In life there are changes. Within these changes, there are benefits and misses. I am bisexual by birth and that I grew up reading Archie comics and relating to all the different dynamics of the stories shared within. I am quite excited about this new openly gay character, yet all I do hope is that he will not be an outlandish caricature, but a loving gentleman with reasonable flaws and who is accessible and real.

Well the days of my daughter reading Archies comis are gone. I realize in life there are changes....but this is clearly another attempt in tearing down family values and an attempt to mainstream liberal views to our young children. This issue should not be touched so lightly and introduced as acceptable. Our children are born with innocence and they will reach a point where it will be tainted, but why introduce a controversial issue when young innocent minds are impressionable. It is our obligation as parents to touch on this issue and present it to our children in a manner that they will understand is in reality not the norm. And before anyone comments on this... I have friends who are gay. It is up to them to lead their lives however they want. As a parent, I view things in a different light then when I was single. It is my obligation to teach my child that while there are differences within us there are some ways of life that are hurtful to God. He didn't create Adam and Steve, but Adam and Eve for a reason.
Archie comics has overstepped the boundaries to what was once a good comic for kids to enjoy.

wow. I sometimes forget how unchristlike many christians are. I think the comic series is to be commended for making its high school a bit more normal by having a gay character who will hopefully be well rounded and respectfully portrayed. It is healthy for children to understand the reality that members of the GLBT community need to be accepted for the normal people that they are. It is tragic that religion is used in such a hurtful, evil way. And if one does believe in god - s/he actually did create adam and steve - and betty and eve too.

It just seems odd the topic would be brought up in a comic. Of course all the comics I have ever bought were more superhero type and very superficial were real life issues were seldom mentioned. I have to say Archie Comics probably had the phones ringing off the hooks on this one and I do commend them for stepping out in the real world. As an adult I would rather have opportunity to teach my child they many different lifestyles that people have but on the other-hand children who are gay likely know so before their parents discover it having something to relate to that is acceptable in culture I would hope it makes them feel like they fit in.

A. Ramos,

Your god is responsible for a wide and diverse Creation. That Creation, whether you approve or not, includes a great number of (quite "normal," thank you) "Adams and Steves." The sooner your daughter understands this, the better. If she has to learn this from a comic book because her parents live in delusion, so be it. She will be infinitely healthier for it.

Mark, you must not have been paying very close attention to those comics you were reading. Superhero comics have always been used as allegories for real-life issues.

BankStreet

By the way, my daughter DOES know what gay is. It was MY responsibility as her parent to tell her what it means.

What you misundertand is why does this alternative life style have to be shoved so EARLY down childrens throat. Children are not thinking about those things. It is a sensitive and confusing issue for young children and should only be handled by a parent and at an appropriate age. Why expose the avid readers who are 7, 8 and 9 year olds to this issue. If you have forgotten children still possess a sense of innocence. Do you then think it is appropriate for children to read that Archie, Betty, Veronica and Jughead are swingers or perhaps using recreational drugs. All these ARE a "fact of life" ("quite "normal" thank you" to some) but are they appropriate topics for their age.

Also, as posted earlier, I HAVE good friends who are gay. My God loves everyone no matter what, but as a human being I do have a right to my own opinion wheter you agree or not. And as a parent I have a moral obligation to restrict to my child what topics are age appropriate.

Be mor Christlike? You people are a joke! JC would vomit all over the new Archie comics. What's next Archie meets a kid toucher?