The July solicitations for Archie Comics are out, with only five titles -- four digests and one $3.99 book. That makes me sad.
Lots of superheroes, both "real" (Mr. Justice, Darkling) and parody (Superteen). That's interesting.
On Sale Date: 7/5
BETTY & VERONICA FRIENDS FOREVER: BEACH PARTY (ONE-SHOT)
Script: Jamie L. Rotante | Art: Holly G!, Jim Amash | Colors: Glenn Whitmore | Letters: Jack Morelli | Cover: Holly G! | 32-page, full color comic | $3.99
A BRAND-NEW STORY kicks off this SUMMER FUN issue! In “Babbi’s Riverdale Beach Party,” to celebrate the release of the new Babbi movie, Veronica decides to throw an over-the-top beach party, with everyone dressed as their favorite Babbi doll. The Lodge Beach House is turned into a lifelike version of Babbi’s Beach House — complete with unicorn rides on the beach! There are even some hints that a surprise guest will make an appearance — so when a handsome, young stranger shows up, EVERYONE wants to know who he is! All that plus even more fun in the sun stories and fabulous summer fashions!
On Sale Date: 7/5
WORLD OF ARCHIE JUMBO COMICS DIGEST #131
Script: Dan Parent, Ian Flynn | Art: Dan Parent, Bill Galvan, Bob Smith, Jim Amash | Colors: Glenn Whitmore | Letters: Jack Morelli | Cover: Francis Bonnet, Dan Parent | 192-page, full color digest | $9.99
TWO BRAND NEW STORIES! First, in "You're a FIREWORK!,” when innocent July 4th fireworks show at Pickens Park accidentally opens a portal to a demon world, DARKLING must send her former evil enemies out of Riverdale and back to their own world!
Then, in “Law & Disorder,” Reggie is causing mischief as usual — but Moose gets involved to settle the score, something unexpected happens: the action attracts superhero MR. JUSTICE, who’s got his eyes set on Moose as a potential sidekick!
On Sale Date7/12
ARCHIE SHOWCASE JUMBO COMICS DIGEST #14: CHRISTMAS IN JULY
Script: Various | Art: Various | Cover: Dan Parent | 192-page, full color digest | $9.99
The tradition continues as Archie and the Gang keep cool by bringing a little festive fun into the summer time! Enjoy this hot collection of holiday stories while you lounge by the pool!
On Sale Date: 7/19
WORLD OF BETTY & VERONICA JUMBO COMICS DIGEST #27
Script: Ian Flynn, Ron Robbins | Art: Bill Golliher, Steven Butler, Jim Amash, Bob Smith | Colors: Glenn Whitmore | Letters: Jack Morelli | Cover: Dan Parent | 192-page, full color digest | $9.99
TWO BRAND NEW STORIES! First, in “No Time for Justice,” SUPERTEEN, Betty’s superhero alias, stops two robbers in their tracks — which catches the eye of fellow superhero MR. JUSTICE! But how will Betty like having a brand-new superhero identity?
Then, in “M1N3RVA 2.0,” Little Dilton uses AI technology to help Evelyn Evernever bring her beloved Minerva doll to life. But when Minerva has a mind of her own, she wreaks havoc on Riverdale! The BOY BUDDIES are on the case to stop the doll’s reign of terror in this riff on the popular movie M3GAN.
On Sale Date: 7/26
ARCHIE JUMBO COMICS DIGEST #342
Script: Dan Parent, Francis Bonnet | Art: Dan Parent, Rex Lindsey, Bob Smith | Colors: Glenn Whitmore | Letters: Jack Morelli | Cover: Dan Parent | 192-page, full color digest | $9.99
TWO BRAND NEW STORIES! First, in "Shop until you Drop," MAD DR. DOOM is up to his old tricks! This time his plan is to attack what everyone values most — their phones! The BOY BUDDIES are on the case—unless Little Archie and the gang distract them too much!
Then, in “Movie Mishap,” famous director Steven Squealberg is directing a movie and using Lodge Mansion as the backdrop. The movie is based on the true story of an international gang of criminals. Archie, Jughead, Betty and Veronica are all excited to be extras in the movie, but when a few other background actors are a little too good playing their roles, they’re going to need a real detective on the case: enter, FU CHANG!
Replies
I occasionally see the Archie digests at grocery store check-outs.
There are what could be called "comic shop deserts" in large parts of the U.S. I don't think Archie comics are sold anywhere but comic stores. If none of their customers are looking for humor comics, they won't be sold in that shop.
I haven't checked lately, but some time ago I was trying to recommend a comic store to a friend who lived in South Carolina. There wasn't one in the entire state.
One thing that is seriously hurting every publisher is pricing.
$3.99 for the average size issue with the sky proverbially the limit from there.
All the digests listed are $9.99, the starting price of a paperback novel nowadays.
Does the average reader even have that kind of money to spare?
Way back when Detective Comics started it was US 10c and so were many magazines, such as The Shadow. Comics are so much quicker to read, it's amazing even the best sold. But children were a large part of the audience, and read slowly. The net tells me a daily big city newspaper was usually five cents.
Lee Houston, Junior said:
I rely very heavily on the dollar bin and cheap comics in thrift stores for this reason. Some of the "average" size issues are $4.99 and $5.99, and specials like the modern ersatz 80-Page Giants and 100-Page Giants and "anniversary" issues are $6.99 and $7.99 and $8.99 and $9.99, and I just can't pay that. I just can't.
Fifty years ago, Grandpa would slip me a five-spot, and if I wanted, I could use it to buy up to sixteen comics. To do so nowadays would cost at least sixty-four bucks. I very much doubt that anybody's Grandpa is slipping that kind of cash these days.
There were two of them in Greenville, SC when I was working there. One of them is still putting on SC Comicon, so I know it's around.
Richard Willis said:
Sad indeed. I would have thought four seasons of " "Riverdale" would have generated enough interest in the charactors to inspire more content, especially for a company that survived on subscriptions for years.