OUR LATEST ISSUE
SITE SEARCH
Gay News: The new issue of Veronica, one of the successful Archie teen comic books, is to feature its first gay character
By: Nigel Robinson
Kevin has been welcomed by gay groups
Kevin has been welcomed by gay groups
Archie comics welcome first gay character
The latest issue, which is published on Wednesday 1 September, introduces school hunk Kevin Keller, whose sexy good looks immediately attract the attention of Veronica, his fellow student at Riverdale High.
However, Kevin matter-of-factly tells another character that he isn’t interested in her because he is gay.
This is the first time an openly gay character has appeared in the 69-year-old history of Archie Comics.
Gay rights groups have welcomed the introduction of the character in a comic book series which is generally perceived as being “wholesome”.
Jarrett Barois, the president of the Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD), said:
“It’s thrilling to see Riverdale High welcome its first openly gay student, and give readers a window into the lives of gay youth today.
“As images of gay and transgender people become more frequent on TV and in film, people are embracing and expect to see images of our community across media platforms, including comic books.”
Dan Parent, writer and artist on the comic said:
“In the way that we’ve always been considered a kids’ comic, a family-friendly comic, in that way it’s groundbreaking.
“We still like our traditional stories and stuff, but at the same time we do have to be on top of what’s going on in the world, because they are teenagers – we have to stay current.”
Since Marvel Comics’ superhero Northstar came out in 1992, American comics have portrayed gay characters with varying degrees of success.
However Marvel’s reinterpretation of the Rawhide Kid as a wise-cracking and thigh-slapping gay cowboy was criticised for being the stereotype of a gay man.
Veronica by Dan Parent is published on 1 September 2010 by Archie comics and is available from specialist comic book stores.
