Archie Comics Announces Comic-Con Panels And Exclusives

Following today's revelation that Archie Andrews will die while protecting his friend, Kevin Keller, in the pages of Life with Archie #36, Archie Comics has announced its plans and exclusive items for this year's San Diego Comic-Con.

Publisher/Co-CEO John Goldwater says fans can expect Archie's death to be much talked about at Comic-Con, as it's a symbol of the publisher's rebirth over the past five years.

"The Death of Archie is the biggest story in Archie Comics history – and a major milestone for comics, period," said Goldwater. "It's the one thing everyone wants to talk about – with good reason. LIFE WITH ARCHIE presents a possible future for the character, and this issue is a fitting end to that story. Archie dies as he lived – a hero, representing the best in all of us. The fact that he's saving Kevin, the most important new character in Archie lore since Archie, Betty & Veronica, Jughead and Reggie – is a metaphor for the rebirth this company has experienced over the last five years. This is truly a new Archie Comics: unafraid, daring, progressive and on the cusp of greatness."

There's a lot going on at Archie Comics beyond the death of their namesake, including the continued success of Afterlife with Archie, the upcoming relaunch of their superhero line as Dark Circle Comics, and Robert Aguirre-Scasa and Robert Hack's upcoming Sabrina series, starring Sabrina the Teenaged Witch.

Here's Archie Comics' complete list of exclusives and schedule of events for SDCC 2014:

Friday, 7/25/14
1:00p.m. - 2:00p.m.
Archie Forever: Life, Afterlife and Beyond
Archie is everywhere! This is the one panel you cannot miss! Learn about the story that shocked the world – the Death of Archie, find out more about the hit horror series AFTERLIFE WITH ARCHIE and get exclusive news on upcoming classic Archie storylines, the new SABRINA ongoing series and a first look at what's to come from Archie's superhero imprint. The panel will feature an all-star cast of guests, including Jon Goldwater (Publisher/Co-CEO), Victor Gorelick (Co-President/Editor-in-Chief), Mike Pellerito (President), Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa (Chief Creative Officer/writer of Afterlife with Archie), Francesco Francavilla (artist of Afterlife with Archie), Dan Parent (writer/artist Kevin Keller), Michael Uslan (writer "Farewell, Betty & Veronica"), and moderator Alex Segura (SVP – Publicity and Marketing/Editor of Red Circle Comics). Plus, an exclusive gift bag ticket worth over $100! 
Room 4
 
Sunday, 7/27/14
1:00p.m. – 2:00p.m.
Archie Action Hour: Sonic the Hedgehog and Mega Man 
Get ready for action in San Diego! Paul Kaminski (Archie Comics Executive Director of Editorial) is joined by Mike Pellerito (Archie Comics President) and artists Jon Gray (Sonic the Hedgehog) and Evan Stanley (Sonic the Hedgehog) to bring you an hour jam-packed with action and adventure as you go behind the scenes and get the latest news on all things Sonic and Mega Man. Attendees will power-up with a free ticket for a gift bag chock full of Archie Action Awesomeness! Be there! 
Room 32AB
 
Archie Comics Creator Signing Schedule:
 
Booth #2842
 
Friday, Saturday & Sunday:
12:00p.m. – 1:00p.m.: Classic Archie signing (Dan Parent)
2:00p.m. – 3:00p.m.: Archie Action signing: Sonic/Mega Man (Evan Stanley, Jon Gray)
  
Friday:
11:00a.m. – 12:00p.m.: AFTERLIFE WITH ARCHIE signing (Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa and Francesco Francavilla)
12:00p.m. – 1:00p.m.: ARCHIE MEETS KISS signing (Dan Parent and Alex Segura)
 
Saturday:
3:00p.m. – 4:00p.m.: AFTERLIFE WITH ARCHIE signing (Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa and Francesco Francavilla)
 
MEGA MAN signings at the Capcom booth (#215) with MEGA MAN Editor Paul Kaminski and artist Evan Stanley:
 
Thursday: 4:00p.m. – 5:00p.m.
Friday: 4:00p.m. – 5:00p.m.
Saturday: 4:00p.m. – 5:00p.m.
Sunday: 11:00a.m. – 12:00p.m.
 
Archie Comics Comic-Con International: San Diego Convention Exclusives:
 
You can purchase the below at Booth #2842 while supplies last.
 
AFTERLIFE WITH ARCHIE/SABRINA Convention Exclusive Promo book
Get everything you need to know about Archie Comics's two hit horror series, AFTERLIFE WITH ARCHIE and SABRINA with this Comic-Con International: San Diego Exclusive comic featuring sneak peeks at this month's AFTERLIFE WITH ARCHIE #6 and October's SABRINA #1 plus a reprint of the comic that started it all: AFTERLIFE WITH ARCHIE #1. A must-read for all attendees and the perfect book to get signed by the AFTERLIFE creative team! Featuring an all-new cover by Francavilla!
Featuring the work of Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa, Francesco Francavilla and Robert Hack
Price: $5.00
 
THE DEATH OF ARCHIE Convention Exclusive
The story everyone is talking about arrives at Comic-Con International: San Diego with another can't-miss convention exclusive comic! Experience the death of an icon. The unthinkable happens in Riverdale, as everyone's favorite redhead makes the ultimate sacrifice to save a friend – living out his final moments as a shining example of heroism. Join Betty & Veronica, Jughead, Reggie, Kevin Keller and the rest of the Archie gang to experience the story that's captured the world's attention: the final moments of Archie Andrews – and the celebration of his life that follows. Writer Paul Kupperberg and artists Fernando Ruiz and Pat & Tim Kennedy join forces to craft a tale of heroism, love, friendship and tragedy that will stand as one of the most shocking and remarkable comic book stories in history. Experience the end and celebrate all that's come before with The Death of Archie: A Life Celebrated, a deluxe presentation of one of the most acclaimed and talked-about stories in the history of Archie Comics.
Featuring the work of Paul Kupperberg, Fernando Ruiz, Pat & Tim Kennedy, Jim Amash, Bob Smith, Jack Morelli, Glenn Whitmore
96-page, full color magazine
Price: $10.00
 
MEGA MAN #37 "Dawn of X" Convention Exclusive 
The next big video game event from Archie Comics has at last arrived! It's a brand new adventure so Mega-epic that it would be impossible to contain it in just one time period! Featuring heroes and villains from both hit Capcom franchises, plus the surprise return of a character that will affect the very course of time and space as we know it! Get in on the ground floor of this century-spanning special event that features a variant cover from talented newcomer Rafa Knight.
Featuring the work of Ian Flynn, Jamal Peppers, Gary Martin, John Workman, Matt Herms, Patrick "SPAZ" Spaziante and Rafa Knight
32-page, full color comic
Price: $10.00
 
ARCHIE #657 Summer Convention Exclusive
Kick off the summer convention season in classic Archie style with this new and indispensable Archie beach tale featuring Archie, Betty & Veronica, Cheryl, Jughead and Kevin Keller! A perfect convention gift for kids and long-time fans alike.
Featuring the work of: Tom DeFalco, Pat and Tim Kennedy, Dan Parent, Jack Morelli, Bob Smith, Rosario "Tito" Peña
32-page, full color comic
Price: $10.00