Victor Gorelick: Archie Comics stalwart who was the brain behind Riverdale, Sabrina's finest stories
The editor-in-chief/ Co-President of fan-favorite Archie Comics, Victor Gorelick passed away on Saturday, February 8, 2020, at the age of 78. Born on April 5, 1941, he became part of the Archie Franchise and continued to churn incredible talent throughout his time there.
Gorelick joined the Archie Comics franchise at the age of 16, in 1958 where he worked in the production department along with attending the School of Industrial Art - now known as New York City's High School of Art & Design. He majored in Cartooning.
He also served in the US Navy from 1960 to 1964 as he continued to work for Archie as a freelancer where he engaged in lettering, inking, writing, and penciling. He made it up the ladder becoming Production Coordinator, Art Director, Editor and Managing Editor. His talent took him further in 2007 when he became Editor-in-Chief of the comics franchise.
Furthermore, his credits include serving on the advisory board for the Joe Kubert School of Cartoon and Graphic Art in New Jersey and was also in the Comic Magazine Association of America's Code Authority Guidelines Committee. "We are extremely heartbroken and devastated to inform the Archie family of the passing of Archie icon and Editor-in-Chief, Victor Gorelick, who made Riverdale his home for over 60 years, no person embodied the Archie spirit more than Victor, who was a leader, friend, and mentor to everyone that walked through the doors of Archie," said Archie Comics CEO and Publisher Jon Goldwater in a statement.
"A lifelong friend and mentor to Archie Comics Co-CEO Jon Goldwater - and an inspiration to the entire Archie Comics Family - Victor will never be forgotten. Our thoughts and prayers go out to his wife Kathie, his family, his friends, and his many fans."
Gorelick contributed to Archieverse in substantial ways such as introducing beloved characters like Josie McCoy/ Josie and the Pussycats and Sabrina the Teenage Witch. He was also the last employee that worked with the founders of the company - John L. Goldwater, Maurice Coyne, and Louis Silberkleit. “It’s impossible to properly sum up what Victor meant to Archie Comics. Not only was he a legend, a stellar editor and leader, and an expert of all things Archie Comics, he was also a kind, funny, thoughtful man who was always supportive and helpful. He was amazing and it’s hard to imagine Archie without him," said Archie Comics Co-President Alex Segura in a statement posted to Facebook.
“I didn’t know Victor well, but he always embraced me like I was a long-lost relative. A lot of people initially weren’t supportive of “Afterlife with Archie” and Riverdale but Victor wasn’t one of them. He loved them. He treasured the characters so many of us love. He was a gentleman and Archie Comics’ great historian," said 'Riverdale' and 'Chilling Adventures of Sabrina' showrunner and Archie Comics Chief Creative Officer Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa.
Gorelick had not only managed to make a huge impact on kids that adored the Comics growing up but brought to life characters that still make for epic entertainment, years after they were conjured up. The industry has lost an incredible talent, and we are forever grateful for what he brought to Archieverse.