Watch: George Takei ‘shocked’ that comics icon Archie will be killed off saving gay friend
George Takei has reacted to the news that comic character Archie will be shot while saving his gay friend Kevin Keller.
It was revealed last week that iconic comic character Archie will be killed off while protecting a gay friend.
Archie Comics CEO Jon Goldwater revealed the character will meet a heroic and selfless death in issues 36 and 37 of spin-off series ‘Life with Archie’.
Takei, who has himself appeared in Archie Comics, said: “The next generation is coming and Kevin Keller is out and happy and partnered.
“I guess they’re handing the torch over to the new generation, where being gay isn’t a big thing.
“I was elated, because it was reflecting a bigger world, that I could be a part of as a Japanese American and a gay American.
“Comics are influenced by the changes that are happening in society. We are changed, and more people are stopping to think.”
Goldwater told Associated Press: “He dies in the manner that epitomizes not only the best of Riverdale but the best of all of us. It’s what Archie has come to represent over the past almost 75 years.”
Kevin Keller, the comic’s first openly gay character, is a married military veteran and newly elected senator who is pushing for more gun control. He was introduced to the series in Archie spin-off ‘Veronica’ back in 2010.
While protecting Keller from an assassination attempt by an undisclosed killer, Archie is shot and killed.
Goldwater added: “We wanted to do something that was impactful that would really resonate with the world and bring home just how important Archie is to everyone.
“That’s how we came up with the storyline of saving Kevin. [Archie] could have saved Betty. He could have saved Veronica. We get that, but metaphorically, by saving Kevin, a new Riverdale is born.”
Although this double-digest issue will conclude the plot line for Archie and his gang, other incarnations of Archie will live on elsewhere.
