Life with Archie Commemorative Issue Review-Worth the wait?

WARNING-Many spoilers in this thread and in the following review!


Life with Archie Commemorative Issue-truly a collectors item!
The Life with Archie double sized commemorative magazine priced at $9.99 contains the final two issues of Life with Archie, issues 36 and 37 and is superbly designed, from the glossy black front and back covers, the summary and quotes on the back and finally to the main cover image depicting our fallen hero. This is definitely one of those times that you can feel that you are holding something special in your hands, a true collectors item. It is no wonder that it has sold out and a second printing is currently in production. Due to its sold out status, current copies of this special double sized issue have sold on E-bay for over $60 and may eventually go much higher!

Not only is the outside of this issue designed so well but another feature I loved in this commemorative magazine are the two letters that appear in the back, one from Archie Co-President and Editor-in-Chief Victor Gorelick discussing the reality of death in Life with Archie and the other from Archie publisher and Co-CEO Jon Goldwater where he discusses carrying on the legacy of Archie from his father and the companies two other previous co-founders as well as his plans for Archie comics future. From my own perspective as a long time Archie comics reader, collector and huge fan, I can definitely say that you have done very well Jon, your father would have been very proud of you!

There is also another neat section at the end that highlights the 10 variant covers for issues 36 and 37 as well as notes highlighting the inspiration behind them. What a great journey indeed it has been to read Life with Archie from the very first issue many years ago to the final two issues just released. So many emotions were felt as I read both issues contained within. I cried, laughed and smiled as I fondly remember the great journey that is issue 36. Worth the wait? I definitely think so with issue 36 as many problems keep issue 37 from greatness. Read below for my reviews of both issues.



Life with Archie Issue 36 Review(Overall Rating-Masterpiece: 5 out of 5 Stars)
-A memorable and unforgettable journey in the life of Archie, with an ending that will leave you in tears!
-Issue 36 of Life with Archie is definitely at the top of its game from beginning to end with masterful and compelling storytelling, beautiful art and suspense that superbly combine together to create a truly unforgettable reading experience!
-Issue 36 of Life with Archie is a rare and monumental issue that will be forever remembered as one of Archie comics shining moments!


Amazing and beautiful art by the talents of artists Pat and Tim Kennedy and great story and pacing by writer Paul Kupperberg! Its both the combination of the great art and great writing complementing each other so well especially in the tragic and heroic end that may leave some emotionally drained after reading this issue. The issue begins as you walk with Archie as he remembers his life, his choices and those decisions that ultimately shape our life. I felt like I was right there with Archie and we see the journey of life that has taken Archie in so many different directions and we see what makes him who he is and that the sacrifice he makes is because of the kind of man that Archie is and has become. We see that Archie is happy with the life that he has and the many roads he has taken as well as the challenges that Archie has overcome over the course of 37 issues. We also see the importance on how your life can be changed in an instant but in that instant it shows us that Archie embodies so many values and ideals that make him such a wonderful and admirable person. I really enjoyed and appreciated the level of suspense and intensity that you could feel throughout the issue especially when you learn that special federal agents have been sent to protect Senator Kevin Keller due to potential threats on his life. Little does the senator realize that these potential threats on his life would eventually become reality to not only him but all the peaceful citizens of Riverdale!

An especially memorable moment comes at the beginning of the issue when we see a young little Archie along with a young little Betty and little Veronica as kids and sharing the iconic chocolate shake with three straws at Pops, something which is mirrored at the very end of the issue as Archie as an adult buys that same iconic chocolate shake now from new owner Jughead. Only this time the shake is never shared between Archie, Betty and Veronica as moments later the tragic end befalls Archie as he rushes to save those he dearly loves from the attacker who chooses the right moment to strike, a moment of confusion when the agents sent to protect Senator Kevin Keller think that another person will attack Kevin. But its not the mysterious stranger in a hood that is the attacker nor the security guard hired for the Chowhouse but the employee Jughead had recently hired to work for him at the shop, a very calculated and planned strategy from the attacker to strike at a moment and time no one would suspect. The last image of the issue will stay with you, that of a chocolate shake that has been tossed over a table by Archie as he rushes to stop the attacker who threatens his family and friends, symbolic of a selfless act of courage and heroism and triumph of the human spirit by our Archie. Because Archie intervenes in time and blocks the attacker from hurting anyone, the attacker is subdued immediately by a security guard but at the cost of Archie taking a fatal bullet meant for Senator Kevin Keller.

I had many suspects in mind that I thought would be the attacker, Jughead's new employee and the security guard hired for the Chowhouse. The security guard appeared more menacing and suspicious but I guess it sometimes is the person you least expect. It is also interesting how Archie and Reggie had been at Jugheads chocolate shop mere hours before the attack discussing the events of the mall shooter unsuspecting that the new employee serving them at the moment is the mall shooter the police are looking for and the very one that would shatter the lives of everyone at Riverdale that very afternoon!

Yet another very memorable and unforgettable scene is one in which we see Archie taking a few minutes to thank Mr. Weatherbee for everything he has done and for always being a friend and one of the influential role models that he has respected and looked up to in his life. At a loss of words to speak what is in his heart and mind Archie simply tells Mr. Weatherbee, "Thanks, just y'know for everything." I love the character of Mr. Weatherbee and this scene was a powerful one for me, because as Archie said the few words that he did, I was reflecting to myself and thinking "Good for you Weatherbee for all you have done for Riverdale high."

In order to tell this story from the perspective that Archie is married to either Betty and Veronica the story does not actually come out and say which one or show it, but the reader is led to believe that it could be either one and the way they managed this was excellent. A much stronger and suspenseful story is told because the story is told in one main storyline and not as two seperate ones like in previous issues. I cried as I read and smiled and laughed as I saw the journey that our Archie has taken until he makes such a heroic choice that fits who he is. The last scenes are so suspenseful and memorable and make you feel for Archie and who he has become in the world. Well drawn and memorable, be prepared for tears to fall as we remember Archie's gift to us all, his willingness to sacrifice himself not just for Kevin Keller but for all of his family and friends, everyone that he has loved and that has loved him and molded and shaped the person he is today!

Obviously the most powerful and impactful scene is at the end where Archie has been fatally shot as he intervenes to stop the attacker and lies on the floor in puddles of blood at Jughead's chocolate shop and is surrounded by all those that love him and care for him, his family and friends. Senator Kevin Keller and long time pal Jughead in tears to Archie's left side, Archie's devastated parents nearby seeing their only child lying helpless on the ground and trying to reach him in time. Then there is the final moments as we see Betty and Veronica, in a state of disbelief, tears streaming down their faces and kneeling by Archie's right side and looking down upon the man they have dearly loved for so many years as the life continues to drain from him.

Then comes the tearful and moving scene as Archie with the last breath of life utters his very last and final words to the two women he dearly loves, Betty and Veronica, "...I've always loved you.." As those last words are spoken and Archie dies you can truly feel the loss and the pain, that the world has lost Archie. Archie in love with two great women, Betty and Veronica, and they in turn greatly in love with him until the heartfelt end! Issue 36 of Life with Archie is definitely at the top of its game from beginning to end with masterful and compelling storytelling, beautiful art and suspense that superbly combine together to create a truly unforgettable reading experience! I applaud Archie comics for taking the risk that they did with this issue and the topic of Archie's death as once you see the final drawn panels in this issue, you will be in state of shock, at what you have just seen and read! Issue 36 of Life with Archie is a rare and monumental issue that will be forever remembered as one of Archie comics shining moments!


MEMORABLE QUOTE FROM ISSUE 36
"Our past is what shapes us into who we are in the now and points us on the way to the future." Archie Andrews



Life with Archie Issue 37 Review(Overall Rating-Good: 3 out of 5 Stars)
-An issue with some great beginning and end moments but stumbles with unfortunate problems in story design and pacing in its middle half that will leave you expecting so much more.
-An issue that ultimately fails to meet the high expectations that a final issue in a series should have reached.
-Nevertheless, issue 37 is still an issue you should read and enjoy for the few great moments contained within.

Stellar and beautiful art by the talented Fernando Ruiz in this issue with great story design in the beginning and end moments by writer Paul Kupperberg but with many problems in story design and pacing in the middle half. Issue 37 is the final issue of Life with Archie and takes place one year after Archie's heroic death in issue 36 and is meant to be a celebration issue as the Riverdale residents remember what Archie meant to them. To begin with, I wanted to love issue 37 as much as I loved issue 36 but that did not happen as honestly I do not feel that issue 37 complements issue 36 as well as it should have. A nice attempt but many aspects of the story needed to be told in a better way and overall severely lacking in the way the Archie gang remembers and celebrates Archie one year after his death. As the bar was raised for the sacrifice Archie made in issue 36, there does not seem to be the same level in how Archie is celebrated in this issue and remembered. I felt that where all the pieces of the story seemed to fit in issue 36, pieces of the story just did not seem to fit here as well, as if certain remembrances where not the best to have been chosen or how the issue remembers Archie, almost as if a different writer wrote parts of issue 37 compared to issue 36. There should have been more work and thought put into the areas that made Archie a great person than the ones that were shown in this issue.

One area of the issue I enjoyed reading was near the beginning when Senator Kevin Keller mentions that heroes come in many forms and can be ordinary people like Archie and can do great things as he and Weatherbee look at a high school class picture taken with Archie and the gang, one of about two few great moments in this issue. Weatherbee looks at the picture and mentions that the class that Archie and his friends were in was the one that was most dear to his heart as principal. When Weatherbee mentions this, I believe him and it struck at the heart strings at how fondly he remembers what he calls his children. Unfortunately, I only found this beginning and near the end of the story memorable as what comes in the middle part of the story in need of serious redesign.

I also liked that Kevin goes throughout Riverdale asking for people to tell of their memories of Archie as Kevin is to give a speech at a celebration at Riverdale High honoring Archie. To achieve this Kevin visits Mr. Lodge, Weatherbee and Jughead and Reggie to see what they remember most about Archie. A great idea in theory, only that I wish that the residents of Riverdale could have remembered memories that were much better than they did. I was expecting more, much more after reading issue 36 and that there were only a few good moments in this issue that I was left wanting a much better issue that celebrates the life of Archie than what we were given.

What follows are examples of why this issue falters in the middle half as we see different people retell their memories of Archie. One account tells of a time in which Archie goes to a dance with Ethel because she has no one to go with as she feels no one ever asks her. It was noble of Archie to do this but felt as though he killed two birds with one stone because then he avoids choosing between Betty and Veronica to go to the dance with instead. This is the memory that both Betty and Veronica retell Cheryl Blossom but I felt as though they could have come up with something far more significant to remember about Archie, as they were the two great women in Archie's life. I would have preferred Betty and Veronica each remember a memory of how Archie affected thier own lives. I care about the Ethel character but Betty and Veronica are far more significant characters in Archie's life and their own personal recollections would have made this a better issue.

Then there is a scene where Archie helps Mr. Pavia, an older citizen of the town who is unable to fix a water leak due to financial problems. Weatherbee remembers this about Archie and tells Kevin Keller about it. My main issue with this is that Weatherbee has such a long history with Archie that this remembrance just did not fit as well as another story that is more memorable could have been told, possibly one in which Weatherbee is involved and not another character like Mr. Pavia who does have the same importance to Archie's life as Weatherbee, as in issue 36 Archie thanks Mr. Weatherbee for always being there for him and being a role model and friend.

The writer, Paul Kupperberg, should have come up with better ways to remember Archie than what Betty, Veronica as well as Weatherbee remember. Archie is not perfect but these memories can't be all they remember of Archie or even the best of who he was. These memories seem like nothing more than random ones the Archie gang comes up with and not the best kind of memories that the Archie gang should have remembered after a year has passed since Archie's death. I don't think the story is as strong or as impactful the way Betty, Veronica and Weatherbee mention how Archie has affected other people instead of how he has impacted their own lives in a significant way. Personal recollections of how someone has affected or impacted your own life are far stronger and more relevant than how Archie has helped or impacted another person especially retelling memories of characters like Mr. Pavia and Ethel who are not nearly as significant as Betty, Veronica or Weatherbee.

Then there is also the one where Jughead remembers one time when he and Reggie fought as kids and Archie had to choose between one of them to be his friend but Archie can't make the choice because like he can't choose between Betty and Veronica he can't choose between his friends. I mean its Jughead afterall, one of his best buddies and pals and he has no other recollection about the past than this. All not overly bad scenarios in themselves but its not the way I expected Archie would be remembered. Yes, it was nice how Archie helps Ethel or where he can't choose between Reggie and Jughead or Betty and Veronica but where this may have worked in the regular Archie comics it just did not have the scope or feel I was hoping to get from the very last issue in Life with Archie, a more adult version of the Archie world.

I did however love the celebration at the end of the issue (one of the other few great moments) in which the whole town turns out at the Riverdale High stadium as Weatherbee and Senator Kevin Keller honor Archie and his sacrifice by renaming the school to Archie Andrews High School. Its just that a few great pages at the beginning and near the end for me do not save a 40 page issue that could have complemented this very ending at the stadium with family and friends who are in tears as they remember the sacrifice Archie made one year ago. It's almost as if the beginning pages with Kevin and Weatherbee and the last few pages at the stadium could have been added to the end of issue 36 and not had issue 37, as if the majority of the other 30 or so pages were not needed and weighed the issue down very heavily in the middle half of the story.

A better developed middle half would have complemented the ending so much better and made this last issue just as great as issue 36. If personal recollections had been told of how Archie affected Jughead, Betty, Veronica and Weatherbee the ending of issue 37 would have been stronger because you would see how his loss has affected them. I wanted to see how Archie's loss affected Betty, Veronica, Weatherbee or even Jughead but what do we get: a time when Archie helps someone who has water problems, Ethel who has no one to go to the dance with or Reggie and Jughead who can't get along. When put in that perspective it seems obvious that these memories just don't have the importance, weight or strength to stand out and I wonder just how great this issue would have been if far more care was taken with how Archie's friends remember him.

Look at some of the variant covers released for issues 36 and 37, Jughead eating a burger at Archie's grave, Betty and Veronica sitting on a bench and crying, another depicting Jughead, Betty and Veronica in the rain and in front of Archie's grave, powerful images of the loss they feel toward Archie, of what they are remembering of him. Even a year later and in celebrating Archie, they could have done something in the story as impactful and as moving as the variant covers. In many ways I feel the covers remember Archie far better than the story we were given in issue 37. Yes, the story is meant to celebrate Archie a year later with happy memories but the memories we were given do not even come close to being enough or doing the job successfully. As least from the covers, I can feel the emotion, the great love for Archie and his loss that the story in issue 36 fails to even come close to doing. Yes, there is the celebration of Archie at the end of the story where a school is named in his honor but that is the extent to which anything approaching remembering Archie in any significant way is found, far better than the water problem or Ethel memories.

Overall, as I look back on issue 37 I keep thinking that there should have been far more done to make it something special and memorable throughout the entire issue and not just in the few places I mentioned. There is nothing essentially wrong with the memories that the Riverdale residents retell a year after Archie's death, such as Archie helping Mr. Pavia, Ethel or Archie not being able to choose between Jughead and Reggie as a friend. I still strongly think that for the last issue of Life with Archie and one celebrating Archie's heroic sacrifice one year later, the story in the middle half crumbles under its own heavy weight and 40 page length, and is simply not good enough to stand out as it should have for a last and final issue. When I had finished reading the last page of issue 37 the first question that came to my mind, "Was this really the story created for the final celebration issue of Life with Archie?"

I will admit what we do have is an issue with some good sections but good is simply not enough for a last issue that should have been beyond good, and instead have been amazing and unforgettable, if only the story had been stronger and the memories of Archie given much better. If issue 37 was a regular story in one of the digests or a regular Life with Archie issue I would have loved the examples of helping poor Ethel or Mr Pavia but this is the very last issue of a very long series and should have been so much better! For me, Life with Archie 37 will be remembered as an issue with some great beginning and end moments but one that stumbles with poor story design and pacing in the middle half and falls into the shadows of the greatness that was issue 36! An issue that ultimately fails to meet the high expectations that a final issue in a series should have reached! Nevertheless, issue 37 is still an issue you should read and enjoy for the few great moments contained within.


MEMORABLE QUOTE FROM ISSUE 37
"Archie Andrews is a product of all of us. Just as he's part of us all in return. And I can think of no more hopeful note for Riverdale's future, my friends, than that!" Senator Kevin Keller



Life with Archie Commemorative Issue(Overall Rating-Outstanding: 4 out of 5 Stars)
-The Life with Archie commemorative issue is superbly designed and contains an amazing and unforgettable story in issue 36 and some few great moments in issue 37!
-Some nice extras such as letters from Victor Gorelick and Jon Goldwater as well as an excellent variant gallery!
-The commemorative and double sized issue of Life with Archie is something you need to have in your collection, truly a unique collectors item!



Share your thoughts on the last two issues of Life with Archie
I am curious as to what the rest of you think and feel after having finished reading both issues. I would love to read your thoughts and ultimately what you felt about the end of Life with Archie.