An Archie comic book was banned in Singapore for its depiction of a gay character, local media reported today.

Archie: The Married Life Volume Three , part of a five-book series, features a gay character who gets married. The volume was banned by Singapore’s Media Development Authority (MDA), according to the Independent Singapore , a news website.

“We regret that Archie: The Married Life is deemed to breach the content guidelines for imported publications, and removed from sale by notice of MDA. We are not able to sell this title,” a spokesperson for Kinokuniya, a major bookseller in Singapore, told the Independent .

There was no official statement by the MDA to explain its decision, the Independent reported.

According to the content guidelines for imported publications set by the MDA, publications that “encourage, promote or glamourise sexually permissive and alternative lifestyles and deviant sexual practices are generally not allowed”.

In is rumoured that an upcoming ‘ Life with Archie ’ comic series will feature the protagonist of the 70-year-old comic dying while taking a bullet for Kevin Keller, his gay best friend, the report said.

Singapore comic book artist Sonny Liew, interviewed by the Independent , said, “(I’m) not sure what the MDA will make of that.”

- dpa