The CW has become well known for its television series based on comic book characters. The network’s superhero universe - consisting of Arrow, The Flash, Legends of Tomorrow, and Supergirl - is based on DC Comics heroes, while iZombie is an adaptation of the Vertigo books of the same name. The CW added another comic-inspired series to its lineup this season with Riverdale, adapting classic characters from Archie Comics for a teen drama focused on a murder mystery wrapped up in a Twin Peaks tone.
The Riverdale series premiere kicked off the major plot thread of season 1, the murder of Jason Blossom, which has since shed light on a number of darker aspects in the small town. Through it all, Archie Andrews (K.J. Apa), Jughead Jones (Cole Sprouse), Betty Cooper (Lili Reinhart), and Veronica Lodge (Camila Mendes) have faced other problems unlike those that would have appeared in the pages of Archie Comics. However, that hasn’t stopped Riverdale from referencing the classic and beloved characters - most recently with some behind the scenes images.
The official Archie Comics Twitter account posted a handful of photos taken behind the scenes of tonight’s episode, ‘Chapter Seven: In a Lonely Place’ that feature the four main teenagers dressed up like their classic comic book counterparts. Reinhart tweeted photos of herself in Betty’s ’50s garb and revealed the images are from the opening sequence of the episode, while Riverdale showrunner Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa tweeted additional photos. Take a look:
Old school meets new. Tune in tonight at 9/8c for an all new episode of #Riverdale on The CW! pic.twitter.com/9kHbEmQ0zh— Archie Comics (@ArchieComics) March 9, 2017
#RiverdaleTonight at 9/8c.@TheCW pic.twitter.com/E7tOhZLxvy— Archie Comics (@ArchieComics) March 9, 2017
Best opening sequence ever tonight on #Riverdale ????♀️ 9pm on @TheCW pic.twitter.com/7GfGeYfHiG— Lili Reinhart (@lilireinhart) March 9, 2017
Join us for dinner w/ the Coopers and live-tweet with the writers & cast of #riverdale tonight at 9 on the #cw! pic.twitter.com/cBqp60VRCZ— RobertoAguirreSacasa (@WriterRAS) March 9, 2017
Heeere’s Juggie! See a RETRO side of the cast on tonight’s #riverdale. At 9 on the #cw! Live-tweet w/cast & writers! pic.twitter.com/iisALj05Qn— RobertoAguirreSacasa (@WriterRAS) March 9, 2017
Ever since Riverdale was first reported as in development from Arrowverse producer Greg Berlanti, it additionally known that the series would feature modern, darker iterations of the classic comic book characters. So far, The CW series has undoubtedly delivered on reinvented versions of Archie, Jughead, Betty, and Veronica - even as the spirit of the characters remained. On the whole, Riverdale is in line with Archie Comics’ 2015 reboot in its comic book universe, though arguably the show does take the iconic characters in a darker direction than readers would see in the main comic line.
Still, while Riverdale viewers may be enjoying the wholly different version of Archie, these photos of the series main characters dressed up like their comic counterparts are fun to see - and the costumes will certainly be entertaining to see in live-action in tonight’s episode. Based on these photos, they’re likely from a dream sequence, though it remains to be seen whose dream it will be. But, no matter how these particular scenes fit into ‘In a Lonely Place’, fans of classic Archie Comics will undoubtedly enjoy the nod to the classic versions of these iconic characters.
Next: Riverdale Season 2 Ordered by The CW
Riverdale continues tonight with ‘Chapter Seven: In a Lonely Place’ at 9pm on The CW.
Source: Archie Comics [1, 2], Lili Reinhart, Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa [1, 2]
