Every so often Archie Comics make an attempt to revive their line of superheroes, most of which were conceived in the forties but are best remembered for their sixties "neo-Marvel" incarnation under the Mighty Comics Group label as Archie attempted to emulate Stan Lee's success. They didn't and the line was short lived though are fondly recalled by comic fans like myself.
The original line up included The Fly, a character based on an insect that predated Spider-Man and was created by Simon & Kirby. MLJ (Archie) Comics had in fact also created the first "patriotic hero in the form of The Shield some months before Timely launched Captain America.
The original line up included The Fly, a character based on an insect that predated Spider-Man and was created by Simon & Kirby. MLJ (Archie) Comics had in fact also created the first "patriotic hero in the form of The Shield some months before Timely launched Captain America.
The "Mighty Comics" line didn't last long and The Crusaders had just seven issues published before these heroes returned to the Ether.
Then there was a second revival as Archie Comics in the form of Red Circle began publishing high end comics for the Direct market. The Crusaders reappeared in a critically acclaimed series that was to last just 13 issues with the Red Circle line disappearing and the comics being published under the Archie Adventure Series label until they disappeared off the shelves.
Then there was a second revival as Archie Comics in the form of Red Circle began publishing high end comics for the Direct market. The Crusaders reappeared in a critically acclaimed series that was to last just 13 issues with the Red Circle line disappearing and the comics being published under the Archie Adventure Series label until they disappeared off the shelves.
It seemed these characters did not have the attraction to make them profitable despite a cult following.
Then came a bold experiment. Licencing it's heroes to DC Comics who launched the Impact line which included eight issues of a revamped Crusaders during the comics boom of the early nineties. These were aimed at a slightly younger audience but once again failed.
Then in 2010 DC tried one more time and tried (unsuccessfully) to integrate these heroes into the DC universe with a slightly more modern and adult approach. This too flopped and back to Archie the characters went.
Then in 2010 DC tried one more time and tried (unsuccessfully) to integrate these heroes into the DC universe with a slightly more modern and adult approach. This too flopped and back to Archie the characters went.
This trade paperback is a collected edition of the four issues that were published of the new Crusaders in the Dark Circle line of comics. It was supposed to be an on-going title and this is clear from the collected edition that so much more was due to happen and probably never will.
This carries on sort of from The New Crusaders when the kids of the original Crusaders banded together to replace their murdered parents. It's a quite enjoyable read even though the art reminds me of Invincible's now defunct universe but because it's unfinished I can only really recommend for the hardcore fan.
Oh and did I mention there's a bonus story?
Please try again Archie!
Rating: 4 Stars
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