If you didn’t already know that the Archie comics have numerous horror spinoffs, includingAfterlife with Archie, you do now, because Deadline reports that Disney+ has ordered a series based on the zombified comic!
The move marks Warner Bros. TV’s first series for Disney+.
Based on the comics created by Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa and Francesco Francavilla, Afterlife with Archie will be an hour-long drama series and “turns the all-American town of Riverdale into a zombie-overrun apocalypse — where the only thing scarier than the undead is trying to survive your teenage years. When a supernatural spell from a certain teen witch backfires, unleashing an army of the possessed dead upon Riverdale, Archie and his friends must fight to stay alive, testing the friendships, romances, and loyalties that have always held them together.”
Executive producers are Aguirre-Sacasa and Jimmy Gibbonsmanudios
Said Ayo Davis, president of Disney Kids & Family, “Afterlife with Archie has always been about more than just zombies — it’s about the friendships, loyalty and humanity that make Riverdale worth fighting for. Roberto, Greg, Sarah and Jon have such a deep appreciation for these characters, and they’ve built something that’s equal parts thrilling and heartfelt. Fans are going to fall hard for this new version of the gang … and maybe scream a little too.”
Added Aguirre-Sacasa, “This was the comic book that started it all. Before there was a Riverdale, before there was a Chilling Adventures of Sabrina, there was Afterlife with Archie, which I collaborated on with the best horror artist in the business, Francesco Francavilla. Getting to turn Afterlife into a TV series for the amazing team at Disney+ with our incredible partners at Berlanti Productions, WB and, of course, Jon (Goldwater) and his Archie family is truly a full-circle moment — and the ultimate dream project for me. Time to say a prayer for Archie, Betty, Veronica and the whole gang, ‘cause THE ZOMBIES ARE COMING!!!!”
As Aguirre-Sacasa mentioned there, Afterlife is not the first series adaptation of an Archie spinoff. Both Riverdale and Chilling Adventures of Sabrina have already had that honor, each with great success.
I’ve read many of the spinoffs, which include things like Archie vs Predator, and they’re all a blast. Hey, maybe the Archie team should call up Trachtenberg and see about getting that series to happen? One can dream!
Afterlife with Archie is currently slotted to rise from the grave on Disney+ during Halloween 2027.
Categorized:Comics / BooksNewsStreaming / Home Video
