Spoilers for Life With Archie by Archie ComicsIn one of the darkest moments in Archie Comics history, Archie Andrews was murdered while saving one of his friends. In Life With Archie #36, a gun was pulled out in an attempt to kill Kevin Keller. However, Archie ended up sacrificing himself to save his friend, stepping in the way of the bullet, and dying a hero's death in a scene that had lasting effects on Riverdale.
Life With Archie from Archie Comics (2010) told the story of two parallel worlds, which showed futures where Archie Andrews married Veronica Lodge and Betty Cooper, and what his life had become after finally choosing between them. However, despite the differences in each reality, there were a few constants, including Kevin Keller's run for Senate on an anti-gun platform. However, in the future, both worlds feature a tragic end for Archie, as, during a fundraiser for Keller's campaign, one of the darkest moments in Archie Comics history occurs, as he's shot and killed protecting his friend.
In Life With Archie #26 by Paul Kupperberg, Pat & Tim Kennedy, Jim Amash, Jack Morelli, and Glenn Whitmore from Archie Comics, the tragic death of Archie Andrews is told. In the future, where Archie has kids and who he chose between Betty and Veronica is kept intentionally hidden, Andrews ends up joining his former Riverdale friends at Jughead's Chocklit Shoppe, for a private fundraiser for Kevin Keller, whose running for Senate. However, during the event, a gunman opens fire at Keller, as Archie jumps in his way and gets struck by a bullet protecting his friend. The comic ends with Archie bleeding out as his friends surround him.
Archie's Death Has A Lasting Impact on Riverdale
Life With Archie would conclude with the next issue, which revealed the series' darkest moment would lead to Archie being remembered as the hero that he was. Riverdale High is renamed Archie Andrews High School, while his friends Betty, Veronica, Reggie, Kevin, and Jughead gather together to remember him. It's a bleak, yet heartfelt ending to the comic.
Archie Andrew's tragic death remains one of the darkest moments in Archie Comics' history and one of the boldest stories the publisher has ever told. Ending Life With Archie with the main character's death made for a shocking end to the series, as killing off Andrews was a move that nobody could have predicted when the comic book started. He seemed destined for a happy ending alongside Veronica or Betty but ended up getting neither. Still, if Archie had to die, seeing him go out a hero made for a fitting, yet extremely dark ending for the fan-favorite character in the Archie Comics' story.