kevin keller archie gay wedding
Although we rarely race to post those “sell out” pr’s from comics company, given the controversy over the issue, the sell out of the Kevin Keller issue of ARCHIE is worth reporting on, as is the company’s strong stance on sticking by the character.

Archie Comics, the home to some of the world’s most recognizable characters —  including Archie, Jughead, Betty and Veronica, Josie and the Pussycats and Sabrina, the Teenage Witch — is proud to announce that the company has sold out of LIFE WITH ARCHIE #16.
 
The issue, which has received widespread media attention around the world, including coverage from ABC NEWS, REUTERS, THE HUFFINGTON POST, GAWKER, THE DRUDGE REPORT, THE NEW YORK TIMES, PEREZHILTON.com, ENTERTAINMENT WEEKLY, THE ADVOCATE, OUT MAGAZINE, FOX NEWS and more, features a historic moment for Kevin Keller, the first gay character in Riverdale: He gets married.
 
“Kevin will always be a major part of Riverdale, and we’re overjoyed, honored and humbled by the response to this issue,” said Jon Goldwater, Co-CEO of Archie Comics. “Our fans have come out full force to support Kevin. He is, without a doubt, the most important new character in Archie history. He’s here to stay.”

1 COMMENT

  1. Growing up I never thought I’d hear myself say this but, bravo, Archie Comics, for having the bravery to make Riverdale an example of a real American city with genuine diversity and showing that kids can still learn values through reading comics.

  2. I’ve been very impressed with Archie Comics lately. The inclusion of Kevin Keller in their line with a mini, then ongoing and now his Marriage. Shows they are leaps and bounds ahead of every other comic company.

    I did however, forget to request this issue, so I hope I’m still able to get it. Second Print? Do the covers still feature those silly teen beat ‘celebrities’? Because that is what put me off this series in the beginning.

  3. Dang. Should have bought a few extras. Good thing I subscribe!

    I’ve also been impressed with Archie lately, particularly the LIFE WITH ARCHIE magazine. I think Paul Kupperburg has done a great job taking over for Michael Uslan with this series (in fact, I review this particular issue today on my blog — hope no one minds the plug). I might even review the entire Kevin Keller storyline from his appearances in Veronica and his own title (again — I love subscriptions!).

    JAMES: No, they dumped that silly Teen Beat stuff sometime last year (thank goodness!). Right now it’s strictly a comic magazine with two stories running: first the Archie Marries Veronica followed by the Archie Marries Betty. And things have REALLY been picking up lately! The whole multiverse storyline looks like it’s about to finally unravel and make some sense. Unless, of course, Archie does something silly like spwan 52 alternate universes!

  4. Fernando Ruiz, the artist of this groundbreaking issue, will be a guest at the Clifton NJ Comic Book Expo on March 11th. He will be selling sketches, prints and pages of original art. The show runs from 10-4 at the Clifton Recreation Center, 1232 Main Ave. Admission is free.

  5. @Mike – 52 universes might be on its way! Isn’t he marrying a 3rd ladie in the Archie ongoing? How many females does Riverdale have all up? haha… :)

  6. I am suprised by this, not because of the Gay issue, but because i thought Archie and his pals were all young teens. is that no longer the case? have the characters aged to the point of getting married?

  7. The characters have aged only in “Life With Archie’ magazine. The other books are still devoted to teen-age antics.

  8. @Jay: I try to resist plugging my blog, but I do a summary of this multiverse thingie that you might want to read (click on my name to go there).

    But really, Bob Smith said it. They are only old and married in this magazine which features two possible alternate timelines: Archie Marries Veronica and Archie Marries Betty. In their normal comics they are still 17 years old.

  9. @Mike – checked out your blog to read the review – but didn’t even get to the actual comic. Because the few paragraphs before it made me not want to read any further. Don’t agree with your opinions at all.

  10. @ Mike’s blog: yep, the usual bull about how folks who accept gay marriage are “intolerant” of others who disagree.

    Folks, tolerance doesn’t mean you just sit back and let people dump all over others. If we were truly intolerant, we would be trying to squelch your rights to express your views, not simply disagreeing/taking issue with those views. Tolerance doesn’t mean blind agreement with something … think of the word “tolerate.”

    Plus there’s the old B.S. about the liberal media, yadda yadda. That’s be so thoroughly debunked by now, it’s hardly worth addressing, but I will add that, as someone who worked in media for nearly 7 years, it just ain’t at all true. Oh, I’ve got truckloads of problems with the media today, but there being some ridiculous liberal bias just isn’t there.

    Basically, if the right doesn’t like it, it must be “liberal.”

    Use the brain and your reason, and all will be well!

  11. With so many copies sold out..I hope they are re-printing another batch. Congrats to Archie Comics for being open minded and up to date with current philosophy on same sex groups. Love makes all things easy and we are here to stay!