While 2026 might go down as yet another socio-political quagmire, at least one soul remains straight killing it: Archie.
That’s right, in case you missed the very big news, Oni Press is set to launch a brand new era of Archie Comics in celebration of the character’s 85th anniversary. And oh what a celebration it’ll be with three new books dropping in time for the fall:
Archie (Writer Ben H. Winters and artist Fábio Moon): Here, Archie Andrews, Riverdale’s effective leading man, “embarks on a whirlwind, all-star adventure through his town’s past, present, and future…beginning with a local film festival that’s about to turn everything upside down!” Expect puzzles, pin-ups, and an “enigmatic paradox that only Archie’s pal Jughead Jones can possibly unravel.” Due out September 2
Sabrina the Teenage Witch (Writer Corinna Bechko and artists Nick Cagnetti and Kano): Despite still “reeling from the surprise revelation of her secret birthright,” Sabrina Spellman continues her witchy studies. Until, of course, Salem “drops a mythical trickster on Sabrina’s literal doorstep,” and Sabrina “might not be able to keep her two worlds from smashing together like two busted pumpkins on All Hallow’s Eve.” Due out in October
Archie in Hell: (Writer Patrick Horvath and artist Tyler Crook): In “another Riverdale,” Archie has become cursed, and there’s only one way to save his mortal soul: “to damn him.” The latest entry in the Archie horror promises to leave “a blood-stained trail from 1690 to the present day.’ Due out in November
But before Archie and company dominate your autumnal celebrations, we’re preparing you for the journey with some neat-o exclusives. The first is a Q&A with Bechko, Winters, and Horvath, where they not only tease tidbits from their respective titles, but talk about Archie and Riverdale at large. And across that Q&A, you can enjoy some exclusive character designs from Moon and Kano. At this point, it’s Archie’s world, and the rest of us are happy to work at the ice cream shop or attend Riverdale High.
Stay tuned for even more Archie news and reviews in the coming weeks.
Character designs by Fábio Moon. Courtesy of Oni Press.
AIPT: Why do you think the “Archie-verse” and Riverdale have stood the test of time?
Corinna Bechko: At heart, all the Archie books are about humans solving human problems. That never goes out of style.
Ben H. Winters: What Corinna said! (Am I allowed to say that for all my answers?) And besides that, there’s a universality, a sense of bigness about these people and this place; we go back to Riverdale for the same reason we go back to Shakespeare – it’s different than wherever and whoever we are, but it speaks to the deep humanness in everyone.
Patrick Horvath: I agree with all of that, and I’d also mention that these characters cover the gamut of personality types in such a strong way that there’s something for almost any reader to latch on to. That, and the wholesomeness at the root of everything seems to play a big part, whether you’re leaning into it or playing counterpoint. It’s an incredibly rich sandbox to play in and revisit time after time.
Design by Kano. Courtesy of Oni Press.
AIPT: Do you have a favorite story or moment in Archie? And why that one specifically?
BHW: I love going back and reading the suuuuuper early ones. Like his very first appearance, in Pep Comics #22, from where Archie’s nickname is “Chic” and he’s got almost a Tom Sawyer kinda aw-shucks vibe…but it’s all there. All the DNA is there. He’s a little bit of a showoff, he’s a goodhearted goofball, he digs his neighbor Betty. The durability of the core notions over time is a thing to behold.
CB: I love the really oddball Sabrina stories. Sabrina flies to the Arctic and meets a minor goddess. Sabrina makes herself tiny and fights a bird. Sabrina makes friends with a monster… and then dates him, although he ultimately can’t hold a candle to Harvey. Through it all, Sabrina stays Sabrina, and that’s wonderful.
PH: A favorite of mine was pointed out by a good friend, and it’s one written by George Gladir called “For Monsters Only.” Archie and Jug are running late for a Halloween party because of costume mix-ups and car trouble. By the time they arrive, they find out the party has moved to the Lodge yacht, and before Archie and Jug have much time to lament, they’re mistaken for actual vampires and invited to a party where only real monsters are allowed. I think the most amusing thing to me about the whole story is just that in the Archie-verse, there’s an underground community of monsters in Riverdale who just want to party and be left alone. RELATABLE.
Design by Kano. Courtesy of Oni Press.
AIPT: In your contribution/story/book, what do you hope to accomplish? How are you “pushing forward” all things Archie?
BHW: Honestly? I’m trying not to think about it too much. By nature of being who I am, the kind of writer I am — a mystery writer, a soft sci-fi writer, a writer who loves unexpected forms of adventure — I’m going to bring Archie in a different direction than any other writer would. All you can do is do your best. (Now I sound like my dad. Or maybe Archie’s dad!)
CB: I hope my version of Sabrina feels fresh, but I also think these characters have stood the test of time so maybe there’s no need to push them to be anything they don’t want to be. Styles change, but Archie has been a comics force for 85 years for a reason. I agree with Ben: I hope to do my best. That would be accomplishment enough!
PH: Having a horror book within the world of Archie is sort of a tall order, and I’ve definitely got my work cut out for me in terms of following in the footsteps of what’s already come out. I’m hoping to take these characters on a journey that we haven’t seen before, and that also threads the needle of challenging and celebrating the very particular elements that make this world so well-loved. I have an undeniable urge to drag that kernel of Archie-wholesomeness through some rather upsetting circumstances, and I only hope that the effect is a fun ride for new and long-time fans.
Design by Kano. Courtesy of Oni Press.
AIPT: Let’s say it’s not our redheaded pal, so who is the real standout of Archie (and why?)
BHW: I mean, Jughead. He’s a street philosopher. He’s an abstract poet. He’s slightly from another dimension. He’s like no other kid, in Archie, or on Earth. I love Jughead.
CB: Definitely Salem, Sabrina’s acerbic feline familiar. I love Salem, and I love to write Salem. Salem has opinions. He’s acerbic, but he wants what’s best for Sabrina. He’s a great foil for her enthusiasm.
PH: Tough call! I agree with both Jughead and Salem. I’d also vote for Sabrina. She’s just tapped into a whole other wavelength, and especially in regards to the path for Archie in Hell, it’s extremely relevant. There’s such a sincerity to her that’s also surrounded by this huge darkness of the unknown, and I find that extremely fascinating.
Design by Kano. Courtesy of Oni Press.
AIPT: In a sea of gritty reboots, Riverdale always felt super interesting to me. Why did Archie lend itself to that kind of “reinvention,” and how much of that spirit of change, grit, playfulness, etc. do you hope carries over into your own book?
BHW: Like any piece of culture with a durable core notion and aesthetic, Archie is infinitely renewable. So, sure, gritty/sexy brooding TV drama absolutely works. Because it starts as a teasing gloss on the original, then becomes its own kinda magic. My version of Archie will not be that, but it will be its own angle on the original.
CB: I agree with Ben; it’s because the core is so elastic. The characters can’t stretch so far that they become hateful, but the stories can certainly edge right up to Twin Peaks and beyond. I think even David Lynch would agree with that. I plan to take Sabrina in a direction that involves exactly zero speakeasies, but there will certainly be a lot of playfulness and even a little grit involved.
PH: Agreed, if you’ve got such a solidly defined world, it lends itself to all sorts of reinterpretations and they can play into expectations, against expectations, etc. I think a lot of what I’m interested in is what happens to that core of what has endured with the characters of Archie when the circumstances are radically changed. A lot of the playfulness and reinvention is going to come through in the changes of time periods and the trauma. So much trauma.
Design by Kano. Courtesy of Oni Press.
AIPT: Can you tease a big moment or page/panel from the book you’re co-creating?
BHW: I’m trying to expand the geography of Riverdale a bit, broaden out and find new locations within this city. So you can expect some double-page super panels as Archie or other characters zoom around the city.
CB: In addition to Kano’s absolutely gorgeous art on the main stories, there will be a tiny backup story each month featuring a variety of amazing artists. These will complement, comment upon, and wink at the main stories.
PH: Without giving too much away, there’s a moment in Archie in Hell where a threshold is crossed, and we have entry into the larger story that the reader realizes they’re settling in for. I’m majorly looking forward to crossing over with everybody.
In a statement, artist Kano described his approach to the character designs:
“Working on the redesigns for these iconic Archie characters was a real challenge, because the last thing you want to do is change them. They’re beloved, instantly recognizable, and hold a special place in fans’ hearts. My approach, both with the Archie cast and on Sabrina, was the opposite, while still celebrating and honoring their original essence. I searched for modern aesthetics that feel true to their classic styles and personalities, creating a richer visual toolkit for the other artists. My goal was to provide versatile references that allow them to enhance each character’s look and adapt their outfits as the stories demand, while staying faithful to who they are. I hope these designs become a helpful foundation for the whole relaunch team. And I probably shouldn’t say this…but Jughead’s design is my favorite! Archie is legendary, of course, but Jughead had the most exciting room to evolve while still celebrating everything that makes him special.”
AIPT: If you were suddenly an Archie character, who would you align yourself with, how would you fare, and would it be a generally positive experience overall?
BHW: If nothing else, it would be fun to be a teenager again. But maybe only briefly.
CB: I’d honestly hate to be a teen again. It’s not an easy thing to be! But I’d love to make friends with Sabrina if I was. I think she’d be fun to hang around with. Maybe I could stay the age I am and have her work as my intern? My day job is at a natural history museum, and I bet she could really shake that up.
PH: If I ended up in Archie, I would just haunt Pop’s Chock’lit Shoppe. I’d post up and just read books, draw, drink shakes and coffee, and watch everyone come and go. I would be a fly on the wall, and honestly I don’t know if I’d talk to anyone there. It would be amazing.
Courtesy of Oni Press.
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