Archie Andrews and the Riverdale gang are set to get their biggest upgrade in 85 years. One of the most endearing icons in comics, the perpetual teenager Archie Andrews and his friends have entertained generations of readers with their wholesome, almost whimsical looks at teenage life. Weathering trends and fluctuations within the market, Archie Comics has earned its place in pop culture history.
2026 marks the 85th anniversary of Archie’s first appearance in Pep Comics #22, and to celebrate, the publisher is joining forces with Oni Press to release a new line of comics featuring America’s favorite redhead and his pals and gals. As reported by People, Oni and Archie’s first collaboration will arrive in stores this Fall, and will feature top talent at the helm. Among the titles announced include Archie in Hell and a new Sabrina, the Teenage Witch book, as well as a new, adjective-less Archie.
Archie Andrews has starred in numerous solo titles over the years, beginning just a year after his initial appearance. Incredibly, the book ran until 2015, making it one of the longest-running, continually published comics in American history. A second Archie book, written by Mark Waid and published in the 2010s, expanded the scope of what an Archie Comic could do. Now, on the occasion of his 85th birthday, Archie returns with a brand-new series, and ScreenRant is pleased to bring fans a first look.
Archie Comics and Oni Press Are Teaming Up
Archie #1 Will Ship With a Variety of Variant Covers
Archie #1 will be written by Ben H. Winters and drawn by Fabio Moon, as reported earlier in People. Oni Press has provided ScreenRant with a synopsis for Archie #1, which reads as follows:
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!
In addition, Archie Comics and Oni Press have given ScreenRant exclusive access to the myriad of covers for Archie #1, shared here.
A bevy of top artists will be providing covers for Archie #1. Among them include legendary Superman artist Stuart Immonen, who provides the book’s main cover. Series artist Fabio Moon checks in with a cover of his own, as does Khary Randolph. A “Blank Sketch” variant is also available, as is a “legacy” variant by Archie Comics legend Dan Parent. Foil versions of some of the covers will also be up for sale.
Archie Andrews Deserves the Red Carpet Treatment, and He is Getting It This Fall
The variant covers for Archie #1 help herald a new beginning for the Riverdale gang. The beauty of Archie, Betty, Veronica, Jughead and the rest is they can often be transported into nearly any timeframe or context and still work. The publisher has proven this already, with its Archie Horror line, which reimagined Jughead as a werewolf and Veronica as a vampire. While these titles were initially greeted with skepticism, they proved to be a major hit, and helped introduce Archie to a new legion of fans.
The beauty of Archie, Betty, Veronica, Jughead and the rest is they can often be transported into nearly any timeframe or context and still work.
Working with Oni Press, Archie now has a chance to catch lightning in a bottle once again. The two publishers have lined up some killer writers and artists for the books, as well as crafted some remarkable variant covers. Archie Comics has something for everyone, be it humor or horror, and this forthcoming relaunch is keeping that spirit intact, befitting the character’s 85th anniversary.
Archie #1 is on sale September 2 from Archie Comics and Oni Press. FOC is July 29!