WEBTOON and Archie Comics Announce Season 2 of Big Ethel Energy

The Ringo-nominated webcomic collaboration reimagines the classic Riverdale character for a new generation of fans; the series returns today with new episodes exclusively on WEBTOON

LOS ANGELES--(BUSINESS WIRE)--WEBTOON, the world’s largest digital comics platform, and Archie Comics have announced that their hit digital comic collaboration, Archie Comics: Big Ethel Energy, returns today with new episodes exclusively on WEBTOON. Created by writer Keryl Brown Ahmed and lead artist Siobhan Keenan, Big Ethel Energy updates the classic character for a new generation of comic fans.

Big Ethel Energy follows Ethel years after her high-school years in Riverdale. Now a strong and confident adult, Ethel speaks truth to power as a journalist. The first-ever collaboration between Archie Comics and WEBTOON, Big Ethel Energy earned a Ringo Award nomination for Best Webcomic in 2022 and has notched more than 22 million views and 385,000 subscribers since its launch in September 2021. The series was also adapted into a successful print graphic novel last year.

Season 1 of Big Ethel Energy found Ethel writing a history of Riverdale. Initially excited to take down Archie, Jughead, Betty, Veronica, and the other Riverdale natives who made her life hell years ago, the only thing Ethel forgets to consider is… maybe they’ve all changed, too. In Season 2, Ethel is ready to let go of the past and give love a shot, but maintaining a relationship with Moose Mason is more challenging than she thought it would be. Will miscommunication, doubt, and their meddlesome friends in Riverdale cause Ethel and Moose to fall apart, or will they emerge even stronger?

“Archie Comics is so incredibly excited to return to Ethel’s world with season 2 of Big Ethel Energy and to continue our esteemed partnership with Webtoon,” said Archie Comics Senior Director of Editorial Jamie L. Rotante. “This has been the natural progression of long-term storytelling for Archie—focusing on heartwarming, romance-fueled stories that allow the characters the space and time to grow and change, suitable for a modern audience. Ethel is our fearless leader, and Season 2 continues her journey, navigating the tricky waters of balancing a job that can be more political than she expected, a new relationship and the ups and downs that brings, and understanding the evolution of her friendships and her place in her hometown of Riverdale. Getting to read these scripts from Keryl has been a joy, and I’m constantly captivated by Siobhan’s gorgeous art.”

“It’s been incredible to introduce the iconic Ethel Muggs to a new generation of fans on WEBTOON,” said David Lee, VP of Content at WEBTOON. “Archie has been a fan-favorite for decades because its relatable characters can transform for new stories and formats. With Season 1 a resounding success, we’re excited to continue our work with Archie Comics to bring these beloved characters to WEBTOON’s global audience.”

Check out the return of Big Ethel Energy today, with new episodes releasing every Wednesday on WEBTOON.

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, Li’l Jinx, and many more. Archie Comics have sold over 2 billion comics worldwide and are published around the world in a number of languages. In addition to comics, the Archie Comics characters are spotlighted weekly on The CW’s Riverdale TV series, and have been featured in animation, television, film, and music throughout its 80+ year history.

About WEBTOON

WEBTOON is the world's largest digital comics platform, home to some of the biggest artists, IP, and fandoms in comics. As the global leader and pioneer of the mobile webcomic format, WEBTOON has revolutionized the comics industry for comic fans and creators. Today, a diverse new generation of international comic artists have found a home on WEBTOON, where the company’s storytelling technology allows anyone to become a creator and build a global audience for their stories.

With a massive catalog of incredible digital comics from rising stars on WEBTOON CANVAS platform, and a growing roster of superstar WEBTOON Originals creators, there’s something for every type of comic fan on WEBTOON. With 85.6 million monthly active users, and WEBTOON adaptations on Netflix, HBO Max, and other screens around the world, WEBTOON’s passionate fandoms are the new face of pop culture. The company has worked with DC Comics, Marvel Entertainment, HYBE, and many more of the world’s biggest entertainment brands.

The WEBTOON app is free to download on Android and iOS devices.