Brian Truitt

USA TODAY

Everyone dies, even Archie Andrews.

Archie Comics is killing its most popular character in July in the final two issues of Life with Archie, a fast-forward series that launched five years ago focusing on Archie and the gang's post-college adult years.

Readers will get to see Archie in his final heroic moments in Life with Archie No. 36 as he dies saving the life a close friend, and issue 37 focuses on his friends Jughead, Betty, Veronica and Reggie remembering the life of the redheaded character, who first appeared in 1941.

Both issues feature covers by top comic artists including Francesco Francavilla, Fiona Staples, Walt Simonson, Jill Thompson, Mike Allred, Cliff Chiang, Adam Hughes and Alex Ross.

The finale "was something we mulled over for months and months and discussed in great detail," says Archie Comics Publisher/Co-CEO Jon Goldwater. "It just made sense to end Life with Archie this way — showing our hero at his best and then celebrating his life.

"He's an icon. He's the best kind of person, and sometimes we need to be reminded of how important he is."

Comic-book deaths don't have a habit of taking — see: Captain America, Superman, Batman, etc. — and fans won't have to live a life without Archie: The Riverdale teenager will stay alive in other Archie comics.