Review of Veronica Presents Kevin Keller #1 (a.k.a. Veronica #207)Kevin Keller, "the most popular new Archie character in decades," is taking over Veronica's title for four issues. He's even (sort of) having her re-number her book to #1, but the re-numbering is only for the duration of the mini-series, so it's not as annoying as DC's upcoming stunt
Those of you worried about missing Veronica's antics while Kevin has the spotlight can fear not; she is a huge part of the first issue, and I imagine she'll be around for the other three issues as well.
The comic is written and drawn by Kevin Keller creator and regular Veronica writer/artist Dan Parent. Inks are by Rich Koslowski, letters by Jack Morelli, and colors by Digikore Studios. Victor Gorelick is the editor-in-chief and Mike Pellerito is the president.
Veronica Presents Kevin Keller #1 has a nice cover that you've probably already seen by now with Kevin front and center and Archie, Betty, Jughead and (of course) Veronica behind him. This is the standard cover; there is also a special variant cover that I did not get through my subscription but I'm hoping I can find at a local comic story; the variant cover has Kevin and the Archie gang drawn in classic, Golden Age style.
The story is pretty simple on the surface -- the Riverdale gang is helping out with a July 4 parade. Kevin's father, a wounded military hero, will be the honored guest at the parade, and Kevin and Jughead will (of course!) have an eating contest as part of the day's festivities. Wendy and William, friends of Kevin's from before he moved to Riverdale, show up and bring Veronica up to speed on some of Kevin's backstory along the way.
The above paragraph probably doesn't sound like a very exciting description, and if you're looking for a traditional Archie story that spends a lot of time setting up a big gag punchline at the end, you may be disappointed. (Well, there's something that might make you "gag" near the end, but you'll just have to read to find out.) But the otherwise low-key events of present-day Riverdale provided an EXCELLENT way to cram in a LOT of background on Kevin. Without giving too much away (because I want you to buy the issue), you will find out:
* What Kevin wants to be when he grows up
* How he told his parents and others he was gay
* What Kevin looked like in Junior High (hint: it ain't pretty)
* The shocking truth about Kevin's relationship with William
* How Kevin stands up to bullies
* How Kevin reacts when given a choice between old, unpopular friends and new, popular friends
Lots and lots of flashbacks, but that's OK, given that Kevin is a very popular character for Archie right now and they no doubt want to flesh out his backstory. Now that he's been given a solid "origin story," I do hope that future issues of the mini-series focus more on Kevin's life in present-day Riverdale -- and based on the covers I've seen to the rest of the issues, that seems like it will be the case.
The issue features several Archie main and supporting characters. In addition to Kevin and Veronica, you will see Archie, Betty, Jughead, Reggie (only a small role, unfortunately), Dilton and Ethel. A few more would have been nice (I am dying to find out if Moose gets as angry when Midge talks to Kevin as he does when she talks to any other guy). But it's a pretty respectable number of characters represented overall. There is also a nice Veronica/Kevin fashion centerfold.
This issue was very self-contained; other than the fact that is had an "End of Part 1" in the last panel, this could have easily been a stand-alone issue, not the start of a mini-series. Perhaps this was originally written as a one-off issue of Veronica meant to spotlight Kevin and it was later decided to give him a full mini-series? I don't know. Either way, if you're not sure about the mini-series and want to be able to buy the first issue without being "sucked into" buying all four issues, this will be a good issue for you because you get a complete story. Or, if you've already decided you're buying all four issues, then this issue gives you the background you may want for the next three.
At the end of the book, instead of the traditional letter column, there's a new feature called Everything's Archie where "PR Guy" Alex Segura plugs Kevin Keller #1 and Life with Archie #10 and gives a rundown of various Archie books out in May and June. It is cool, but I hope they go back to regular letter columns soon; with Kevin being a new character, I think they are missing the boat by not letting "him" answer reader mail like the other characters. Fingers crossed for next issue!
About the only bad thing I can say about this issue* is that any new comic featuring Kevin Keller is going to be compared (perhaps unfairly) to his debut in the phenomenal Veronica #202. Both books are great and IMHO landmark achievements -- but Veronica #202 still gets my vote for the top spot. But don't worry -- Veronica Presents Kevin Keller #1 is well worth your time regardless.
* (OK, one other "bad thing" I can say about it: I used to do copy-editing, so grammar and punctuation mistakes bug me. I keep seeing these come up in Archie books. First, the cover of the April Fools Day Archie & Friends ("Its" instead of "It's") and now Kevin Keller #1 (a random apostrophe inserted into the word "want" to make it "wan't." I am probably the only person who notices these things, but I guess that's life!)
September 06, 2010, 01:01:19 AM
