank Tieri and artist Felix Ruiz about mob hit-man Mike Minetta making a deal with the devil to become the new Hangman after the previous person to wear the mantle ascended to Heaven.<ref>{{Cite web |url= http://www.bleedingcool.com/2015/10/09/nycc-howard-chaykin-on-black-hood-and-more-from-the-dark-circle-panel/|title=NYCC '15: Howard Chaykin On Black Hood And More From The Dark Circle Panel|last=Seifert|first=Mark|date=October 9, 2015|publisher=[[Bleeding Cool]]|access-date=May 17, 2016}}</ref>

Archie Comics launched a $350,000 [[Kickstarter]] in May 2015 campaign to help the publisher get three additional series out to the public sooner than otherwise: ''Life with Kevin'', focusing on Kevin Keller, and new ''[[Jughead (comic book)|Jughead]]'' and ''[[Betty and Veronica (comic book)|Betty and Veronica]]'' series.<ref name="ew3">{{cite magazine|url=https://www.ew.com/article/2015/05/11/archie-comics-reboot-kickstarter-announcement-details|title=Archie reboot takes to Kickstarter with three new series featuring Chip Zdarsky, Fiona Staples, more |magazine=Entertainment Weekly|access-date=May 27, 2016}}</ref> Five days later, Archie Comics cancelled the campaign after critical response. The company stated that the three titles would still be published at a later time.<ref name="hollywoodreporter">{{cite web|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/heat-vision/archie-comics-cancels-350000-kickstarter-796003|title=Archie Comics Cancels $350,000 Kickstarter Campaign After Criticism |work=[[The Hollywood Reporter]]|date=May 15, 2015 |access-date=May 27, 2016}}</ref>

In March 2015, Archie Comics announced that its two delayed horror series would return under a new imprint, [[Archie Horror]], with ''Chilling Adventures of Sabrina'' #2 and ''Afterlife with Archie'' #8 being released in April and May.<ref name="ew2">{{cite magazine|url=https://www.ew.com/article/2015/03/19/archie-comics-announces-new-horror-imprint-teases-series|title=Archie Comics announces new horror imprint, teases series |magazine=Entertainment Weekly|access-date=May 27, 2016}}</ref>

In December 2014, Archie Comics announced that its flagship series ''[[Archie (comic book)|Archie]]'' would relaunch with a new first issue in July 2015.<ref name="comicsalliance">{{cite web|url=http://comicsalliance.com/what-archie-relaunches-in-2015-with-mark-waid-and-fiona-staples/|title='Archie' Relaunches in 2015 with Mark Waid and Fiona Staples|date=December 15, 2014 |publisher=[[ComicsAlliance]]|access-date=May 27, 2016}}</ref> The new series would be a modern take on the Archie characters by writer Mark Waid and artist [[Fiona Staples]], featuring serialized storylines.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/life/2015/06/29/archie-relaunch-exclusive-preview/29453057/|title='Archie' landscape gets a 'juicy' reboot|newspaper=USA Today|access-date=May 18, 2016}}</ref> After the first three issues, Annie Wu drew an issue, followed by new regular artist [[Veronica Fish]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://comicbook.com/2015/08/18/everythings-archie-mike-pellerito-reveals-who-will-follow-fiona-/|title=Everything's Archie: Mike Pellerito Reveals Who Will Follow Fiona Staples, Talks Afterlife Delays and Much More|publisher=[[ComicBook.com]]|access-date=May 18, 2016}}</ref>  The new title received IGN's "Best New Comic Series of 2015" award.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.ign.com/wikis/best-of-2015/Best_New_Comic_Series|title=Best New Comic Series - IGN's Best of 2015|website=[[IGN.com]]|date=December 11, 2015 |access-date=May 18, 2016}}</ref>

The first title in the company's "New Riverdale" universe, ''Archie'' was released with a July 2015 cover date and came in at #7 for comic book sales for the month.<ref name="comichron">{{cite web|url=http://www.comichron.com/monthlycomicssales/2015/2015-07.html|title=Comic Book Sales Figures for July 2015|author=John Jackson Miller|publisher=comichron.com|access-date=May 27, 2016}}</ref> The next title, ''Jughead'', was released in October. In April 2015, Archie Comics announced ''[[Betty and Veronica (comic book)|Betty and Veronica]]'' which debuted in July 2016. Also announced was ''[[Kevin Keller (comics)|Life with Kevin]]'', a digital-first mini-series that debuted in June 2016.<ref name="ign">{{cite web|url=http://ca.ign.com/articles/2016/04/12/archies-kevin-keller-returns-in-new-digital-first-series|title=Archie Announces 'Life With Kevin' and 'Betty & Veronica&#039 |date=April 12, 2016 |publisher=ca.ign.com|access-date=May 27, 2016}}</ref> ''[[Josie and the Pussycats (comics)|Josie and the Pussycats]]'' and ''[[Reggie and Me]]'' followed in September and December 2016.

Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa, playwright, screenwriter and comic book writer, was appointed Archie Comics chief creative officer in March 2014.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2014/03/03/business/media/archie-comic-picks-film-and-tv-writer-for-top-creative-post.html |title=Archie Comic Picks Film and TV Writer for Top Creative Post |first=George Gene |last=Gustines |website=[[The New York Times]] |date=March 2, 2014 |access-date=April 5, 2014}}</ref> Archie characters landed a live-action TV series, ''[[Riverdale (American TV series)|Riverdale]]'', at Fox with a script deal plus penalty in October 2014. [[Warner Bros Television]] and [[Berlanti Productions]] were producing.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Andreeva |first1=Nellie |title=Archie Comics Drama Series 'Riverdale' Set At Fox With Greg Berlanti Producing |url=https://deadline.com/2014/10/archie-comics-series-riverdale-greg-berlanti-roberto-aguirre-sacasa-fox-858971/ |access-date=February 15, 2019 |work=[[Deadline Hollywood]] |date=October 23, 2014 |language=en}}</ref> However, the show was not selected for broadcast until January 29, 2016, when it was picked up by the CW.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Wagmeister |first1=Elizabeth |title=CW Picks Up Four Pilots Including Greg Berlanti's Archie Comics Project 'Riverdale' |url=https://variety.com/2016/tv/news/cw-archie-comics-riverdale-pilot-greg-berlanti-1201692555/ |access-date=February 15, 2019 |work=Variety |date=January 30, 2016 |language=en}}</ref>

In February 2017, Marvel had licensed Archie Comics to publish Marvel Digests collections for the newsstand market starting in November 2017.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Whitbrook |first1=James |title=Archie Comics Is Going to Start Releasing Marvel Comics, and That's Not as Weird As it Sounds |url=https://io9.gizmodo.com/archie-comics-is-going-to-start-releasing-marvel-comics-1792436243 |access-date=July 17, 2018 |work=io9 |date=February 16, 2017 |archive-date=July 18, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180718030619/https://io9.gizmodo.com/archie-comics-is-going-to-start-releasing-marvel-comics-1792436243 |url-status=dead }}</ref> With three TV series at various stages, Archie Comics expanded its film and television operations in February 2019 to a division, Archie Comics Studios, with the hire of two executives, Siobhan Bachman, senior vice-president of film and television, and Matthew Lottman, head of development & production.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Boucher |first1=Geoff |title=Riding 'Riverdale': Archie Comics Expands TV & Film Operation With Executive Hires |url=https://deadline.com/2019/02/riding-riverdale-archie-comics-expands-tv-film-operation-with-executive-hires-1202551766/ |access-date=February 15, 2019 |work=[[Deadline Hollywood]] |publisher=Penske Business Media |date=February 7, 2019 |language=en}}</ref>