Comic icon Archie Andrews is getting a big makeover come next year as part of his 75th anniversary, but that won't be all. His new look is just a small part of a franchise-wide revamp that is looking to bring Archie back in with the times.
Writer Mark Waid (Daredevil) and artist Fiona Staples (Saga) will be the new creative team behind Archie when the comic is relaunched next year with issue #1. Along with the new comic, plans have been set in motion for an Archie television series set in the town of Riverdale as well as an Archie-inspired clothing line from Marc Ecko.
Waid says his vision for the book is to bring back the contemporary beliefs long missing in Riverdale.
"Over the years, some of the sharp edges have been sanded off," he tells the New York Times. "They are kids, and they should act as kids."
Part of the story will revolve around a never before told Archie origin tale says Archie Comics Publisher and CEO Jon Goldwater in a press release.
"The Archie characters aren't in need of a tune-up, ‘shocking change,' or revision. These characters have stood the test of time and resonate to this day - we've proven that over the last six years," Goldwater says "What ARCHIE #1 will do, though, is bring together two of the most talented creators in comics in Mark Waid and Fiona Staples and create a surprising and definitive take on Archie's origin - a story that has never been. The book will bring back some of the bite of Archie's original tales in a modern, forward-looking manner, while still retaining the character's all-ages appeal. What better way to celebrate 75 years of Archie Andrews?"
While the book will have a new look and an updated attitude, it will still be Archie.
"We want to keep the lighthearted and family-friendly tone, but we have to do it in the present times, and that forces us to change," Goldwater says.
The franchise will continue to branch out with other stories as well. Archie made headlines earlier this year when adult Archie died in the spin-off series Life With Archie. Expect to see more titles like that in future, starting with a four part mini-series from Girls creator Lena Dunham about the women in Archie's life next year. Archie may be old, but it doesn't look like he will be going away anytime soon.
