Archie Comics, in partnership with Oni Press, is embarking on a significant relaunch of its flagship character and the broader Archie universe. The initiative aims to steer the long-running franchise in "strange and wonderful directions," beginning with the newly reimagined Archie series.
Writer Ben H. Winters, known for EC's Cruel Universe, and artist Fábio Moon, recognized for his work on Daytripper, are at the helm of Archie #1. The main cover art is provided by Stuart Immonen, with variant covers from a notable roster of artists including Moon, Karl Kerschl, Khary Randolph, Travis Charest, Kano, Dan Parent, Elsa Charretier, and Mahmud Asrar.
The official summary for Archie #1 describes the story as following 17-year-old Archie Andrews, a popular and charismatic figure in Riverdale. The narrative promises a journey through the town's past, present, and future, centered around a local film festival that sets off a chain of events. A key element of the plot involves an enigmatic paradox that Archie's friend Jughead Jones is tasked with unraveling.
Winters expressed his enthusiasm for the project, stating that writing Archie comics is "pure joy." He highlighted the series' focus on the core friendships, loyalty, and love among the characters, suggesting that their misadventures offer an exaggerated reflection of teenage experiences.
Archie #1 is slated for release on September 2. This launch will be followed by Sabrina the Teenage Witch #1 in October and Archie in Hell #1 in November. Readers can preorder these titles at their local comic shops.