Archie Comics Welcomes Spunky Fashionista ‘Harper’ To Riverdale in ‘Archie #656!’ Will Archie Andrews Like The New Girl?

In 2010, Archie Comics introduced its first gay character, Kevin Keller, in Riverdale. Then the publishing company sent zombies upon the wholesome town in Afterlife With Archie. Now Archie and his gang will meet their latest addition to their tight-knit crew, a spunky fashionista named Harper in Archie #656.

Harper blends into the fold as the cousin to posh socialite and drama queen Veronica Lodge. The Archie gang will soon realize there is something different about their newbie friend. Their latest companion is disabled and bound to a wheelchair.

Kevin Keller teaches young readers to be true to yourself. Though Afterlife with Archie is about the undead, Archie Andrews has to grow up, save, and protect his loved ones in a 9/11 catastrophe.  Veronica and Betty will learn an important lesson from Harper. Just because something you think can hold you back, can only make you that much stronger.

Archie Comics Co-CEO/Publisher Jon Goldwater discusses adding the new member to the group, "Harper is the latest in a long line of characters we've introduced to make Riverdale feel like a city in today's world. Harper is, first and foremost, a funny, fashionable and witty teenager. Goldwater continues, "The fact that she's disabled is only one part of her story, and we're excited to welcome her to Riverdale and Archie Comics."

Writer Dan Parent came up with the new character after meeting Jewel Tats, an author who writes books that empowers children with disabilities.

In an interview with Comic Book Resources, Tats remembers her encounter with the Archie writer at Toronto's Fan Expo. "I wheeled right up to him and I looked at him square in the eye, and I said to him, 'Why isn't there a character with a disability in Riverdale? How is that possible?' Dan [Parent] didn't have an answer prepared, obviously, but he gave me something that was way more important," she explained. "He gave me his contact info. "

Harper officially makes her debut in Archie #656. Find out if the spunky fashionista fits in with the rest of the Riverdale family when the issue hits stores on June 18.