The Archie Comics ongoing series Kevin Keller was
announced as this year’s winner for Outstanding Comic Book at the final round
of the GLAAD Media Awards, presented Saturday evening in San Francisco.
Writer/artist Dan Parent, who introduced the world to the character in 2010,
was in attendance to collect the statuette in person.
After immediately capturing the public’s attention with a
sold out debut, Kevin was awarded his own mini-series with the launch of an
ongoing series quickly following. Since being introduced, Kevin has become one
of Archie Comic’s most highly publicized characters, including a history-making
wedding in the pages of the Eisner Award nominated Life with Archie.
“We could not be more excited for Kevin to be endorsed by
GLAAD,” said Archie Comics Publisher/Co-CEO Jon Goldwater. “Kevin is so
important to the growth and future of Archie Comics and it’s validating to see
him embraced this way.”
"Riverdale is this charming and idealized vision of
American life, and by including Kevin Keller, LGBT youth can now see themselves
reflected in that vision. GLAAD is proud
to recognize the work of Dan Parent, and everyone at Archie Comics, with this
year's GLAAD Media Award for Outstanding Comic Book," said Matt Kane,
GLAAD's Associate Director of Entertainment Media.
This year also saw Kevin make the transition into prose
with a young adult novel published by Penguin Books titled Kevin, which was
included in this year’s gift bag at the GLAAD Media Awards.