Riverdale Tie-In Announced By Archie Comics

When ComicBook.com asked Riverdale showrunner Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa about the possibility of a comic book set in the world of the upcoming CW drama, the writer (who also serves as Archie’s Chief Creative Officer) responded with a cryptic “That’s an interesting idea.”

The idea has now come to fruition, as Archie Comics announced today that a Riverdale tie-in comic will indeed be forthcoming in 2017.

It’s not an ongoing series, but a one-shot, written by Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa and featuring art byAlitha Martinez. The series will be set in the world of the TV series, and thus will feature different takes on the characters of Archie Comics than have been present in either the classic or the “New Riverdale” interpretations of the universe.

According to a statement from Archie Comics, Aguirre-Sacasa collaborated with members of the Riverdale writers’ room to come up with the story. The one-shot will be followed by an ongoing series set in the universe of the TV series, although it isn’t immediately clear whether that series will be written by Aguirre-Sacasa or not. The writer, best known for his work on Afterlife With Archie, is obviously pretty busy as executive producer of the 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 more complex, real-world 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.

You can see the full cover for the Riverdale one-shot in the attached image gallery, and the solicitation text below.

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.

Riverdale stars KJ Apa as Archie, Cole Sprouse as Jughead, Lili Reinhart as Betty Cooper, Camilla Mendes as Veronica Lodge, and Luke Perry as Archie’s father Fred Andrews, among others. The series’ showrunner is Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa, Archie Entertainment’s Chief Creative Officer and the writer of Afterlife With Archie, the publisher’s wildly popular zombie series.

Riverdale is expected to debut on The CW in January 2017. No official scheduling has yet been made public. You can check out our review of the pilot here.