A life-size bronze statue of Archie Andrews will greet visitors to a New Hampshire town in honour of the local man who drew the comic character and his teenage friends.

(Morgan Karanasios /AP)

Bob Montana drew Archie, Betty, Veronica and Jughead from 1942 until his death in 1975 from a heart attack while cross-country skiing.

The 54-year-old Montana lived in Meredith, New Hampshire for 35 years.

He drew the first ”Archie” comic strip while renting a cottage on Lake Waukewan.

The comic strip was distributed in newspapers a few years later.

Its popularity led the company that originally published the comic books, MLJ Comics, to change its name to Archie Comic Publications.

Archie’s state will be installed August 9 as part of the New Hampshire town’s 250th anniversary.