Publishers / Archie / Archie (1959) / #309
309October 1981
$0.50

Archie #309

Archie · October 1981 · on sale 1981-08-04

First appearance: Papa SmurfFirst appearance: Brainy SmurfFirst appearance: Lazy Smurf
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How to read this file
  • Every claim on this page traces to a public bibliographic record; the sources are listed at the bottom of the file.
  • A first-appearance badge means this is the earliest non-flashback appearance on record in this database.
  • Buy links are eBay affiliate links. They never change what the record says.

Identification plate

Series
Archie (Archie, 1959 series)
Issue
#309
Publication date
October 1981
Key date
1981-10-00
On-sale date
1981-08-04
Indicia publisher
Archie Comic Publications Inc.
Price
$0.50
Pages
36
Barcode
0271000696510
Rating
Approved by the Comics Code Authority

Match the book in your hand against this plate before paying an edition-specific price.

Why this issue matters

First appearance of Papa Smurf - the earliest non-flashback appearance on record for this character.

First appearance of Brainy Smurf - the earliest non-flashback appearance on record for this character.

First appearance of Lazy Smurf - the earliest non-flashback appearance on record for this character.

First appearance of Smurfette - the earliest non-flashback appearance on record for this character.

First appearance of Gargamel - the earliest non-flashback appearance on record for this character.

First appearance of Azrael - the earliest non-flashback appearance on record for this character.

The evidence

Claims here come from the story records for this issue, listed under Sources at the bottom of the file. Character hubs with full evidence tables are coming to this site.

Contents

SeqStoryTypePagesCreditsCharacters
0-cover1pencils: Dan DeCarlo; inks: Dan DeCarloArchie Andrews, Veronica Lodge, Reggie Mantle
2An Eye for Fashion?comic story6script: F. Doyle; pencils: Dan DeCarlo Jr.; inks: Jim DeCarlo; colors: Barry G.; letters: Bill YoshidaArchie Andrews, Betty Cooper, Jughead Jones, Veronica Lodge
4Can't Bear It!comic story1script: Joe Edwards; pencils: Joe Edwards; inks: Joe Edwards; letters: Joe EdwardsCharley Hawse, Mort
5Archie - U.S. Puzzlers?activity1Archie Andrews
7A Strong Argumentcomic story5script: Frank Doyle; pencils: Dan DeCarlo Jr.; inks: Jon D'Agostino; colors: Barry Grossman; letters: Bill Y.Archie Andrews, Jughead Jones, Hiram Lodge, Veronica Lodge
8-comic story0.5pencils: Bob MontanaArchie Andrews, Fred Andrews, Mary Andrews, Betty Cooper, Reggie Mantle, Pop Tate
9Archie Comicspromo (ad from the publisher)0.5Archie Andrews, Betty Cooper
11Photo Funcomic story5script: G. Gladir; pencils: Dan DeCarlo Jr.; inks: Rudy Lapick; colors: B. Grossman; letters: Bill Y.Archie Andrews, Betty Cooper, Jughead Jones, Midge Klump, Veronica Lodge, Moose Mason
13-letters page0.5letters: typesetArchie Andrews, Miss Grundy
14Archie Clubpromo (ad from the publisher)0.5letters: ?; typesetArchie Andrews
15Laugh Comics Digestpromo (ad from the publisher)0.5script: ? (ad copy); letters: typesetArchie Andrews, Betty Cooper, Veronica Lodge
16Betty and Veronica Annual Comics Digest Magazinepromo (ad from the publisher)0.5script: ? (ad copy); letters: typesetBetty Cooper, Veronica Lodge
19Half a Loafcomic story5script: Frank Doyle; pencils: Dan DeCarlo Jr.; inks: Jim DeCarlo; colors: B. Grossman; letters: Bill Y.Archie Andrews, Fred Andrews, Betty Cooper, Jughead Jones, Hiram Lodge

Plus 9 pages of advertisements and other matter across 10 sequences, as published.

Where to read it

CollectionYear
The Jughead Jones Comics Digest #701991On eBay ›
Archie's Double Digest Magazine #191985On eBay ›
Archie's Pals 'n' Gals Double Digest Magazine #201996On eBay ›
Archie's Pals 'n' Gals Double Digest Magazine #672002On eBay ›
Jughead with Archie Digest #481982On eBay ›
Archie Comics Digest #741985On eBay ›
World of Archie (Jumbo Comics) Double Digest #782018On eBay ›

Reading the story costs a fraction of owning the issue. Both routes are on every file.

Before you buy

  • Check the price box: Marvel ran 30-cent and 35-cent test-market price variants in 1976-77.
  • Canadian and Whitman editions exist for many bronze books; match the barcode area to the plate.
  • Look for Mark Jewelers inserts and date stamps - they affect collector preference, not authenticity.

Series context

‹ #308208 of 565#310 ›

Sources

  • Grand Comics Database, issue record (CC BY-SA 4.0)
  • Wikidata, Q939734 (Papa Smurf), first-appearance property (CC0)
  • Wikidata, Q3475557 (Brainy Smurf), first-appearance property (CC0)
  • Wikidata, Q305405 (Smurfette), first-appearance property (CC0)

Found an error in this file? corrections@comicrecord.com