It seems like I’ve been talking about this forever! For months! What with the first introduction of Kevin, my analysis of sexuality and how it relates to Archie Comics, tackling how to write Jughead in this post-openly-gay Archie world, even a preview of my review! And now it’s finally here!
What can I say that I haven’t already said? Well, I will say that after reading it in my hands, I have to say that I’m constantly impressed by the glossy paper and more saturated coloring. Everything looks more alive, more vibrant. I know glossy paper isn’t a new invention, but after years of dealing with Archie Comics’ ink coming off on my hands, it’s such a relief to hold onto the cover and still have clean hands.
I’ll also reiterate myself and say kudos to the Archie Comics crew, specifically artist/writer Dan Parent, for not only making a gay character who’s just as normal/eccentric as anybody else in the Archieverse, but for also using the ethnic minor characters such as Tomoko, Nancy, and Ginger.
I still think this is Parent’s best script yet. He included a lot of slang, lots of jokes, and lots of vintage gags (Angel Betty and Devil Betty arguing on Betty’s shoulder, the Three’s Company-esque storyline, etc.). I will say that it was strange that Jughead wanted to get Veronica back for making him look like a fool, since Veronica did no such thing except show up to hug Kevin and flirt with him after the initial hamburger battle. Unless Veronica doing that is something that made Jughead feel foolish. Or jealous?
I throw that out there because it seems like the only real reason why Jughead would want to get Veronica back for interrupting his time with Kevin. Sure, they have a noted history of (fun) hatred, but he really had no reason to get at Veronica for her just being herself. All Jughead could’ve thought was, “Wouldn’t it be great to see Veronica go after Kevin, only to get told he’s gay?” instead of tacking on “She made me look like a fool!” Whatever. I’ve addressed the whole Kevin/Jughead angle numerous times, so I won’t repeat myself.
The ending is something many people are divided over. Some people say it’s stereotypical of Kevin to go shopping with Veronica, while others say stereotypes stem from truth, so it’s not so bad that Kevin’s going shopping with Veronica. I won’t say either reaction is incorrect or correct. I will say, though, that if there was an issue where we follow Veronica and Kevin on their shopping spree, I’d bet money on Kevin going into a Ralph Lauren Polo store (or some sort of knockoff since you can’t actually put “Ralph Lauren” in an Archie book without Archie Comics paying for the rights to use the name). He wears a lot of what seems like Polo. I personally love Polo, but it costs too much for me, so I’d have to live vicariously through him, even if he’s shopping in the men’s section.
Also, the fact that they introduced him as a texting fanatic is both timely and another fun quirk in his character (just as long as he doesn’t text and drive). He is drawn constantly texting William, his friend back home. In the back of the issue, there’s a Q and A interview with Kevin, and he mentions William and his other friend Wendy, whom I’m guessing are twins. Since we’ve gotten such an introduction to these two characters along with Kevin, I gather they’ll be showing up in Veronica #205, when Kevin is at the center of the story yet again (and yet again, his sexuality is brought up).
Like I said above, I’ve brought up the whole JugheadxKevin issue many times, so click here if you want to read about it in my first reactions to this issue of Veronica. For the record, Jughead’s not written so much as gay as he is either unsure, bi, or asexual (it really depends on the reader). For now, I’ll say that Kevin, being a vintage comic book junkie, journalism enthusiast (like me!) and Jughead’s fellow champion eater, is a welcome addition to the Archie cast. He’s just as wholesome as Archie, although Archie could learn a thing or two from Kevin (who questioned Jughead about Archie’s Eternal Triangle) about being wholesome.
