Riverdale Officially Returns This September With New Release

Oni Press and Archie Comics have finally offered the clearest look yet at their ambitious relaunch of one of comics’ most recognizable franchises. Ahead of this fall’s debut of Archie #1, Sabrina the Teenage Witch #1, and Archie in Hell #1, the publishers have unveiled brand-new character designs from acclaimed artists Fábio Moon and Kano, giving fans their first glimpse at a modernized Riverdale that still remains instantly recognizable.

The redesigns arrive as part of a publishing partnership that will dramatically expand the Archie Comics line with new monthly series, graphic novels, and prestige collections. Launching alongside the 85th anniversary celebration of Archie’s debut, the initiative aims to refresh the iconic cast while preserving the personalities that have made them enduring pop culture staples for generations.

Riverdale Gets a Fresh Coat of Paint Without Losing Its Identity

The newly revealed artwork showcases updated looks for Archie Andrews, Betty Cooper, Veronica Lodge, Jughead Jones, and Sabrina Spellman. Rather than reinventing the characters from the ground up, Kano focused on subtle changes that modernize their appearances while keeping their classic identities intact.

“Working on the redesigns for these iconic Archie characters was a real challenge, because the last thing you want to do is change them,” Kano shared. “They’re beloved, instantly recognizable, and hold a special place in fans’ hearts.”

Instead, the artist explained that the goal was to expand each character’s visual identity by creating designs flexible enough for future artists while remaining faithful to decades of history. Kano also admitted Jughead proved to be the most exciting character to reinterpret, saying the laid-back fan favorite offered the most room to evolve without sacrificing what makes him unique.

Moon, who illustrates Archie #1, approached the project from a different perspective. Rather than emphasizing physical redesigns, he focused on making each character’s personality shine through body language, expressions, and clothing choices.

“My focus on these characters isn’t as much in what they look like,” Moon explained, “but more in how they behave and how their body language and fashion choices can help us convey their distinct personalities.”

Three Very Different Archie Stories Arrive This Fall

The relaunch begins on September 2 with Archie #1 from writer Ben H. Winters and artist Moon. The new series follows 17-year-old Archie Andrews through a story that promises to explore Riverdale’s past, present, and future while centering on a mysterious puzzle that only Jughead can unravel. Alongside the main story, the oversized debut issue will include puzzles, pin-ups, bonus stories, and interconnected mysteries.

October brings Sabrina the Teenage Witch #1 by writer Corinna Bechko and artist Kano. The series follows Sabrina as she adjusts to her newfound magical heritage while juggling high school life, Halloween, and the chaos unleashed when Salem introduces a mythical trickster into her world. The relaunch’s darkest corner arrives in November with Archie in Hell #1 from Patrick Horvath and Tyler Crook. Continuing the success of Archie Horror, the series imagines an alternate Riverdale where Archie becomes trapped by a terrifying curse stretching from 1690 to the present day, forcing him down a far bloodier path than readers typically associate with the red-haired teen.

Together, the three books demonstrate just how broad the new publishing initiative intends to be. Whether readers are looking for classic coming-of-age adventures, supernatural coming-of-age stories, or full-fledged horror, Oni Press and Archie Comics appear committed to proving that Riverdale can support more than a single tone while still feeling unmistakably like Archie.