Archie Announces A ‘Riverdale’ One-Shot And Series Tying Into The New TV Show [NYCC 2016]

I don't know that I've ever wanted to see a live-action comics-inspired television show as much as I want to watch Riverdale, and considering that we are currently living in an era where you can see stuff like Gorilla Grodd, the Martian Manhunter, and Red Kryptonite on TV every week, that's saying something. The show, which debuts mid-season next year on the CW, has promised a darker take on the Archie Comics characters, full of dark secrets - and if you're calmly enduring the wait to find out what kind of dark secrets Jughead has, then you're a far more patient person than I am.

But for the rest of us, there's good news. Today, Archie announced that they're going to be publishing Riverdale, a prequel one-shot followed by an ongoing tie-in series early next year, written by showrunner and Archie Comics Chief Creative Officer Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa with art by Alitha Martinez.

Here's the official announcement, along with solicitation info:

RIVERDALE #1 (ONE-SHOT)

Script: Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa
Art: Alitha Martinez
Cover: Alitha Martinez with Steve Downer
Variant Covers: Derek Charm, Adam Gorham, Robert Hack, Sandra Lanz, Moritat, Dan Parent, Thomas Pitilli, Matthew Dow Smith, Cory Smith
Blank Sketch Cover Also Available
48-page, full color comic
$4.99 U.S.

The upcoming CW Riverdale TV series will feature a must-read comic book series, written by showrunner and Archie Comics Chief Creative Officer Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa and the members of the show's writers' room, along with art by up-and-coming artist Alitha Martinez. The one-shot RIVERDALE comic, hitting early next year, will be followed by an ongoing series set in the universe of the TV series.

The one-hour drama will be written by Archie Comics Chief Creative Officer Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa and produced by Warner Brothers Studios and Berlanti Productions and has been described as a subversive take on the classic Archie mythos. Greg Berlanti, Sarah Schecter, Jon Goldwater, and Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa serve as executive producers.

The live-action series offers a bold, subversive take on Archie, Betty, Veronica, and their friends, exploring small-town life and the darkness and weirdness bubbling beneath Riverdale’s wholesome facade. The show will focus on the eternal love triangle of Archie Andrews, girl-next-door Betty Cooper, and rich socialite Veronica Lodge, and will include the entire cast of characters from the comic books—including Archie’s rival, Reggie Mantle, and his slacker best friend, Jughead Jones.

Popular gay character Kevin Keller will also play a pivotal role. In addition to the core cast, “Riverdale” will introduce other characters from Archie Comics’ expansive library, including Josie and the Pussycats.