Even though Archie comics has been around forever, and has recently won the GLAAD award, the writers clearly had to inflict some more innovative first time culture into their comics. The New York Daily News reported that Archie Comics has promoted an upcoming issue of Kevin Keller with this image.The publication states,
“The Riverdale teen finds his life turned upside down after locking lips with his boyfriend, Devon, in Pop Tate’s diner, drawing the ire of at least one disapproving Riverdale mom.
The woman “gets very offended and kind of pitches a bit of a fit,” said Dan Parent, who writes and draws the issue, “Kevin Keller” No. 10 that is released Aug. 7.
“Kevin is kind of used to that, but Veronica records the whole thing and of course uploads it to the Riverdale equivalent of YouTube and that starts a bit of a debate,” said Parent.
For Archie Comics it’s a bit of art imitating life. Parent said he wrote the story after efforts to remove a comic magazine showing Keller getting married drew at complaints. One Million Moms, a project of The American Family Association, asked Toys R Us not to display “Life With Archie” No. 16 near its checkout aisles. Toys R Us did not, and the issue went on to sell out its print run.”
There will more than likely be a few outrages accompanied with the release of this issue, however I will give Archie Comics sincere accolades on innovation and moving with times. This is a fine example of how culture is being intergraded into the arts, and yes comics are consider arts. Good job guys, keep making us proud.