DIC Entertainment and Riverdale Productions announced an agreement to co-produce, distribute and merchandise a new animated television series based on the JOSIE AND THE PUSSYCATS comic book. Riverdale Productions is the film and television arm of Archie Comic Publications and MultiModal Media Group. The new “Josie” series will be produced by Riverdale Productions’ producing partners and principals Chuck Grimes and Tony DeRosa-Grund, vice chairman and chairman & CEO respectively of MultiModal, as well as DIC’s chairman & CEO Andy Heyward and chief creative officer Michael Maliani. Universal Pictures has planned an April 11 theatrical release of the upcoming JOSIE AND THE PUSSYCATS feature film, which stars Rachael Leigh Cook, Tara Reid and Rosario Dawson. According to DeRosa-Grund, “The feature film release, combined with the launch of the Josie animated series and associated music projects, shows what levels of simultaneous multiple modality exploitation these internationally recognized brands can and do support.” JOSIE AND THE PUSSYCATS follows the adventures of an all-girl rock n’ roll group who travel the world playing gigs and solving crimes. Josie began her career as an Archie comics character in the late 1960’s, starring in her own self-titled book. The stories followed the day-to-day adventures of Josie and her girlfriend Melody. Later, the title was expanded to “Josie and the Pussycats,” turning Josie and Melody into a rock band, along with new friend Valerie. In 1970 it was made into an animated series by Hanna-Barbera and aired in the US on CBS. DIC and Archie Comics previously collaborated on THE NEW ARCHIES (Toon Disney), ARCHIE’S WEIRD MYSTERIES (syndication) and SABRINA, THE ANIMATED SERIES (ABC and UPN) animated television properties.