C’mon, now. You can’t kill off ARCHIE.

I’m digging deep, here, people.  Because all I want to write about is Lent and Easter and sugar and peanut butter Easter eggs dipped in honey.  And I KNOW you’re all sick of it.  Because that’s ALL I’ve written about.  For weeks.

I’m sick of reading my own blog posts myself, so I don’t blame you.

So today, I’m digging deep, and I’m talking about something else for a change.

One of the fond memories of my youth, even though I’d kind of forgotten about him, to be honest:  Archie Andrews.

Yes, there was a time when I was a big fan of the Archie comics.  Like, a really big fan.  I remember my mom introducing them to me when I was a kid.  I don’t think it was really an “introduction to reading” thing for me, like it was for some kids, as I always loved to read (The Babysitters Club & Sweet Valley High, anyone??) – but Archie was a special treat.

I remember the feeling of excitement when I discovered one of those comics in my stocking on Christmas morning, or in my Easter basket amidst the chocolate eggs and skipping rope (sorry, last time I say the word “EASTER” today, promise).  It was always a thrill if I was with my mom when she got groceries (I always hated grocery trips as a kid!) and at the check-out, she’d tell me it was OK to grab an Archie if I wanted.  Double Digests… I always went for the Double Digests, if she’d let me!

In my early teen years, it was with absolute glee that I discovered my neighbours Wayne & Brenda were also big Archie fans, and so when I was babysitting for their kids, after the littles had gone to bed, I literally had tons of Archies to choose from for my reading pleasure.

I loved Archie.  Really, seriously loved him.  I loved Pop Tate’s shoppe.  I loved Archie’s old jalopy.  I loved Jughead and all of his delicious-looking hamburgers.  I loved the love triangle with Archie, Betty & Veronica.  I loved Moose and Midge and Reggie… I loved it all.

It’s been years since I’ve read one, though.  A really, really long time.

And yet still, I was shocked yesterday when I heard them talking on the radio that Archie was going to be killed off in the near future.

What??  What?!?!

Dudes, seriously.  You can’t kill off the title character of a comic series!  What would Archie comics be without… ARCHIE?!?

It reminds me of that time in the early years of Grey’s Anatomy, there was like a 3-episode arc where Meredith Grey almost drowns, and there’s this whole “will she live or will she die?” thing happening.  Despite being caught up in the drama of it all, I kept telling myself, “It’s called GREY’s Anatomy.  They’re not going to kill off THE Grey!!”

Alas, it is true.  Archie is going to be killed off.  I researched it myself this morning.

But things have changed in the world of the Archies since I last read them, apparently.  There are different series going on.  The one that Archie is being killed off in is “Life With Archie”, which apparently has been following Archie as an adult.  Archie beyond Riverdale High, beyond the Chok’lit Shoppe, beyond…well… the 1950’s.  (BTW - Did you know Archie picked Veronica?!  I can’t believe it!) 

Apparently Archie will die to save a friend.  A hero.  A humble guy always there to help others.  Just like the Archie I remember from my youth.  The creators are calling it “a natural conclusion for the Life With Archie series”.

However, I’ve been assured not to despair.  There will still be Archie Andrews in the world.    The original Archie series is going to continue – WITH Archie – and there’s apparently also a Zombie Archie series?  (yeah… things have really changed in the Archie world since I last picked one up, evidently!!)

In any case, I was relieved to know that Archie’s not going to completely go the way of the dodo bird.  Because all of this Archie talk has me really wanting to pick one up again, for old times’ sake.

It’s been a long time since I’ve checked in with one of my favourite freckle-faced redheads.

And I think Archie and I are long over-due! :)