Archie Superheroes relaunch

[leonmallett]

The continuity factor looks increasingly like some kind of clean slate (although the Fox may test that theory given it seemed connected to Red Circle in the last mini):

http://www.previewsworld.com/Home/1/1/7 ... eID=157285" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Alex Segura: Previous iterations of the Hood were very rooted in the world of super heroics, capes, etc. This one is a down-and-dirty crime book. You won’t see any super powers and you won’t see any costumes beyond the hood our hero puts on near the end of the first issue.

PREVIEWSworld: The Fox is making a transition from Red Circle to Dark Circle. Is it possible we may see other Red Circle characters appear in the Dark Circle titles?

Alex Segura: I think anything’s possible. At this point, “Fox Hunt”—the first arc of the new The Fox ongoing series—is about turning up the volume from the first mini-series and showing how the Fox fits into the Dark Circle universe. Dean Haspiel is really pushing the envelope here and bringing his indie, DIY aesthetic front and center for this story, with script by the incomparable Mark Waid. A lot of people have said this, especially FOX editor Paul Kaminski, but it bears repeating, The Fox is “super heroes on acid.” If that sounds awesome to you, don’t miss the book!

With The Shield in particular, Chuck and Adam rebuilt the character from the ground up—and the end result is a very modern, engaging and interesting new addition to the Dark Circle mythos. Chuck and Adam know story, conflict and world-building, and that’s what we wanted when we reached out to them—we wanted people who were intent on creating a world around this new character as opposed to just tacking her onto a pre-existing continuity.

[StarBrand]

Have these books been ordered yet?

[leonmallett]

Have these books been ordered yet?

I am not sure how far orders work in advance, but I imagine the February book (Black Hood #1) has been ordered by LCS'. In March it is Black Hood #2, and the Fox #1 (new series by the Haspiel/Waid team again), and I am guessing that April will see the third launch.

[Cyberstrike]

Not real interested in The Black Hood and The Fox, need more info on The Shield.

[StarBrand]

Have these books been ordered yet?

I am not sure how far orders work in advance, but I imagine the February book (Black Hood #1) has been ordered by LCS'. In March it is Black Hood #2, and the Fox #1 (new series by the Haspiel/Waid team again), and I am guessing that April will see the third launch.

[Captain Craig]

I've never tried the Archie superheroes in my 25+yrs of reading...I will this time.

My experiment with DynaKey ends the same month this starts so I'm going to shift the funds into Dark Circle.

[leonmallett]

I've never tried the Archie superheroes in my 25+yrs of reading...I will this time.

My experiment with DynaKey ends the same month this starts so I'm going to shift the funds into Dark Circle.

Each iteration has been very different indeed (the 1940's stuff; 1950's/60's books; 1980's revival; the re-imagining and reboot as !mpact; the DC Red Circle reboot of a few years ago and now this).

There is a tpb collection the recent Fox (Freak Magnet) series which is by the same team who will continue with the character.

[leonmallett]

Shield is definitely launching in April to judge by the variant covers shown in this article: http://robot6.comicbookresources.com/20 ... -variants/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[jeremycoe]

Shield is definitely launching in April to judge by the variant covers shown in this article: http://robot6.comicbookresources.com/20 ... -variants/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Unfortunately I got an email from DCBS yesterday that said

Hi,

The following items have been cancelled and have been credited in your account to the order listed. The reason for each cancellation is provided as well. Please let us know if you have any questions.

Title Reason Order Qty Credit
SHIELD (DARK CIRCLE) #1 REG CVR *Special Discount* [FEB150951] Will be reoffered in a future issue of Previews 344951 1 $1.99

Another reason I'm grateful for Valiant, they don't solicit comic books they can't deliver.

[omega_override]

Another reason I'm grateful for Valiant, they don't solicit comic books they can't deliver

Well Archie is in the process of also launching a horror based imprint after the success of After Life With Archie, so that's probably why
http://www.newsarama.com/23856-archie-c ... print.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
Still doesn't excuse the cancellation though, just giving a possible explanation

[Joshua]

I thought Black Hood 1 was good. I like the novels and comics of Duane Swierczynski. Probably the only thing I didn't try by him was Birds Of Prey. Not much of a DC fan.

I think this will only be my second time trying these characters.

[QUARTZ]

Black Hood #1 was okay. I like the adherence to realism and the gritty hard boiled art, just need to see where it goes from here. It kind of just set the table for the real exciting stuff to go down.

[jeremycoe]

I just read Black Hood #1 last night. I thought it was pretty good, and I will buy at least the first arc. I was disappointed that the "die-cut" cover wasn't actually die-cut.

[Aomalle27]

I'm really impressed with the first 2 issues of Black Hood. A gritty, down to earth "superhero" comic. Its pushing the borders between Paul Kersey vigilantism and all out psychotic/fanatic. Plus the cover stock is just AMAZING!!! Don't know what it is, but Archie says they'll use it for The Shield as well. There is a delay on The Shield, I believe June is the new launch date, something to do with some pages not complete on one of the first arcs comics. And anyone seen the teaser image for The Hangman?! Looks Dark and creepy, awesome image.

[jeremycoe]

The fact that The Fox and The Shield are both already running late really helps me appreciate what Valiant has done. You would think they would be able to at least get the first issues out before they started shipping late.

[Captain Craig]

I've enjoyed the first two issues of Black Hood.
Fox comes out this month(April), I get a Plastic Man/Deadpool vibe from the preview pages but could be mistaken.
Shield being pushed back is discouraging but as long as it's on track once it debuts.
Hangman looks to be interesting later this summer as well. The horror/supernatural entry in this universe perhaps?

Is there a 5th character?

[omega_override]

Just got done reading The Fox. It's a very sharp contrast to what seemed like Archie was trying to do with Dark Circle in Black Hood, but otherwise still very good. Sort of felt like an alternate dimension where The Tick was written by Steve Gerber and as a deeply appreciative fan of his work, I don't say that lightly

[Aomalle27]

Black Hood #3 was a pleasure to read. Loved Duane's work on X; and this stufff for Dark Circle is amazing. Hettinger isn't your prototypical "hero"; he's a self loathing junkie on a vendetta; but against no one in particular ( altjough here, he's looking for the proverbial kingpin of Philly in issue 3) I like that he's not a rah rah; root for him character, he's more like a Paul Kersey from Deathwish, a troubled haunted soul gone vigilante; though in the DW movies its a matter of Kersey's wife and daughter being assaulted and murdered, while here its because Hettinger blames his facial destruction on random criminals; both characters are projecting the guilt on random thugs; never the actual culprits; borderline psychosis; thats the fine line I like to see balanced; too much either way and your rooting for a psycho; or the "hero" becomes some white knight cliche

[Captain Craig]

I'm really enjoying Black Hood, issue #3 is a moment of decision for Greg and what he plans to do as the BH.
Fox #1 is so tonally different that to compare them would be unfair. I enjoyed it enough to honor my commitment to the first arc.
Looking forward to The Shield and Hangman.

[leonmallett]

I am thoroughly enjoying Black Hood. I wasn't sure what to expect, but nonetheless it is an absorbing read for me.

The Fox started well, but I had a stronger sense of what to expect with this. It seems to clearly follow on the pre-Dark Circle mini series, which I wholeheartedly recommend (collected as the Freak Magnet tpb, also by Haspiel and Waid).

Reading the FCBD stuff about the Shield is intriguing, and it sounds like a quite different take given that the MLJ/Red Circle, !mpact and DC-Red Circle versions all put technology at the heart of how the character was what he was.

[leonmallett]

...Looking forward to The Shield and Hangman.

I was pleasantly surprised to see the Hangman ad.

They have me sold on the idea, and I look forward to seeing what they do, whether he is another street level vigilante or something more mystical.

[leonmallett]

Anyone else tried these?

[BugsySig]

Haven't tried these yet, though I've heard good things. My budget is a bit thin right now and Archie's history with this line doesn't give me a lot of confidence. Especially with their "cash flow" issues of late, I don't have much faith they will last.

[Aomalle27]

Fox #2 was the sort of mad cap comic I was looking for in Q&W; but it goes just far enough with the hokey without going full blown absurd. A kind of Greatest American Hero take on superheroing. Looking forward to Wed when Black Hood #4 drops...

[Aomalle27]

Black Hood #4
Wow; a totally different pace versus issue 3. We get a different type of "hero" here; a sort of overwhelmed guy that finds himself overestimating his own abilities; and underestimating his flaws.
He gets his *SQUEE* handed to him; a vulnerable side I like seeing, and quite unexpected from where we left off in issue 3. We get a time sensitive cliff hanger to boot leading into issue 5. Great read