Archie Expands Deal With WBTV, Waid Expands Role with Publisher

CBR

By Tim Adams

Published Feb 14, 2017

Archie's new deal with Warner Bros. will see more of its characters make the leap to the small screen, along with a new role for writer Mark Waid.

Archie Comics continues its expansion into the world of television with the announcement of a new deal with Warner Bros. Television. The two companies will work together to develop new original programming and content based on Archie's 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," Archie Comics CEO and Publisher Jon Goldwater stated in a press release.

"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," Goldwater continued. "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."

Among the changes at Archie Comics includes the promotion of writer Mark Waid to a mentor role, helping to guide the direction of the publisher's creative talent.

"This opportunity is exciting to me for a number of reasons," Waid said. "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."

Waid will also co-write the "Jughead" ongoing series with Ian Flynn ("Sonic the Hedgehog," "Mega Man," "Archie Babies").

"Riverdale," based on characters from Archie Comics, currently airs Thursdays at 9 p.m. ET/PT on The CW and stars K.J. Apa as Archie Andrews, Lili Reinhart as Betty Cooper, Camila Mendes as Veronica Lodge, Cole Sprouse as Jughead Jones, Madelaine Petsch as Cheryl Blossom, Ashleigh Murray as Josie McCoy, Ross Butler as Reggie Mantle and Casey Cott as Kevin Keller.