Since Archie Comics first popped up in the early 1940s, the fictional town of Riverdale has reflected a more wholesome and idealized, yet “wacky,” take on Norman Rockwell American life. However, in late April, Archie Comics took a step closer to reality.
“Archie Comics, home of the famous Riverdale High students Archie, Betty, Veronica, Reggie and Jughead, is about to welcome a new classmate this fall! On September 1st, Kevin Keller, Archie Comics’ first openly gay character, will be welcomed into the town of Riverdale,” said Archie Comics in a press release found on their site at ArchieComics.com.
The release went on to quote the company Co- CEO Jon Goldwater, “The introduction of Kevin is just about keeping the world of Archie Comics current and inclusive. Archie’s hometown of Riverdale has always been a safe world for everyone. It just makes sense to have an openly gay character in Archie comic books.”
Kevin Keller will be introduced in “VERONICA #202 [which] features the full-issue story, ‘Isn’t it Bromantic?’ Kevin Keller is the new hunk in town and Veronica just has to have him. After Kevin defeats Jughead in a burger eating contest at Pop’s Chocklit Shoppe, she desperately latches onto him. Mayhem and hilarity ensue as Kevin desperately attempts to let Veronica down easy and her flirtations only become increasingly persistent.”
Well is this a good thing?
Parcbench contacted several “in the know” comic book experts for their opinion.
Bluewater Comics Publisher Darren Davis, who is openly gay, believes Archie Comics is doing it the proper way.
“Just from what I read about the character, I think it is organic. If it had been forced and very stereotypical, or even a ‘Let’s have a gay character to exploit sells’ I do not think it would go well, but they seem to be introducing him as a normal guy,” said Davis.
Bluewater Comics has introduced gay characters in their comics, such as his graphic novel “Lost Raven” about a hero dealing with HIV.
Jeff Hughes, the Texas-based publisher of ComicBookDivas.com, said gay characters have been popping up in comic books for years.
“Well gay character have been around for a good while, I think one of the very first characters was Northstar from Alpha Flight way back in 1992. And recently, in 2008 in the Batman Universe it was revealed that the new Batwoman and Officer Montoya were lesbians,” said Hughes.
He added, “I think that Archie Comics is trying to catch up with, not only the real world, but also to the comic book community. Yes, it will draw in sales, but it could also be a way to reach out to the gay and lesbian community.”
Hughes explained that this is good, “especially for the younger generations that may be having trouble telling their parents or those close to them about their sexual orientation.”
Ben Lichtenstein, store owner of Zapp Comics (www.Zappcomics.com), in Wayne, New Jersey, does not feel it will affect sales of Archie Comics one way or the other.
“For Archie Comics to introduce a new character is just a sign of the times,” said Lichtenstein. “However, I do not think it will have an impact on sales one way or the other. I think it will have a neutral impact.”
Matt McGloin, editor and publisher of CosmicBookNews.com – a site that traffics over 20,000 hits from comic book fans a week, said he is curious to see where it goes.
“If Archie is doing this because they feel they must have a gay character in order to be more politically correct or some other reason, then they shouldn’t do it at all,” said McGloin. “However, comic books have always have had a history of being very socially progressive.
“Marvel for example was one of the leaders is doing socially relevant stories about war, sex, drugs, and the like and their stories always made sense in the context of the world of the books and the characters involved.”
He further added, “But adding a gay character just so they can say ‘Look at how socially relevant we are’ isn’t a good way of doing business, and if it is handled wrong, they will only end up hurting themselves in the long run.”
Andrea Millhouse, a Kentucky native and longtime comic book fan who is also in a same-sex relationship, echoed other’s remarks.
“I think it’s fine for Archie Comics to introduce a gay character as long as it is not done at the sake of having a gay character,” said Millhouse via e-mail. “If the story makes sense with a gay character in it and he isn’t shown to be some stereotypical flaming homosexual who walks around with an eye patch as a crotch cover and wearing nothing else, then it should be fine.”
Millhouse pointed out how fantasy writer Robert Jordan had introduced gay characters in his “Wheel of Time” series.
“They were written in a fashion that makes sense for the story and ultimately story dictates what is happening,” said Millhouse.
Diane Student, a gay Conservative Christian commentator and comic book fan voiced her opinion on the April 27th episode of “Freedoms Wings” found at Freedomswingspolitics.com.
“I think it is funny Veronica is trying to get the gay character to come in her direction,” said Student. “I never liked Veronica, because Betty was far superior. Betty would get down in the dirt, and she would rough house [while] Veronica was a snob.”
However, Student said that if this is to gain attention, she was not for that.
“Personally, I don’t really care and I think the problem is that a lot of people out there are not buying comics and [in that field] I don’t think Archie Comics are doing well as the super hero comics and I think they are doing this to get themselves attention.”
She further added, “And I hate it when people pander.”
