Archie Freshman Year #1 kicks off a fresh chapter in Riverdale with "The Summer Before: Freshman Year Part 1 of 5," setting the tone for a new school year full of familiar chaos. Written by Batton Lash and illustrated by Bill Galvan, with inks by Bob Smith and colors by Glenn Whitmore, the issue introduces new faculty—including a mysterious spy sent by Superintendent Haverhill—while keeping Archie’s usual mix of romantic daydreams, Moose’s awkward crush on Midge, and the school’s production of Cyrano de Bergerac at the heart of the story. The cover by Bill Galvan and Bob Smith captures the spirit of the season’s arrival.
Contains 5 stories
The Summer Before: Freshman Year Part 1 of 5
22 pp · Teen
Mr. Andrews [Fred Andrews]Mrs. Andrews [Mary Andrews]Archie Andrews [Pureheart the PowerfulA.R.C.H.I.E. (see notes)]Betty CooperReggie MantleJughead JonesVeronica LodgeDr. Nose (image only)Mrs. Mantle (cameo)Mrs. Lodge [Hermione Lodge]Mrs. Cooper [Alice Cooper]Mr. Jones [Forsythe P. Jones II]Mr. Mantle [Ricky Mantle]Mr. Lodge [Hiram Lodge]Mrs. Jones [Gladys Jones]Mr. Cooper [Hal Cooper] (cameo)Mr. Weatherbee [Waldo Weatherbee]Mr. Svenson
Freshman Year Part 2 of 5
23 pp · Teen
Archie AndrewsMr. Weatherbee [Waldo Weatherbee]Ms. Phlips (cameo)Betty CooperVeronica LodgeJared McGerk (first appearance)Mr. Andrews [Fred Andrews]Ms. Grundy (Geraldine Grundy)Reggie MantleProf. Flutesnoot [Elmer Benjamin Flutesnoot] (cameo)Ms. Haggly [Martha Haggly] (cameo)Coach Kleats (cameo)Pencilneck G (first appearance)Pop Tate (cameo)Mrs. Andrews [Mary Andrews]Mrs. Jones [Gladys Jones]Jughead JonesMr. Jones [Forsythe P. Jones II]Ms. Pacer [Patti Pacer]Samir [full name unknown] (possible first appearance)Moose MasonMidge Klump (image only)Nancy WoodsSuperintendent Haverhill (first appearance)Frankie Valdez (cameo)Mr. Lodge [Hiram Lodge] (cameo)Mr. Cooper [Hal Cooper] (cameo)Mrs. Cooper [Alice Cooper] (cameo)
In "Freshman Year Part 2 of 5," Archie navigates the chaos of his first year at Riverdale High, juggling new friendships, a growing clash with Principal Weatherbee, and the escalating tension with a group of bullies led by Jared McGerk. As the school’s atmosphere shifts, an unexpected rivalry begins to form between Weatherbee and the new Superintendent Haverhill, setting the stage for more trouble ahead.
Freshman Year Part 3 of 5
23 pp · Teen
Jared McGerkArchie AndrewsJughead JonesVeronica LodgeMr. Weatherbee [Waldo Weatherbee]Ms. Grundy [Geraldine Grundy]Prof. Flutesnoot [Elmer Benjamin Flutesnoot]Mr. Nee [Bill Nee] (first appearance)Ms. Flores [Jackie Flores] (first appearance)Mr. Burrows [Sam Burrows] (first appearance)Coach Kleats (cameo)Ms. Haggly [Martha Haggly] (cameo)Greger [full name unknown] (first appearance)Mr. SvensonHubert Smithers [the Lodges' butler]Mr. Lodge [Hiram Lodge]Nancy WoodsMidge KlumpKim [full name unknown] (possible first appearancecameo)Reggie MantleBetty CooperMoose MasonMs. Lovett [Samantha Lovett] (possible first appearance)Mr. Andrews [Fred Andrews] (cameo)Mrs. Andrews [Mary Andrews] (cameo)Superintendent Haverhill (cameo)
In the spring term of their freshman year, Archie and his friends navigate another whirlwind of high school life at Riverdale High, where new staff bring unexpected changes—and one may be watching closely. With Archie caught between daydreams of Betty and Veronica, tangled in Moose’s romantic misadventures, and the drama club preparing to stage *Cyrano de Bergerac*, the usual chaos takes on a new twist.
Freshman Year Part 4 of 5
23 pp · Teen
Ms. Haggly [Martha Haggly] (see notes)Ms. Grundy [Geraldine Grundy]Prof. Flutesnoot [Elmer Benjamin Flutesnoot]Mr. Burrows [Sam Burrows] (cameo)Mr. Andrews [Fred Andrews]Mrs. Andrews [Mary Andrews]Shrevy [the Lodges' chauffeur]Mr. Lodge [Hiram Lodge]Mrs. Jones [Gladys Jones]Archie AndrewsVeronica LodgePencilneck GZane Zappen (first appearance)Betty CooperMr. Cooper [Hal Cooper] (cameo)Mrs. Cooper [Alice Cooper]Ms. Flores [Jackie Flores]Mr. Weatherbee [Waldo Weatherbee]Jughead JonesMr. Nee [Bill Nee]Connie [full name unknown] (first appearance)Penelope [full name unknown] (first appearance)Reggie MantleEthel Muggs (cameo)Chuck ClaytonNancy Woods (cameo)Midge Klump (cameo)Moose MasonMs. Kandinsky (possible first appearancecameo)Greger (cameo)
In "Freshman Year Part 4 of 5," Archie’s quiet study night unravels when a steady stream of friends and classmates show up unannounced, turning his living room into a whirlwind of teenage chaos. As his parents face the teacher’s concerns, Archie navigates unexpected encounters—Chuck arrives with a surprise, Moose makes a move on Midge, and Ethel finds herself unexpectedly left out when Jughead chooses another plan.
Freshman Year Part 5 of 5: Endterm (or -- See You in September)
23 pp · Teen
Archie AndrewsPencilneck GMr. Weatherbee [Waldo Weatherbee]Ms. Grundy [Geraldine Grundy]Ms. Flores [Jackie Flores]GregerMr. SvensonEthel MuggsVeronica LodgeBetty CooperNancy WoodsChuck ClaytonDilton DoileyJughead JonesReggie MantleMs. PhlipsSuperintendent HaverhillMs. Ng (possible first appearance)Frankie Valdez (cameo)Kim (cameo)Midge Klump (cameo)Samir (cameo)Pop TateJared McGerkMr. Nee [Bill Nee] (image only)Prof. Flutesnoot [Elmer Benjamin Flutesnoot] (image only)Police Lt. Bloom (possible first appearance)Mr. Mantle [Ricky Mantle] (cameo)Mr. Cooper [Hal Cooper] (cameo)Mrs. Cooper [Alice Cooper]Mr. Andrews [Fred Andrews] (cameo)Mrs. Andrews [Mary Andrews] (cameo)Ms. Haggly [Martha Haggly] (cameo)Lee McGerk (first appearance)
In the final chapter of Archie’s freshman year, the school year winds down with Mr. Weatherbee caught between his job and his worry for Archie, as a biker gang’s sudden interest in the teen throws things into chaos. As secrets unravel and long-held alliances shift, the group finds new footing at Pop Tate’s, stepping into sophomore year with unexpected bonds and lingering questions.
