Archie Andrews is going to Hell, and his trip might be longer and bloodier than readers expect.
Appearing on the latest episode of the AIPT Comics Podcast, Archie in Hell creators Patrick Horvath and Tyler Crook discussed their ambitious plans for the horror series, revealing that they’ve mapped out 12 issues across three story arcs. The creative team also opened up about the freedom Archie Comics has given them to push the violence and horror in some particularly gruesome directions. Archie in Hell #1 launches in comic shops next week, on November 4th.
According to Horvath, the current plan encompasses three interconnected arcs totaling 12 issues, giving the creators room to develop the story’s mythology and explore the increasingly nightmarish circumstances surrounding Riverdale’s most recognizable residents.
Importantly, that doesn’t necessarily mean the story ends with issue #12. Horvath left open the possibility of continuing beyond those initial arcs, suggesting there’s room for the series to expand.
The planned structure should be welcome news for readers who want to see how Horvath and Crook develop the series’ larger mysteries, particularly its supernatural mythology and Archie’s role.
Archie Comics isn’t afraid of getting bloody
Of course, an ambitious story is only part of what makes Archie in Hell interesting. There’s also the question of just how far the publisher will allow the creative team to go with its iconic characters.
As Horvath and Crook explained during the podcast, Archie Comics has been remarkably open to the series’ more gruesome material.
Rather than demanding that the creators tone down the violence, editorial discussions have focused on maintaining the authenticity of the characters, including how they speak and react to the increasingly horrifying situations around them.
It’s an interesting distinction for a series that takes some of the most recognizable characters in American comics and places them in a story filled with supernatural terror, grotesque imagery, and deadly consequences.
For Horvath, whose Beneath the Trees Where Nobody Sees demonstrated his ability to mix familiar, approachable character designs with deeply unsettling horror, that creative freedom is particularly fitting.
Crook, meanwhile, brings extensive experience illustrating horror comics, making the pairing an especially intriguing one for readers eager to see just how far the creators can push Riverdale into nightmare territory.
The conversation also touched on the cosmic horror and religious mythology influencing the series, including Horvath’s interest in Gnosticism, as well as the challenges of maintaining the characters’ familiar personalities while surrounding them with increasingly disturbing events.
Hear the full conversation on the AIPT Comics Podcast
The 12-issue plan and the creative team’s freedom to embrace blood and gore are only part of what Horvath and Crook discussed.
For much more onArchie in Hell, listen to the full interview on the AIPT Comics Podcast, episode #402! The creators discuss the story’s supernatural inspirations, their collaboration, why Crook initially passed on the project, and plenty more about the horrors awaiting Archie and his friends.
Listen to the full Patrick Horvath and Tyler Crook interview on the AIPT Comics Podcast! You can also stream it below!
Whether you’re curious about the creative decisions behind the series or want to hear the creators explain their plans firsthand, the full conversation offers a deeper look at what’s coming to Riverdale.
AIPT Comics Podcast Ep. 402: Halloween horrors with ‘Archie in Hell’ creators Patrick Horvath and Tyler Crook
X-Men Monday #357 – Ashley Allen Talks ‘X-Orcists’
Comic Books
EXCLUSIVE: ‘Lights Out: Mystery at the Meridian’ brings a Halloween whodunit to graphic novels in 2027
Comic Books
An odyssey of honor and loss: David M. Booher & Drew Zucker detail ‘Canto: The Clockwork Chronicles’
Comic Books
<img src="https://i0.wp.com/aiptcomics.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/XOrcistsFeature.jpeg?resize=560%2C315&ssl=1" alt="EXCLUSIVE Marvel Preview: ‘X-Orcists’ #1″>
EXCLUSIVE Marvel Preview: ‘X-Orcists’ #1
