Archie #1 — Ben H. Winters and Fábio Moon Bring Joy to Riverdale’s Newest Mystery
Archie Andrews is back in a brand-new ongoing series from Oni Press. With Ben H. Winters writing and Fábio Moon drawing, Riverdale’s classic teens face a postmodern mystery at a local film festival. It’s a testament to teenage idealism and the limitless joy of Archie Comics.
There is a specific kind of magic that only Archie Comics can pull off. It’s the feeling of walking down a street where everyone knows your name, where the worst problem is figuring out how to ask someone to prom, and where the sun always seems to be shining just a little brighter. Oni Press and Archie Comics are bringing that warmth back with a brand-new #1 that doesn’t just reboot the franchise—it reinvents the feeling. This is a debut series designed to be the antidote to the modern grind, a love letter to the 17-year-old heart that never truly goes away.
The setup is deceptively simple. We follow Archie Andrews, forever 17, as he navigates the familiar streets of Riverdale. He has the friends, the football glory, and that natural charm that puts him at the center of every story. But this time, the usual small-town rhythms are disrupted by a local film festival. What starts as a weekend event spirals into a whirlwind adventure through the town’s past, present, and future. At the center of the chaos is an enigmatic paradox that only Jughead Jones can unravel.
The creative team here is a masterclass in tone. Ben H. Winters, known for his sharp, speculative fiction like EC’s Cruel Universe, brings a writer’s eye to the structure, turning the film festival into a puzzle box of postmodern malaise. But it’s Fábio Moon’s art that truly sells the dream. If you’ve read Daytripper or Casanova, you know Moon’s ability to balance whimsy with emotional depth. His Riverdale is vibrant, lived-in, and bursting with personality. It’s a visual feast that reminds you why these characters have endured for nearly a century.
This book is also a celebration. As part of Archie’s 85th anniversary countdown, there are puzzles, pin-ups, and a sweet shop of surprises woven into the narrative. It’s a meta-textual joyride that invites readers to play along. You’re not just reading a story; you’re experiencing the joy of discovery that made these comics famous in the first place. It’s smart, it’s silly, and it’s deeply heartfelt.
If you’ve been waiting for a comic that feels like a warm hug after a long week, this is the one. It’s a testament to the power of teenage idealism and the limitless joy of the Archie universe. The stacks for this one are moving, so grab your copy before the festival gets underway.