After all, it isn’t easy to say goodbye to a face that has been such an integral part of the growing up years. Though things did look pretty glum as the Moms stirred up a storm, Parent told us that their antics helped sales rise!Īnd while that was something all fans shared a laugh about, the recent death of Archie Andrews left them heart-broken, to say the least. However, it will be unfair to say that Keller was loved by all. An episode where Kevin returns from war and decides to tie the knot with his boyfriend prompted a group from the American Family Association (that opposes homosexuality, abortions and pornography), One Million Moms, to protest vehemently against this same-sex marriage on grounds of immorality. In fact, the place is quite the safe haven for everyone. And what’s so special about Keller? Well, he was the first man in Archie comics who openly admitted to being gay! Albeit, his heartwarming confession spewed from his mouth while he was bonding over food with Jughead, but it was that one little confession that proved to make Veronica #202 an instant bestseller, prompting an issue reprint! Quite the charmer, Keller’s introduction in Riverdale reinforces one thought that has been an essential part of this realm- Riverdale does not judge. His most famous character from the Archie universe is perhaps Kevin Keller.
Starting from redefining the artwork that had been an intrinsic part of the series for years, to introducing elements that are socially relevant, Parent has helped the comic evolve through the years. While most of us associate Archie with a group of youngsters from Riverdale, their adventures and misadventures, Parent can be credited for more than that. And there’s nothing comic about that.Īll images © Archie Comic Publications, Inc.American cartoonist Dan Parent is perhaps best known for his work on Archie comics. So while Riverdale High may be very welcoming to Kevin Keller, a lot of schools still need a great deal of education about respect, tolerance and equality. A recent study by doctors at Nationwide Children’s Hospital has found that gay, lesbian and bisexual teens are “bullied two to three times more than heterosexuals.” Will this move on the part of Archie comics change anything outside the safe little town of Riverdale? Hopefully it will be one more voice added to all the voices crying out for equality because there’s still a lot of social change that needs to occur. 202 titled “Isn’t it Bromantic?” will arrive in comic-book stores in September. He added that people who are offended by seeing the Riverdale gang hang around with a gay teen “aren’t the kind of people we want reading our comics anyway.” We just want to reflect what’s going on today. “We’re not trying to send social messages. “It’s not an issue like it would have been 20-30 years ago,” he added. We want to make sure everyone’s included in Archie’s world.” I couldn’t even imagine Archie having sex though I often suspected Reggie and Veronica might be up to some kinkiness.īut like the world around them, Archie comics are undergoing a change with the introduction of their first gay character, Kevin Keller, a hunky blond who will have Veronica drooling after him in vain.Īrchie Comics’ co-CEO Jon Goldwater, told the NY Post that the recurring character is being introduced because “we want to make sure Riverdale is a very inclusive place. There was Betty, Veronica, Archie, Reggie, Jughead, Moose and Midge. Like many kids my age, I read Archie Comics. There were no definable gay people in comic books back then either. Back in central British Columbia, they kept their sexuality to themselves and who could blame them? It was harsh enough just to be ACCUSED of being gay back then. Yet I knew there were gay people out there, but mostly, I thought, in New York.
I never knew anyone who would risk their life by admitting to being gay. When I was a teenager in the 70s, I never knew anyone who was gay.