Mark Waid has been tapped to work on an expanded number of titles for Archie Comic Publications, the company announced.  Waid has been key in the company’s relaunch of the Archie universe, writing a reboot of the flagship Archie title, with Fiona Staples art (see “A New ‘Archie’ in 2015”).  Now he will co-write Jughead with Ian Flynn, who’s worked for Archie on such titles as Sonic the Hedgehog and Mega Man. 

This will be the first of multiple titles which Waid will co-write in his new role; in addition to writing he’s going to serve as a “writing mentor for young and upcoming talent” at the company.

Waid expressed his interest in expanding his editorial and mentorship role at Archie.  “[I]t allows me to exercise my editorial muscles, which--surprise--is why I got into comics in the first place,” he said. “But most of all, the opportunity to help build a more diverse staff of writers, younger, eager to learn, and eager to teach me."

Waid held Editor-in-Chief and Chief Creative Officer roles at BOOM! Studios between 2007 and 2010 (see “Waid Out as BOOM! CCO”).

Archie Comic Publications also announced a deal with Warner Bros. Television to develop more TV programming based on its IP (see “Archie Gets Broader Warner Bros. TV Deal”).