Archie Comics has been known for making some bold moves in recent years, but now they have announced an even bigger one: In 2015, the Archie comic book series is starting over with a new issue #1, telling the origins of the famed love triangle, with Mark Waid (Daredevil) writing and Fiona Staples (Saga) on art.
Archie has experimented with “New Look” titles before, though aside from the Sabrina and Afterlife series, this is the first time a realistic style has been used on an ongoing title like this…. particularly, the primary one that has run for over 660 issues since 1940. To see a similar direction one would have to go back to a time when Stan Lee’s Marvel Comics went to a more serialized and realistic looking direction for Millie the Model before reverting back to a more Stan Goldberg and Dan DeCarlo-inspired look.
Why is this relevant on a TV website?
This is the same year that Greg Berlanti and Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa’s Archie-tied TV show, Riverdale, will be in contention as a possible series on FOX. Aguirre-Sacasa is heavily involved in story direction at Archie Comics, which means, the new direction of the comics could come close to what we could possibly see on the TV screen. He’s also the driving force (with Francesco Francavilla) on the excellent Afterlife with Archie comic book series.
You can see some preview art from the new comic book below. More details and an interview about the relaunch can be found at Comic Book Resources, and hopefully we’ll hear more about Riverdale soon, as the networks begin ordering pilots.
