To Riverdale and Back Again
Suspended Animation Classic #68
Originally published April 15, 1990 (#15)
To Riverdale and Back Again
By Michael Vance
As a general rule, comic books are not treated well by Hollywood. More often than not, movies and television series that are based on comics characters either display no real understanding of the comics or such total contempt for them that they feel justified in making sweeping changes in the characters and concepts. No doubt, the movie moguls would call these arbitrary changes “improvements” – but they seldom are.
Yet a recent motion picture that aired on NBC managed to make changes in the comic book which inspired it without diluting the original concept. The movie is “To Riverdale and Back Again”, and was based on the Archie comics that children have enjoyed for 50 years.
The biggest change evident is that all the characters have been aged 15 years. They are now in their early 30s, and returning to Riverdale for their high school reunion.
The reason for this change was both evident and necessary. Archie comics are mainly read by a pre-teenaged audience, while a prime time movie needs to appeal to adults.
Aside from that change, however, the movie remains very faithful to the comics. The old familiar characters are still there (Archie, Jughead, Betty and Veronica) and all are portrayed more or less as they are in the comics. The story is a lightly comedic, slightly corny tribute to small town values that is actually very warm and entertaining.
If you missed the movie, or just want more of the same, you can pick up a copy of the special one-shot comic book which adapts the movie.
To Riverdale and Back Again
Suspended Animation Classic #68
Originally published April 15, 1990 (#15)
To Riverdale and Back Again
By Michael Vance
As a general rule, comic books are not treated well by Hollywood. More often than not, movies and television series that are based on comics characters either display no real understanding of the comics or such total contempt for them that they feel justified in making sweeping changes in the characters and concepts. No doubt, the movie moguls would call these arbitrary changes “improvements” – but they seldom are.
Yet a recent motion picture that aired on NBC managed to make changes in the comic book which inspired it without diluting the original concept. The movie is “To Riverdale and Back Again”, and was based on the Archie comics that children have enjoyed for 50 years.
The biggest change evident is that all the characters have been aged 15 years. They are now in their early 30s, and returning to Riverdale for their high school reunion.
The reason for this change was both evident and necessary. Archie comics are mainly read by a pre-teenaged audience, while a prime time movie needs to appeal to adults.
Aside from that change, however, the movie remains very faithful to the comics. The old familiar characters are still there (Archie, Jughead, Betty and Veronica) and all are portrayed more or less as they are in the comics. The story is a lightly comedic, slightly corny tribute to small town values that is actually very warm and entertaining.
If you missed the movie, or just want more of the same, you can pick up a copy of the special one-shot comic book which adapts the movie.