For today’s post, I have decided to do a countdown of my five favorite female characters from the Archie Comics universe. This is partially inspired by the popularity of shows like Riverdale and The Chilling Adventures of Sabrina. Not to mention the 90s and early 2000s shows and films like Sabrina the Teenage Witch and Josie and the Pussycats, which were things that I grew up with (honestly how I first learned about Archie Comics characters). Without further ado, here’s the countdown!
Number 5: Cheryl Blossom
~Cheryl is a character that I was first introduced to in Riverdale and I really adored her from the beginning. This is largely due to me loving a good mean girl character! When we get to learn more about her and why she is the way she is, it gets us to empathize with her. She is a girl not accepted by her mother for her sexuality (even getting forced into conversion therapy). Once she can break with her mother’s desires for her, she becomes more empowered! I also am probably one of the few that enjoys the supernatural elements prevalent in Riverdale, including Cheryl’s witchcraft.
Number 4: Josie McCoy
~Josie is a character I was first introduced to through the 1960s animated series Josie and the Pussycats. I automatically adored Josie as the leader and fun-loving singer in her band. When the 2001 film premiered, I was overjoyed to see these characters come to life in a live-action way! I was honestly not a fan of how Josie is portrayed in Riverdale, as she seems to have become a caricature of her original personality. She is seen as totally obsessed with her music and image, not showing much of the sweet and caring side she had in earlier iterations.
Number 3: Betty Cooper
~Betty Cooper was seen as the character that was the ultimate girl next door with the perfect ponytail and tomboyish nature that was the opposite of Veronica. In the original comics, Betty and Veronica were in the comics mainly to fight over Archie. I was happy to see more growth on Riverdale outside of simply obsessing over Archie. She developed a real relationship with Jughead and was more known for her love of investigating mysteries in the town.
Number 2: Veronica Lodge
~Veronica Lodge was seen as the spoiled rich girl and the very feminine sex-pot who was desired by Archie. In Riverdale Veronica also gets to be a more well-rounded character who was more than a spoiled “Daddy’s Girl” as she began disenchanted by the fact that her Mobster father was in prison. She was also seen as a young woman learning how to achieve her goals amid major family dysfunction.
Number 1: Sabrina Spellman
~I first saw Sabrina in the 90s television show and was super excited when the Netflix series was announced! I do love a good dark tale and was very happy with the edgier aspect of the Netflix series. I did wish that Salem would have been given the chance to talk, but at least we got to watch Ambrose as the Salem-like figure in this newer iteration. Sabrina is a great character who is going through deep change as her story begins. She is embracing her power as she also learns to be more true to her inner self!
~I know that the Riverdale-Universe shows are famously bad, in that they are over the top and chaotic. However, I really enjoy them as being a fun thing to watch. There is something to be said about enjoying good bad television and films! I also thoroughly enjoy some of the characters. I hope that you have enjoyed my countdown. Let me know your thoughts in the comments below!
White Rose of Avalon 