How 'Riverdale' Thrilled the Child in Me

My strong infatuation towards Archie comics started since I was young. I remember saving my daily school allowances so I can buy a new edition every week/month. I usually go for the Php 250 double digests as they have more stories inside. And my eternal favorite was, of course, the “Betty and Veronica” edition.

In a little black cabinet we previously had back at home, I keep and fervidly protect all of them (as if they were my babies) with plastic covers so they don’t get damaged easily. My parents and even relatives also buy Archie comics for me as presents and these comic books easily make me happy. I was the go-to person for anyone who wishes to borrow my collection. There was even one point during summer, I loaned my Archies at Php 2.00 each to cousins or neighbors. And just like those books in the library, I also had ‘return cards’ which I tape at the back of each comic book. The return cards bore the names of the people who borrowed my Archies and I also write when are they due to return them.

I also remember writing down my personal details in the subscription pages of the comic book and I have always dreamt about buying those Archie merchandises (jackets, tumblers, etc) — only to find out later that I can’t do any of them because: well firstly, I don’t have enough US dollars back then to make a purchase; and secondly, I’m not even based in the US.

I probably have more than a thousand Archies by now if I still have all of them. My childhood Archie obsession is still very strong, I still keep a a couple of Archie comics in my bedroom at present.

*****************************************

Just imagine the excitement I had after learning that the same Chief Creative Officer of the comic book will recreate and bring all the Archie characters to life via a TV series — of course, with all the modern twists:

I can’t even recall when was the last time I got hooked on a US TV series. The last good ones I’ve watched were basically centered on high school/young adult life: Glee, Smallville, Charmed, OC, and One Tree Hill. Clearly, I haven’t been watching American series lately.

Then came Riverdale which was a huge revelation! It is probably the most exciting high school series I’ve seen in recent years. Plus the fact that they star all the characters I love from my favorite comic book of all-time. I was like a teen girl giggling the whole time while watching the first episode.

Everyone was so on-point, with some surprising modern elements added to the characters and the plot.

Archie Andrews (played by AJ Kapa) still has his red-colored hair, but the young boy also has a well-defined body:

Betty Cooper (played by Lili Reinhart) will forever be smitten on Archie:

And the drama and love triangle unfold with the entry of Veronica Lodge (played by Camila Mendes) in the picture:

Jughead Jones (played by Cole Sprouse) had less humor, but was definitely more hipster and mysterious:

I don’t remember Cheryl Blossom (played by Madelaine Petsch) to be that evil. Annoying yes, but bitchy?

When did Miss Grundy (played by Sarah Habel) become so hot? Plus she had a ‘taste’ of Archie Andrews first — way ahead of Betty, Veronica, or Cheryl.