Archie Comics has announced that it is teaming with world-renowned writer and artist Rob Liefeld to reimagine the publisher’s iconic library of superheroes like The Shield, The Comet, Fly-Girl and The Jaguar with a new four-issue Mighty Crusaders series.
“I’ve been chomping at the bit to work with the folks at Archie and do something with these legendary characters,” said Liefeld. “The Shield is the first patriotic comic book icon, pre-dating Captain America. These are the original comic book superheroes, with a glorious history behind them. I’m so psyched to tell this story and turn my fans on to these characters!”
“When I learned that Rob — a creator of the highest caliber with a long, sterling track record — was a fan of our characters, I knew we had to act fast,” said Archie Comics CEO/Publisher Jon Goldwater. “Along with Marvel and DC, Archie Comics is one of the few media companies with an entire catalogue of superheroes dating back to the earliest days of comics, that are beloved and bursting with potential. I knew right away that Rob Liefeld was the person to make them shine again. This series will remind people why these characters matter, and put them in the A-list, where they have always belonged.”
“Rob’s work has always been dynamic, in terms of storytelling, action, character, and style. One of my earliest comic book memories was picking up a copy of X-Force #1 and being completely enamored,” added Archie Comics Co-President Alex Segura. “To have Rob bring that same energy and fearless creativity to Archie’s stable of superhero characters is a dream come true. I’m so excited for people to read these stories, and to show everyone why heroes like the Shield, Jaguar, Comet, Fly-Girl, and others matter more today than ever before.”
Mighty Crusaders is described as “an important, vital first step toward reintroducing Archie’s essential superhero IP to a modern readership and viewership”, and is slated to launch in 2021.