Photo: COURTESY OF ARCHIE COMICS.Archie Andrews may not be a superhero, but the comic book icon sure is going out like one. When it was announced in April that the freckle-faced Andrews would meet his demise in an upcoming issue, the question on everyone's mind was how?
That question was answered this week, when it was revealed that Archie will die by taking bullet for Kevin Keller, his best friend and the first openly gay character in Archie Comics.
The monumental issue is set to be released on Wednesday.
“He dies heroically. He dies selflessly. He dies in the manner that epitomizes not only the best of Riverdale but the best of all of us,” said Archie Comics publisher and co-CEO Jon Goldwater. “It’s what Archie has come to represent over the past almost 75 years.”
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If you grew up reading Archie Comics, you'll recognize that the addition of a gay character was a major step forward for a series that often represented traditional American values. That Archie will meet his maker by saving Keller's life suggests that the series was actually quite progressive.
“Metaphorically, by saving Kevin, a new Riverdale is born,” added Goldwater.
While the death of one of America's most beloved comic book characters may be jarring for those who grew up reading the adventures of the Riverdale gang, they can no doubt take solace in the fact that Archie's going out like a boss.
"Archie is not a superhero like all the rest of the comic book characters,” said Goldwater.“He’s human. He’s a person. When you wound him, he bleeds. He knows that. If anything, I think his death is more impactful because of that.” (The Associated Press)