Archie Comics has announced a new addition to the cast of characters attending Riverdale High School. The new character is Harper, the cousin of Veronica Lodge.Harper will be the first disabled Archie Comics character, though her disability will not define her. Archie Comics promises that Archie and friends, as well as his fans, will be treated to Harper’s dynamic personality and that Archie will learn that something you think can hold you back can make you that much stronger.”Harper is the latest in a long line of characters we’ve introduced to make Riverdale feel like a city in today’s world,” said Archie Comics Co-CEO/Publisher Jon Goldwater. “Harper is, first and foremost, a funny, fashionable and witty teenager. 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.”Harper follows in a trend of introducing diverse, new modern characters to the classic Archie Comics gang. The trend began with Kevin Keller, the first openly gay member of the Archie Comics cast.The idea for Harper came out of a conversation between writer/artist Dan Parent and longtime Archie fan and author Jewel Kats, who is also disabled.Harper will debut in Archie #656, arriving June 18.
