During the 1940s, Archie Comics introduced readers to the world of Riverdale and such characters as Archie Andrews, Jughead Jones, and Betty Cooper. After decades following the lives of these straight-laced characters, Archie Comics took a supernatural turn with the introduction of a now iconic blonde. Do you know who this is?
Sabrina Spellman, created by George Gladir and Dan DeCarlo, made her debut appearance in Archie’s Madhouse #22 in 1962. She first appeared in that humor anthology’s lead story before becoming one of Archie Comics’ major characters, earning her own comic, animated series and television sitcom. Her mother was an ordinary human and her father was a witch, leaving Sabrina to be a “half-witch.” She lives in the fictional town of Greendale, near Riverdale, with her aunts Hilda and Zelda. Both of whom are witches. Living with the three witches as their family pet is Salem Saberhagen, a witch was transformed into a cat as punishment for attempting to take over the world.
As a teenager, Sabrina not only struggles with controlling her powers but the day-to-day trials of school, friends, and family. She often attempts to use her powers to help both herself and others, but must do so in secret as mortals are not supposed to know witches exist. Through her aunts’ guidance and numerous trips to the magical dimension known alternatively as the Magic Realm and the Other Realm, Sabrina learns about the proper use of her powers. Another recurring theme is Sabrina’s adventures with her mortal boyfriend Harvey Kinkle who, like most other mortals in Sabrina’s world, is unaware she is a witch.
Sabrina starred in the animated series Sabrina the Teenage Witch (1970), Sabrina: The Animated Series (1999), and Sabrina: Secrets of a Teenage Witch (2013). During 1996, Melissa Joan Hart starred as the teenage witch on the live-action TV series Sabrina the Teenage Witch. This series ran for seven season between 1996 and 2003 and included the spinoff movies Sabrina the Teenage Witch, Sabrina Goes to Rome, and Sabrina Down Under.
Following the over-whelming popularity for The CW’s live-action TV series Riverdale, Netflix announced plans for a new live-action series based on the comic The Chilling Adventures of Sabrina. Kiernan Shipka (Mad Men) has been announced as the lead role of Sabrina Spellman for the new series. Much like Riverdale, this new series will be darker and more subversive than the original live-action series. No release date has been announced as of yet.