Archie and friends are returning to animation in the upcoming series, It’s Archie, a brand new take on the world famous comic book characters co-produced by Moonscoop LLC and Archie Comics. Archie, Betty, Veronica, Jughead, Reggie and the rest of the gang will be portrayed as pre-teens in this contemporary look at the adventures shared at Riverdale Jr. High.
And check out below for some storyboards and other teasers as to what to expect.
U.S. based Moonscoop LLC and Archie Comics have partnered to co-produce the new animated series, It’s Archie, featuring the iconic beloved characters of Archie, Betty, Jughead, Veronica and Reggie as 12-year-olds in their home town of Riverdale, Season One of It’s Archie focuses on a cast of rambunctious pre-teens, set in the contemporary world blending slapstick comedy in outlandish, exuberant, off-the wall novel adventures, will be offered at MIP Junior and MIPCOM, Oct. 5-10 in Cannes.
The world renowned Archie Comics, published since 1941, have sold over 2 billion comics worldwide. Since first offered, their digital app has been downloaded in excess of 4 million times with over 11 million digital Archie Comics and books sold.
It’s Archie rolls back a few developmental years, catching the characters on the cusp of transitioning to teens, as twelve year-olds at a modern-day Riverdale Jr. High. As with most seventh graders, Archie and his friends struggle with the normal, everyday issues such as peer pressure, boy vs. girl competition, pie eating contests, shyness, family chores and homework. On the other hand, in the It’s Archie world, enter some very loopy, disparate elements such as mad scientists, extraterrestrials taking up residence in janitorial closets, enchanted fog, pirates, various beasties populating local lakes, even Jughead’s beanie holding the secret to saving the world! In the It’s Archie quixotic world of Riverdale, love is measured in puppy portions, exuberance is in the air and the impossible can always be solved with a dose of kid ingenuity.
Official Press Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: ARCHIE COMICS AND MOONSCOOP PARTNER FOR NEW ANIMATED SABRINA, THE TEENAGE WITCH TELEVISION SERIES
ICONIC CHARACTER TO BE REIMAGINED FOR A MODERN AUDIENCE, IN THE VEIN OF HARRY POTTER, TWILIGHT AND BUFFY, THE VAMPIRE SLAYER
New York, NY and Los Angeles, CA (September 22, 2011) — Archie Comics, the leading mass market comic book publisher in the world and home to leading all-ages properties Archie, Betty and Veronica, Jughead and Josie and the Pussycats announced plans to partner with Moonscoop, one of the leading worldwide animation production studios, to create a new animated series based on the adventures of Sabrina, the Teenage Witch.
Sabrina, one of the most popular properties in Archie’s wide collection of characters and universes, has been a strong presence in visual media since the 1970s, and was the focus of a long-running ABC and The WB sitcom, which was followed by an equally-successful animated series which ran on ABC.
The Archie/Moonscoop partnership will bring a new look to the long-running character, and bring her in line with a more modern and teen-centric sensibility. Sabrina will face the trials and tribulations all teens come across – along with monsters and the supernatural.
“Sabrina is a huge and important character for Archie, so we were very careful in how we brought her back to animation. The team at Moonscoop are the perfect partners for us,” said Archie Co-CEO Jon Goldwater. “They know how to put together quality animation and they get the characters. We’re excited and honored to be working with such a talented group.”
Moonscoop will bring the company’s award-winning production and creative teams together to reimagine the character and her supporting cast for a modern audience and an integral part of Moonscoop’s past catalogue of animated programming (currently over 3,000 half-hours and growing). Current Moonscop projects include Hero: 108, Tara Duncan, Fantastic Four, Casper, Code Lyoko, Titeuf and Wild Grinders among many others.
Mike Young, CEO of Moonscoop’s North American office said: “We can’t wait to collaborate on production of these fantastic new shows. The Archie Comics library is a real treasure trove of brands ideal for bringing to animated life for television.” Nicolas Atlan, Executive Chairman added: “Sabrina The Teenage Witch and Little Archie’s will have a top-quality look and feel that captures the essence of the original illustrations and stories, while giving them fresh appeal for international TV audiences.”
Moonscoop and Archie are looking to launch the animated series with a network or cable partner in the coming year.
ABOUT ARCHIE COMICS
Archie Comics is the leading mass market comic book publisher in the world and the home to a wide array of the most popular humor, action-adventure and superhero characters in entertainment, including Archie, Jughead, Betty and Veronica, Reggie, Kevin Keller, Josie and the Pussycats, Sabrina, the Teenage Witch, the Mighty Crusaders, Super Duck, Lil’ Jinx and many more. Archie Comics have sold almost 2 billion comics worldwide and are published around the world in a number of languages. In addition to comics, Archie characters have been featured prominently in animation, television, film and music in various popular incarnations.
ABOUT MOONSCOOP
Moonscoop is a leading worldwide kids production, distribution, brand management and entertainment company, focused on producing original projects and building brands with international appeal and longevity. Its rights library combines many of the most successful programs and best-loved animated creations in the global television market and includes over 3,000 half-hours of programming airing in more than 160 territories worldwide. Key brands include “Tara Duncan”, “The Davincibles”, “Super Sportlets, “Code Lyoko,” “Fantastic Four,” “Titeuf” (Tootuff) the Series and Feature Film, “Chloe’s Closet.” , “Pet Alien”, “Hero:108”, “Dive Olly Dive!” “Geronimo Stilton” and “Casper” which are licensed in markets around the world. Moonscoop’s production slate currently includes “Hero:108 Season 2”, , “Geronimo Stilton Season2”, “Casper Season 2”, and “Ava Riko Teo Season 2” .
