Life With Archie #172
Published and © by Archie, August 1976
Title: “The Birth of a Nation”
Synopsis: While viewing the Declaration of Independence at the National Archives, Archie soon finds himself time-hopping through the American Revolution.
Writer: Uncredited
Artist: Stan Goldberg
Review: Full confession: This reviewer wasn’t expecting to be moved by this comic. A Bicentennial exception to Bronze Age Minute’s usual genre focus, this Archie outing takes its exploration of the nation’s founding seriously. Instead of an expected gag-a-minute approach, America’s quintessential fictional teenager narrates this adventure through history with reverent first-person narration. The character’s cultural position as an Americana icon also helps infuse the story with a surprising emotional heft. Archie Andrews proves a patriot, a concept that’s treated here as an inspirational ideal. That’s a notion readers can still learn from 50 years later.
Grade: A-
Cool factor: It feels right seeing the Founding Fathers illustrated in the Archie house style.
Not-so-cool factor: It’s sad that Archie’s love of country could be divisive today.
Notable: Also includes a Li’l Jinx one-pager titled “The Bicentennial Spell” and a “Bicentennial Name Game” puzzle page.
Character quotable: “The dedicated ones! The real patriots! They stay – and they’re the ones with the count!” – Archie Andrews, a modern patriot at Valley Forge
Editor’s note: This review was written May 9, 2026.
