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Filed under: In The News, Weird But True
Hey, Veronica -- don't drop Archie so fast. Credit: Archie Comic Publications, Inc.
Archie and the gang are about to find out there's a gay student at Riverdale High School.
No, it's not Jughead. It's not Big Ethel or Dilton Doiley either.
Stop guessing. It's no one you've met before. His name is Kevin, and he'll be showing up in Veronica comics later this year as as the would-be object of her affection.
That's right. The seductive Miss Lodge is finally going to encounter a Riverdale boy she can't make weak at the knees.
Hilarity reportedly ensues.
"The introduction of Kevin is just about keeping the world of Archie Comics current and inclusive," Archie Comics CEO Jon Goldwater tells the Washington Post. "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."
Goldwater's father, John L. Goldwater, founded MLJ Comics (later known as Archie Comics) with Maurice Coyne and Louis Silberkleit in 1939.
The elder Goldwater created the character of teenager Archie Andrews in 1941 -- inspired by the Andy Hardy character Mickey Rooney played in a series of movies.
Ironically, during the mid-1950s, Goldwater was a major industry force behind the comic book censorship guidelines known as the Comics Code Authority.
The code initially banned references to homosexuality. However, it was amended in 1989 to allow non-stereotypical depictions of gays and lesbians.
Enter Kevin.
However, he's not the first gay character in mainstream comics. The Rawhide Kid rode out of the Old West (and the closet) in Marvel Comics in 2003.
The lesbian character Batwoman debuted in DC Comics in 2006. Her appearance was a bit of poetic justice for the gay community.
Batwoman (and her alter ego Kathy Kane) were originally introduced in comic books in 1956. She was created mostly as a love interest for Batman to disprove allegations that he and Robin were gay. The allegations were made in a general attack on comic books by Dr. Frederic Wertham in his 1954 book "Seduction of the Innocent."
Many other characters, mostly in the world of superheroes, have come out of the closet in recent years.
Still, a gay character in Archie Comics is nonetheless groundbreaking. The mere suggestions that there might be homosexuality in Riverdale was the stuff of comedy in director Kevin Smith's 1997 movie "Chasing Amy."
"Archie and the Riverdale gang were a pure and fun-loving bunch!" Jason Lee's character Banky rails indignantly to the idea that Archie and Jughead were lovers. "You can't find dysfunction in those comics because they were just flat-out wholesome!"
Times have changed in Riverdale. Archie has given up on Betty and Veronica and is currently dating Valerie Smith, the African-American member of Josie and the Pussycats.
Dan Parent, a writer and artist for Archie Comics for more than 20 years, says in an interview with the website feastoffun.com that nothing ever gets too risque in Archie Comics. Most of the readers are still between the ages of 8 and 12.
Washington Post reports the storyline featuring Kevin debuts in September in Veronica Comics No. 202 in a story titled "Isn't it Bromantic?"
"Everyone seems to know where Kevin is coming from except Veronica," Victor Gorelick, editor-in-chief of Archie Comics, tells the Post. "They don't tell Veronica. They let her stew in it for a while. But he hangs out with Jughead. They seem to have a connection as far as food goes."
And no, for the last time, Jughead is not gay.
"I think Jughead is more into food," Dan Parent says in the feastoffun.com interview. "He's straight. He's more interested in being with food."
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ReaderComments (Page 5 of 7)
4-23-2010 @ 9:06PM
RM said...THIS IS SO SICK, WHO THE HELL THOUGHT TO QUEER A FAMOUS CARTOON. I WISH YOU QUEERS WOULD JUST FADE AWAY.
Reply
4-23-2010 @ 9:27PM
marv ostberg said...Most of us do not care if he is gay or not. Speaking of which all the homosexual (gay) priests that are being uncovered who are abusers of young boys should remind us that putting gays with the care of young boys is risky business. Same would apply to putting straight men (heterosexuals) in continuous contact with young girls is. Comic characters, who cares really? It is real life where we need to be aware. With heterosexuals we usually know the risks and opportunities more easily. But with a homosexual sometimes the facts may be hidden and thus ambiguous. Comics have interesting plots. Real life even more so.
Reply
4-25-2010 @ 3:37PM
Bruh said...Ohhhh GROW UP, please!!!!
Its a comicbook, not a textbook.
Besides, Betty and Veronica have
been having Sapphic encounters,
off and on, for YEARS, and what's
funny, Veronica is the stud. LOL!
Reply
4-23-2010 @ 9:25PM
Rebecca said...What is so bad about the Archie comics gaining a new character? He is not different than any one us and why can't we see that? It is such a shame how you people are so quick to judge.
Reply
4-23-2010 @ 9:52PM
ByTheNite73 said...Good comment. And I'll add..people fear change. Yes, the "Archie" comics go back many, many years. Times change, and so does comic book content to keep things current, which, to me, is just fine.
If you don't like it, complain to the publisher or whatnot, whatever avenue you need to to get your point across, or don't buy the comics. It's simple.
4-23-2010 @ 9:31PM
Debbie said...I remember buying Archie comic books when they were 12 cents, and now they are going to ruin them. Why does everything have to have a gay character now? They should leave it the way it has been for years. This is really sad.
Reply
4-23-2010 @ 9:28PM
Rebecca said...These comics books, not only Archie, are all changing. It's not a shame, but a simple change. People need to lighten up, get a new perspective on life, and think about others feelings.
Reply
4-23-2010 @ 9:38PM
Melanie G said...I loved archie comics as a child and now they are going to ruin a comic for children that is meant to be innocent and wholesome. Archie comics wasn't meant to flaunt homosexuality,politics,or religion.It was meant to be a feel good comic.That director kevin smith is digusting,There is no way archie and jughead would ever be gay.Jughead is in love with food and Archie constantly hooks up with girls.I hate how they always try and ruin something by trying to be politically correct,even though they will fail doing that anyway.
Reply
4-28-2010 @ 8:44AM
Lee said...FYI there were some religious "Archie " comics . I remember one where Archie and the gang were helping missionaries in Africa
just so's you know.
4-23-2010 @ 9:43PM
Chuck said...Bythe way, respectfully, also. I'm trying to raise my grandchildren with the same moral values I have.The ones I was raised with. I just think it's wrong to push homosexuallity on 8-12 year olds.
And my friend the Lesbian gave me a Rolex. I don't think she understood what I meant when I told her I want to watch.
She was on the floor laughing when I told her that joke. I know several people of the gay persuasion, I just don't think it needs to be pushed on kids that young
Reply
4-23-2010 @ 9:57PM
ByTheNite73 said...Chuck, a comic book with a homosexual character is not "pushing" values. Have you turned on the television lately? There's LOADS of programs out there with homosexual couples. But I do digress.
Raise the little ones as best you can. I wish you the best. :)
4-23-2010 @ 10:00PM
Disgusted said...So, you're saying that it is wrong to "push homosexuality", but you're being a hypocrite asking to 'watch'. This is what is wrong with this world, not homosexuals, no, not at all, it's the judgemental bastards like you. Being homosexual is natural! Some men prefer or get turned on by blonde haired blue eyed women. IT'S THE SAME THING! It's a preference. You are probably one of those "Muslims are all evil." chanters, too, huh? Human beings are supposed to be evolved. Oh, and about your "oh so holy bible", it was written by man! In no way do you have proof that it is all 'God's word'. So tell me, what proof do you have that all homosexuals will be condemned to the fiery pits of hell? And I mean substantial proof.
4-23-2010 @ 9:45PM
Chuck said...MelenieG, Jughead and Wimpy would have been best friends
Reply
4-23-2010 @ 10:09PM
Chuck said...BTW, Thank you, and I try
Disgusted, you missed the point.
I don't think we need homosexuallity blasted at 8-12 year olds. I'm 56 and have several friends of both sexes that are gay. They agree about not pushing it on kids. Why do it in a kids comic book, and I'd prefer Betty
Reply
4-23-2010 @ 10:14PM
Ariana said...There shouldn't be any reference to sex whatsoever in a childrens comic.
Reply
4-23-2010 @ 10:29PM
ByTheNite73 said...And, prime time television has none of...?
Not to mention suggestive commercials...?
Really. Before you complain about comics, LOOK at what your little dumplings are seeing on the TV.
4-24-2010 @ 2:32AM
Tanya said...Who said there was any sex in the comic book? Having a gay character isn't putting sex into the story any more than having obviously heterosexual people puts sex into it.
4-23-2010 @ 10:14PM
Mike said...Hank Williams Junior once famously said, "If it ain't broke, don't fix it". I've followed the Archie Comics family for more than a half century. And while some might think it would be easy to grow weary of a story line in which the characters neither change nor age, that was definitely not the case here.
Archie dividing his interests between Betty and Veronica has worked for nearly seventy years. Likewise, the characters that have supplemented the story (Jughead, Moose, Ethel, Reggie, Dilton, Chuck, Nancy, Midge, etc.) have provided as much pathos as is necessary.
Archie Comics has continued to flourish because they have long held the line and presented a favorite them without concerns for outside influence. Theirs is a timeless story line that is appreciated for what it is.
And for the powers that be at their New York headquarters to think that the Archie legacy will somehow be enhanced or widened in appeal by adding these new characters and story lines defies logic.
If nothing else, it is a shameful and cowardly concession to political correctness; one that will no doubt cost the franchise many of its long term faithful. Including yours truly.
Even the recent "Archie Marries Veronica" multi-part fiasco was not enough to dissuade the faithful. But this new development is too much. The minute it surfaces, my long term support of Archie Comics will cease. And from what I can tell from the other posts, I'm far from being a lone voice in the wilderness.
Reply
4-23-2010 @ 10:16PM
Chuck said...By threnight, forgive me for getting the name wrong. I've worked 26 of the last 33 hours. Brain is a little fried, but my opinion stands
Reply
4-23-2010 @ 10:22PM
ByTheNite73 said...It's fine, we all do have our own opinions. Mine stands as well. Get some rest, my friend.