Last week WEBTOON, the world’s largest digital comics platform, and Archie Comics announced that their hit digital comic collaboration, Archie Comics: Big Ethel Energy, returned with new episodes on Feb. 21, from creator/writer Keryl Brown Ahmed and lead artist Siobhan Keenan, updating the classic character for a new generation of comic fans exclusively on WEBTOON.
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.
She used to be the laughing stock of Riverdale. Now she’s a successful New York journalist with a DGAF attitude. After graduating from Riverdale High, Ethel couldn’t get away from her hometown–and onto her chosen career path–fast enough. When the Mayor of Riverdale pays her handsomely to write a history of the city, she can’t wait to return to take down Archie, Jughead, Betty, Veronica, and all the other Riverdale natives who made her life hell all those years ago. The only thing she forgets to consider is… maybe they’ve all changed, too.
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 Sept. 2021 and was 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 Senior Director of Editorial Jamie L. Rotante said about the WEBTOON partnership:
“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. 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.”
David Lee, VP of Content at WEBTOON added:
“It’s been incredible to introduce the iconic Ethel Muggs to a new generation of fans on 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 now available on WEBTOON with new episodes released every Wednesday.
