Big Wedding Issue!

[skjam]

It's been a while since we last checked in with the "Life With Archie" title. As long-time readers will remember, this magazine showcases the alternate futures where Archie marries either Betty or Veronica. This resulted...somehow...in Hiram Lodge becoming an archvillain. (We've since learned more about what happened to make him that way, and it's a doozy.) Plus a whole host of other subplots.

But today, we're going to look at the main plotline in Life With Archie #16, the marriage of Kevin Keller. This is likely to be a plotline controversial with social conservatives because--



--it's interracial! I'm pretty sure this is the first interracial marriage in Archie Comics, not counting aliens or monsters.

So, how did the happy couple meet? It turns out that even in the future presented here, the US is still fighting a war in the Middle East. :-(



Lieutenant Keller and his squad are pinned down by sniper fire. He calls in air support, but it turns out the sniper was just providing cover fire for allies to move into position. One of Keller's men takes a wound in the leg, and he goes under heavy fire to tote that soldier to safety. Naturally, he gets shot too.

Time for evac out of the hot zone!





And fell in love, Clay popped the question, and here we are.

In the Veronica future, Mayor Marmaduke "Moose" Mason officiates at the wedding, but I couldn't find the best page, so this is from the Betty future.



And there's a lovely two-page splash finale, but you'll have to buy the magazine to see it.



Your thoughts and comments?

SKJAM!

Comments

[darkknightjrk]

You know, it's cool that Archie's doing this kinda stuff--and in a way that feels fairly authentic when it could easily turn into nothing more than cheap publicity--but...I just can't get into Archie. I don't know what it is.

[vspope]

Because it's completely UNNATURAL and WRONG. Just LOOK at that last scan.

Jughead... in a suit and tie... happily cuddling a GIRL!

That's against the natural order of things.

Wow...

[silverzeo]

Just... wow... just wow... not since that comic about the Japanese in WWII that commented on the detention centers for the Japanese citizens. So bluntly progressive but without the naggy preachy messages or some stereotypical villain, but is to the point it works.

[thanekos]

Got wounded, got out without being optioned for a secret military project- good for him!

Of course, worst case, he would've just become the Shield.

[espanolbot]

Good thing the US army in the future bought out those South African spinal injury clinics for use exclusively for veterans, otherwise he'd have to become a boring computer related character instead.

I think that I should point out that this was a joke, as there are probably people who'd think that I was being serious (Oracle was awesome).

[icon_uk]

got out without being optioned for a secret military project

Well, that he is aware of...

[espanolbot]

Wow, calling a physical therapist "Walker" is a little on the nose in this case isn't it?

S'like a butcher called Mr Cleaver, or a policewoman called Miss DeMeaner.

[jlbarnett]

if you'd ever watched COPS you'd know Ms. Demeaner is a criminal's name

[q99]

My thoughts? The writer knows what they're doing, and I approve this comic :)

[ian_karkull]

One of the writers for Archie comics was on War Rocket Ajax the other day and it's really quite amazing how much they're able to do there, not just in terms of creative freedom but also with respect of exploring new ways of distribution.
Apparently there's a lot more innovative energy and willingness to take some risks at Archie than there is at the Big Two -which isn't too surprising given that the latter are owned by major Media Conglomerates- but it's is still commendable of Archie, especially since their public image is probably a lot more old-fashioned than the company itself really is.

At any rate, this looks really well done and the sheer ballsyness is astounding.

[icon_uk]

When they introduced Kevin Keller, someone noted that introducing the first gay character usually isn't the problem in comic series because they never need to show them DOING anything gay, it's when they introduce the second one and start a relationship that things can get antsy with the publisher (Can you show them hold hands, kiss etc? I mean look at how long it took to show Wiccan and Hulking doing anything romantic) so kudos to the Archie creators for this.

[kenn_el]

Oh, not to worry. Kevin hasn't dated nor even looked longingly at another male in the comics. It's the 1950s where gay males are concerned, and we need the straight folk to be reassured that there's nothing but marriage and the military on our minds!

[kd_the_movie]

Are they still in HS in Life With Archie? Cuz Kev is a LT and all (which is funny in and of itself for breaking the "EVERYONE IN COMICS IS A CAPTAIN!!" trope).

[skjam]

Nope, Archie and Betty/Veronica got married after college, and this is a year or two on from that.

[razsolo]

Who ever would have thought that Archie of all things would have such an awesome handling of gay characters and a gay relationship??

It's not like I am that into Archie comics now, but I used to love 'em when I was a kid, so I think it's cool. Good work Archie! :)

[freezer]

Wait: A Veronicaverse story where someone is happy? Da' hell?!

[skjam]

Made up for in the subplots, I assure you.

[nemryn]

I have to admit, I'm more interested in what Dilton's up to.

[equinox216]

The same thing he's up to EVERY night:
Trying to TAKE OVER the WORLD.

/villainoushandclutchy

[mullon]

But did it actually show them kissing?

[skjam]

Sadly no. The only kiss this issue was between Reggie and Betty in the Veronicaverse.

[kenn_el]

If they were really attempting marital equity, since Archie gets a different wife in each timeline, why is Kevin saddled with the same spouse? (There's no Big Love timeline where Archie is married to Betty, Veronica, and Cheryl, is there? Yet?)

[skjam]

Because Kevin left town before the timelines diverged.

We haven't seen the "Archie marries *all* the girls" timeline, but there have been glimpses of even weirder dimensions in the multiverse, so we can at least imagine it.

[chocochuy]

I am quite impressed at the way this story was handled by the creative staff of this Archie comic. It is a touching story where love has no color nor prejudices. I approve it!

[korilian]

Huh. I know next to nothing about Archie, but I think I read somewhere once that it took forever to even include a colored character. If I am remembering that right they sure made a big turnabout.

[blackruzsa]

.... I notice that when there is a major gay character in popular media, nine out of ten, his boyfriend/lover/husband is black.

Just an observation. :)

[lieut_kettch]

Twofer Syndrome.

[kirke_novak]

My name is Kirke and I approve of this message.

[eyz]

Archie's getting kinda progressive!
Though you still recognise the usual Archiness of it all, with lines like HOLY COW when the soldiers are getting shot at :P