Riverdale Prequel Comic to Expand to Full Ongoing Series That Adds to The CW Show

With every new glimpse we get of The CW’s upcoming series, Riverdale, we’ve been getting increasingly excited. From a diverse cast to a decidedly more “noir” take on the Archie Comics universe, the Greg Berlanti-produced series is already shaping up to be one of the network’s more intriguing offerings. And as if things couldn’t get any more meta, this show based on a comics universe now has a comic based on it.

Archie Comics announced today that they’ll be releasing a Riverdale one-shot prequel at the beginning of next year. Once the show premieres (no official announcement has been made yet, but it is supposed to premiere in early 2017), Riverdale will also be an ongoing comic set in the world of the TV series. This Riverdale comic series will be written by showrunner and Archie Comics CCO Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa along with members of the show’s writers’ room. Pencil duty will fall to up-and-coming artist Alitha Martinez.

According to a release from Archie Comics, here’s a description of the Riverdale TV universe, along with solicitation information for the upcoming one-shot:

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.

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.

Will you be watching the show? Reading the comic? Both? (Yeah, I’ll be doing both, too.) Let’s talk Riverdale below!

(image via Archie Comics)

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