For 75 years The Archies, a comic book and television cartoon garage band, have carried the pulse of teenage life throughout the decades, with an array of iconic characters from Betty & Veronica, to Jughead and the redheaded heartthrob himself, Archie Andrews. But when the gang from Riverdale High leapt into the 21st Century, a hot new member joined their circle, oh and he happens to be gay! Now with his own spin-off comic, Matt Myers profiles Life with Kevin.
Ever wondered where that catchy bubblegum pop song Sugar Sugar came from? It was actually The Archies, a Saturday Morning cartoon show that ran from the Sixties onwards, producing music just as ‘groovy’ as The Monkees or Banana Splits. In fact, long before Beverly Hills 90210, Degrassi High and That 70’s Show, The Archies set an archetype (pardon the pun) for pubescent coolness, covering the latest in trends, fashion and sounds.
As it happens, Archie Comics stretch back as far as 1941 when the goofy teenage redhead was first created by artist Bob Montana and based somewhat on the Andy Hardy movies starring Mickey Rooney and Judy Garland. Over the decades the characters have lived through WWII, the nuclear age, drank Coke, screamed for The Beatles, boogied at discos, wore KISS paint, became yuppies and sent texts on their mobile phones.
But while the storylines and artwork reflected the changing times, the one continuing theme was the Archie, Betty and Veronica love triangle. Other characters that evolved from the series include Sabrina the Teenage Witch and Josie & The Pussycats, often intertwining in plotlines.
Cut to 2014 where the gang from Riverdale High became well and truly immersed in the next Millennium with contemporary stories and new characters. But in one of pop culture’s most shocking and tragic twists, Archie Andrews was killed off! What’s more, is that he died defending his gay friend from an assassin’s bullet.
Enter Kevin Keller.
Over the last decade, Archie Comics writers had taken the series down a more contemporary and dramatic path, and when Kevin Keller debuted in 2010, he became the first gay character in the series. Created by artist Dan Parent (who won a GLAAD Award for his work), the handsome, buffed and blonde Keller turned up in the storyline Isn’t It Bromantic, becoming the object of affection for series regular Veronica, who soon discovered their common interest was men! And while he was originally considered to have a crush on Jughead, the two boys bond over a mutual love of hamburgers! Meanwhile, like any gay man, Kevin found his BFF in Veronica Lodge.
Kevin’s introduction into the series gained so much interest that the issue sold out, leading to the first ever reprint of an Archie comic. In fact, Kevin became so popular that he got his own 15-issue spin-off comic book in 2012. The storyline followed his junior high years, having been raised in a military family and eventually moving to his new posse at Riverdale High. In the Life with Archie series, the characters become adults and Kevin makes comic book history again, by marrying his partner Clay Walker. Taking diversity seriously, the writers also created Walker as African American.
Of course one would have to expect some protesting, which did came in the form of One Million Moms, an anti-gay group who threatened a boycott of Toys ‘R’ Us for carrying the gay wedding issue. Not that it made much difference, with Parent then inspired to introduce Kevin’s first ‘on-panel’ kiss!
Taking the story even further, when Clay is innocently shot during an attempted robbery, Kevin is prompted into taking a stand on gun control and runs for the American Senate. When he wins he becomes the toast of Riverdale, but an assassination attempt results in the death of Archie, not only making Archie a hero, but also concluding the beloved series – but not for long.
In recent times Archie Comics have gone through a major change, with new ownership, not unlike that of the Broccoli family with the 007 series. The new company CEO Jon Goldwater came on board wanting a diverse and inclusive look for Riverdale, with subsequent storylines such as Big Ethel now a single mother, Miss Grundy dying and the introduction of the first gay character.
According to his creator, Parent, Kevin was created as a ‘boy next door’ who just happens to be gay. “Not everybody’s particularly happy about it, but from where I’m sitting it’s been about 98 percent positive,” he says.
Parent, who grew up an Archies fan, has been working for the organisation for 27 years, and is often greeted and applauded by gay fans. One such fan being openly gay actor George Takei of Star Trek fame. A gay rights activist and fan of the series, Takei took the opportunity to meet Kevin himself, in comic book form! In the plotline, Kevin writes an essay about how the TV star is an inspiration, not only as an advocate for gay rights, but also to Asian Americans. Takei was impressed with Parent’s cartoon rendition, pointing out that in the past Asian Americans were usually drawn with buck teeth, thick rimmed glasses and made to look fearsome.
When Archie Comics was given a reboot last year, beginning with Issue No.1, the whole gang returned in a reimagining of the franchise, not unlike that of James Bond, Superman and yes, Star Trek! Along with Archie and Jughead, Kevin has also returned in plotlines kick-started from scratch. Other comic series Jughead, Betty & Veronica, Josie & The Pussy Cats and The Chilling Adventures of Sabrina have all been similarly revamped – and so has Kevin Keller.
And setting yet another first, Life With Kevin is a digital online series. As part of the ‘classic’ Archie universe, the story sees an older Kevin living in New York City after graduation from college, and of course his BFF Veronica Lodge also appears. In the first edition, Kevin moves into his new apartment in the Big Apple to begin life anew, and there will be plenty of dating along with all the hang-ups. Sounds like the classic sitcom premise? The first edition even has a reference to the Mary Tyler Moore Show. Ironically, the entire cast of The Archies have now got their own new television series, aptly called, Riverdale.
Produced by Warner Brothers, and LGBTI producer Greg Berlanti, the series takes a more dramatic approach showing the hidden underbelly of the youngsters’ school lives. With a new bold and subversive exposure, CEO Jon Goldwater has promised fans “You ain’t seen nothing yet.”
Berlanti is already well known for his progressive work, including Brothers & Sisters and The Broken Hearts Club, which he wrote and directed, and in 1998 he produced Dawson’s Creek – quite fitting given the racier premise for Riverdale.
As for Kevin Keller, he will be played by newcomer Casey Cott, the younger brother of Broadway star Corey Cott. Somewhat the handsome actor, he is joined by a notable cast of other head-turners with Cole Sprouse (Friends) as Jughead, Ross Butler (Chasing Life) as Reggie Mantle, New Zealand actor K.J Apa (Shortland Street) as Archie Andrews and former 90210 star Luke Perry is Archie’s dad, bringing it somewhat full circle!
It’s odd to think a simple comic book character created in ink could cause controversy, set records and win awards, not to mention inspire and bring enjoyment to millions. Then again, he’s in good hands, literally, with Archie Comics. Here’s hoping Kevin Keller is still around in 75 years!
Life With Kevin is available at archiecomics.com
Riverdale screens on Netflix later this year
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