A new live-action TV series on the CW network based on Archie comic books,
Riverdale
, “takes liberties with the Archie mythology” and takes the comic's characters “into their edgiest chapter yet,”
a
Wall Street Journal
feature report noted.
The series, a mystery that includes the death of a character, “escalates the relationship drama and sexual tension within Archie's circle,” the article said.
Archie Comics, launched 75 years ago, is still owned by the independent family publisher that started the brand, which began with a group of clean-cut characters. “Ironically, the most risqué panels came during a detour into Christian messaging in the 1970s, when Archie and company were used to warn readers off drugs and sex,” the
Journal
article said.
The company publishes about 17 titles a month, the article said. Jon Goldwater, who took over as CEO and publisher in 2009, is the second son of co-founder John L. Goldwater to run the company, the
Journal
reported.
Around the time that Jon Goldwater took over, “The publisher saw a spike in sales after introducing an openly gay character, Kevin Keller, and parallel storylines that featured Archie marrying Betty in one and Veronica in another,” the
Journal
report said.
Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa, chief creative officer of Archie Comics, is the new TV series' creator. He previously was a writer for the TV series
Glee,
a remake of the horror movie
Carrie
and Broadway's
Spider-man: Turn Off the Dark
, the article said.
In the late 1960s an animated series, “The Archie Show,” was broadcast, but “the comics have never had much of a successful TV presence,” the article said. (Source:
Wall Street Journal,
Jan. 24, 2017.)
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