Kevin Keller celebrated his tenth anniversary in 2020, and the Archie character's creator Dan Parent is so proud of him he's organizing a compendium of all of the standout queer character's first decade-plus in comics.
Kevin Keller Celebration! is a 700-plus-page omnibus of all things Kevin, including his first appearance in Veronica #202, his four-issue limited series, his 15-issue ongoing series, the Life with Kevin graphic novel, as well as unspecified "highlights, extras, and so much more" according to Archie Comics.
"For the past 35 years, I've had the pleasure to work on multiple characters and titles for Archie, but my heart always comes back to my heart and soul, Kevin Keller," Parent says in the announcement. "Being able to spearhead this campaign, with the support of Archie Comics, is the perfect way to continue the legacy of the character as well as celebrate the 80th anniversary of Archie Comics."
Although Archie Comics is supporting this project (and owns the character and comics), Dan Parent is the one organizing Kevin Keller Celebration! - and using Kickstarter to raise funds for it. Since its launch in September, the book's Kickstarter has surpassed its $49,500 goal and even moved up its planned release - October for the digital version, and November for the print edition.
"When Dan came to me with the idea of introducing Kevin to Archie Comics ten years ago, I knew we were on the precipice of a huge cultural shift for our brand and for that reason, among many others, is why we fully support Dan's campaign efforts," Archie Comics' CEO/publisher Jon Goldwater says. "The introduction of Kevin, Archie Comics' first gay character, ignited readers and fans across the country and it's a testament to Dan's creative work that Kevin is such a positive and everlasting fixture in the world of Riverdale."
Kevin Keller was the first gay character introduced in Archie Comics history, leading the way for Jughead to identify as asexual years later, and the introduction of other new queer characters such as Toni Topaz.
The Kevin Keller character later appeared in The CW's Riverdale show, played by Casey Cott - and even cameo'd in the Katy Keene spin-off.
Kevin Keller Celebration! is planned for a January 2022 release, and can be pre-ordered now through the Kevin Keller Celebration! Kickstarter page.
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