Oni Press is kicking open the doors to a bold new chapter of its Archie universe—one that doesn’t just revisit Riverdale’s icons, but reimagines them through three sharply distinct creative lenses. For this special roundtable, we’re joined by Ben H. Winters (Archie #1), Corinna Bechko (Sabrina the Teenage Witch #1), and Patrick Horvath (Archie in Hell #1)—three writers taking on characters so culturally embedded that reinventing them is both a privilege and a dare.
What makes this moment electric is how different these books are in tone, ambition, and emotional temperature. Winters is giving Archie Andrews a modern, character‑driven realism that explores what it truly means to be Riverdale’s perennial good guy. Bechko is returning Sabrina to her magical roots with a mix of warmth, wonder, and grounded emotional stakes that make coming‑of‑age tales timeless. And Horvath—well, he’s pulling Archie straight into the fire, warping the familiar into something surreal, unsettling, and darkly hilarious.
Together, these three books form a prism—one universe refracted into wildly different storytelling reflections. During our conversation, we discussed how each creator approached legacy, tone, and reinvention; how they balanced nostalgia with new narrative muscle; and what it means to write characters who have lived in the public imagination for generations. So let’s welcome talented writers Ben H. Winters, Corrina Bechko, and Patrick Horvath back to GVN Talking Comics.
The Non‑Negotiable Core
GVN: Thank you for spending time with us today, Ben, Corrina, and Patrick, to discuss Oni Press and their joint venture into Archie Comics. So, let’s jump right in! These iconic characters have been reinterpreted countless times over the decades. What was the non‑negotiable core of the character you felt had to remain intact as you stepped into your specific project, and what was the first thing you knew you wanted to change?
CORRINA: For Sabrina, the important conflict is an extreme version of what confronts every person on the cusp of adulthood: who am I now, and who am I becoming? At her core, Sabrina is a teen, with teen concerns. She’s also a witch finding the limits of her powers as she masters them. Watching these forces intersect is where the fun and the drama enter the story, and I love that. It’s a dynamic that can be updated endlessly without changing the heart of what readers love about the characters..
BEN: For my man Archie, the “non-negotiable core” (I love that phrase by the way, and will be applying it to my own personality) has to do with a fundamental goodness, as dangerously cheesy as that may sound. Yes, he screws up, he causes problems, he keeps these two girls hanging on, he taunts Reggie, takes Jughead for granted a bit. But he does these things because he’s young, and exuberant, and heedless at times, never out of malice or pure selfishness. I’m very interested in all the moments where he is forced to take responsibility for his actions. He’s a permanent teenager in a permanent state of starting to grow up. I love that about him.
PATRICK: With Archie, I’d double-down on everything Ben mentioned. It’s honestly not an experiment with character in regards to changing it (and I think the whole endeavor will probably be at its best if we can maintain that consistency between the old books and with these three in particular). Mostly it’s circumstances, and in my case those happen to be rather traumatic and horrific.
Character Relationships
GVN: As it has been since the beginning, Archie and his cohort’s stories live or die on their relationships. Which dynamic between characters became the engine of your take for this project?
CORRINA: Archie Comics are always about friends, but part of what makes Sabrina unique is her magical family. So, while Sabrina’s relationship with Harvey and the rest of her gang is important, so is the time she spends with her aunts and especially with her feline familiar Salem. Salem is the character we meet first, and he often drives our story forward, especially when Sabrina rejects his advice. Fortunately, Kano draws amazing cats!
BEN: So far, anyway, I’m finding a lot of power in Archie’s bond with Jughead. Archie is this busy bee, this dynamo, this ladies’ man, this sports star, this All-American…and his best friend is softspoken, philosophical, and loves hamburgers. The moments where they are checking in with each other, offering advice to each other, reveling in each other’s company — pure gold, for me. And showcases how this comic is about more than fun adventures, it’s about how we live with each other in the world.
PATRICK: Personally, a big element to ARCHIE IN HELL has been the dynamic that Archie has with all of them. He’s sort of the nexus for all these characters and they’re all defined by him in a way. Without spoiling too much, there’s a whole element of it that explores what happens when you’re taking Archie out of that and reintroducing him into it. It’s sort of a fascinating exercise to see how Archie completes the picture.
Collaborations with the Art Team
GVN: Oni’s relaunch has a distinct visual identity. What was the most surprising or inspiring moment in your collaboration with the art team as their new look, concepts, and emotional tones came together?
CORRINA: I was floored when I saw the cover of issue #1! Kano really captures Sabrina. She’s never passive in his renderings, always stylish, a bit quirky, but with a kind yet mischievous spirit. Seeing her presented in that way makes me want to elevate the writing to match.
BEN: Kinda as Corinna said, when I got that cover that Fabio Moon did for #1, my head sort of fell off. I had read DAYTRIPPER, the book he did with his brother, but hadn’t really yet contemplated what it would mean for an artist with such a subtle and stylish imagination to take on this iconic character. It kills me. It makes me want to ensure I do justice to it.
PATRICK: Same as Corinna and Ben, when I saw what Tyler Crook brought to this book I was pinching myself. I’ve been a fan of Tyler’s work for a LONG time, and this has been a dream come true. The most inspiring part of all of it is that the story comes alive in my head once I see the performances that Tyler puts together. The collaborative act of putting this together with him has really solidified what it is that I’m writing.
Introducing Bold New Chapters in Riverdale
GVN: Without spoiling anything, what’s the spark of conflict or mystery in issue #1 that signals to readers this isn’t just a nostalgic return but instead, a bold new chapter with these characters?
CORRINA: I think it’s the way that Sabrina interacts with her family, including Salem, combined with the supernatural elements that crop up immediately. Unlike some past renditions, this Sabrina has to sometimes get her hands dirty to work her spells. But she isn’t about to do anything she doesn’t want to do without a good reason. That means the way she solves problems is unconventional, just like she is.
BEN: The main feature is a big robust Archie adventure that sort of re-introduces the gang…but then there’s a back-end feature centering on Jughead as he writes in his journal that is (if I can say so humbly) sort of pure Ben Winters, and starts to inject the slightly off-kilter sensibility I want to slowly seed in to this world. It may remind some readers of writing in their own diaries as teens; it may remind other readers of Rorschach’s journal in WATCHMEN! We’ll see!
PATRICK: There’s a moment in ARCHIE IN HELL where a hard turn is made and we set the table for the journey that Archie is about to go on. He finds himself at the center of a potential cosmic horror apocalypse, and has to stumble his way through to see if he can save the Riverdale that he has to leave behind.
Walking the “Teen-Legacy Tightrope”
GVN: Updating legacy teen icons for 2026 is a tightrope walk. What contemporary pressures, cultural shifts, or generational realities shaped your version of these beloved characters and their worlds?
CORRINA: Luckily, even though it’s been a while since I was as young as Sabrina, I do work with quite a few teens and young adults at my day job. And it’s true, things have changed a lot over the years. But the problem of being human hasn’t changed at all. I try to listen closely to what my mentees care about and how they see the world. Often it changes my perspective for the better, and I’ve tried to bring some of that feeling to this iteration of Sabrina.
BEN: Ditto, ditto, ditto, including having some teens in my own household — three of them as it happens. I’m trying not to make the comic too reliant on bits about smart phones and social media, since that stuff will come and go, but (as Corinna notes) what doesn’t change is what it feels like to be this age: excitable, overwhelmed, loving, scared, all of it.
PATRICK: Agree with all the above. To be honest, I haven’t really had much in regards to contemporary pressures that I’ve had to contend with, and without giving too much away, I’ve been dealing with a ton more of the past.
Fábio Moon, Kano, and Tyler Crook
GVN: I had previously mentioned the fantastic art team working on these books. What, if any, were the challenges AND the fun of working with such talents as Fábio Moon, Kano, and Tyler Crook?
CORRINA: I’m truly honored to be working with a talent like Kano. The attention to detail, the humor, and the emotion brought to Sabrina have been a joy to behold. The fun is seeing the finished art. The challenge is the same: after seeing it, I know I have to make the next script even better to live up to it!
BEN: Yeah, the challenge is really just picking your head back up off the floor after you see the smart and gorgeous things they do with your little ideas.
PATRICK: The big challenge I’ve had has been writing specifically for someone else. I’ve always drawn my own scripts, so that was a bit of a learning curve for me. Tyler and I spoke through it all before we started and it’s off to a great start so far. The real joy is just letting Tyler do his thing. As I mentioned, I’ve been a huge fan, and the joy that I get in seeing what he brings back is off the charts.
Looking Ahead
GVN: Thank you all for sharing your insights into these exciting projects. Finally, as you look ahead, what excites you most about where these versions of Archie and the gang can go—emotionally, narratively, or thematically—as these series unfold?
CORRINA: I love the process of Sabrina discovering herself. I think for her, more than for any of the human characters, there’s the possibility of turning to the darkness. She has access to secrets and powers the others don’t possess, so she could do real harm if she wanted. But as the stories build and present moral quandaries, she always finds a way through the thorns because at heart, despite being a witch, she’s a good person. Writing a character like that is irresistible because she has to keep making that decision, so spending time with her makes me feel better about people in general.
BEN: I’m excited about continuing to add a more emotional underlayer to these stories, specifically as it relates to the looming spectre of adulthood. Ironically, because Archie and his friends have been teenagers for 85 years now, but I think the great theme here is the unsettling interregnum of adolescence: no longer a child, not yet an adult, and how does that feel?
PATRICK: Honestly, ARCHIE IN HELL is going to be such a ride for readers, and I’m thrilled for them to see where this story is going to go. There’s a definite method to the madness, but there is going to be a lot of madness.
As we wrapped this roundtable with Ben H. Winters, Corinna Bechko, and Patrick Horvath, one thing becomes unmistakably clear: Oni Press and Archie Comics aren’t just relaunching Archie, Sabrina, and the Riverdale mythos—they’re redefining what these characters can be. Three books, three tones, three creative philosophies, all converging into a line that treats legacy not as a constraint but as a launchpad.
And speaking of launchpads, here is the Press Release from Oni Press and Archie Comics that explains these exciting new chapters in the Archie and the Gang saga:
First Look: Redesigning Riverdale for a New Era with Acclaimed Artists Kano & Fábio Moon
Oni Press and Archie Comics Unveil The First Look at Designs for
Archie, Betty, Veronica, Jughead, and Sabrina
Ahead of the All-New ARCHIE #1, SABRINA THE TEENAGE WITCH #1 and ARCHIE IN HELL #1 —
In Stores This Fall!
PORTLAND, OR (June 29, 2026) Oni Press – the multiple Eisner and Harvey Award-winning publisher of groundbreaking comics and graphic novels since 1997 – and the world-renowned Archie Comic Publications, Inc. are proud to unveil the first look at acclaimed artists Kano and Fábio Moon’s character designs for ARCHIE #1 and SABRINA THE TEENAGE WITCH #1, the first titles in the all-new ambitious and wide-ranging publishing partnership launching a distinctly original and stylistically reimagined slate of monthly comic series, original graphic novels, and prestige collections. Timed to coincide with the 85th anniversary of Archie’s’ first appearance in PEP COMICS #22 in 1941, the new partnership between Oni Press and Archie Comics will kick off in September with ARCHIE #1 by 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), multiple Eisner Award–winning artist Fábio Moon (Daytripper, Casanova), and rising star artist Nick Cagnetti (Spirit in the Shadows, Pink Lemonade) — followed in October by SABRINA THE TEENAGE WITCH #1 by Hugo Award nominee Corinna Bechko (Green Lantern: Earth One, EC’s Blood Type) and Eisner Award nominee Kano (Daredevil, Gotham Central).
Artist KANO
“Working on the redesigns for these iconic Archie characters was a real challenge, because the last thing you want to do is change them. They’re beloved, instantly recognizable, and hold a special place in fans’ hearts. My approach, both with the ARCHIE cast and on SABRINA, was the opposite, while still celebrating and honoring their original essence. I searched for modern aesthetics that feel true to their classic styles and personalities, creating a richer visual toolkit for the other artists. My goal was to provide versatile references that allow them to enhance each character’s look and adapt their outfits as the stories demand, while staying faithful to who they are. I hope these designs become a helpful foundation for the whole relaunch team. And I probably shouldn’t say this…but Jughead’s design is my favorite! Archie is legendary, of course—but Jughead had the most exciting room to evolve while still celebrating everything that makes him special.”
Artist Fabio Moon
“My focus on these characters isn’t as much in what they look like—that was Kano’s job—but more in how they behave and how their body language and fashion choices can help us convey their distinct personalities.”
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!
Who’d ever want to be ordinary when you could be a teenage witch instead? Still reeling from the surprise revelation of her secret birthright and with Halloween just around the corner, high schooler Sabrina Spellman is honing her craft one hex at a time and figuring out how to balance her magical new life with the crushing responsibilities of being 16 years old. But when her feline familiar Salem drops a mythical trickster on Sabrina’s literal doorstep, she might not be able to keep her two worlds from smashing together like two busted pumpkins on All Hallow’s Eve. No time for fate. No time for destiny. No time for homework. Being a teenager is far from magical . . . even when you’re a witch! Are you ready for SABRINA THE TEENAGE WITCH #1?
Also, later this year, the inferno begins in ARCHIE IN HELL #1 in November! In another time, in another Riverdale, Archie Andrews’ radiant life is about to turn pitch black. Separated from his friends and bound by a terrible curse, there’s only one way to save Archie: to damn him. But he won’t be alone for long . . . The next smash hit in Archie’s wildly successful horror line is ARCHIE IN HELL! Join multiple Eisner Award winner Patrick Horvath (Beneath the Trees where Nobody Sees) and Eisner Award nominee Tyler Crook (Out of Alcatraz, Harrow County) as they forge a brand-new legend of Archie horror, leaving a blood-stained trail from 1690 to the present day.
ARCHIE #1
WRITTEN BY BEN H. WINTERS
ART BY FÁBIO MOON
STUART IMMONEN COVER A
FÁBIO MOON COVER B
KARL KERSCHL COVER C
KHARY RANDOLPH COVER D
COVER E BLANK SKETCH
FOIL VARIANT ($8.99) BY STUART IMMONEN
FOIL VARIANT ($8.99) BY FÁBIO MOON
TEASER VARIANT (1:10) BY KANO
LEGACY VARIANT (1:20) BY DAN PARENT
VARIANT COVER (1:50) BY ELSA CHARRETIER
VARIANT COVER (1:100) BY MAHMUD ASRAR
B&W VARIANT (1:250) BY STUART IMMONEN
ON SALE SEPTEMBER 2ND, 2026 | $4.99 | 32 PGS. | FC
SABRINA THE TEENAGE WITCH #1
WRITTEN BY CORINNA BECHKO
ART BY KANO
KANO COVER A
MARGUERITE SAUVAGE COVER B
NAOMI FRANQ COVER C
CAROLINE CASH COVER D
FOIL VARIANT ($8.99) BY KANO
FOIL VARIANT ($8.99) BY CAROLINE CASH
TEASER VARIANT (1:10) BY KANO
LEGACY VARIANT (1:20) BY DAN PARENT
VARIANT COVER (1:50) BY ERICA HENDERSON
VARIANT COVER (1:100) BY MAHMUD ASRAR
B&W VARIANT (1:250) BY KANO
$4.99 | 32 PGS. | OCTOBER 2026
ARCHIE IN HELL #1
Written by PATRICK HORVATH
Art by TYLER CROOK
COVERS TO BE REVEALED!
$4.99 | 32 PGS. | NOVEMBER 2026
Senior Writer at GeekVibesNation – I am a 60 something child of the 70’s who admits to being a Star Trek/Star Wars/Comic Book junkie who once dove headfirst over a cliff (Ok, it was a small hill) to try to rescue his Fantastic Four comic from a watery grave. I am married to a lovely woman who is as crazy as I am and the proud parent of a 21-year-old young man with autism. My wife and son are my real heroes.
