WEBTOON and Archie Comics have revealed this week their working on a new digital comic called Archie Comics: Big Ethel Energy. Launched yesterday, the comic is exclusive to WEBTOON and is created by writer Kryl Brown Ahmed and lead artist Siobhan Keenan. Big Ethel Energy updates the classic character for a new generation of comic fans.
Check out the return of Big Ethel Energy chapter one now, with new episodes releasing every Wednesday, here.
“Archie Comics is so incredibly excited to return to Ethel’s world with season 2 of Big Ethel Energy and to continue our esteemed partnership with Webtoon,” said Archie Comics Senior Director of Editorial Jamie L. Rotante. “This has been the natural progression of long-term storytelling for Archie—focusing on heartwarming, romance-fueled stories that allow the characters the space and time to grow and change, suitable for a modern audience. Ethel is our fearless leader, and season 2 continues her journey, navigating the tricky waters of balancing a job that can be more political than she expected, a new relationship and the ups and downs that brings, and understanding the evolution of her friendships and her place in her hometown of Riverdale. Getting to read these scripts from Keryl has been a joy, and I’m constantly captivated by Siobhan’s gorgeous art.”
So what’s Archie Comics: Big Ethel Energy about?
Big Ethel Energy follows Ethel years after her high-school years in Riverdale. Now a strong and confident adult, Ethel speaks truth to power as a journalist. The first-ever collaboration between Archie Comics and WEBTOON, Big Ethel Energy earned a Ringo Award nomination for Best Webcomic in 2022 and has notched more than 22 million views and 385,000 subscribers since its launch in Sept. 2021. The series was also adapted into a successful print graphic novel last year.
Check out a preview below.
For more on this news, read the official press release below.
(Los Angeles, CA) — February 21, 2023 — WEBTOON, the world’s largest digital comics platform, and Archie Comics have announced that their hit digital comic collaboration, Archie Comics: Big Ethel Energy, will return with new episodes on Feb. 21, exclusively on WEBTOON. Created by writer Keryl Brown Ahmed and lead artist Siobhan Keenan, Big Ethel Energy updates the classic character for a new generation of comic fans.
Big Ethel Energy follows Ethel years after her high-school years in Riverdale. Now a strong and confident adult, Ethel speaks truth to power as a journalist. The first-ever collaboration between Archie Comics and WEBTOON, Big Ethel Energy earned a Ringo Award nomination for Best Webcomic in 2022 and has notched more than 22 million views and 385,000 subscribers since its launch in Sept. 2021. The series was also adapted into a successful print graphic novel last year.
Season 1 of Big Ethel Energy found Ethel writing a history of Riverdale. Initially excited to take down Archie, Jughead, Betty, Veronica, and the other Riverdale natives who made her life hell years ago, the only thing Ethel forgets to consider is… maybe they’ve all changed, too. In Season 2, Ethel is ready to let go of the past and give love a shot, but maintaining a relationship with Moose Mason is more challenging than she thought it would be. Will miscommunication, doubt, and their meddlesome friends in Riverdale cause Ethel and Moose to fall apart, or will they emerge even stronger?
“Archie Comics is so incredibly excited to return to Ethel’s world with season 2 of Big Ethel Energy and to continue our esteemed partnership with Webtoon,” said Archie Comics Senior Director of Editorial Jamie L. Rotante. “This has been the natural progression of long-term storytelling for Archie—focusing on heartwarming, romance-fueled stories that allow the characters the space and time to grow and change, suitable for a modern audience. Ethel is our fearless leader, and season 2 continues her journey, navigating the tricky waters of balancing a job that can be more political than she expected, a new relationship and the ups and downs that brings, and understanding the evolution of her friendships and her place in her hometown of Riverdale. Getting to read these scripts from Keryl has been a joy, and I’m constantly captivated by Siobhan’s gorgeous art.”
“It’s been incredible to introduce the iconic Ethel Muggs to a new generation of fans on WEBTOON,” said David Lee, VP of Content at WEBTOON. “Archie has been a fan-favorite for decades because its relatable characters can transform for new stories and formats. With Season 1 a resounding success, we’re excited to continue our work with Archie Comics to bring these beloved characters to WEBTOON’s global audience.”
Check out the return of Big Ethel Energy on Feb. 21, with new episodes releasing every Wednesday, here.
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