The Shield (Archie)
| The Shield | |
|---|---|
|
|
| Publication information | |
| Publisher | (MLJ Comics) Archie Comics |
| First appearance |
Higgins Pep Comics #1 (January 1940) Barnes Legend of Shield #13 (July 1992) Adams The Shield (vol. 5) #1 (October 2015) |
| Created by |
Higgins Harry Shorten Irv Novick Adams Adam Christopher (script) Chuck Wendig (script) David Williams (art) |
| In-story information | |
| Alter ego | - Joe Higgins - Lt. Michael Barnes - Victoria Adams |
| Team affiliations | Mighty Crusaders |
| Abilities | Superhuman strength Great leaping Invulnerability Wears an indestructible costume |
| The Shield | |
| Series publication information | |
| Publisher |
Archie Comics Impact Comics |
| Format | Ongoing series |
| Publication date |
(vol. 1) June – August 1959 (vol. 2) June 1983 – July 1984 (vol. 3) April – October 1984 (vol. 4) July 1991 – October 1992 (vol. 5) October 2015 – present |
| Number of issues |
(vol. 1) 2 (vol. 2) 7 (vol. 3) 4 (vol. 4) 17 (#1-16 plus 1 Annual) (vol. 5) 4 |
| Creative team | |
| Writer(s) |
Adam Christopher (vol. 5) Chuck Wendig (vol. 5) |
| Artist(s) | David Williams (vol. 5) |
The Shield is the name of several fictional patriotic superheroes created by MLJ (now known as Archie Comics). Appearing months before Captain America, the Shield has the distinction of being one of the first superheroes with a costume based upon United States patriotic iconography.
The name was used by MLJ/Archie for four characters. DC Comics' Impact line, which licensed the Archie properties, also used the name for several characters. In 2010, DC announced plans to integrate the Shield and other MLJ characters into the DC Universe, but in 2011 the rights to the characters reverted to Archie Comics. A fourth Shield was introduced in October 2015.
The Shield debuted in MLJ's Pep Comics #1 (cover-dated Jan. 1940). Writer Harry Shorten and artist Irv Novick created the character. With the American populace reacting to the beginnings of World War II and wartime patriotism stirring, the Shield debuted as the first patriotically themed hero. He was soon followed by three other patriotic comic characters: Captain America (December 1940), Minute-Man (Feb. 1941), and Captain Battle (May 1941).
In 1959, a new Shield, Lancelot Strong, appeared under the Archie Adventure Series imprint in a series titled, The Double Life of Private Strong. It was cancelled after two issues.
Red Circle Comics reintroduced Lancelot Strong in a new series titled, Lancelot Strong: The Shield in June 1983. The series was retitled twice, first with Shield-Steel Sterling in December 1983 and then with Steel Sterling in January 1984. In July 1984, the series ended with its seventh issue.
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