PHILADELPHIA -- Kevin Keller may find himself dead square in the national debate over gays in the military all because of his dad.
The Archie Comics character, the company's first openly gay one in its 70 years of publishing, is loud and proud of his dad, a retired Army colonel. In the pages of the new four-issue miniseries debuting Wednesday, 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."
Writer and artist Dan Parent told The Associated Press that 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 of the events in the second issue. Parent talked to numerous military brats - children whose parents were career military - and found that they all shared the same bond with family because other ties can be temporary and fleeting.
"There's a certain thing Army brats have in common, and it's that feeling of not getting too comfortable in one spot because you really don't know how long you'll be there," he 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 not necessarily the main narrative line, but just 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 being an army officer, too.
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."
Goldwater dismissed claims that the character is just a publicity stunt aimed at boosting sales. "He's going to be part of the Archie world. We have many plans for him, from the licensing side as well," he said.
The first issue outlines Kevin's coming out to his dad, asking him whether he should rethink his decision to pursue a military career.
"On the contrary! I don't want to stop you," Col. Keller says. "It takes a special person to serve their country. Someone with heart and courage!"
