The Archie Comics (2-4points)

 1. Who do you think buys and reads Archie?  Why do you think they buy and read it?

Archie's main audience is probably kids, ranging from elementary school up until preteen or high school. From my own experience with Archie comics, I think it's a combination of many factors. For one, they're the most accessible comic for any kid (as they are available everywhere). Another is probably because the premise itself is appealing to a lot of preteens, as a lot of media involving high school is appealing. Especially when it comes to Archie, with love triangles and funny situations

2. What in Archie repeats?  What characters, situations, ideas, props, themes or other factors repeat through the various decades of Archie?  What ideas or emotions do you think get attached to these repeating aspects of the storytelling?  What is important in Archie?

Archie repeats situations (such as the love triangle shenanigans) as well as various high school situations that they get up to throughout several decades. Pretty much every single high school scenario has been repeated in Archie in some way. I think the main emotion that gets attached to Archie comics is nostalgia and fun. There's something about Archie comics that is very familiar to people, probably because of the nature of the characters. Even if a person hasn't been in an American town/high school can relate to some of the characters in Archie

3. What isn't in Archie?  Are all aspects of teenage life in Archie?  Does the World of Archie reflect or mirror the world you know?  An essential component of observing is noticing what is and what isn't there and considering the implications.

One of the main topics that isn't in Archie is anything political or anything regarding the real world in a serious manner. Obviously, this is also a big aspect of teen life nowadays as a part of being a teenager is developing your viewpoint on the world. Another aspect of teen life that isn't in Archie is teen hardship. A lot of Archie is pretty positive, with not a whole lot of 'teen angst' or typical issues that teenagers face growing up. I think Archie reflects the positives of teenhood, but not necessarily the entirety of it.

4. In a summary sort of way, what in the end do you think Archie is about?  What is its meaning in context?  Why do you think it is it cullturally significant?           Notice that none of these questions involve whether you like Archie or not.  Rather these questions go to what you observe and surmise; what you make of what you see.

I think Archie is about the experience of growing up as a teenager in America. Not really the entirety of it, but definitely the positives. It represents the All-American teens, and this is what makes it culturally significant. The fact that many people look to Archie as the All American comic is what makes it culturally significant, along with the large reach in audience.