You might be screaming Jughead Jones, the notorious woman hater of the comics. No it’s not him, Jughead just loves food too much he’s considered as autosexual. It is a far cry from a comic book brand who has been popular world wide and very wholesome showing Archie Andrews and friends in just normal day to day life with the occasional supernatural and sci-fi stories. Archie comics takes a leap by introducing the first ever gay character and he debuts in issue 202 Veronica on September 1.
Longtime Archie artist Dan Parent has been mulling over a gay character and his meeting with co-chief executive of Archie Comic Publications Jon Goldwater and Victor Gorelick editor in chief finally resulted in the birth of Riverdale’s fashionista blonde hunk Kevin.
“We’re batting story ideas around and Dan says, ‘What if Veronica, who’s able to get everything she wants, isn’t able to get something? What if a new good-looking boy comes into town and Veronica wants to date him and he turns her down?’” Goldwater recalls in an interview. “And I say, ‘Why would he do that?’ And Dan says, ‘Because he’s gay.’ And I say, ‘Now that’s funny. That’s a good premise.’ “
The story starts off with Kevin arriving in Riverdale, the blue eyed hunk immediately arouses Veronica’s interest however Kevin prefers to spend time with Jughead. Kevin nonchalantly outs himself to Juggie saying he’s refusing Veronica because he’s gay. His nonchalant dialogue of his sexual orientation can be compared to the time Marvel writers made Xmen superhero Northstar gay in 1992.
What makes the situation funny is that everyone knows Kevin is gay except Veronica who keeps on pursuing him. Betty doesn’t even say anything because she knows Veronica will be busy chasing over Kevin and she has Archie to herself. How come socialite Veronica can’t detect Kevin is gay? Parent says he drew Kevin to be that way, Kevin is a good dresser but not flamboyant and draws upon observations of very confusing metrosexuals. Jughead reinforces Veronica’s cluelessness by telling Kevin not to out himself to Veronica as Jughead likes to see Veronica make a fool of herself.
So far the public has been very positive about the new character as Archie Comics has been known to adapt each year. Archie went through a lot of phases such as 80s, Cold War, age of super heroes, popular culture and movies such as Twilight and Jersey Shore parodies. It has been a long time seeing Archie comics became a bit modern in their storylines. So far stories about technology we have today always features Dilton Doiley (another character you might think gay) but there have been no mention of new technology like the bevy of mobile phones, internet, new cars etc. So far Archie has a feel of old people trying to make kid jokes. With the addition of Kevin, writers may be moving in a new direction. It certainly has piqued interest for a lot of subscribers. Veronica Issue 202 will be out September 1, 2010 USA.
Do you think Archie Comics made the right decision in creating a gay character?
Andriel, New Zealand