Riverdale finally filled fans in on what the Pussycats have been up to since they unceremoniously exited the series, and it seems that their time away from the small town with pep only served them well. Josie is an international superstar, Melody is a hot new YA author, and Val is an activist and aspiring actress. While Josie is seemingly single (at least, until her new roadie Sweetpea finally wins back her heart) Melody and Val are both in established relationships. The weird thing about Val's new boyfriend? Well, in the comics, he's not Val's boyfriend at all — he's Josie's.

In "The Return of the Pussycats," we're introduced to Val's boyfriend, Alan. He's so nice and supportive, but while he's ready to marry Val, she's not so sure she wants to take that next step yet. In the comics, however, Alan doesn't date Val at all. He is Josie's on-again, off-again boyfriend, and Alexandra Cabot — Josie's longtime rival — is perpetually scheming to steal him away from her.

For those who aren't familiar with the comics or the animated TV series that followed, Alan makes another appearance in pop culture, in the (perfect) 2001 film Josie and the Pussycats. In the film, Alan M. (as he's better known) is a fellow songwriter, played by Gabriel Mann of Revenge fame. Josie and Alan are clearly smitten with each other, and in the final moments of the movie, he finally confesses his love for the lead singer at her concert/propaganda event. It's adorable.

We don't know if the Pussycats will return to Riverdale, but it certainly seems like the show is setting up something for them. The episode ends with Josie learning that her father may have been involved in the occult, and that his "heart attack" may have been not as natural as she was led to believe. It's a huge cliffhanger moment, and it's one that seems like it could be an easy set up for a future Josie and the Pussycats TV series. After all, Josie's previous series, Katy Keene, is no more — why not have her lead a show where she's finally in the titular role?

And if that series does happen? Well, it's worth wondering if Val's boyfriend might end up catching feelings for Josie, leading to major drama within the newly reunited girl group. Val and Josie have dated Archie Andrews before, albeit at different times.

Of course, Riverdale rarely stays true to the source material. While the iconic love triangle between Betty, Archie, and Veronica does exist in both the comics and the TV show, the CW series is more focused on Betty's relationship with Jughead than it is on pitting the two girls against one another for the love of Archie. In the comics, Betty and Jughead are just friends.

So is Riverdale hinting at drama ahead for Val and Josie, or just finding an interesting way to get another character from the cannon into the CW universe? With Katy Keene merely a memory now, I'm down to watch a Josie and the Pussycats spin-off, whether or not there's an Alan M. love triangle involved.

Images: The CW