THE MIGHTY CRUSADERS: THE SHIELD #1
Writer: David Gallaher
Artist: Rob Liefeld
Publisher: Archie Comics
Release Date: June 30, 2021
Cover Price: $3.99
What it’s about…
THE SHIELD IS BACK! America’s first patriotic superhero, The Shield, has persevered through countless challenges and always manages to come out on top! But what happens when forces beyond anyone’s control threaten The Shield’s legacy of fighting for truth and justice? Follow Joe Higgins as The Shield (and get ready for some surprises!) in this new one-shot comic featuring art by Rob Liefeld and a story by David Gallaher.
What I thought about it…
The one-shot Mighty Crusaders: The Shield #1 is Archie Comics’ latest attempt at making the Mighty Crusaders characters relevant in the 21st century. To launch this new era, the company brought in Rob Liefeld to write and draw the issue. However, creative differences popped up and David Gallagher came on board to finish the story. Unfortunately, because of the creative change, this comic book feels like an unfinished product.
After reading the issue, it’s a real shame Archie and Liefeld couldn’t co-exist because there are some interesting ideas introduced in this comic. Seeing the updated Crusaders was cool, and I wouldn’t mind seeing more of them. The mission they discuss is also intriguing and somewhat surprising. But all of that happens in the first couple of pages and on the final page. Whether this was Liefeld’s work or something David Gallagher came up with, I don’t know. Beyond that, there isn’t a lot to talk about. We see an older version of the Shield. Then, we go through some exposition and a flashback to the Shield’s past. Then we get one fight scene and then the book just ends.
Everything in this book feels so rushed and edited that it serves more like a prologue for a story that will likely never happen now. Rob Liefeld’s art also seems off for some reason. Make all the jokes you want, but the guy can usually draw a coherent story. But in Mighty Crusaders: The Shield #1 there are parts where I wondered if that splash page or panel was meant to be in that place. And I know Liefeld is known for his lack of background, but that stands out in this comic. I think the Shield sits in a chair, but that’s about it.
Overall, I have to say this Mighty Crusaders: The Shield #1 was a disappointing book. It would have been nice to see what Rob Liefeld had in mind, instead of this mixed bag we got. Whatever he had planned may have been good or bad, we’ll never know. But at least it would have been a complete product.
I haven’t read any of the Mighty Crusaders characters since DC published them 30 years ago as part of the Impact Comics line. The versions we see in this comic are very different, but I would like to see more of them. But at this point, who knows if Archie will move forward with their plans, or perhaps Mighty Crusaders: The Shield #1 will be a stand-alone chapter in the Crusader’s history.
The Mighty Crusaders: The Shield #1 grade: C
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