Thursday 18 February 2010

DC's Red Circle Revisited - jumping on point for new readers

While waiting for some paint to dry, and deciding what colour to splash on another mini, I thought I'd post a little more about two comic books I really enjoy.

DC licensed a stable of decades old superheroes (and supervillains) from Archie Comics a couple of years ago. Following some delays the first fruits of that venture came out as a series of weekly one-shots (The Hangman, Inferno, The Web and The Shield). These were followed by two ongoing titles - The Shield and The Web. In the next few weeks each title has a 'jumping on point' of sorts for curious new readers.

Next week The Web (issue #6) sees a new writer on board for the lead feature - Matt Sturges, someone whose work I have enjoyed on a few DC books now. Since he will be kicking off new story arcs I think it offers a good starting point for new readers.

Two weeks later The Shield (issue #7) sees the start of a brand new lead story arc as well as the debut of the latest Red Circle character (the Fox - see image right). The Fox is written by Brandon Jerwa who wrote the preceding Inferno second feature (which will return after 4 months off), and the art is by Michael Avon Oeming who has done great work in the supers-themed crime title - Powers. The Fox is the fifth second wave Red Circle character (following Black Hood, the Comet, the Jaguar and Mr Justice).




Not only that but in May comes the Mighty Crusaders special, a one-shot bringing together the four principal Red Circle heroes (Shield, Web, Inferno and Hangman) and written by all of the current writers of the various features. The Pulp Citizen has been not-so-quietly excited by these comics in a way he hasn't by other output by DC in quite some time. And for interested parties, trade paperback collection should follow later this year, maybe around summer time I think.

Images copyright © DC Comics.

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