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Meet Kevin Keller: Archie Comics’ First Openly Gay Character

by Tommy Christopher | 3:01 pm, April 23rd, 2010

» 14 comments

Conservative media watchdog Newsbusters notes that Archie Comics is promoting the introduction of Riverdale’s first openly gay character. I know what you’re thinking, but Reggie doesn’t count. It says openly gay.

In what is perhaps a sly nod to the cluelessly repressed world of Archie’s hometown, new guy Kevin Keller catches Veronica’s eye by demonstrating how much beef he can shove in his mouth. Seriously. Does this give Archie some street cred, or does it still mainly exist to bolster Aquaman’s case in lamest-comic-evar debates?

First of all, let me state for the record that I would wallpaper my house with Archie and Aquaman comics before I’d ever read a Superman comic. Here’s the synopsis to every Superman comic ever: Wake me up when the Kryptonite gets here. Super-lame.

Having said that, Archie Comics is to be commended for this move, which CEO Jon Goldwater says is “about keeping the world of Archie Comics current and inclusive.”

They’ll need to expand on this pretty quickly, though, or Kevin is going to be mighty lonely. Perhaps he’ll get a “Betty and Veronica” of his own.

His introduction occurs in issue #202 of Veronica, with the following subtext-laden premise:

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.

In addition to Kevin’s introduction, the cover of Veronica #202 also features the titular bad girl in what appears to be lingerie, surely a selling point, even if it is from the 70s.

Even though Archie Comics might not exactly be on everyone’s radar, their website boasts impressive accomplishments like “#4 iPad book app and most downloaded comics on iTunes,” (who knew Archie fans were so tech-savvy?) which means that a move like this isn’t without the risk inherent in tampering with any successful formula. I imagine, though, that they wouldn’t have made a move like this if they hadn’t gotten considerable positive feedback in advance.

Surely, there will be some who will declare this another shot in the culture war, but my feeling is that when you lose Riverdale, the war is already over.

The issue goes on sale September 1, 2010 in comics shops, and on newsstands September 14.

Aquaman, Archie comics, Archie Comics First Openly Gay Character, betty and veronica, First Openly Gay Character, Jon Goldwater, LGBT, Newsbusters, Riverdale, Superman \, Tommy Christopher

felixw

And Jughead is into cross-dressing.
http://www.facebook.com/people/John-Boyer/602168764 John Boyer

People actually read Archie? Cause this is such non-news that I *yawn* think I might surf over to somewhere else….zzzzzzzzzz
Cecelia

First Archie, now Kevin. Veronica must be one frustrated girl.
ImNotBlue

How can a comic strip stay relevant, when the characters haven’t aged in HOW MANY YEARS?

I… like John… had no idea people still read Archie. Next you’ll tell me that they’re still printing “Blondie” and “Prince Valiant” in the newspaper. Wait… whaaaaaaa?
Jelperman

I thought all Archie comics were gay.
http://www.facebook.com/people/Josh-Popichak/1191874618 Josh Popichak

For a disturbing look at the amount of homophobia which still exists in our society–and clear evidence that the culture wars are RAGING–go here: http://buzz.yahoo.com/buzzlog/93608#comments
timzank

FABULOUS! Guess it’s never too early to let the kids know the various ways available to acheive a socially acceptable orgasm. What better audience could you find for recruiting than kids comic books.
http://www.karlspensen.blogspot.com Karl Spensen

Josh, those comments are GREAT!!1 I felt like I was reading the comments section of the FOX NATION for a second there!!1 The folks around here could learn a thing or two about COMMENTING from those True American Patriots!!1 The dangers of HOMOSEXUAL RECRUITMENT are still VERY REAL and it is up to us BLOG COMMENTERS to spread the word!!1 People aren’t going to get the true story from the LIB HACKS who write for this site!!1
http://jukeofurl.wordpress.com jukeofurl

^ see above

If gays are looking to recruit ( btw -for ____? )using Archie Comics, they better be prepared. With lots of wrap & seal to take home the party favors no one will be there to eat. Of course, they’ll like having all those extra new uniforms they ordered…
Car-lee

Seriously, I just wish sometimes that people would leave a classic a classic, just because there is no gay character in an Archie comic does not mean there is anything against the gay community. We as a country are changing to much just to be politically correct.
All that is happening is a marketing ploy to lure in gay teenagers to read the comics, please have more respect for them than that. Be sincere and no so fake.
kieronnpollard

First, allow me the song, I’d wallpaper my house with Archie Comics Aquaman and before I ever read a Superman comic.
memory card reader
http://www.facebook.com/people/Joseph-Ayo/1325605312 Joseph Ayo

Homosexual recruitment? I think seeing that a very sizable portion of the gay population, about 80% claim they were never mollested or ever had any contact with another of the same sex until they decided to “come out of the closet”, some men are widowers, after wife dies they claim they have always been gay but afraid to try it in earlier days due to high discrimination against gays. Its hard to prove genetic defects although oddly there is a tight connection with left handedness and homosexual feelings among men. Ironically making men with homosexual feelings try to be straight, marry and have children is only going to accomplish one thing: Keep the gay genes going in the population. I personally do not see anything good in a man or woman with homosexual feelings having children, they pass this stuff to their children. I say let the gays marry each other and go childless, it will eventually thin the gay genes down in our country so that our great grand children wont be so bothered by homosexuality as we seem to be.
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100000386297590 Matthew Boudreau

your are truly an idiot; an arse stickler of a Nazi.
Rpwash1

He isn’t gay! Mr. Weatherbee was just offering to help him with his fuckin’ homework!