Comic characters remain our constant companions through adolescence and adulthood. They don’t grow old, they lead idyllic lives, they rarely die and make great comfort reading throughout our lifetimes. Archie Comics, a staple diet even today for Indian teenagers have endured, even grown in popularity though their readership has been diminishing in the West. Several minor characters have come and gone in this series, but it’s rare for the creators to introduce new main characters; which is why Raj Patel, the Indian addition in the Riverdale universe should be celebrated as a small footnote to our celebrations marking 60 years of Independence. Books, movies and television reflect our lives and mirror the society of our times. With Raj Patel, even the stereotypical image of Indians, usually exotic or geeky, seems to be evolving into something much cooler. He may be the son of a successful doctor but he’s into fun pursuits like space, filmmaking and comics. He’s not a nerd like Dilton Doiley, nor are his Indian parents urging him to come out first in class. His sister resembles Veronica Lodge, the trendiest, most popular girl in Riverdale. We’ve come a long way. Fans of the Billy Bunter series will remember Harree Jamset Ram Singh, the Indian prince with impeccable manners studying in a preppy British boarding school. Dilbert, the comic strip, has Asok, a brilliant but wordy Indian working as an intern in the office. And more recently, there’s Parvati Patil in J.K. Rowling’s Harry Potter series, one of the best-looking girls in the batch, and slightly air-headed. At least in contemporary literature we’re just regular folk and no longer a nation of snake charmers, soothsayers or godmen. It will be interesting to see how Raj Patel fits in with the Riverdale gang and how readers react to him. Archie Comics have faced criticism in the past for having mostly white characters. Maybe this is a strategic move for the creators, who acknowledge that India is one of their main, growing markets. Personally, I’m relieved to be represented by a boy whose portrayal seems closest to most urban Indians today, not superbly brilliant or into mystical rituals but bright and enthusiastic about the future.
