Archie Comics have announced a new one-shot called “Archie Meets Riverdale,” which will see the comic series crossover with the CW’s TV adaptation. The one-shot comes from the creative team of writer Daniel Kibblesmith, artists Pat & Tim Kennedy, inker Bob Smith, colorist Matt Herms, and letterer Jack Morelli.
The specific details regarding the events of the crossover were largely kept under wraps, with the solicitation simply teasing that the one-shot will see the Archie Comics characters “come face-to-face with their slightly more serious television counterparts.” Kibblesmith chose to talk about the two series more widely, stating “I love that Archie Comics are so malleable that they can become something like Riverdale. I also love that something as seemingly quaint as classic Archie and as unapologetically bonkers as Riverdale can resonate with people so deeply that they can both become giant hits and/or enduring classics without ever sacrificing their core to ‘hip’ momentary trends.”
Alongside this crossover news came the announcement that Mike Pellerito will be the company’s new Editor-in-Chief. Pellerito will be tasked with overseeing the classic-themed Archie output, and the all-ages publishing line that reprints some of the publisher’s classic tales, as well as new and original ones. The present-day-set Archie stories will continue to be the domain of the publisher’s Senior Director of Editorial, Jamie L. Rotante. Pellerito has worked for the company for 22 years, with his recent highlights including working as the editor for the 2015 relaunches of “Archie” and “Jughead.” Pellerito takes over the role following the death of Victor Gorelick in February 2020.
Pellerito described taking on the role as an “honor,” and stated that he wants everyone who opens one of his Archie Comics publications, whether they’re a “die-hard fan” or a first time reader, to “feel like you’re visiting a group of friends that you’ve known forever.”
“Archie Meets Riverdale” #1 is scheduled for release on May 11. You can check out Ben Caldwell’s variant cover in addition to inked preview pages here.
