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In “Life with Archie” #36, which will hit the stores on July 16, Archie will die as a hero as he tries to save a friend.
Although Archie will die in that comic book series, which is set in the future where he is married, his younger self will continue to live on, said Paul Salerno owner of Stamford-based comic store, A Timeless Journey.
“There are two different Archie worlds, so to speak. There's the child’s "Archie’s World," he’s in school. And then there’s the "Life With Archie" and he’s grown up, he’s married and he has kids and that’s where this story will take place,” Salerno said.
Archie’s appeal has transcended generations because of its focus on friendship, he said.
“They can see themselves in the characters, going to high school and trying to fit in, trying to find friends,” he said. “It is the feeling of acceptance and belonging, No matter who you are you are always going to have friends.”
Salerno said he wasn’t an Archie fan growing up -- he was more interested in Superheroes. However, he say there continues to be a steady demand for Archie comics, both in his younger and older self.
“I sell Archie pretty well, although I sell more of the 'Life With Archie,'” said Salerno who will celebrate his 25th year in business in October.
Comic book fan Fred Coppola was browsing in the 8th Street comic store store but wasn’t looking for any Archie comics.
“To me I always thought of Archie as girls. Girls always read Archie, not guys. It was always the girls reading Archie,” he said with a laugh.
He was more attracted to comics that that featured superheroes.
“For me it was superheroes, hey superpowers,” he said with a laugh. “Archie had no superpowers -- he was just your common guy.”
Although he wasn’t a fan of Archie, he said he did buy one of the adult-themed "Life With Archie" comic books.
“I've got to admit when he got married I did buy that comic because you didn’t expect it. I thought it was great,” Coppola said. “Probably when Archie dies, I will buy that because it will be a special comic."
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