It’s been a strange few years to be an Archie Comics fan. Well, maybe a decade, actually, since the New Riverdale era fizzled out, coinciding with a ton of changes at the company. The regular funny pages have continued, but for those of us thrilled with more serialized comic book adventures, things weren’t quite the same. Good news, then: Oni Press has licensed the Archie Comics characters for their own line, and they’re kicking it off with the rousing and ribald Archie #1.
Written by Ben H. Winters with art by Fábio Moon, at least in the over-sized first issue this is not New Riverdale (which kicked off with a lauded run by Mark Waid and Fiona Staples) 2.0. The designs by Moon are iconically the characters from Riverdale with their own cartoonish charm. But Winters rights the book more like slightly more mature gag strips from the classic digests.
That’s the biggest surprise here… Not that the book is funny, but that it takes the form of several short stories built around comedy premises, versus aping the serialized nature of streaming shows (or, you know, ongoing comic book series). You’ve got one about Archie running late for school, another about the kids participating in a filmmaking contest, a third with Jughead grappling with the existential terror that Pop’s may close some day. They’re all purposefully silly, and while there are hints this may continue to build plot-wise as things continue (particularly the Jughead story), it’s pleasantly surprising how complete this issue is, in and of itself.
Luckily, the gags in the strips are fun. And they’re elevated by Moon’s wonderful layouts (one recurring motif has a large panel centered in the middle of the page, with the action of Riverdale continuing around it) and character work, alongside Jason Wordie’s colors. Moon draws the characters like teens, which shouldn’t be too much of a shocker. But particularly Archie is far from the muscled Riverdale version portrayed by KJ Apa. He’s softer, younger, clearly still growing. The rest of the characters look classic, but making Archie a little doughier helps get across his All American naiveté.
Veronica and Betty get less time in this issue, though Winters knows how to write them, as well… And he doesn’t ignore the triangle, nor does he pit the women against each other. It’s a tricky line to walk, but it works.
One thing that’s always been true is there’s a timeless quality to Riverdale. Without setting this in the past, Moon and Winters have effectively captured this feeling in the first issue, thanks to sweet gags, the classic characters you know, and some gorgeous art. It’s been a strange few years for Archie Comics fans… But if Archie #1 is any indication, the next few will be the bee’s knees.
Archie #1 hits stores on September 2, 2026 from Oni Press
Archie #1 Rating:
Archie #1 Official Synopsis:
For his entire life, 17-year-old Archie Andrews has had it all: adoring friends, football glory, and a natural charm that always seems to make him the center of attention. Now, through his eyes, experience the warmth and wonder of Riverdale and its near-infinite roster of residents—the popular kids, the endearing oddballs, and everyone in between – as Archie 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! And, at the center of it all, lies an enigmatic paradox that only Archie’s pal Jughead Jones can possibly unravel … Plus: Puzzles! Pin-ups! And a veritable sweet shop of surprises that all link to the same inextricable mystery … Finally, your antidote for postmodern malaise has arrived. Welcome to the all-new ARCHIE #1!
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