Archie Artist & Writer Dan Parent: "Betty on One Cheek, Veronica on the Other"

Show Notes

At the Westin in New York City, Dennis meets up with artist and writer Dan Parent who has been working for "Archie" comics for over three decades. He talks about getting discovered by "Archie" while still in school, why he connects with Jughead, the challenge of adding his own style to Archie while keeping things consistent, how he comes up with fresh storylines and of course, the Betty and Veronica of it all. Dan also talks about creating and adding the gay character of Kevin to the Riverdale mix in 2010, the pop star who inspired Kevin's look, introducing Kevin with a Three's Company-esque comedic storyline as opposed to something Afterschool Special-y and the reaction he's gotten from fans. He also discusses the effect the TV show Riverdale has had on the comic and the time he got to visit the set of the show and meet the disgustingly good-looking cast. He also talks about his sidehustle comic Die Kitty Die, raising the money for it on Kickstarter, the famous curvy redhead who inspired Kitty's look and finding a place to put Bea Arthur into the story. Other topics include: going to comic conventions in places like India, being on The Weakest Link and Who Wants to Be a Millionaire, the crazy things fans ask him to draw, the one object he hates to draw, why he's always loved comic books, and meeting a fan who had Betty tattooed on her right butt cheek and Veronica on the left. www.danparent.com