Countdown to Valentine's Day 2026 Day 1: Archie's Valentine's Spectacular #1

I'm kicking off this year's Countdown to Valentine's Day with Archie's Valentine's Spectacular #1 that Archie Comics released on January 21, 2026. The cover features Archie and Sabrina hugging at the top with Dalton and Reggie watching Sabrina, Betty, Veronica and Josie singing on stage as the Spirit Slayers. There is also an alternate cover with Betty and Veronica kissing Archie's cheeks.

Here is the official summary:

"The OFFICIAL COMIC BOOK OF VALENTINE’S DAY returns with a BRAND NEW STORY! A-POP is a vibrant world fueled by music and love—and when Sabrina, Betty, Veronica, and Josie form a band (managed by Archie!) to spread joy and compassion, they catch the eye of a dark spirit that’s threatened by their positivity. Can they rise above his dark influence? Find out in this fun KPOP DEMON HUNTERS-style story, along with even more romance-filled tales than ever!"

Cover of Archie's Valentine's Spectacular #1 from Archie Comics

Countdown to Christmas 2025 Day 19: Archie Comics Digest #3 Cover

Archie Comics Digest #3 was released by Archie Comics this week and it's the winter special. The cover features Archie, Betty and Veronica skiing. Not only are there Christmas stories but there is also one for Valentine's Day. Here is the official summary:

"Our brand-new digest line continues to heat things up… even in the winter, including a BRAND-NEW STORY! Archie’s ski lodge speed dating event isn’t going the way he planned—could Sabrina magically whip up the rizz he needs to find a cold-weather companion? Plus, get ready for snowball fights, cozy romance stories, and the puzzles, fashion pages, and pin-ups you know and love, all loaded with winter fun!"

Cover of Archie Comics Digest #3 from Archie Comics

Countdown to Halloween 2025 Day 2: Archie's Halloween Spectacular #1

Archie Comics continues to celebrate 80 years and the spooky season with Archie's Halloween Spectacular #1. This one-shot comes out today and the cover by Dan Parent features Archie as a vampire, Jughead as a mummy, Veronica as a witch, Betty as a prom queen and Medusa Doom (she doesn't appear in any of the stories inside this issue). There is an alternate cover featuring Archie along with Frankenstein's Monster, Dracula and the Mummy. The original story is "Trick or Treat" featuring the South Side Serpents (Toni, Weasel, Termite, Fangs and Daisy). Other stories include "One Prank Too Far" with the Archie gang and Sabrina the Teenage Witch, Betty and Veronica in "That's the Spirit!", "Ruff Halloween", "It Ghost to Show You", "The Ghostest with the Mostest".  Here is the official summary:

"Archie’s Halloween Spectacular #1 (2025) : This ain’t no trick, we’re TREATing you with a Halloween spectacular that’s BIGGER than ever! Now packed with over 40 PAGES of content, including a BRAND NEW STORY! The South Side Serpents are trying to recruit new members — and what better time to start their initiation than Halloween? This story is filled to the brim with tricks! Featuring fan-favorite characters and returning new faces like MEDUSA DOOM!"

Cover of Archie's Halloween Spectacular #1 from Archie Comics

Cover Gallery for Archie's Halloween Spectacular #1 from Archie Comics

Sabrina the Teenage Witch: Magic Unleashed #1

I've been down with the flu for the past week so it was nice to see Archie Comics releasing Sabrina the Teenage Witch: Magic Unleased #1 today. Here's the official summary:

"Now packed with 30 PAGES of story content, including a BRAND-NEW STORY! Sabrina’s greatest foe, the evil witch Mother Striga, is back and this time she’s enlisted the aid of the wicked scientist Mad Doc Doom and his daughter Medusa! Will the powers of science be too much for Sabrina’s magic, and who can she turn to for help? Plus, a SPECIAL COLLECTOR’S EDITION VARIANT COVER featuring the art from the very first appearance of Sabrina in comics!"

Cover of Sabrina the Teenage Witch: Magic Unleashed #1 from Archie Comics

Countdown to Halloween 2023 Day 7: Sabrina Annual Spectacular #1 Cover

Archie Comics released Sabrina Annual Spectacular #1 last month. The first story, which is all new, is "Power of Three", which features the Wicked Trinity: Amber Nightstone (she made her debut in last year's Sabrina Anniversary Spectacular #1), Jade and Sapphire. The second story is the first appearance of Sabrina from Archie's Mad House #22 (October, 1962). The third story is "Spook Out", which originally appeared in Sabrina the Teenage Witch #5 (April, 1972). The fourth story is "Court Jester" from Sabrina the Teenage Witch #2 (July, 1971). Young Salem is featured in the fifth story titled "Scaredy Cat".

Cover of Sabrina Annual Spectacular #1 from Archie Comics

Countdown to Halloween 2020 Day 23: Madam Satan #1

I'll admit that I have yet to read all of Chilling Adventures of Sabrina or watched any episodes of the Netflix's series with the same name. However, I had to read Madam Satan #1 and I'm so glad that I did. This is a very good one-shot issue from Archie Horror and I highly recommend picking it up while you can. Madame Satan #1 was released on October 21, 2020 so you might still find a copy at your local comic book shop.

For those who don't know, Madam Satan actually made her first appearance on the cover of Pep Comics #15 (May 1941) published by MLJ Comics, which eventually became Archie Comics. She didn't actually appear inside until #16 and her series lasted until #21. A certain teenager named Archie Andrews replaced her in Pep Comics #22. A second version of her with the name Madame Satan appeared in The Fox #1 (October 2013) from Dark Circle Comics (formerly Red Circle Comics). She returned a year later with the original spelling of her name in the last pages Chilling Adventures of Sabrina #1 (October 2014). Michelle Gomez portrays her on the Netflix series.

There are actually two different covers. The regular cover is by Julius Onta while the variant cover is by Robert Hack (I'm partial to Onta's cover):

There is Madam Satan pinup by Francesco Francavilla:

Even the back cover of Madam Satan #1 will make you shiver:

In case your wondering, 2020 marks the fifth anniversary of Archie Horror.

Goodnight Carmine Carmine Infantino And George Gladir

Today we morn the passing of two comic greats: The Flash and Batgirl Co-Creator Carmine Infantino Passes Away At 87 and George Gladir, Co-Creator Of Sabrina the Teenage Witch, 1925 - 2013. Both made great contributions to the world of comic books.