For decades -- generations, really -- Archie Comics has been the champion of Wholesome Comic Books. But even though in many ways Riverdale seems locked in the '50s, it's editorial staff has always known that in order to keep their readers, Archie has to reflect the changing times. In the past this has usually meant making sure Veronica wore the latest fashions and Archie followed the latest fads and Jughead at the latest junk food; but in recent years, new blood at Archie Comics has been addressing changes in social attitudes that would have caused the company's founders to have heart attacks.
More over the jump...
A few years ago, an issue of ARCHIE featured a cross-over with Josie and the Pussycats, in which Archie briefly dates Valerie, the band's black bass player and shares Archie Comics' First Interracial Kiss.
Later that year, they introduced a new character named Kevin Keller, who is just as nice, friendly and wholesome as Archie, and gay. Reader resposne to Kevin's initial four-issue try-out series was so positive, that they gave him his own ongoing series.
Of course, some people were shocked and outraged by this. So how does Archie react...?
By mocking them, of course!
According to a story at the comics news-site Bleeding Cool, in the new issue of ARCHIE COMICS, Kevin gives his boyfriend and affectionate smooch at Pop's Malt Shoppe. A mother who happened to be in the store buying an ice cream cone for her child is shocked by this Public Display of Gayness, and so organizes a group of Like-Minded Mothers to be Shocked and Outraged with her.
Any similarity between the group in the comic and the Million Moms is purely satirical.
It's one thing to read surveys that say more people approve of gay marriage than they did even a few years ago, but when Archie Comics of all people comes out supporting gays, it says something has really changed in American culture.