Kevin Keller: Disgusting Dads & Lads Comic Out Soon

Kevin Keller may find himself dead square in the national debate over gays in the military because of his dad.
Keller, the first openly gay character in Archie Comics’ 70-year history, is loud and proud of his father, a retired Army colonel, in a four-issue miniseries debuting next week.
Archie, Veronica, Jughead and the rest of the Riverdale gang are puzzled given their pal’s sexual orientation. They’re even more perplexed when Kevin’s mom calls her son her “future military man.”
The miniseries debuts Wednesday, and will be released monthly.
Writer and artist Dan Parent says Kevin’s relationship with his father is a key plank of the character’s identity, just as much as his being gay.
“We just wanted to show a healthy father-son relationship where Kevin’s sexuality wasn’t an issue, similarly to the reaction he got from the gang in Riverdale,” Parent said.
He talked to numerous children of career military members, and found that they all shared the same bond with family.
“There’s a certain thing Army brats have in common, and its that feeling of not getting too comfortable in one spot because you really don’t know how long you’ll be there,” Parent said. “And, maybe not in all cases, but I think in many, there’s a closer family bond because all you have from place to place is that immediate family to rely on.”
Throughout the story arc, Kevin’s homosexuality is one of many threads of the tale of a teenager who aspires to be a journalist but only after attending the U.S. Military Academy and becoming an Army officer.
Jon Goldwater, co-chief executive of Archie Comics, said Kevin is not meant to be a divisive figure.
“The way it’s presented is done with such a light touch. It’s kind of the way Dan introduced Kevin,” he said. “We’re not trying to come across as preachy or heavy-handed or even political.”

Associated Press.
As I've said before, surely only fags buy these mags?
I think this is proven by Kevin Keller being the third most popular reason people hit on Fagburn after Lady Gaga and Tom Daley.
Can anyone explain this?

Kevin Keller: Everything's Archie

"I think as time marches on, gay characters in comics will become more commonplace and it won't be a big media event every time a gay character is introduced."

Cartoonist Dan Parent speaking to The Associated Press, in a wirestory - 'Archie Comics Plans Series For 1st Gay Character' - that's being written up around the world as a big media event.
Including here on Fagburn, natch.
Archie Comics are seen as so staid, safe and symbolic of wholesome middle American values the news has been greeted like Grandpa Walton has come out or something.
Kevin Keller, a newly-arrived student at Riverdale High, made his debut in an issue of the sister comic, Veronica, last year.
Daily Finance commented drily; "To combat plummeting sales, Archie Comics have tried to increase their cultural relevance and topicality. The new plot lines - including an inter-racial crossover romance for the red-headed teen and the introduction of a gay character - have moved the series closer to present-day realities, but the danger is they may alienate a key [conservative] Archie audience."
Parent told AP; "The world of Riverdale has to reflect contemporary culture and to show it is an accepting, diverse place. And that's why Kevin is important, to show that everybody is welcome in this all-American town we've embraced for over 70 years."
The new four-issue series of Kevin Keller comics will be published this summer, after his Veronica debut led to a re-reprint for the first time in Archie history.
Which may support a hunch of Fagburn's that the only people who still buy comics are (grown-up) gay men.