Big Ethel Energy Discussion with Archie Comics Season 2 Creators

In an exclusive interview with CBR, Keryl Brown Ahmed and Siobhan discuss Season 2 of Webtoon’s Archie Comics: Big Ethel Energy.

Big Ethel Energy Discusses Season 2 with Archie Comics (Webtoons) Creators

Webtoon Interview with Big Ethel Energy

WEBTOON and Archie Comics’ popular partnership, Archie Comics: Big Ethel Energy, stars Ethel Muggs and is written by Keryl Brown Ahmed and drawn by Siobhan. As a journalist, Ethel reunites with her high school friends Archie, Betty, Jughead, and Veronica in Riverdale. After a successful Season 1 that got a Ringo Award nomination for Best Webcomic in 2022, Archie Comics: Big Ethel Energy Season 2 aired on Webtoon.

Furthermore, CBR spoke Keryl Brown Ahmed and Siobhan about their Webtoon x Archie Comics series and Season 2. They showed fans their creative process, the series’ inspiration, and how it fits within the Archie Universe. Webtoon released photographs from Season 2 of Archie Comics: Big Ethel Energy with the interview.

Big Ethel Energy Season 2 Webtoon Interview with Betty and Ethel

Siobhan: Lackadaisy Cats, an online comic, is becoming an anime. I was inspired to post my work online by this gorgeous comics. The new period of Archie Comics, created by Fiona Staples and Audrey Mok, quickly captivated me. Furthermore, Chefs kiss-beautiful. It’s lovely working for Archie, especially with Keryl’s great writing.

Ahmed Keryl: Archie Comics is why I was hired for this project. I’ve like the digital aspect. It’s fun. Archie Comics’ format, characters, and mood have always appealed to me. When I was younger, Archie and print comics were digitised. I thought, “Oh, I wish there was a better way to view this on my screen.” On a small screen, it was just the page with the panels. For example, Since I wanted the digital version, it’s great that we can accomplish that.

How did Archie Comics: Big Ethel Energy come about and why did Ethel star?

Ahmed: Riverdale was already a hit when I was asked to pitch something, so I was encouraged to write about anything in the Archie Universe. Archie, Jughead, Betty, and Veronica, the main four, were popular and had a lot of screen time. I liked those four as a kid, and Jughead is one of my favourite fictional characters. However, I wanted more of two minor characters. I related to their stories. For instance, Ethel—I relate to her so much in so many ways—and I think the writer brain in me, even at an early age, was seeing all the directions her character could go. I viewed it as an opportunity to work with a character who wasn’t in the forefront yet and bring in all of those things I was inspired to conjure up when I was younger.

How do you combine Archie Comics’ legacy with your own story? Big Ethel Energy differs from Riverdale and other Archie Comics.

Ahmed: Digital comics and Archie’s first digital partnership allowed us a fantastic opportunity to achieve what we wanted without feeling bound by tradition. Archie characters, storylines, and elements are used in my writing. Building Big Ethel Energy depends on that. Riverdale, the TV show, and we’re extremely different, so there’s no pressure to overlap or converge. The Archie Universe allows for multiple tales. In a new series, Betty is the last girl. It’s fantastic that Betty can be a last girl in one comic, Ethel’s best friend in another, and dating Jughead on Riverdale all at once.

Big Ethel Energy Season 2 Interview with Archie Comics

Can you explain how you created your distinctive art style, character design, and storytelling?

Ahmed: The script. I plan the season and treat the whole thing first. Then I write a script for each episode with our producers’ support. That goes to the art crew. There are character traits we desire to keep. But in terms of visual things, I try to leave it open-ended for Siobhan and the rest of the art team to go in and have fun and experiment with everything because it’s fun for me to see what they come up with. It’s better than I could have designed. Similarly, It’s fun to watch Siobhan.

Siobhan: When I first got the screenplay, it was about trying to visualise that character. It was good to take a first step into Archie’s design and raise it for Keryl’s interpretation. How do I modernise a character or give them a charming trait? I love Keryl’s work, especially Moose, a himbo. He needed himbo vigour.

Ethel’s redesign was fun too. I love her natural buckteeth, but I was aiming to make a modern woman. It was crucial that I preserved that in the new one without making her goofy. She was endearingly her.

Archie Comics: Big Ethel Energy was a 2022 Ringo Award nominee for Best Webcomic. Do the series’ success and your approach to Season 2 affect you?

Ahmed: I’m humbled to be in that category. Nominees often say it’s an honour to be nominated. There were so many outstanding shows on that list, and it was such an honour and surprise to be included. I hadn’t been following it, but it’s wonderful to gain community appreciation. For Season 2, I view it as a message to keep going. Moreover, We’re doing something good, so keep improving. I concur, Siobhan. It’s humbling and nice to be nominated. For me, success is about doing my best. It’s good to be well-received.

Archie Comics: Big Ethel Energy Season 2 premiered on Webtoon. The new season—what may readers expect? How do you envision the series’ future?

Ahmed: I was interested to explore some subjects we brought up in Season 1 that may have felt closed by the end of the season. Having a second season lets you explore those emotions and character arcs more. Similarly, Season 1’s unfinished business has a lot of repercussions. I adore that original Archie Comics are 6 pages in a digest and stand alone. Moreover, Story structure was a big takeaway. However, webtoons allow you to go further. It’s been an honour to have readers trust us on this trip, and we hope they’ll continue. Season 2 should please them.

I also learn from reader comments. It’s interesting to see how individuals react, and often what I intend to seem one way on the digital page is received differently by readers. That assisted. Season 1 made me that I needed to think about the tale from so many various angles, so it’s helpful to have the readers’ voices going while I’m thinking about it. It’s theirs. Their input is appreciating.

Siobhan: I’m excite=ing to witness reactions.

Big Ethel Energy Season 2 Archie Comics

Who’s your favourite Archie Comics character?

Ahmed: Jughead, Ethel, and Dilton Doiley were my favourite characters as a kid since I was a nerd. Not cool either. I was nerdy. All three characters didn’t care what others thought, which I appreciated. Betty loves Archie and Veronica, but I adore her too. I valued freedom and individualism as a child. Especially Jughead, those characters exemplified those beliefs.

Ethel is my favourite, Siobhan. I enjoy that she’s strong and outspeaking, but it’s realistic when she lacks confidence. I relate to her.

What do you hope fans learn from Season 2 of Archie Comics: Big Ethel Energy? Is there anything you’d like to say to readers starting the new season?

Ahmed: Trust that the tale will go somewhere interesting. Furthermore, I think sometimes it’s easy to fall into a pattern where as soon as you read some story development, it’s simple to jump to conclusions or write something off. But as a writer, one of my favourite things about writing is stretching out storylines to create faith in my readers. Even if Episode 15 drove you insane and you smash your laptop, I want them to trust me that by Episode 60, there will be something worth reading that long for. As a reader and writer, I love twists and turns. That’s my goal. I see numerous possibilities for this series. Moreover, Its destination is unknown. It’s heading somewhere exciting, though.

Siobhan: Totally agree. Just relax and trust that the plot is progressing well.

Archie Comics: Big Ethel Energy is available on Webtoon with new episodes every Wednesday.

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