Jughead's Got A New Gay Friend
I remember one of the first Archie comics I read as kid was an old issue that opened up with Archie installing power windows on his car, bragging to his neighbor about this new innovation. Archie comics have continually adapted to the times, as required by the sheer length of the run. And it seems the all-ages title is taking another step into modernity by adding a gay character into the Riverdale cast- one Kevin Keller.
As gay-centric podcast Feast for Fun first reported, the original character will appear in September's Veronica spinoff. His orientation is integral to the story, as it centers around Veronica's failed efforts to woo him. Archie is by no means a deep or insightful series, but this addition promises to be a fair and well-handled treatment of modern teenage culture. Dan Parent, writer and artist for the Archie series claims
There's not going to be a reaction, there's just going to be acceptance... It's reflective of the times.
Though real world issues aren't treated as cheerily in real life as they are in Riverdale, the character's presence in the series is a landmark of acceptance in one of the oldest running comics stories. The opportunity to feature Kevin prominently shouldn't be missed, because if he can become a regular character featured in Archie proper, it would mark the first high-profile series with a broad, family friendly appeal to give an outed person such large exposure. This expansion is what sits at the core of Archie comics, embracing culture as it is, from (kvetch) Jersey Shore parodies to earnest characters.
Rubber Justice
Posted to LGBT Character of the Week on 22 April 2010
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Other stuff like this: Archie Comics, gay characters
This is going to make me subscribe to an Archie comic for the first time in my life.