What do you think about the longstanding and classic Archie Comics coming out of the closet?  Next month artist/writer, Dan Parent, will introduce the first openly gay character in the pages of Veronica.

Kevin Keller, tall, naturally wavy thick blonde-haired, good-looking, the boy next door, will catch more than the eye of Veronica when he arrives at opening day of school at Riverdale.

Editors at Towleroad (August 30, 2010), the queer online publication, caught up with Parent for an exclusive interview to find out the origin of the creation of a gay character in the comic book series, the motivation for his inclusion (is it just a way to sell more comic books as they'll become inevitably an instant collectible among connoisseurs of gayalia) and the ongoing debate about the mainstreaming of the gay culture into popular culture. You really can't get much closer to popular culture than comic books (remember even the Pop Art painters borrowed or were inspired by them!)

Here's some excerpts of that revealing interview with Parent about Keller.

Towleroad:  What sparked the idea of introducing a gay character into the Archie Comics world?

Don Parent:  It all started in an editorial meeting. I had an idea about Veronica going bonkers over a guy who was gay, and the powers that be liked it. It coincided with our desire to expand diversity in Riverdale, so before long the idea became a reality.

T:  How did you come up with the final visual design of Kevin?

DP:  Well, I tried to give him characteristics that some of the other guys didn't have, like wavy hair. And there aren't many blonde guys in this group either. He's good looking, but has to be able to catch Veronica's eye.

T:  How much did you think about stereotypes when creating Kevin?

DP:  I was aware of them. I didn't want him to be clichéd, but I also didn't want to run in the other direction either. He's the boy next door. He's just gay.

T:  Were any gays or lesbians consulted during the creation of Kevin?

DP: My gay friends liked where we were going with the story. They felt that it was important to use the word, "gay", and not skirt around the word. Of course, we used the word, thankfully, without hesitation.

T:  Is there talk of giving Kevin a romantic interest?

DP: Right now, I'm still getting Kevin through the door in Riverdale! He still has to start school and meet a lot more of our cast of characters. And he does have friends from his hometown that may be brought in.

Parent also stated that the world of Archie was going to become more contemporary and diverse as time goes on, expanding into different nationalities, faiths, lifestyles, opening the door to everyone.

He now feels that our society is becoming much more accepting of gays and that for every negative criticism that the world of Archie has received from the public upon hearing of the creation of Kevin Keller, there are, according to Parent, "a hundred positive ones."

He boasted, too, that the higher ups at Archie Comics are 100% behind the gay character and fully on board in responding to any negative feedback from comic book readers.

"We seem to be in a much more accepting place in society, which is a step forward for every kid out there who may feel like an outsider," said Parent, "There's a place for you in this world, including Riverdale!"