Archie's Joke Book Magazine ##153
Archie Comics • Archie's Joke Book
Writer
Frank Doyle
Interior Artist
Dan DeCarlo
Cover Artist
Dan DeCarlo
Publication Date
October 1970
Cover Variant
Regular/Direct Edition
Printing
First Printing
Comic Description
An anthology of short humor strips and 'one-pagers' featuring the Riverdale gang. This issue includes various beach-themed gags involving Archie, Jughead, Reggie, Betty, and Veronica. Key characters featured: Archie Andrews, Jughead Jones, Reggie Mantle, Betty Cooper, and Veronica Lodge.
Condition & Value
Condition Grade
Very Good (CGC 4.0)
Condition Details
Visible spine roll/shifting; multiple color-breaking spine stress marks (ticks); noticeable corner blunting and rounding at the bottom right; light surface soiling and minor creasing on the yellow sand area; potential moisture ripple on the upper left margin.
Estimated Market Value
Raw: $5 - $15 | Graded: $35 - $60 (though grading cost outweighs value)
Recent Sales
Recent sales for mid-grade copies of this era of Archie's Joke Book typically hover between $8 and $20 on platforms like eBay.
Grading Recommendation
Not recommended for professional grading. The comic is a low-to-mid value Bronze Age issue where the grading fees would likely exceed the total market value of the book. A clean and press would improve the spine roll but wouldn't elevate the grade enough to justify the cost.
Notable Features
Beach cover by Dan DeCarlo. Features the 15-cent price point typical of the late 1960s/early 1970s transition. No significant keys or first appearances in this issue.
Authentication Notes
Appears to be an original 1970 newsstand/direct copy. The paper quality exhibits natural aging/tanning consistent with Archie comic stock of the era. Staples (though partially obscured) show signs of slight oxidation.