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Dark Circle Comics Unveils First Wave of Superhero Titles

THE BLACK HOOD, THE SHIELD and THE FOX ongoing series slated to launch early next year.

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Today, Dark Circle Comics – the superhero imprint of Archie Comics – revealed that the label’s first wave of titles will include THE BLACK HOOD from writer Duane Swierczynski (Judge Dredd, X, Birds of Prey) and artist Michael Gaydos (ALIAS), THE SHIELD from writers Adam Christopher (The Burning Dark) and Chuck Wendig (Blackbirds) and artist Wilfredo Torres (The Shadow: Year One), and THE FOX from writer/artist Dean Haspiel (Billy Dogma, HBO’s Bored to Death) and scripter Mark Waid (Daredevil, Kingdom Come, founder of Thrillbent). All three series will be ongoing and launch early next year.

The new titles – overseen by Dark Circle Editor Alex Segura – will serve as ideal jumping on points for new readers – providing unique, literary and cinematic takes on the classic properties in the Dark Circle Comics library that can appeal to new and long-time fans of the characters.

“Alex and the Dark Circle Comics editorial team have done a masterful job of assembling the best talent around and matching them perfectly with the right characters,” said Archie Comics Publisher/Co-CEO Jon Goldwater. “People are going to be hooked from the first page of each of these books, and we’re so excited to finally showcase these amazing titles for the first time. Welcome to Dark Circle Comics, a place where comic fans can expect top-line storytelling, unique characters and a truly cinematic experience.”

“Dark Circle Comics has truly been a labor of love for the company, and it’s supremely exciting to get it out in the open for all to see,” said Archie Comics Chief Creative Officer Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa. “Alex has taken a thoughtful and story-based approach that we’re certain will result in critically-acclaimed comics that bring something new to the table. This isn’t about aping DC or Marvel – this is about launching Dark Circle Comics and reinvigorating some of the most classic characters in the business.”

THE SHIELD will feature art by Wilfredo Torres and story from co-writers Adam Christopher and Chuck Wendig.

“I’m so proud of the teams we’ve assembled on these books, with the help of the Archie exec team and Editor Paul Kaminski,” said Dark Circle Comics Editor Alex Segura. “It’s really been a dream come true to be able to reach out to some of the most talented people I know and ask them to contribute to this amazing rebranding and publishing initiative.”

A dark crime saga in the vein of Boardwalk Empire and True Detective. A stunning and revisionist new take on the first patriotic hero. An off-the-wall adventure that meshes a DIY indie comix aesthetic with the best of superhero craftsmanship. Dark Circle Comics will present fans with a novelistic and thoughtful approach to superhero comics more akin to cable television shows like Mad Men, Breaking Bad, Justified and Fargo.

“Duane and Michael are concocting a gritty, noir crime thriller that presents the Black Hood as the true urban vigilante he was meant to be. Chuck, Adam and Wilfredo are introducing a new Shield that will stand tall as the latest and best incarnation of the character – and she’s not to be messed with. A true super hero action-adventure that brings to mind the scope and grandeur of some of the best comic books have to offer,” said Segura. “Plus, another dose of THE FOX from Haspiel and Waid, two of comicdom’s mad scientists bringing their absolute A-game to the newly-minted ongoing series. Readers are in for a treat, and I only wish they could see the art and stories come in as quickly as I do. It’s going to be a fun ride.”

34 Comments

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Jonny_Anonymous

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Black Hood sounds interesting, gonna give that a look.

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InFamous_Wolf

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Interesting.

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SmashBrawler

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OMG, the Shield is a woman now?! This is such bullsh!t! I'm going to write a 13-page long essay about how this spits on the face of all the fans--

Wait, no one cares about the Shield? Well, carry on then...

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Jonny_Anonymous

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@smashbrawler: Hey man, respect the Shield. He was the first patriotic superhero, even beating out Captain America.

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the_tree

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More of The Fox from Haspiel & Waid is never a bad thing.

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TheCheeseStabber

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Loved The Fox

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inferiorego

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Edited By inferiorego  Staff

@smashbrawler: Hey man, respect the Shield. He was the first patriotic superhero, even beating out Captain America.

I respect them...

No Caption Provided

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SmashBrawler

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@jonny_anonymous: And now he's a woman. How's that for respect, huh?! What's next, a black Web? A gay Hangman?!?

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Jonny_Anonymous

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@jonny_anonymous said:

@smashbrawler: Hey man, respect the Shield. He was the first patriotic superhero, even beating out Captain America.

I respect them...

No Caption Provided

OMG I can't believe I missed an actually suitable chance to post a Shield gif.....

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inferiorego

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inferiorego  Staff

@inferiorego said:

@jonny_anonymous said:

@smashbrawler: Hey man, respect the Shield. He was the first patriotic superhero, even beating out Captain America.

I respect them...

No Caption Provided

OMG I can't believe I missed an actually suitable chance to post a Shield gif.....

It was a first for me... I got super excited.

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Jonny_Anonymous

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bob808

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cool

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WarDishy_

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OMG, the Shield is a woman now?! This is such bullsh!t! I'm going to write a 13-page long essay about how this spits on the face of all the fans--

Wait, no one cares about the Shield? Well, carry on then...

Thanks for the chuckle.

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longbowhunter

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Nice. I like the creative team on the Black Hood. Didn't read Haspiel's Fox when it debuted last year. But I'm glad to see him and Waid stick around.

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Transformers1024

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Never heard of any of these guys but I'm definitely interested in checking this out.

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Twix_Right_Side

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Edited By Twix_Right_Side

OMG, the Shield is a woman now?! This is such bullsh!t! I'm going to write a 13-page long essay about how this spits on the face of all the fans--

Wait, no one cares about the Shield? Well, carry on then...

lol This actually made me laugh,but I wouldn't really say that no one cares about him.

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deactivated-5d2b83d5a0d79

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OMG, the Shield is a woman now?! This is such bullsh!t! I'm going to write a 13-page long essay about how this spits on the face of all the fans--

Wait, no one cares about the Shield? Well, carry on then...

Lol, are you making fun of @lvenger

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SmashBrawler

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@farkam said:

@smashbrawler said:

OMG, the Shield is a woman now?! This is such bullsh!t! I'm going to write a 13-page long essay about how this spits on the face of all the fans--

Wait, no one cares about the Shield? Well, carry on then...

Lol, are you making fun of @lvenger

No one in specific.

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Ando123

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Looks cool.-

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MadeinBangladesh

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Edited By MadeinBangladesh

@jonny_anonymous said:

@inferiorego said:

@jonny_anonymous said:

@smashbrawler: Hey man, respect the Shield. He was the first patriotic superhero, even beating out Captain America.

I respect them...

No Caption Provided

OMG I can't believe I missed an actually suitable chance to post a Shield gif.....

It was a first for me... I got super excited.

This SHIELD came first.

No Caption Provided

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starz007

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Wow, some big names. Archie Comics has been doing some really interesting things lately.

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jonny1995

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Hmmm.

I'm interested in checking out these comics.

Especially The Black Hood.

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NightFang3

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Edited By NightFang3

I'm I the only one who liked DC comics version of Red Circle?

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Lvenger

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@farkam said:

@smashbrawler said:

OMG, the Shield is a woman now?! This is such bullsh!t! I'm going to write a 13-page long essay about how this spits on the face of all the fans--

Wait, no one cares about the Shield? Well, carry on then...

Lol, are you making fun of @lvenger

Why make fun of me? I'm not the only one who's blogged about why Thor being replaced by a woman is a bad thing on here.

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Jonny_Anonymous

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I'm I the only one who liked DC comics version of Red Circle?

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I did!

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Blackdog2009

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Edited By Blackdog2009

@nightfang: NO, I liked that run on the characters as well. Very nice writing and art and DC gave the characters much respect! In fact, I haven't seen anyone handle those characters better.

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The Impersonator

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Hmmm...Dark Circle sounds like Dark Horse.

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SmashBrawler

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@lvenger said:

@farkam said:

@smashbrawler said:

OMG, the Shield is a woman now?! This is such bullsh!t! I'm going to write a 13-page long essay about how this spits on the face of all the fans--

Wait, no one cares about the Shield? Well, carry on then...

Lol, are you making fun of @lvenger

Why make fun of me? I'm not the only one who's blogged about why Thor being replaced by a woman is a bad thing on here.

Yup, you didn't even write the longest rant on the subject for that matter.

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Lvenger

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@lvenger said:

@farkam said:

@smashbrawler said:

OMG, the Shield is a woman now?! This is such bullsh!t! I'm going to write a 13-page long essay about how this spits on the face of all the fans--

Wait, no one cares about the Shield? Well, carry on then...

Lol, are you making fun of @lvenger

Why make fun of me? I'm not the only one who's blogged about why Thor being replaced by a woman is a bad thing on here.

Yup, you didn't even write the longest rant on the subject for that matter.

I don't know, I got a lot off my chest that night I wrote my blog. Did anyone on here beat me in their writing length?

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SmashBrawler

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@lvenger: Oh, I guess you did write the longest rant in this site. I meant across the whole Internet.

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Lvenger

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@lvenger: Oh, I guess you did write the longest rant in this site. I meant across the whole Internet.

Yeah I've seen some longer ones on CBM and other places too.

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COBRAMORPH

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Edited By COBRAMORPH

I'm against changing the person wearing the suit at all because I feel it just causes confusion about the brand. I have a friend who is into marvel comics, when I heard about Arrow possibly having an Hourman spin-off he is like, "who is that?" & then I say, well there are 3...." & he says "nevermind, I dont care anymore" & the Hourman character(s) are probly the easist to explain. Part of the reason why GL & Flash are NOT on the same level as the Trinity is because no one knows who wears the suit in any given time. & then look at how badly that treated Hawkman that the company didnt want to use him. Why did Morrison create Zauriel? Because DC said Hawkman was too toxic.

Plus these are second tier characters that no one cares about that become women or minority characters.

& if Marvel wanted to have a female goddess character be a top level player, why not use the original, not attached to any male, Angela. She is her own woman. Not using or defining or re-defining a male legacy. Or Sif. & we know that Cap & Thor will be back to normal for the next marvel movie.

The only reason why it worked for Flash is because, other than a few tweeks, he really is the same character as Jay.

As for Hal & GL, he was such a different character, again, like Artemis of Bana, or Kyle Rayner, that really, if anything he was hampered by the "limits" imposed on him by getting the GL franchise. Maybe he could have assended to the same level of fame as the Trinity if he didnt have that stupid "magical" ring. Because over the decades I have seen people comment on how they just do not like the ring & how he makes shapes & stuff with it.

But these silver age relaunches & reboots ONLY worked because back then in the 60-70s no one knew about the originals. Thats why they do not work today.