Ben H. Winters Talks Archie
Archie is entering a new era for the character and all of Riverdale’s favorites with Oni Press and Archie’s new #1s. Ben H. Winters, the acclaimed novelist, takes up the main title, Archie! We spoke with him about bringing his mostly serious literary background (dark mysteries, drama television) to pure comedy for the first time, tracing his sense of pacing back to his college comedy troupe and punk band roots. He describes his Riverdale as infinitely elastic, a setting that can stretch from the diner to a mountaintop while staying instantly recognizable, and explains that his debut arc centers on a film festival specifically so he can reintroduce the whole core cast at once, each filtered through a different genre pastiche. Beneath the gags, Winters talks about weaving in a quieter thread about the anxiety of late adolescence, using a recurring Jughead’s Journal backup feature to hint at an unfolding, faintly sci-fi mystery about why Riverdale never seems to change, while also pushing to diversify the town’s cast to reflect a more realistic version of the world. Listen below!
Main Cover
BEING YOUNG NEVER GETS OLD! THE MILESTONE COMICS PUBLISHING EVENT OF THE YEAR STARTS HERE AS ONI PRESS AND ARCHIE COMICS PROUDLY PRESENT A GROUNDBREAKING NEW ONGOING SERIES FOR THE MOST JOYOUS COMIC BOOK ICON OF ALL! A new day is dawning in Riverdale as New York Times bestselling writer, Edgar Award and Philip K. Dick Award winner, and Eisner Award nominee Ben H. Winters (EC’s Cruel Universe, Benjamin) joins multiple Eisner Award–winning artist Fábio Moon (Daytripper, Casanova) to reintroduce America’s favorite teenager — and begin a star-studded countdown to Archie’s 85th anniversary — with a 21st-century testament to teenage idealism and the limitless joy of Archie Comics! 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! Bountiful bonus stories! 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!
