ARCHIE COMICS/Dark Circle Comics – @ArchieComics @DrkCircleComics
[This review was originally published on Patreon.]
STORY: Ian Flynn
ART: Kelsey Shannon
COLORS: Matt Herms
LETTERS: Jack Morelli
EDITORS: Alex Segura and Vincent Lovallo
COVER: Kelsey Shannon
VARIANT COVER: Matthew Dow Smith
28pp, Color, $3.99 U.S. (January 2018)
Rated Teen
“Heroes for Today”
The Mighty Crusaders is a superhero team from Archie Comic Publications, Inc. The team debuted in the 1960s, apparently as an answer to DC Comics' Justice League of America and Marvel Comics' The Avengers. Sporadically over the next 50 years, various Archie Comics and DC Comics imprints published comics titles featuring The Mighty Crusaders.
Under Archie Comics' Dark Circle Comics, there is a new title, The Mighty Crusaders (Vol. 3), that recently debuted. It is written by Ian Flynn; drawn by Kelsey Shannon; colored by Matt Herms; and lettered by Jack Morelli.
The Mighty Crusaders, Vol. 3 #1 opens in Washington D.C. where the latest incarnation of The Crusaders is in a furious battle royale slash throw-down with the furious prehistoric terror, Dino Rex. The current team is a mixture of veteran and new heroes sworn to be peacekeepers of the world. They are The Shield (Victoria Adams); The Comet (Greg Reeves); Steel Sterling (Jack Sterling); Firefly (Kelly Brand); Jaguar (Ivette Velez); and Darkling.
But is this new team up to the task? Team leader, The Shield, has her doubts. Meanwhile, a sinister plan begins with the awakening with an ancient evil.
I cannot remember if I have ever read a comic book starring The Mighty Crusaders, and if I have, it was sooooooo long time ago. This new Mighty Crusaders #1 is truly a teen superhero comic book. It is not as intense or as big (in terms of scope or action) as current superhero comic books like The Avengers and Justice League are. The character drama is the kind readers might encounter when watching an animated superhero television series like the various Justice League and Avengers animated TV series of the last two decades. That means character drama that involves conflicts between teammates and certainly not the kind of dark interpersonal melodrama found in The Amazing Spider-Man as written by Dan Slott.
The art by Kelsey Shannon is mostly like the clear-line style, with the coloring by Matt Herms playing a big part in the composition. It reminds me of the Disney animation-style comic book art found in IDW Publishing's recent Star Wars comic books.
That said: I don't know if readers who gravitate towards Marvel and DC Comics' big superhero titles will care for this. I don't think so, but I find myself a little intrigued by this. I think there is probably an audience for The Mighty Crusaders, Vol. 3, but it might be outside the confines of the Direct Market. I plan to take a look at future issues. The Mighty Crusaders #1 is not great, but it looks like it could be a fun superhero comic book.
B+
7 out of 10
Reviewed by Leroy Douresseaux a.k.a. "I Reads You"
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