The CW's Riverdale | Honest Thoughts From An Avid Archie Comics Fan

Both photos from Riverdale's official Facebook page

From one of the most loved and longest running comic publication to a TV adaptation. This concept isn't new for the brand Archie Comics as it has already launched quite a number of cartoons, a movie and of course TV series, both animation and live action. I have been an Archie fan and collector ever since I was a young kid. It's been what, almost 2 decades already? (Because I was already a fan as early as 8 years old!) To my surprise, joy and well, disappointment, the American broadcasting network, The CW decided to bring the comic series to television. The series is called "Riverdale", which is the name of the town where Archie and all his friends live. Me being surprised is understandable, because, it was really unexpected; and joy, because being a true Archie Comics fan—means you'd be happy about anything new about Archie and the gang! The disappointment is a different story though. Allow me to fill you in through this post.

Warning: Spoilers ahead. If you haven't watched the first few episodes of Riverdale, you may want to skip this. But if this post already piqued your interest, then, by all means, go click the read more link! Don't say I didn't warn you though. ;)

'Kay, so here it goes. When news broke about an Archie Comics being adapted for TV by The CW, I was so excited. It even inspired me to happily continue collecting the new [look of] Archie Comics. I previously mentioned that I was a fan and a collector, right. So just to give you an idea, let me show you some of my Archie collections.

The new Archie Comics

My Archie comics tower

My Betty and Veronica Double Digests!

Archie Special Series/Edition

Best of Archie Comics Books 1 and 2

My favorites shelf

Life With Archie series

I waited what feels like a loooong time for the trailer for Riverdale. But when it was released December of last year, I was super disappointed. I actually have 5 points to discuss.

1. Some of the casts do not remind us of all of the comic characters.
Although The CW, as well as Archie Comics themselves, already mentioned that the show will not be exactly as it is in the comic books, it still did disappoint me. Because for someone like me who have been a fan for almost my entire life, those are the characters I have known and loved. And now, with Riverdale, it was a definite adjustment to separate the comic book from the TV series. To make you understand my first point, below are side by side photos of the characters from the comic books vs. Riverdale.

 

When I saw the first few photos of the announcement that KJ Appa is playing Archie in the TV reboot, man, I was dismayed and disappointed. HE DOESN'T LOOK ANYTHING LIKE ARCHIE. In the comic books, he is described as a redhead boy next door but ordinary-looking. That meant he is not as buff as KJ looks. Just like what everybody says, "How did Archie become hot?" IKR. And to be honest, I actually think he looks more like Moose... Super not Archie Andrews.

While I mentioned the word 'disappointment' several times earlier on this post, that doesn't mean I won't commend them at all. Lili Reinhart may not look exactly like our Betty Cooper from the comics, but she sure can pull the character off.

 

As a kid, I would always say that I love Veronica Lodge so much, that I want to be her. I even use her name as an alias whenever I have the chance to, like in Kris Kringles and anything that requires me to change my name for fun. I know, that meant overlooking all her negative attitude, most especially being a bitch, but what can I do? I just love her. Camila Mendes, like Lili Reinhart, may not look exactly like the character she is playing, but I can totally see the resemblance so I'm not complaining. And girl, her brows are so Ronnie!

If you think he is familiar, well, he is. Cole Sprouse was famous for starring in his own Disney show alongside with his twin, Dylan Sprouse. The show was called The Suite Life with Zack and Cody, and boy did I used to watch that every day on Disney Channel. Not complaining about this one too. Just look at his hair, it is so Juggie! I also like that they converted Juggie's crown to a beanie tp make it more realistic. What a style staple.

I was entangled in a love and hate for Cheryl Blossom's character in the comic book. Sometimes she's amazing and envy-worthy, but most of the time, she isn't. If you think Ronnie (Veronica) is a bitch, Cheryl is a much bigger one. With Madelaine Petsch, sure, the resemblance is uncanny, but her personality in the TV series gives me the creep.

Uhm, is this the same character or what? Anybody who sees this photo would agree. Veronica's mom, Hermione Lodge does not look like her blonde bombshell self in Riverdale. Sorry, Ms. Marisol Nichols...

Ross Butler playing Reggie Mantle? Nope. Reg's personality in the comic book is so strong it pisses off almost everyone. This dude in Riverdale though hasn't even reached 60% of Reggie's character, but let's give him and chance and see in the next episodes...

 

Marmaduke Mason aka "Moose" is a big dude but with a soft heart. I haven't seen both "big dude" and "soft heart" yet with Cody Kearsley, but again, let's see in the next episodes.

 

Kevin Keller, albeit being a new Archie Comics character, is sticking with its brand of personality as shown in the comic books. Casey Cott can pull off his character. On a different note, I thought with Kevin being a new character, they'd stick to the image he was already known for—a blondie. But oh well, a least he does a good job being Kevin...

Although Josie McCoy was not a regular recurring character in most of the Archie Comics series, Josie is one of the popular characters in the comics because of her band Josie and the Pussycats. I wonder if it will be the same with Riverdale, especially since she was seen singing The Archie's song in the second episode. Don't you think Ashleigh Murray is a spitting image of Josie? I do!

To cap off the comic book vs TV characters point, *ta daa*! Here is Sarah Habel, as the Miss Grundy of Riverdale: an early 30s teacher which looks like the granddaughter of Miss Grundy from the comic book. Need I say more?

2. A teacher-student relationship.
Really, The CW? That's the best you can do? You drop the teacher-student shiz on the first episode? You see, most fans of Archie Comics are millenials/90s kids. I grew up loving Archie Comics because of its wholesomeness without it being boring, and then this. This was soooo disappointing that I skip through the scenes whenever Archie (KJ Appa) has a moment with Miss Grundy (Sarah Habel). I. CAN'T. EVEN.

3. What's with the dull theme?
Archie Comics for me was fun, young and easy going. Growing up, I read it to pass the time and to catch up with what is going in with Archie and his friends. I fell in love with the friendly environment that was set for the readers back then. But fast forward to 2017, it's all about Cheryl's twin brother, Jason Blossom's death and Cheryl, being the murderer. I mean, I know Jason did not appear as often in the comic books but do you really have to kill him in the first episode? You already dropped the forbidden relationship angle and then you add Jason's death? Too much for one episode.

4. Riverdale reminds me so much of Pretty Little Liars.
I am a long time fan of PLL so I kinda know. (I even bought books, although I wasn't able to finish all of them.) The death, the mystery behind it, the secrets everyone keeps, again, the dull theme, and Jughead (Cole Sprouse) narrating what's happening around him, eerily reminds me of A, and not in a good way.

5. Separating the comic book from the TV series.
Sure, you can take away Riverdale out of Archie Comics, but you can't take away Archie Comics out of Riverdale. Does that even make any sense to you? If yes, here's a *virtual fist bump* from me to you! If not, then here's a probably simpler way to tell it to ya—I kid you not, I have encountered fellow Archie fans online, and we share the same sentiments, most especially about the characters. One may think that these are merely just characters on a comic book, but to us, fans and collectors, this is/was our life—whether during our childhood days or until now. We grew up knowing these characters even if we haven't met them personally yet—and I doubt we will ever get the chance to, as they are, like what others say, just characters from a comic book. It's like knowing them by your heart and seeing another version, which is sometimes, the opposite of what we know and love. 

Anyway, despite the lengthy post, I'm not closing my doors to any improvement on The CW and Riverdale's part, because after all, it is still Archie. Here's to hoping!!!

By the way, this post is welcome to accept any feedback regarding the show, Riverdale or anything about Archie Comics. Feel free to utilize the comments post! :)