Post by Eric on Oct 4, 2014 10:43:57 GMT -6
Putting it all together- A 32 year Archie Double Digest history! Part 1
Lately I have been thinking about some of the history of Archie Digests and the various changes Digests have gone through over so many years, especially this year with the rebranding of the Digests so I thought I would create a detailed and informative essay about some of its history, especially my favorites: the Double Digests, Double Double Digests, Jumbo Comics, Comics Annual Digests and 480 and 1000 page Digest collections. Did you know that the first Double Digest came out in January 1982 as Archie Double Digest#1? That was about 32 years ago and this Digest is currently the oldest with over 250 issues and still going. My love for Archie comics in general really began when I read the Archie Marries hardcover from 2010 written by Michael Uslan and art by Stan Goldberg and then because I loved reading it so much I subscribed to all the six Double Digests at the time and never once regretted my decision! I love Archie and always look forward to receving the Digests in the mail!
I have always loved the Double Digests since I read my first one in the 90's over the smaller 96 page Digests that have been phased out because of the amount of content and value which is why I was thrilled when huge 320 page Double Double Digests came out in 2013 and then in May 2014: 192 page Comics Annuals and 320 page Jumbo Comics Digests. Although I read my first Digest sometime back in the 90's life and other distractions came into play so I left Archie Digest reading until I picked up the Archie Marries hardcover some 20 years later in 2010. Double Digests have been around for more than 32 years, Double Double Digests that started in 2013 and the current six Digests under a new rebranding of the Digest line in May 2014 since the name of Double Digest was retired in May 2014 but brought back in December 2014.
So sit back and relax as you journey back into a 32 year history of the Digests and hopefully you will discover something new about the Archie Digests that we all love and enjoy today.
What are Digests?
Digests are reprints of older material from Archie's massive vault of 75 years of producing comics, all the way back to Archie Comics foundation in 1939. Material reprinted is usually content from 3 to 4 years back but can include some classic Archie comics from other eras, from as far back as the 1940's to the 50's, 60's, 70's and on. Digests have changed over time in page count and titles produced and they are a great value for fans that collect them. Digests can also sometimes include new stories such as those appearing in the Digests starting in September 2014. Currently new lead stories are being featured in the Digests from September 2014 up to March 2015 and may continue with Digests beyond March 2015. Find out which Digests feature new lead stories here: wormworld.freeforums.net/thread/67/updated-list-stories-coming-digests
What happened to the Double Digests and Double Double Digests and what are the 3 new types of digests?
Digest type is used to refer to the amount of pages a Digest has and Digest title refers to the name of the Digest, as there are six different Digest titles produced today. The first Double Digest was released on January 1982 with Archie Double Digest#1. For the past few years there was only one Digest type, known as Double Digests with 160 pages. Then in March of 2013 we had a new type of Digest type known as a Double Double Digest which was 320 pages. Then in 2014 Archie stopped using the Double Digest name after having used it for over 32 years and rebranded the Digest line of six titles under three new different Digest types: Comics Digest (160 pages), Comics Annual (192 pages) and Jumbo Comics (320 pages). In August 2014 Jumbo Comics decreased in size from 320 pages to 288 pages with Betty and Veronica Friends Jumbo Comics #240 released on August 20, 2014. In December 2014, Archie comics decided to bring back the Double Digest name and the 160 page Comics Digest was renamed to Comics Double Digest.
What are the six Digest titles currently being produced?
1)Archie Comics Double Digest
-First issue published January 1982, currently 257 issues released.
-First Double Digest title released.
-Oldest of the current six Digest titles.
2)Betty and Veronica Comics Double Digest
-First issue published June 1987, currently 229 issues released.
-2nd oldest of the current six Digest titles.
3)World of Archie Comics Double Digest
-First issue published October 2012, currently 46 issues released.
-3rd oldest of the current six Digest titles.
4)Betty and Veronica Friends Comics Double Digest
-First issue published January 2011 with issue 209 under the Double Digest name, currently with 34 issues released under its new name.
-This is the only Digest that continued its numbering from the 96 page Digest series Betty and Veronica which lasted 208 issues and ended October 2010.
-4th Oldest of the current six Digest titles.
5)Archie's Funhouse Comics Double Digest
-First issue published January 2014, with currently 11 issues released.
-2nd newest and 5th oldest of the current six Digest titles.
6)Jughead and Archie Comics Double Digest
-First issue published April 2014 with currently 9 issues released.
-This Digest was formerly named Jughead Double Digest which ended with issue 200 in February 2014.
-Newest and 6th oldest of the current six Digest titles
Have any Digests changed their name?
-One digest has had three different names: First there was Archie's Pals n' Gals Double Digest until 2009, then in 2010 it became Archie and Friends Double Digest and finally in 2014 it became Archie's Funhouse Double Digest with the first issue appearing January 2014.
-The Jughead Double Digest ended with issue 200 in 2014 and the title was renamed to Jughead and Archie with its first issue in April 2014.
How many times a year are the Digests released and what types of Digests are there?
-Previously there were only two types of Digests released: Double Digests and Double Double Digests.
-Digest types changed in 2014 and now come in 3 different types known as Comics Double Digest, Comics Annual and Jumbo Comics Digest which are released 11 times a year for five of the six titles with the exception of B&V Friends which is only released 6 times a year.
-Each title in 2014 usually has 2 Jumbo Comics, 1 Comics Annual and 8 Comics Double Digests released for the exception of B and V Friends which have less Digests released for it since it is the least popular of all the Digests.
The following 3 types of Digests are released as of May 2014:
1)Comics Double Digest
-The main type of digest released, about 7 times a year for each of the six titles, 160 pages, $4.99.
-In 2013 and into early 2014 and for about 32 years this Digest had been known as a Double Digest and now referred to as a Comics Digest starting in May 2014.
-The first Comics Digest released under this new title was Archie's Funhouse Comic Digest #5 on May 13, 2014.
-In December 2014 Archie changed the name from Comics Digest to Comics Double Digest starting with Jughead and Archie #8 Comics Double Digest.
2)Comics Annual
-Released about 1 time a year for each of the six titles, 192 pages, $5.99.
-The main difference from this one and the Comics Digest is an additonal 32 pages which consist of a vault section which features classic Archie comics from the 40's usually.
-This new type of Digest with 192 pages first appeared in March 2014.
-The first Comics Annual released was World of Archie Comics Annual #41 on March 25, 2014.
-Currently 4 Comics Annuals have been released. List of current and upcoming ones below.
3)Jumbo Comics
-Usually released about twice a year for each of the six titles, 288 pages, $6.99.
-This Digest was referred to as a Double Double Digest when it began in 2013 and into early 2014 and now known as Jumbo Comics Digests when it started in May 2014.
-This is the biggest of the Digests currently released.
-When the first Jumbo Comics Digest was released in May 2014 Jumbo Comics Digests were 320 pages but in August 2014 Archie reduced them to 288 pages.
-Just like the Comics Annual, this Digest also has a special 32 page vault section which all currently feature classic Archie comics from the 50's.
-The first Jumbo Comics released was Betty and Veronica #223 Jumbo Comics released on May 6, 2014.
-8 Double Double Digests were released before the name change to Jumbo Comics Digests.
-Currently 10 Jumbo Comics Digests have been released.
-Jughead with Archie Jumbo Comics Digest#5 released in August 2014 will be the last Jumbo Comics Digest with 320 pages.
-Betty and Veronica Friends Jumbo Comics Digest #240 also released in August 2014 will be the first Jumbo Comics Digest with 288 pages as Jumbo Comics Digests will see a decrease from 320 pages to 288 pages starting with this Digest.
1982-2014 - 32 years of History, the Double Digest timeline!
January 1982-Archie Double Digest #1 is released-The first Double Digest title releases!
-Archie releases its first Double Digest title: Archie Double Digest #1 on January 1982.
-Some of the stories currently reprinted are from Man from Riverdale, Pat the Brat and others.
-Oldest of all the Digest titles with over 250 issues released currently.
-Double Digests were meant to be like combining two smaller Digests into one and were the biggest Digests that were available at the time and had the most pages.
-When this Double Digest first appeared it was 256 pages and cost $1.95.
-Archie would continue to use the title Double Digest for about 32 years until May 2014 when it stopped using the Double Digest title and rebranded the digests under 3 new Digest types.
-UPDATE: The Double Digest name would return in December 2014 as Archie has decided to rename the 160 page Comics Digest to Comics Double Digest and bring back the Double Digest title which was used for 32 years previously.
June 1987-Betty and Veronica Double Digest-2nd Double Digest title releases!
-Archie releases its second Double Digest title: Betty and Veronica Double Digest #1 on June 1987.
-This Digest currently reprints Little Archie, classic Sabrina and many other stories.
-When this Digest first appeared it was 256 pages and cost $2.25.
-2nd oldest of the Digest titles with currently 225 issues released.
October 1989-Jughead Double Digest-3rd Double Digest title releases!
-Archie releases its third Double Digest title: Jughead Double Digest #1 on October 1989.
-Some of the stories reprinted came from Jughead's Time Police, That Wilkin Boy, classic Jughead stories and others.
-This Double Digest would last for 200 issues and its last issue was in February 2014.
-This Double Digest would be renamed Jughead and Archie with its first issue in April 2014.
-When it was first released this Double Digest was 256 pages and cost $2.25.
-This is the 3rd oldest of the Digest titles with 200 issues produced.
November 1992-Archie's Pal n' Gals Double Digest-4th Double Digest title releases!
-Archie releases its 4th Double Digest title: Archie Pals n' Gals Double Digest #1 on November 1992.
-Some of the stories reprinted included Sabrina, Li'l Jinx and others.
-This Double Digest is the 4th oldest with 146 issues released and its last issue in November 2010.
-This Double Digest would be renamed as Archie and Friends Double Digest in 2010 and then Archie's Funhouse Double Digest in 2014.
-When this Digest first appeared it cost $2.50.
Late 2010-Phasing out the smaller Digests, only Double Digests remain
-By the end of 2010 the four smaller 96 page Digests: Archie, Betty and Veronica, Jughead and Friends and Tales from Riverdale had been phased out.
-160 page Double Digests were the main type of Digest available across six different titles at the end of 2010.
-Archie was trying to streamline the comics they were producing to increase sales and Double Digests were more profitable than the smaller 96 page Digests.
October 2010-World of Archie Double Digest-5th Double Digest title releases!
-Archie releases it 5th Double Digest title: World of Archie Double Digest #1 on October 2010.
-This Digest reprints stories from various characters such as Josie, The Madhouse Glads, Cosmo, Archie's Madhouse, classic stories and others.
-This was the first new Double Digest title in 18 years since Archie Pals n' Gals Double Digest first appeared in November 1992.
-This was created as a continuation of Archie Digest which first released on August 1973 and which ended after 37 years with issue 267 on September 2010. The oldest of the smaller format Digests.
-When this Double Digest was first released it was 160 pages and cost $3.99.
-World of Archie Double Digest #1 was also unique in that it was a special holiday issue.
December 2010-Archie and Friends Double Digest-6th Double Digest title releases!
-Archie releases its 6th Double Digest title: Archie and Friends Double Digest #1 on December 2010.
-This Digest reprinted stories from Pureheart the powerful, The New Archie's and many others.
-Previously this Double Digest had been known as Archie Pals n' Gals Double Digest which ended November 2010.
-When released this Digest was 160 pages and cost $3.99.
January 2011-Betty and Veronica Friends Double Digest-7th Double Digest title releases!
-Archie releases its 7th Double Digest title: Betty and Veronica Friends #209 on January 2011.
-This Digest reprints stories from Josie, Li'l Jinx and others.
-This Double Digest was released at issue 209, since it was a continuation of the Betty and Veronica Digest which began November 1980 and ran for 208 issues and ended after 30 years on October 2010. This was the 2nd oldest of the smaller format Digests.
-This is the only Digest series that did not start its Double Digest run at #1 but as a continuation of a previous series.
-When released this Digest was 160 pages and cost $3.99.
March 2013-The first 320 page Double Double Digest appears!
-Up until now the biggest Digest that had been available for many years were the 160 page Double Digests.
-Starting on March 2013, a new type of Digest known as a Double Double Digest was released which consisted of 320 pages or like two Double Digests put together.
-Double Double Digests also included a special 32 page vault section of Archie comics from the 50's.
-This was the biggest Digest ever released as the previous biggest were the 256 page Double Digests of the 80's.
-The first Double Double Digest released was Archie Double Double Digest #214 on March 13, 2013.
November 2013-One Double Digest ends and is renamed
-Archie and Friends Double Digest ends with issue 33 before it is renamed to Archie's Funhouse Double Digest.
January 2014-Archie's Funhouse Double Digest-An 8th Digest title releases!
-Archie releases its 8th Double Digest title: Archie's Funhouse Double Digest #1 on January 22, 2014.
-This Digest reprints Little Archie and Friends stories and stories from various characters.
-Previously this Double Digest was named Archie and Friends which ended with issue #33 in December 2013.
February 2014-After 24 years Jughead Double Digest ends and is renamed
-After 24 years, the third oldest Double Digest ends with Jughead Double Double Digest #200 on February 18, 2014.
-This Digest title would be renamed to Jughead with Archie which began with issue 1 in April 2014.
March 2014-The first Comics Annual Released!
-The first Comics Annual released is World of Archie Comics Annual #41 on March 25, 2014.
-This is also the first Digest released under the 3 new rebranded Digest names.
-This was also the first time that covers would be shiny and glossy as all future Digests would be.
April 2014-The end of the Double Digest and Double Double Digest era and a 9th digest title!
-The last Double Double Digest released was Archie Double Double Digest #250 on April 8, 2014. From this point on Double Double Digests would be renamed to Jumbo Comics Digests with the first Jumbo Comics Digest, Betty and Veronica Jumbo Comics Digest #223 appearing on May 6, 2014.
-The last Double Digest released was Betty and Veronica Friends Double Digest #238 on April 29, 2014
-Archie releases its 9th and latest Double Digest title: Jughead and Archie Double Digest #1 on April 15, 2014, which was previously known as Jughead Double Digest which ended after 200 issues in February 2014. This Digest reprints That Wilkin Boy stories and others.
May 2014-New types of Digests appear, the first Comics Digest and Jumbo Comics Digest releases!
-Starting in May 2014 Digests would no longer carry the name Double Digest after using the name for the past 32 years or the name Double Double Digest which started in 2013 and instead the Digests would be rebranded as 3 new different Digest types, Comics Digest(160 pages), Comics Annual(192 pages) and Jumbo Comics Digest (320 pages).
-The first Comics Digest released was Archie's Funhouse Comics Digest #5 on May 13, 2014.
-The first Jumbo Comics released was Betty and Veronica Jumbo Comics #223 on May 6, 2014.
July 2014-Increase in Digest prices
-Each of the 3 types of Digest would be raised in price by $1
-Comics Digests went from $3.99 to $4.99
-Comics Annual went from $4.99 to $5.99
-Jumbo Comics Digests went from $5.99 to $6.99
August 2014-The end of the 320 page Digest era, Jumbo Comics Digests loose 32 pages
-Jughead and Archie Jumbo Comics #5 will be the last Jumbo Comics released with 320 pages.
(This Jumbo Comic Digest brings the end of the 320 page era, with 8 Double Double Digests released and only 4 Jumbo Comics Digests released having 320 pages.)
-Betty and Veronica Friends Jumbo Comics Digest #240 released on August 20, 2014 will be the first 288 page Jumbo Comics Digests. From this Jumbo Comics Digests forward, all Jumbo Comics Digests will be reduced from 320 pages to 288 pages.
UPDATE: December 2014-Archie comics brings back the Double Digest name after having retired it in May 2014
-Starting with Jughead and Archie #8 the 160 page Comics Digests will now be called Comics Double Digests. Due to decreasing sales attributed to the name rebranding from Double Digests to Comics Digests in May 2014, Archie has decided to bring back the Double Digest name which had been used for 32 years but was removed when the Digests were rebranded in May 2014. There should be no name change to the 288 page Jumbo Comics Digests or 192 page Comics Annuals but this name change should only be with the regular 160 page Digests.
(To read about the smaller 96 page Digests that started in the 1970's please check the following forum topic at: archiecomicsfans.freeforums.net/thread/77/digest-history-2)
Lately I have been thinking about some of the history of Archie Digests and the various changes Digests have gone through over so many years, especially this year with the rebranding of the Digests so I thought I would create a detailed and informative essay about some of its history, especially my favorites: the Double Digests, Double Double Digests, Jumbo Comics, Comics Annual Digests and 480 and 1000 page Digest collections. Did you know that the first Double Digest came out in January 1982 as Archie Double Digest#1? That was about 32 years ago and this Digest is currently the oldest with over 250 issues and still going. My love for Archie comics in general really began when I read the Archie Marries hardcover from 2010 written by Michael Uslan and art by Stan Goldberg and then because I loved reading it so much I subscribed to all the six Double Digests at the time and never once regretted my decision! I love Archie and always look forward to receving the Digests in the mail!
I have always loved the Double Digests since I read my first one in the 90's over the smaller 96 page Digests that have been phased out because of the amount of content and value which is why I was thrilled when huge 320 page Double Double Digests came out in 2013 and then in May 2014: 192 page Comics Annuals and 320 page Jumbo Comics Digests. Although I read my first Digest sometime back in the 90's life and other distractions came into play so I left Archie Digest reading until I picked up the Archie Marries hardcover some 20 years later in 2010. Double Digests have been around for more than 32 years, Double Double Digests that started in 2013 and the current six Digests under a new rebranding of the Digest line in May 2014 since the name of Double Digest was retired in May 2014 but brought back in December 2014.
So sit back and relax as you journey back into a 32 year history of the Digests and hopefully you will discover something new about the Archie Digests that we all love and enjoy today.
What are Digests?
Digests are reprints of older material from Archie's massive vault of 75 years of producing comics, all the way back to Archie Comics foundation in 1939. Material reprinted is usually content from 3 to 4 years back but can include some classic Archie comics from other eras, from as far back as the 1940's to the 50's, 60's, 70's and on. Digests have changed over time in page count and titles produced and they are a great value for fans that collect them. Digests can also sometimes include new stories such as those appearing in the Digests starting in September 2014. Currently new lead stories are being featured in the Digests from September 2014 up to March 2015 and may continue with Digests beyond March 2015. Find out which Digests feature new lead stories here: wormworld.freeforums.net/thread/67/updated-list-stories-coming-digests
What happened to the Double Digests and Double Double Digests and what are the 3 new types of digests?
Digest type is used to refer to the amount of pages a Digest has and Digest title refers to the name of the Digest, as there are six different Digest titles produced today. The first Double Digest was released on January 1982 with Archie Double Digest#1. For the past few years there was only one Digest type, known as Double Digests with 160 pages. Then in March of 2013 we had a new type of Digest type known as a Double Double Digest which was 320 pages. Then in 2014 Archie stopped using the Double Digest name after having used it for over 32 years and rebranded the Digest line of six titles under three new different Digest types: Comics Digest (160 pages), Comics Annual (192 pages) and Jumbo Comics (320 pages). In August 2014 Jumbo Comics decreased in size from 320 pages to 288 pages with Betty and Veronica Friends Jumbo Comics #240 released on August 20, 2014. In December 2014, Archie comics decided to bring back the Double Digest name and the 160 page Comics Digest was renamed to Comics Double Digest.
What are the six Digest titles currently being produced?
1)Archie Comics Double Digest
-First issue published January 1982, currently 257 issues released.
-First Double Digest title released.
-Oldest of the current six Digest titles.
2)Betty and Veronica Comics Double Digest
-First issue published June 1987, currently 229 issues released.
-2nd oldest of the current six Digest titles.
3)World of Archie Comics Double Digest
-First issue published October 2012, currently 46 issues released.
-3rd oldest of the current six Digest titles.
4)Betty and Veronica Friends Comics Double Digest
-First issue published January 2011 with issue 209 under the Double Digest name, currently with 34 issues released under its new name.
-This is the only Digest that continued its numbering from the 96 page Digest series Betty and Veronica which lasted 208 issues and ended October 2010.
-4th Oldest of the current six Digest titles.
5)Archie's Funhouse Comics Double Digest
-First issue published January 2014, with currently 11 issues released.
-2nd newest and 5th oldest of the current six Digest titles.
6)Jughead and Archie Comics Double Digest
-First issue published April 2014 with currently 9 issues released.
-This Digest was formerly named Jughead Double Digest which ended with issue 200 in February 2014.
-Newest and 6th oldest of the current six Digest titles
Have any Digests changed their name?
-One digest has had three different names: First there was Archie's Pals n' Gals Double Digest until 2009, then in 2010 it became Archie and Friends Double Digest and finally in 2014 it became Archie's Funhouse Double Digest with the first issue appearing January 2014.
-The Jughead Double Digest ended with issue 200 in 2014 and the title was renamed to Jughead and Archie with its first issue in April 2014.
How many times a year are the Digests released and what types of Digests are there?
-Previously there were only two types of Digests released: Double Digests and Double Double Digests.
-Digest types changed in 2014 and now come in 3 different types known as Comics Double Digest, Comics Annual and Jumbo Comics Digest which are released 11 times a year for five of the six titles with the exception of B&V Friends which is only released 6 times a year.
-Each title in 2014 usually has 2 Jumbo Comics, 1 Comics Annual and 8 Comics Double Digests released for the exception of B and V Friends which have less Digests released for it since it is the least popular of all the Digests.
The following 3 types of Digests are released as of May 2014:
1)Comics Double Digest
-The main type of digest released, about 7 times a year for each of the six titles, 160 pages, $4.99.
-In 2013 and into early 2014 and for about 32 years this Digest had been known as a Double Digest and now referred to as a Comics Digest starting in May 2014.
-The first Comics Digest released under this new title was Archie's Funhouse Comic Digest #5 on May 13, 2014.
-In December 2014 Archie changed the name from Comics Digest to Comics Double Digest starting with Jughead and Archie #8 Comics Double Digest.
2)Comics Annual
-Released about 1 time a year for each of the six titles, 192 pages, $5.99.
-The main difference from this one and the Comics Digest is an additonal 32 pages which consist of a vault section which features classic Archie comics from the 40's usually.
-This new type of Digest with 192 pages first appeared in March 2014.
-The first Comics Annual released was World of Archie Comics Annual #41 on March 25, 2014.
-Currently 4 Comics Annuals have been released. List of current and upcoming ones below.
3)Jumbo Comics
-Usually released about twice a year for each of the six titles, 288 pages, $6.99.
-This Digest was referred to as a Double Double Digest when it began in 2013 and into early 2014 and now known as Jumbo Comics Digests when it started in May 2014.
-This is the biggest of the Digests currently released.
-When the first Jumbo Comics Digest was released in May 2014 Jumbo Comics Digests were 320 pages but in August 2014 Archie reduced them to 288 pages.
-Just like the Comics Annual, this Digest also has a special 32 page vault section which all currently feature classic Archie comics from the 50's.
-The first Jumbo Comics released was Betty and Veronica #223 Jumbo Comics released on May 6, 2014.
-8 Double Double Digests were released before the name change to Jumbo Comics Digests.
-Currently 10 Jumbo Comics Digests have been released.
-Jughead with Archie Jumbo Comics Digest#5 released in August 2014 will be the last Jumbo Comics Digest with 320 pages.
-Betty and Veronica Friends Jumbo Comics Digest #240 also released in August 2014 will be the first Jumbo Comics Digest with 288 pages as Jumbo Comics Digests will see a decrease from 320 pages to 288 pages starting with this Digest.
1982-2014 - 32 years of History, the Double Digest timeline!
1982-The Era of the Double Digest begins with Archie Double Digest#1
January 1982-Archie Double Digest #1 is released-The first Double Digest title releases!
-Archie releases its first Double Digest title: Archie Double Digest #1 on January 1982.
-Some of the stories currently reprinted are from Man from Riverdale, Pat the Brat and others.
-Oldest of all the Digest titles with over 250 issues released currently.
-Double Digests were meant to be like combining two smaller Digests into one and were the biggest Digests that were available at the time and had the most pages.
-When this Double Digest first appeared it was 256 pages and cost $1.95.
-Archie would continue to use the title Double Digest for about 32 years until May 2014 when it stopped using the Double Digest title and rebranded the digests under 3 new Digest types.
-UPDATE: The Double Digest name would return in December 2014 as Archie has decided to rename the 160 page Comics Digest to Comics Double Digest and bring back the Double Digest title which was used for 32 years previously.
1987-1992 (2nd, 3rd and 4th Double Digest title is released!)
June 1987-Betty and Veronica Double Digest-2nd Double Digest title releases!
-Archie releases its second Double Digest title: Betty and Veronica Double Digest #1 on June 1987.
-This Digest currently reprints Little Archie, classic Sabrina and many other stories.
-When this Digest first appeared it was 256 pages and cost $2.25.
-2nd oldest of the Digest titles with currently 225 issues released.
October 1989-Jughead Double Digest-3rd Double Digest title releases!
-Archie releases its third Double Digest title: Jughead Double Digest #1 on October 1989.
-Some of the stories reprinted came from Jughead's Time Police, That Wilkin Boy, classic Jughead stories and others.
-This Double Digest would last for 200 issues and its last issue was in February 2014.
-This Double Digest would be renamed Jughead and Archie with its first issue in April 2014.
-When it was first released this Double Digest was 256 pages and cost $2.25.
-This is the 3rd oldest of the Digest titles with 200 issues produced.
November 1992-Archie's Pal n' Gals Double Digest-4th Double Digest title releases!
-Archie releases its 4th Double Digest title: Archie Pals n' Gals Double Digest #1 on November 1992.
-Some of the stories reprinted included Sabrina, Li'l Jinx and others.
-This Double Digest is the 4th oldest with 146 issues released and its last issue in November 2010.
-This Double Digest would be renamed as Archie and Friends Double Digest in 2010 and then Archie's Funhouse Double Digest in 2014.
-When this Digest first appeared it cost $2.50.
Late 2010-Double Digests are the most profitable!
Late 2010-Phasing out the smaller Digests, only Double Digests remain
-By the end of 2010 the four smaller 96 page Digests: Archie, Betty and Veronica, Jughead and Friends and Tales from Riverdale had been phased out.
-160 page Double Digests were the main type of Digest available across six different titles at the end of 2010.
-Archie was trying to streamline the comics they were producing to increase sales and Double Digests were more profitable than the smaller 96 page Digests.
2010-2011 (5th, 6th and 7th Double Digest title is released!)
October 2010-World of Archie Double Digest-5th Double Digest title releases!
-Archie releases it 5th Double Digest title: World of Archie Double Digest #1 on October 2010.
-This Digest reprints stories from various characters such as Josie, The Madhouse Glads, Cosmo, Archie's Madhouse, classic stories and others.
-This was the first new Double Digest title in 18 years since Archie Pals n' Gals Double Digest first appeared in November 1992.
-This was created as a continuation of Archie Digest which first released on August 1973 and which ended after 37 years with issue 267 on September 2010. The oldest of the smaller format Digests.
-When this Double Digest was first released it was 160 pages and cost $3.99.
-World of Archie Double Digest #1 was also unique in that it was a special holiday issue.
December 2010-Archie and Friends Double Digest-6th Double Digest title releases!
-Archie releases its 6th Double Digest title: Archie and Friends Double Digest #1 on December 2010.
-This Digest reprinted stories from Pureheart the powerful, The New Archie's and many others.
-Previously this Double Digest had been known as Archie Pals n' Gals Double Digest which ended November 2010.
-When released this Digest was 160 pages and cost $3.99.
January 2011-Betty and Veronica Friends Double Digest-7th Double Digest title releases!
-Archie releases its 7th Double Digest title: Betty and Veronica Friends #209 on January 2011.
-This Digest reprints stories from Josie, Li'l Jinx and others.
-This Double Digest was released at issue 209, since it was a continuation of the Betty and Veronica Digest which began November 1980 and ran for 208 issues and ended after 30 years on October 2010. This was the 2nd oldest of the smaller format Digests.
-This is the only Digest series that did not start its Double Digest run at #1 but as a continuation of a previous series.
-When released this Digest was 160 pages and cost $3.99.
2013-The era of the Double Double Digest begins!
March 2013-The first 320 page Double Double Digest appears!
-Up until now the biggest Digest that had been available for many years were the 160 page Double Digests.
-Starting on March 2013, a new type of Digest known as a Double Double Digest was released which consisted of 320 pages or like two Double Digests put together.
-Double Double Digests also included a special 32 page vault section of Archie comics from the 50's.
-This was the biggest Digest ever released as the previous biggest were the 256 page Double Digests of the 80's.
-The first Double Double Digest released was Archie Double Double Digest #214 on March 13, 2013.
November 2013-One Double Digest ends and is renamed
-Archie and Friends Double Digest ends with issue 33 before it is renamed to Archie's Funhouse Double Digest.
2014-The year of rebranding: Comics Digest, Comics Annual and Jumbo Comics Appear!
January 2014-Archie's Funhouse Double Digest-An 8th Digest title releases!
-Archie releases its 8th Double Digest title: Archie's Funhouse Double Digest #1 on January 22, 2014.
-This Digest reprints Little Archie and Friends stories and stories from various characters.
-Previously this Double Digest was named Archie and Friends which ended with issue #33 in December 2013.
February 2014-After 24 years Jughead Double Digest ends and is renamed
-After 24 years, the third oldest Double Digest ends with Jughead Double Double Digest #200 on February 18, 2014.
-This Digest title would be renamed to Jughead with Archie which began with issue 1 in April 2014.
March 2014-The first Comics Annual Released!
-The first Comics Annual released is World of Archie Comics Annual #41 on March 25, 2014.
-This is also the first Digest released under the 3 new rebranded Digest names.
-This was also the first time that covers would be shiny and glossy as all future Digests would be.
April 2014-The end of the Double Digest and Double Double Digest era and a 9th digest title!
-The last Double Double Digest released was Archie Double Double Digest #250 on April 8, 2014. From this point on Double Double Digests would be renamed to Jumbo Comics Digests with the first Jumbo Comics Digest, Betty and Veronica Jumbo Comics Digest #223 appearing on May 6, 2014.
-The last Double Digest released was Betty and Veronica Friends Double Digest #238 on April 29, 2014
-Archie releases its 9th and latest Double Digest title: Jughead and Archie Double Digest #1 on April 15, 2014, which was previously known as Jughead Double Digest which ended after 200 issues in February 2014. This Digest reprints That Wilkin Boy stories and others.
May 2014-New types of Digests appear, the first Comics Digest and Jumbo Comics Digest releases!
-Starting in May 2014 Digests would no longer carry the name Double Digest after using the name for the past 32 years or the name Double Double Digest which started in 2013 and instead the Digests would be rebranded as 3 new different Digest types, Comics Digest(160 pages), Comics Annual(192 pages) and Jumbo Comics Digest (320 pages).
-The first Comics Digest released was Archie's Funhouse Comics Digest #5 on May 13, 2014.
-The first Jumbo Comics released was Betty and Veronica Jumbo Comics #223 on May 6, 2014.
July 2014-Increase in Digest prices
-Each of the 3 types of Digest would be raised in price by $1
-Comics Digests went from $3.99 to $4.99
-Comics Annual went from $4.99 to $5.99
-Jumbo Comics Digests went from $5.99 to $6.99
August 2014-The end of the 320 page Digest era, Jumbo Comics Digests loose 32 pages
-Jughead and Archie Jumbo Comics #5 will be the last Jumbo Comics released with 320 pages.
(This Jumbo Comic Digest brings the end of the 320 page era, with 8 Double Double Digests released and only 4 Jumbo Comics Digests released having 320 pages.)
-Betty and Veronica Friends Jumbo Comics Digest #240 released on August 20, 2014 will be the first 288 page Jumbo Comics Digests. From this Jumbo Comics Digests forward, all Jumbo Comics Digests will be reduced from 320 pages to 288 pages.
UPDATE: December 2014-Archie comics brings back the Double Digest name after having retired it in May 2014
-Starting with Jughead and Archie #8 the 160 page Comics Digests will now be called Comics Double Digests. Due to decreasing sales attributed to the name rebranding from Double Digests to Comics Digests in May 2014, Archie has decided to bring back the Double Digest name which had been used for 32 years but was removed when the Digests were rebranded in May 2014. There should be no name change to the 288 page Jumbo Comics Digests or 192 page Comics Annuals but this name change should only be with the regular 160 page Digests.
(To read about the smaller 96 page Digests that started in the 1970's please check the following forum topic at: archiecomicsfans.freeforums.net/thread/77/digest-history-2)
End of Digest History Timeline