Archie Comic set to relaunch with new #1 issue

When we heard of Riverdale making the journey to our TV screens in the form of a live-action series, we knew only a matter of time it would go on to affect the Archie panel spreads.

In conjunction with Archie‘s 75 year anniversary in 2016, the comic book will relaunch in 2015 with a new number 1 issue. The issue will feature the talents of Eisner winners Mark Waid and Fiona Staples, so we know the pen-game on both the writing and drawing will be top notch to say the least.

The move also undoubtedly preempts the coming of the Riverdale TV series, and apparently a Marc Ecko / Riverdale-inspired fashion line.

The new Riverdale TV series has been described as Archie grafted with Twin Peaks, so we can expect the comic to lay the same ground work:

Riverdale is named after the fictional town where most Archie Comics characters reside and which will serve as the setting for the show. Set in the present, the series offers a bold, subversive take on Archie, Betty, Veronica, and their friends, exploring the surreality of small-town life…the darkness and weirdness bubbling beneath Riverdale’s wholesome façade.
“The series will showcase 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 slacker best friend, Jughead Jones. Popular gay character Kevin Keller will also play a pivotal role, with other characters from Archie Comics’ expansive library also slated to appear, including Josie and the Pussycats.

CEO John Goldwater of Archie Comics move to reissue the brand is in step of trying to reinvigorate the franchise, and in a sentiment parroted by Waid, that the brand in recent years seemed to have become “irrelevant and watered-down”.

An with a chance of seeing new spin-offs of Josie and the Pussycats, as well as artistic renders like the banner above, said to be the new possible look of Archie, we can’t help but seem optimistic about Archie’s journey to the modern age.