Following the successful launch of the live-action Riverdale series on The CW, Archie Comic Publications and Warner Bros. Television have signed a deal to develop new original programming and content based on Archie’s vast catalog of characters and properties.
“For years, people have been saying ‘Wow, Archie is making moves. They’re fearless. They’re trying new things.’ This is what happened next,” said Archie Comics CEO/Publisher Jon Goldwater. “We were redefining the brand by being daring and by, at the same time, protecting the integrity of the characters. As long as Archie is Archie and his friends are true to their characters, you can do anything with them. That’s what really opened up people’s eyes to their potential, and it’s a direct path to where we are today, which is having a Riverdale TV series on the CW and a new deal with Warners. The sky’s the limit here.”
As well as developing new programming, Archie will also continue to reinvent its publishing line, with Archie writer Mark Waid set to work on an expanded number of titles in addition to serving as a writing mentor for young and upcoming talent.
“This opportunity is exciting to me for a number of reasons,” said Waid. “First, the chance to expand my role as a writer at Archie is terrific as we all share the same storytelling goals. Second, it allows me to exercise my editorial muscles, which–surprise–is why I got into comics in the first place. But most of all, the opportunity to help build a more diverse staff of writers, younger, eager to learn, and eager to teach me.”
Riverdale airs on The CW on Thursday nights.
