Since 1941, Archie Andrews and his pals from Riverdale have been one of the comics industry's leading nonsuperhero comic books. With their wholesome plots revolving around the adventures and romantic entanglements of a group of all-American teens, Archie Comics have delighted generations of young readers. Archie debuted as the American public was becoming increasingly aware of the emerging teenage subculture. The strip helped to shape the popular imagination's image of the ideal American teen.

Archie Andrews was created by John Goldwater (1915–1999) of MLJ Comics. Goldwater was inspired by the success of Andy Hardy (see entry under 1930s—Film and Theater in volume 2), a teen character who appeared on radio (see entry under 1920s—TV and Radio in volume 2) and later in a very popular movie series. Goldwater wanted to feature a "normal" comics character who would stand in contrast to the many superheroes who had come to...