The character Scarlett (right, in red blazer) makes her debut in the Archie comic “Kindness Works.” (Courtesy photographs)
Archie Comics fans, say hello to Scarlett! The comic franchise originated by Haverhill’s own Bob Montana has debuted a new character who’s all about inclusion and kindness.
As Archie CEO Nancy Silberkleit tells WHAV, the Scarlett character will mix and mingle with the Riverdale crew in a digital-only comic available now.
Silberkleit will share more about her character locally at Saturday’s “Calmer Con,” the first-ever sensory friendly comic convention in Gardner, Mass.
Scarlett’s presence in Riverdale alongside Archie and Co. will hopefully inspire a discussion on inclusion and kindness, said the comic co-owner.
“Once I stepped into Archie Comics, I found the power of graphic literacy and I feel graphic literacy can open up conversations on very difficult topics,” she said. “This one on an individual who is ‘neuro-diverse’ is the perfect way to get a conversation going about kindness.”
Archie fans can purchase the digital comic by emailing [email protected].
In the comic strip, locals will find the fictional town of Riverdale familiar. After all, Archie’s original illustrator Bob Montana grew up in Haverhill.
Confirmed Silberkleit: “There’s so many Riverdales in the United States, and Haverhill is certainly reflected in many of the Archie stories.”