Panic and Prayer: The Christian Right Responds to Archie's Death

It's been a rough week for traditionalist comic book fans.

First it was announced that Captain America would sprout wings. Next, it was revealed on "The View" that the Norse god Thor would become a thunder goddess in upcoming issues. But reactions to those revelations weren't nearly as visceral as the Christian right-wing's response to the news that Archie, the beloved freckle-faced comic book icon, would die taking a bullet to save his gay friend.

Tuesday, the Associated Press reported Archie Andrews would meet his demise this week in an installment of "Life with Archie" when he intervenes in an assassination attempt on Kevin Keller, Archie Comics' first openly gay character. Andrews' death, which was first announced in April, will mark the conclusion of the series that focuses on grown-up renditions of Andrews and his Riverdale pals.

In "Life with Archie," Keller is a married military veteran and newly-elected senator who's pushing for more gun control in Riverdale after his husband was involved in a shooting."We wanted to do something that was impactful that would really resonate with the world and bring home just how important Archie is to everyone," said Goldwater. "That's how we came up with the storyline of saving Kevin. He could have saved Betty. He could have saved Veronica. We get that, but metaphorically, by saving Kevin, a new Riverdale is born."

Not everyone seems to share Goldwater's sentiments however.

Larry Tomczak writing for über right-wing homo hating panic machine Barb Wire had this to say about Archie's death.

This tragic example from Archie Comics is but one of many alarming developments in our society. We can either throw up our hands in despair or respond to the current wooing of the Holy Spirit to pray and get engaged in courageously bringing the gospel and truth to this generation.

Like those who partied on the Titanic, many Americans are unaware of the disaster looming ahead.

Naturally, message boards on conservative news outlets are blowing up over this news.

Readers on infowars.com wrote:

Beloved Comic Book Character “Archie” Will Die Saving His Gay Best Friend

There’s really only one way the story can end — you get a gay friend, he starts dating, finally has that first kiss, gets gay married, then you inevitably die taking a bullet for him.

Well, if you’re Archie, that is.

The wholesome tyke who first appeared in comics in 1941 has been reimagined as an adult in the recent and ongoing series Life With Archie, in which gay pal Kevin Keller is a newly elected senator with a military background pushing for gun control in Riverdale after his husband was involved in a shooting.

Sounds like the tune from how many notes can I play at once?

Archie’s planned death will mark the end of the series, and is intended to raise issues of gun violence in America.

But it’s also significant that it’s Keller who is saved.

“We wanted to do something that was impactful that would really resonate with the world and bring home just how important Archie is to everyone,” said Jon Goldwater, Archie Comics publisher and co-CEO. “That’s how we came up with the storyline of saving Kevin. He could have saved Betty. He could have saved Veronica. We get that, but metaphorically, by saving Kevin, a new Riverdale is born.”

So who’s the shooter?

You’ll have to read to find out.

Archie Comics' Kevin Keller Kisses His Boyfriend for First Time in Front of an Outraged Mom

Archie Comics' first gay character Kevin Keller has his first kiss in "Kevin Keller" Issue No. 10 which is released today, August 7.

Creator Dan Parent told HuffPost Live that One Million Moms' outrage over previous comic book issues were what fueled the scene you see above.

Archie Comics’ openly gay character Kevin Keller seals controversy with a kiss

Archie Comics publicity shot shows issue 10 of 'Kevin Keller,' featuring the titular openly-gay character kissing his boyfriend Devon.

It’s a just quick kiss, but it’s a long step forward for Archie Comics’ only openly gay character Kevin Keller.

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 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.

Parent called the new story a “playful poke” at the protest.

Keller debuted in “Veronica” No. 202 in September 2010. It resulted in Archie Comics’ first-ever second printing. It was quickly followed by a four-issue miniseries and the current monthly title.

Publisher and co-CEO Jon Goldwater said the fact that any kiss is being shown in the pages of an Archie Comics book is a step in and of itself.

 

“There aren’t that many on-panel kisses in the pages of Archie, but you often see the lipstick on Archie’s face afterward,” he said.

Goldwater said Keller’s character has let the company weave in contemporary issues to its imaginary world.

“We certainly pride ourselves on being contemporary, but that’s not the reason why we’re showing ‘The Kiss.’ Just like when Kevin first told Jughead he was gay, it was in the natural course of conversation,” said Goldwater. “We are creating this in the same way. It’s just part of the story.”

Read more: http://www.nydailynews.com/entertainment/music-arts/archie-comics-openly-gay-character-seals-controversy-kiss-article-1.1349168#ixzz2TrgBmbf9