The Shield is a character and concept that's been around since 1940. The character is actually the first star-spangled character (preceding Captain America by over a year). With the relaunch of Red Circle Comics as Dark Circle Comics, we've seen characters such as the Black Hood and the Fox begin their adventures in this new comic universe. Now it's time for the Shield to return. Except, it's not a version of the Shield we've seen before.
We spoke with Chuck Wendig and Adam Christopher on creating this new version, the first female to take on the mantle, and found out what we can expect in the new series.
COMIC VINE: There's been some different versions of the character. Will this new Shield have any connection to Joe or Bill Higgins?
CHUCK WENDIG: Those connections—ahem, if they exist—aren’t there at the start of the book, nope.
ADAM CHRISTOPHER: And all I can say is… expect the unexpected!
CV: Where did the idea come to create a new female character as the Shield rather than bring back a previous incarnation?
CHUCK: We have an opportunity here to tell a new story with a new character and further, get in the door with a kick-ass superwoman. We felt like going back to the well here wasn’t necessarily going to represent comic audiences of the present. Why stay in the past?
ADAM: Exactly. We need diverse characters for a diverse audience. Rebooting the existing incarnations of The Shield was an exciting idea - but reimagining the character and creating our own brand new version was an even better one. And all thanks to Dark Circle for handing over the reigns and allowing us to craft this amazing new superhero. But don’t get me wrong - she’s brand new, but is absolutely The Shield, continuing the legacy of the originals. You might even say she IS the original…
CV: The Shield has always been a guy in the comics but the solicit mentions she's reappearing "for the first time in a generation." Will mysteries of her past be an ongoing plot thread?
CHUCK: Those mysteries will unpack a little issue by issue—we’ve a flashback structure in place that will tease apart the fabric of who she is and why she’s here.
ADAM: So in effect we have two storylines running — the present, and the past. It’s a fun structure, allowing us to juxtapose two settings which are so very different, yet still tie together.
CV: What will the tone of the series be? How will it compare to BLACK HOOD or THE FOX?
CHUCK: We’re trying to keep this superhero-flavored, but also seen through the lens of an action-spy thriller, too.
ADAM: It’s certainly not short on superhero action, but there’s a lot of conspiracies, black projects, secrets as old as the United States itself. It probably falls somewhere in between the noir darkness of Black Hood and the slightly lighter style of The Fox.
CV: Does the Shield exist in the same "world" as those two?
CHUCK: Indeed!
ADAM: I can’t wait to see what the team-up would be like. I’m not sure The Shield would be too impressed with the Black Hood!
CV: What sort of threats or villains can we expect? Any costume-clad supervillains? Evil government agents? Street level thugs and criminals?
CHUCK: We certainly don’t want to avoid those grand superheroics (and supervillainry), but we also want to try to cleave more to the reality of her situation (or, the presumed reality of it). And you’ll definitely find some evil government agents in there. And maybe a conspiracy or two...
ADAM: Some readers may be surprised when they unearth the secrets of our first antagonist, Walter Chase… He’s pretty cool. And a very, very bad man!
CV: If she doesn't have memories or know who she is, will she soon find some friends and build a supporting cast?
CHUCK: That cast starts growing right from the first issue!
CV: What's the most exciting thing about bringing this new Shield to life?
CHUCK: It’s cool to reboot something that was old but in a new way – meaning, getting to put our own handprints in the cement. It lets us unpack some big ideas, too, and not be bound up with a simple story of all-too-easy morals like what you used to find in superhero comics.
ADAM: The Shield is one of the original Golden Age superheroes - certainly the first patriotic, flag-wearing comic book character. To be allowed to play in this universe with a character that has such a rich and important history is pretty cool. And a lot of fun!
THE SHIELD #1 is on sale on September 16. Tell your comic shop to order you a copy. Here's the covers and solicit for the first issue.
THE SHIELD #1
NEW ONGOING SERIES FROM DARK CIRCLE! “Daughter of the Revolution, Part 1” Since the dawn of the republic, whenever her country faces its blackest days, she returns: a spirit of the revolution sent to fight for what is right. But when she reappears for the first time in a generation with no memories—not even of her own identity—and encounters an evil force expecting her arrival, all the Shield can do is… run!
Script: Adam Christopher and Chuck Wendig
Art: Drew Johnson, Rachel Deering, Kelly Fitzpatrick
Cover: David Williams
Variant Covers: Wilfredo Torres, Andrew Robinson, Rafael Albuquerque, Robert Hack
On Sale Date: 9/16
32-page, full color comic
$3.99 U.S.
Here's the covers and solicit for issue #2.
THE SHIELD #2
NEW ONGOING SERIES FROM DARK CIRCLE! “Daughter of the Revolution, Part 2” Running out of places to hide, the Shield discovers she is not without allies. Detective Nicole Simmons seems to know exactly who—and what—the Shield is, but with the enigmatic government agent Walter Chase closing the noose, the pair faces two difficult questions: why is the Shield back now… and whose side is she really on?
Script: Adam Christopher and Chuck Wendig
Art: Drew Johnson, Rachel Deering, Kelly Fitzpatrick
Cover: David Williams
Variant Covers: Steve Rude, Evan Shaner, Wilfredo Torres
On Sale Date: 10/21
32-page, full color comic
$3.99 U.S.
Here's the covers and solicit for issue #3.
THE SHIELD #3
NEW ONGOING SERIES FROM DARK CIRCLE! “Daughter of the Revolution, Part 3”
Captured by Walter Chase, the Shield is made a surprising offer—an invitation to join his government organization, protecting the country as she was born to do. But as her new missions take her well beyond national borders, the truth slowly dawns and the Shield must face the ultimate question: does she serve the United States of America… or its people?
Script: Adam Christopher and Chuck Wendig
Art: Drew Johnson, Rachel Deering, Kelly Fitzpatrick
Cover: David Williams
Variant Covers: Joe Eisma, Ron Salas, Wilfredo Torres
On Sale Date: 11/18
32-page, full color comic
$3.99 U.S.