Maria Rodriguez

Maria Rodriguez is a Riverdale teenager introduced in 1978 who became a recurring supporting character in Archie Comics, moving naturally among the social circles of Betty, Veronica, Archie, and their friends.

Born from the pen of the legendary Dan DeCarlo in 1978's Archie Giant Series Magazine #474, Maria Rodriguez arrived in Riverdale during the Bronze Age and never really left — her presence stretching across an impressive 44 years of Archie Comics history. She's a familiar face in the world of Betty, Veronica, Archie, Jughead, and Reggie, turning up across beloved digest titles like Veronica and Archie's Pals 'n' Gals Double Digest Magazine — the kind of company that puts her right at the warm, colorful heart of Riverdale's social scene. For collectors who love the deeper bench of Archie's universe, Maria is a rewarding discovery: a character with genuine longevity, created by one of the most celebrated artists in the publisher's storied history, and proof that Riverdale has always been a richer, more welcoming town than any single headline character could contain.