[Editor’s Note: This review may contain spoilers]

Publisher: Archie Comics

Writers: Dean Haspiel,  Vito Delsante and Alex Toth
Art: Dean Haspiel, Richard Ortiz and Alex Toth
Colors: Matt Herms and Alex Toth
Letters: Jack Morelli and Alex Toth

Reviewed by: Matthew B. Lloyd

Summary

The Fox returns in a one-shot with two news stories spotlighting the importance of family and the third tale is by the legendary Alex Toth!

Positives

It’s almost unfair to include the Alex Toth reprint in The Fox: Family Values #1 as he is one of the best to ever draw comics and the two Fox stories he did for Red Circle Comics (Archie Comics super-hero imprint at the time) are two of the best stories the company ever published.  The story here first appeared in The Black Hood #2, and though it’s nearly 40 years old, it remains a “how to” do comics.  Toth is a master and it’s hard not to love his unique approach to characters.  Toth was an economical artist that got more out of a line than anyone.  It’s not hard to see his influence on an artist like Dean Haspiel.  When I read this story when it first came out in 1983 I desperately wanted Toth to do a Fox series.  We only got two stories, but these stories are hard to beat.  Toth infuses fun, humor, action, adventure, and character throughout.  Additionally, his craft is demonstrated in his layouts, framing, and ability to lead your eye in just the right way.  

Toth’s approach to the character set the tone for the recent Fox stories over the past ten years by Dean Haspiel and Mark Waid.  Though the Archie Comics superhero characters come and go every few years- The Mighty Crusaders: The Shield one-shot came out last June-  there’s been some traction with Haspiel’s Fox.  Toth introduced the quirky fun element to the character that Haspiel has used in his stories.  The two new stories in The Fox: Family Values #1 owe a lot to this.  In “Mid-Life Pisces,” the Fox Family shows how balance is necessary for relationships and how one has to embrace who they are, no matter what weirdness may result.  It’s a story about being who you are and making it work for you and not letting others define who you are, especially if you are trying to do the right thing.

“Back to Back” is the stronger of the two new stories, it’s a little more concise and directed.  We get the action and excitement along with a touch of weirdness.  This story delineates the pre-marital adventure of Paul and Mae (The Fox and She-Fox) as they come to terms with how their relationship will work with Paul’s life as a superhero.  

Negatives

At times the two new stories seem to veer into Deadpool territory, but they wisely don’t cross that line.  If anything, the characters need a longer arc.  Toth is able to do something with just one character, but the new stories try to bring in both Mae and the fox-spring (offspring!), Shinji.  It’s great to see the family together, but it may be more effective to put a little more focus on the Fox if we are only getting a one-shot.  And, sadly, this is a one-shot.  Please, tell Archie Comics we need more super-hero content, they’ve got a significant stable of characters that deserve the exposure.  Consistent exposure.

Verdict

The Fox: Family Values #1 is without a doubt a fun issue with some heart.  It’s little more than a tease as it is a one-shot and there is only one more archival Toth story to track down.  Nevertheless, the Toth reprint is worth it for this issue alone, and the new material is fun and entertaining.  It’s not your standard superhero comic, but we need variety in comics, don’t we?

The post Indie Comics Review: The Fox: Family Values appeared first on DC Comics News.

[Editor’s Note: This review may contain spoilers]

Publisher: Archie Comics

Story and Art: Rob Liefeld
Script: David Gallaher
Letters: Jack Moreilli

Reviewed by: Matthew B. Lloyd

Summary

Who is the Shield?  Is it Joe Higgins?  Is it William Higgins?  Is it Lancelot Strong?  Is it Victoria Adams?  They all may be, but why must Joe Higgins die at the hands of the Mighty Crusaders?

Positives

As a long time fan of the MLJ/Archie Adventure/Mighty Comics/Red Circle/ Impact Comics/Dark Circle characters, the very existence of The Mighty Crusaders: The Shield #1 is cause for excitement.  There hasn’t been an incarnation of these characters that hasn’t stirred me since I first discovered them back in 1983 when I picked up The All-New Adventures of the Mighty Crusaders #2 new off the stands.  I had no idea of the history of the characters at the time and now that it’s been another nearly forty years, there’s even more history to fold into the characters.  This might be the most single pleasing aspect of The Mighty Crusaders: The Shield #1.  This issue takes into account ALL the myriad version, reboots, alternate takes.  While it is not wholly inclusive, it acknowledges that there have been multiple versions over the past 81 years since the Shield’s debut in Pep Comics #1.

While the title of the issue makes it clear that The Shield is the star, it isn’t clear that the original version may not be the true hero of the tale.  That’s left unclear as we not only see the Impact Comics version amongst others, but also the more recent Dark Circle version, Victoria Adams- Daughter of the Revolution.  While many of the incarnations of these characters were never developed into their potential, the Dark Circle versions are probably the poster child of unrealized potential.  The Dark Circle version of the Web never even saw print!  But, what a great concept it was!  Victoria Adams is one of those concepts that breathed new life into a classic character while not treading over the original.  She’s a real treat to see here and it’s a real joy to think that she’s got a future and not just unrealized potential. 

Positives Cont’d

So how are all these versions joined together?  Well, without being too spoilery, I’ll just leave it that The Mighty Crusaders: The Shield #1 does seem to promise a sorting out of all these incarnations.  

As for the story itself, it is tinged with mystery, but it is mostly a character analysis of the Impact Comics version of the Shield as well as a bit of a treatise on the concept of the character in all it’s incarnations including a truly obscure reference to the Canadian version!  It works well enough, and Rob Liefeld’s art isn’t over the top like it could be.  It feels like there’s some restraint on his part at work and it serves the story well.  He captures the visual essence of each individual character with perhaps a nod to their appearances in their native iterations.

Negatives

The controversy surrounding the dismissal of Liefeld of scripting this issue hangs heavy.   While it’s not really clear what Liefeld’s script included that Gallaher has eliminated, one can’t help but wonder how different it would be.  Gallaher’s script reads like a love letter to the characters, so what did Liefeld intend? At some point this will come out, surely.  But for now it simply is what it is.

There is the unfortunate sense that despite an mysterious epic event being imminent, this could be it for these characters until the copyright needs to be reaffirmed.  It does leave one with a real taste of the unfinished.  And, that’s the most serious negative…Is this it?  Surely, there will be more…soon?  Hopefully?  Please?

Verdict

The Mighty Crusaders: The Shield #1 promises a lot and delivers on just enough to be good starting point.  Rob Liefeld’s story and art introduces the new reader while not overwhelming.  This overall approach allows the reader to focus on one character and one concept while at the same time understanding there’s a lot of history behind these characters.  It’s a good entry point for readers unfamiliar with any version and a fun bit of nostalgia for those with some level of previous knowledge.  Let’s all go out and buy this so Archie Comics will continue the series!

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