Archie Comics #16
☆ Be the first to review + Add to your collection — Join freeArchie Comics #16 (1945) holds a notable place in the history of the Archie line because it contains the story that the Grand Comics Database, in its index of the reprint collection The Best of Archie Comics #4, identifies as the first appearance of both Reggie Mantle and Mr. Weatherbee within the flagship Archie Comics title. Reggie — the vain, scheming rival who would go on to anchor his own spin-off series and become one of the four pillars of the Riverdale cast — is already established here as wealthy and antagonistic toward Archie, laying the template that writers would develop for the next eight decades. The issue therefore marks the moment the core Riverdale ensemble, including its principal authority figure and its chief antagonist, first assembled in the title that would eventually give the publisher its name.
In "Double Trouble," Archie’s attempt to earn a varsity letter through swimming leads to a mix-up when Betty and Veronica misread his intentions—thinking he’s joining baseball instead. Hoping to prove he’s not a "sissy," Archie swaps places with Jughead, who ends up taking his spot in the pool. With Jughead excelling in the water and Archie facing the pressure of baseball, the situation quickly spirals into unexpected chaos. The story, illustrated by Bill Vigoda in both art and inks, captures the classic teenage misadventures of Riverdale with its signature humor and heart.
In "Double Trouble," Archie’s attempt to earn a varsity letter through swimming leads to a mix-up when Betty and Veronica misread his intentions—thinking he’s joining baseball. Swapping places with Jughead, Archie steps into the diamond while Jughead dives into the pool, unaware that Jughead’s natural talent might just outshine even Archie’s best efforts.
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We Buy Collections ▸History
By 1945 the Archie Comics title was roughly three years into its run, having launched in winter 1942 off the success of Archie Andrews's appearances in Pep Comics and Jackpot Comics. Bob Montana, who co-created the Archie character alongside writer Vic Bloom and publisher John L. Goldwater, was the primary artistic and narrative force shaping the look and feel of the early series, and his hand is consistent with the humor-strip storytelling style of this era. The issue was published during the final months of World War II, a period when Archie Comics was rapidly building out its supporting cast and consolidating the Riverdale setting that would define American teen comics for generations.
Trivia · 8 facts
- Contains the story identified by the Grand Comics Database (via its index of The Best of Archie Comics #4) as the first appearance of Reggie Mantle and Mr. Weatherbee within the Archie Comics title specifically.
- The featured story involves Archie being initiated into the Philomathian club, injuring Mr. Weatherbee in the process, being banned from a class boat ride, and then having to evade Weatherbee when the principal unexpectedly attends.
- Reggie Mantle is depicted as wealthy in his debut story within this title — a characterization consistent with Archie's in-universe description of him as 'that snooty Reggie Mantle.'
- Reggie Mantle was co-created by writer-artist Bob Montana and publisher John L. Goldwater; his universe-wide first appearance is Jackpot Comics #5 (Spring 1942).
- Mr. Weatherbee's unambiguous, named universe-wide debut is also Jackpot Comics #5 (Spring 1942), where he is named and has his signature heavyset appearance.
- Published in 1945, the issue falls within the early Golden Age run of the Archie Comics series, which had launched in winter 1942 and would eventually run to issue #666 (2015) under its original volume.
- The core story from this issue was later selected for reprinting in The Best of Archie Comics #4 (Archie, 2011 series), confirming its recognized status as a historically significant installment in the run.
- Reggie Mantle went on to headline his own spin-off series, Archie's Rival Reggie (1949–1954), which was later revived and retitled Reggie and Me, underscoring the long-term importance of his introduction into the main title's cast.
Cast · 9 characters
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Reprints
Reprinted in The Best of Archie Comics #3 (2013), Archie 1000 Page Comics Celebration #[nn] (2014), Jughead and Archie Double Digest #6 (2014), Archie Spotlight Digest: Archie 75th Anniversary Digest #8 (2017), Archie Archives #5
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