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ASK
THE ARCHIVIST
Today's question is...
"Didn't you guys used to publish superhero characters?"
The
answer is YES! In fact, we put out a whole slew of superhero
characters beginning in our very first comic publication, BLUE
RIBBON COMICS #1-- way back in November, 1939. Other superhero
titles we published during the 1940's included ZIP COMICS, JACKPOT
COMICS, HANGMAN COMICS, SHIELD-WIZARD COMICS and even PEP COMICS--
which before Archie came along in issue #22, was home to the
first ever patriotic superhero, The Shield!
The
Shield led off Archie's Silver Age (late 1950s through the 1960s)
superhero publications in the famous Joe Simon/Jack Kirby collaboration,
THE DOUBLE LIFE OF PRIVATE STRONG. This title was soon joined
by another Simon/Kirby opus, THE ADVENTURES OF THE FLY, as well
as THE JAGUAR. By the mid-'60s, the superheroes were back in
full force in both MIGHTY COMICS PRESENTS and THE MIGHTY CRUSADERS,
which featured all of Archie's superhero characters teaming
up for epic adventures! 
After taking a break in the 1970s, the heroes returned in the
1980s, when Archie spun the heroes off into a new line of comics
called "Red Circle Comics." Leading the charge once
again was THE MIGHTY CRUSADERS, with THE SHIELD and THE FLY
getting their own series and BLUE RIBBON COMICS being revived
to highlight the others.
The
next incarnation of the heroes was IMPACT! COMICS, a line of
comics published by DC Comics, publishers of Superman and Batman.
Archie licensed the rights to DC and while many of their titles
received critical acclaim, there were already too many superhero
comics flooding the market so interest was curtailed.
Now,
back home at Archie, the heroes are due for a comeback. With
interest in a new comic series at an all-time high and possible
movie versions of the heroes under discussion, look for the
Archie heroes to triumph mightily as we approach the Millennium!
Here's some background information on THE MIGHTY CRUSADERS:
When
evil threatens, the Mighty Crusaders are earth's last line of
defense! The roster is composed of earth's mightiest heroes,
although the line-up fluctuates from crises to crises. The key
team members are:
THE
COMET: An experimental substance gives young scientist John
Dickering powers beyond belief-- including the power of flight!
He soon decides to use his newfound powers in the fight for
justice!
THE
SHIELD: Chemist Joe Higgins devoted his life to fighting evil
after the murder of his father by the diabolical Eraser. Donning
a patriotic costume, this G-Man has become an extraordinary
hero!
THE
WEB: Professor John Raymond, criminologist and famed mystery
writer, dons his web costume as he wages psychological warfare
against lawbreakers everywhere!
THE
FLY: Attorney Tommy Troy, using the powers of the magic ring
given to him by Turan, emissary of the extraterrestrial Fly
People, transforms into the Fly. He possesses the strength of
100 men, has the ability to see in all directions and is endowed
with super quick insect reflexes-- making him a super guardian
of justice!
FLY
GIRL: Turan, the emissary of the extraterrestrial Fly People,
reacting to the fact that evil forces abound throughout the
world, decides to bestow a magic ring to another-- this time,
actress Kim Brand.
THE
JAGUAR: Zoologist Ralph Hardy, friend to all animals, picks
up a mysterious jaguar belt left by the ancients and transforms
into The Jaguar-- complete with super-heightened animal powers!
THE
BLACK HOOD: Following a family tradition of crime fighting,
Detective Matt Burland dons a black hood and special utility
vest to fight crime and corruption.
In addition
to these core members, the following have also served at one
time or another:
THE
HANGMAN, STEEL STERLING, PRIVATE STRONG, THE FOX, THE DARKLING,
BLACK JACK, CAPT. FLAG, MR. JUSTICE, FIREFLY, THE WIZARD, INFERNO,
BOB PHANTOM, FIREBALL, and more...
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