Shield (Archie Comics)

The Shield
Pep Comics #1 (January 1940) by Irv Novick.
Publication information
PublisherMLJ/Archie
First appearanceHiggins
Pep Comics #1 (January 1940)
Barnes
Legend of Shield #13 (July 1992)
Adams
The Shield (vol. 5) #1 (October 2015)
Created byHiggins
Harry Shorten
Irv Novick
Adams
Adam Christopher (script)
Chuck Wendig (script)
David Williams
In-story information
Alter ego– Joe Higgins
- Lt. Michael Barnes
- Victoria Adams
Team affiliationsMighty Crusaders
AbilitiesSuperhuman strength
Great leaping
Invulnerability
Wears an indestructible costume
The Shield
Publication information
PublisherArchie Comics
Impact Comics
FormatOngoing series
Publication dateJune 1959 – present
No. of issues(vol. 1)
2
(vol. 2)
7
(vol. 3)
4
(vol. 4)
17 (#1–16 plus 1 Annual)
(vol. 5)
4
Creative team
Written byAdam Christopher (vol. 5)
Chuck Wendig (vol. 5)
Artist(s)David Williams (vol. 5)

The Shield is the name of several superheroes created by MLJ (now known as Archie Comics). Appearing months before Captain America, the Shield has the distinction of being the first superhero with a costume based upon United States patriotic iconography. The character appeared in Pep Comics from issue #1 (Jan 1940) to #65 (Jan 1948).[1]

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,[2] but the rights to the characters reverted to Archie Comics in 2011. A fourth Shield was introduced in October 2015.[3]

  1. ^ Benton, Mike (1992). Superhero Comics of the Golden Age: The Illustrated History. Dallas: Taylor Publishing Company. p. 125-127. ISBN 0-87833-808-X. Retrieved 1 April 2020.
  2. ^ "Dan Didio on Bringing the Archie Heroes to the DCU". Newsarama.com. Retrieved 2010-12-27.
  3. ^ "Adam Christopher and Chuck Wendig on Dark Circle's The Shield, Coming September 16". Comicbook.com.