TRADITION IN RIVERDALE
Archie Comics live-action Teen Drama Mystery "Riverdale" Challenges Tradition in Archie Comics and Christianity
Campy, Suburban Gothic, and Emotional Aesthetic
ATMOSPHERE
Riverdale has a dark theme as a murder mystery, but it is still a coming-of-age show with iconic, straight-cut teenagers. The focus echoes back and forth between mystery, thriller, romance, and comedy.
Reminiscent of Scooby Doo, there is reference to the campy cartoon when the Black Hood is identified and his response is something like, "...and I would have gotten away with it too if it weren't for you meddling kids." (Ep)
SCOOBY DOO FOR GEN X
Gothic structures, themes, and tropes are the perfect backdrop for the wholesome characters to solve mysteries and explore their dark side. Think Scooby Doo except there's sex and violence, but no dog. Scenes are short like comic strips so there are plenty of one-liners basically designed to be made into GIFs by fans. Just as Archie and Scooby and their friends have become iconic, so has this show.
Surrogate Religion
With a cheesy script and kitsch humor as well as over-the-top events, fashion, and dramatics viewers escape their everyday lives while watching. This campy filming style helps Riverdale keep fans on an emotional tight-rope which may bring about a cathartic release similar to one from a religious experience. This is encouragement for viewers to challenge religious tradition and necessity, whether intentional or not.