THE RED CIRCLE SUPERHEROES UNITE -- AS THE MIGHTY CRUSADERS !!!

Red Circle's The Mighty Crusaders. Brought together, Black Hood, Jaguar, the Web, the Fly, Fly Girl, the Comet, The Shield [Joe Higgins], the Shield [Lancelot Strong], the superheroes of the Red Circle line. Mainly drawn by Rich Buckler. The series ran 13 issues.

My emphasis is on the first three issues, my favorites in the series. I'm a big Rich Buckler fan way before he did Deathlok, the fantastic Marvel Comic's series. Star Hunters, Demon Hunter, Captain Comet, Bloodwing, Sojourner & Bloodstone, to name a few! Check them out! Fun stuff!

The Mighty Crusaders #1
"Prologue"
As the Brain Emperor begins a plan to eliminate Earth's heroes, the 2nd Shield, the Fly, Fly Girl and Jaguar cross paths, thanks to General Ranse Smith. The original Shield stops a jewel heist, and the Black Hood rides his bike to a spot designated by the Comet.
"Chapter One-Atlantis Rising"
The heroes gather together for the first time. Fly, Fly Girl, Jaguar, and the 2nd Shield travel to help the Web against Eterno's marauding giants, while the Comet, the 1st Shield and the Black Hood investigate some strange atmospheric transmissions. 
Included one half & one page origins & recaps of the various superheroes. 
The Mighty Crusaders in Action on the back cover, in various comic book panels.

Nice wraparound cover! See pencils of this cover later in the post!

The Mighty Crusaders #2
Cover by Rich Buckler & Frank Giacoia
Interior art by Rich Buckler, Frank Giacoia, Jim Sherman, Sam de la Rosa & Willy Blyberg
"Atlantis Rising Chapter Two The Genesis Conspiracy"
As the Web, Jaguar, the Fly, Fly Girl, and the Shield defeat Eterno's gigantic androids, the Black Hood, the original Shield and the Comet take the battle to the Brain Emperor's satellite.
"Atlantis Rising Chapter Three No More Heroes!"
The Mighty Crusaders are attacked and defeated by the Malevolent Legion of Juggernauts.
"Warriors of Omri!"
Captain Cosmos sends Mister Midnight (not a member of the Mighty Crusaders) to the 20th Century with the Translocator. When he arrives in the 20th Century, he is attacked by the Warriors of Omri.
Created by Willie Blyberg.

The Mighty Crusaders #3
A great cover by Rick Buckler
Front cover is from Darkling's point-of-view. The back cover is the same scene from Hangman's point-of-view.
Interior art by Rick Buckler, Ricardo Villagran, Dick Ayers, Tony DeZuniga.
"Atlantis Rising Final Chapter The Darkling Ingredient"
As Eterno's androids take the defeated Crusaders to Atlantis, the Shield, the Web, and the Black Hood regroup to save their fellow Crusaders with some unexpected help: the Comet, now sporting his original outfit and powers, and Darkling, a mysterious woman with the ability to teleport. Together they save their other members, then defeat Eterno. Darkling joins the Crusaders just as the Comet quits for personal reasons.
Introduction and first appearance of Darkling, who joins the Mighty Crusaders. This is a character who was and is still owned by Rich Buckler.
"Chapter One American Shield"
Joe Higgins (The Shield) and Don Phelps stop Boroff - an old Russian spy-- from getting a secret map for a mysterious organization called Delta 3.
"The Darkling Ingredient"
Illustration by Rich Buckler & Rudy Nebres.
Front cover done from Hangman's point of view.

The Mighty Crusaders #4
Cover by Rich Buckler
Interior art by Rick Buckler, Carl Taylor, Sam de la Rosa, Adrian Gonzales, Demian Parmeggiani, Dick Ayers, Tony DeZuniga & a Rudy Nebres illustration on the back cover. 

The Mighty Crusaders #5
Cover by Rich Buckler & Tony DeZuniga 
Interior art by Geoff Isherwood, Adrian Gonzales, Rich Buckler, Tony DeZuniga & a Rudy Nebres illustration on the back cover.

The Mighty Crusaders #6
Cover by Rick Buckler & Ricardo Villagran

Interior art by Dick Ayers, Tony DeZuniga

The Mighty Crusaders #7
A good cover by Rick Buckler & Ricardo Villagran.
Interior art by Rich Buckler & Tony DeZuniga

The Mighty Crusaders #8
Cover by Rick Buckler
Interior art by Adrian Gonzales, Rich Buckler, Ricardo Villagran & Dick Ayers.

The Mighty Crusaders #9
Nice cover by Rich Buckler & Chic Stone
Interior art by Dick Ayers, Rich Buckler, Tony DeZuniga & Doug Wildey (solo story.)

The Mighty Crusaders #10
Cover by Rich Buckler & Chic Stone
Interior art by Dick Ayers, Rich Bucker, Vince Colletta & Rick Veitch (solo story.)

The Mighty Crusaders #11
Cover by Dick Ayers & Frank Giacoia
Interior art by Alan Kupperberg & Frank Giacoia

The Comet had his own 2 issue series with Alex Nino art!

The Mighty Crusaders #12
Cover & interior art by Dick Ayers
Addition interior art by Chic Stone, Mike Esposito, Alan Kupperberg & Frank Giacoia.

The Mighty Crusaders #13
Cover & interior art by Dick Ayers & Mike Esposito

The Mighty Crusaders, Origin of a Super Team
Trade paperback collecting Fly-Man #31, Fly-Man #32, Fly-Man #33 & Mighty Crusaders #1 from the sixties. Wonderful collection to take you back!

There are some wonderful reprints in this volume as well!

The Mighty Crusaders have been revived several times over the years, with different members composing the group. They have also been published under license by DC Comics as well as the Impact Comics imprint of DC Comics, but none as successful as the original Archie & Red Circle imprints. 

Original The Mighty Crusaders #1 from the sixties by Paul Reinman!

Rich Buckler designed the Red Circle logo!

Live Large My Friends!

Thank You! 

Knock it out of the park collaboration!

 
 
 


 

"WHAT DOES A DEMON HUNTER DO?" WHAT, INDEED !!!

One of my favorite Atlas Comic's titles was Rich Buckler's Demon Hunter. One of the best Rich Buckler comic book covers. Sadly, Demon Hunter only ran one issue, but that was not the end of the legend.

"What does a Demon Hunter do?"  

"Everything he can to prevent Xenogenesis... the rebirth of a demon race here on earth! His name? Gideon Cross. He is a telepath."

I liked Demon Hunter's costume best over the other incarnations!

Empowered by a cult seeking to bring about Xenogenesis, Gideon Cross was empowered with a shadow cloak and new abilities to serve their bidding. He turned against them, however, and became a one-man force against their evil, the new purpose of his alter ego...the Demon Hunter.

Unlike Dr. Strange or Dr. Fate, Demon Hunter was fighting a specific war against a specific evil.

Demon Hunter #1  Fantastic Origin Issue!
Written by Rich Buckler & David Anthony Kraft. 
Artwork by Rich Bucker.

I may have missed Devil Slayer, if it weren't for Deathlok. Maybe.

Marvel Spotlight #33  Is This The Way a Deathlok Dies--"
Deathlok is transported to earth in the year 1976 by Godwulf. He encounters Devil-Slayer who attacks him because he assumes he was sent by the Cult. While fighting Deathlok encounters Cory Payne (the Devil-Slayer's wife) who is the exact image of Jannice Manning, Deathlok's ex-wife. Deathlok figures out he has gone through a time warp and ends the battle but he is then transported somewhere else.
This story is continued from Astonishing Tales #36 and in Marvel Two-In-One #27. There is a splash page dedication to the band Blue Oyster Cult for the title of this story.
The design of the character was carried in Rich Buckler's later Devil-Slayer at Marvel, first appearing in Marvel Spotlight #33. Devil Slayer was Eric Simon Payne. He renounced the demon cult that granted him incredible powers and now stood against them. Their goal, Xenogenesis, the rebirth of a demon race on earth.
This story was included in the Marvel Masterworks: Deathlok #1! 

The Defenders #58 (through #60)

Xenogenesis Day of the Demons Part 1 Agents of Fortune 

Part 2 Tyranny and Mutation

Part 3 The Revenge of Vera Gemeni

The Eye of Agamotto is stolen from Dr. Strange by a cult of demon worshipers, the Harvester of Eyes. Valkyrie and Hulk encounter Devil-Slayer and a fight begins. Nighthawk test out his new jetpack. Dr. Strange is trapped in a demon dimension by the Harvester of Eyes cult. Defenders defeat Vera Gemeni and stop the Xenogenesis and the demon invasion.

Written by David Anthony Kraft with art by Ed Hannigan, Klaus Janson & Dan Green. 
This story arc was reprinted in the Essential Defenders #3. 
 

Galaxia Magazine #1
The Rich Buckler published magazine, Galaxia, featured the character Bloodwing. Again, this character is nearly identical to Demon Hunter. Bloodwing was also known as Gideon Cross. This was written & illustrated by Rich Buckler with inks by Sam de la Rosa.
Even though this has not be reprinted, I have come across it from time to time in the back issue bins. 

I would have enjoyed seeing Galaxia #2 printed! Alas, not to be!

Watch where you point that thing! Sorry, I couldn't resist!

Demon Hunter went through numerous incarnations, but I loved tham all. Not your normal superhero, but one with an edge. Demon Hunter, Devil Slayer or Bloodwing take the genre to a different perspective that does so well for comic books. 

Live Large My Friends!

Thank You!

Fan artwork!

GOLD KEY COMIC'S JAZZY DETECTIVES - KOOKIE - 77 SUNSET STRIP !!!

"Kookie, Kookie, lend me your comb!"

Dell Comic's 77 Sunset Strip only ran one issue, although continued from six issues of the Four Color Comics. This issue was followed by...

The Gold Key Comic's 77 Sunset Strip. but ran only two issues. They were written by prolific Paul S. Newman with Russ (Magnus, The Aliens) Manning artwork! They featured photo covers with pin-ups on the rear cover. The Gold Key series follows the Dell series, but does not continue its numbering.

The comic book was based on the 1958-1964 television series of the same name. Jazzy 77 Sunset Strip starred Efrem Zimbalist Jr. as Stu Bailey with Ed Byrnes as Gerald Lloyd "Kookie" Cookson and Roger Smith as Jeff Spencer.

The 77 Sunset Strip television series revolves around two Los Angeles private detectives, both former government secret agents: Efrem Zimbalist, Jr. played Stuart ("Stu") Bailey, a character TV series creator Roy Huggins had originated in his 1946 novel The Double Take (which he later adapted into the 1948 movie I Love Trouble, starring Franchot Tone in the role). Roger Smith played Jeff Spencer, also a former government agent, and a non-practicing attorney. The duo worked out of a stylish office at 77 Sunset Boulevard (colloquially known as "Sunset Strip"), between La Cienega Boulevard and Alta Loma Road on the south side of the Strip next door to Dean Martin's real-life lounge, Dino's Lodge. Suzanne, the beautiful French switchboard operator played by Jacqueline Beer, handled the phones.  

Dell Comic's 77 Sunset Strip #1  Kookie and Jeff uncover a fantastic scheme to cheat an old man out of his millions!
"Two Days to Highpoint"
To keep an important appointment in Highpoint, Jeff Spencer & Kookie race against a tight timetable. Unaccidental accidents put them behind schedule, and they are forced to a desperate decision in order to keep their date.
"The Telltale Tridents"
Stu Bailey faces a case of brotherly devotion when he is hired by one brother to clear another brother of a murder charge. With evidence pointing to both brothers, Stu and Jeff leave no stone uncovered to be sure that the guilty man is found.

Gold Key Comic's 77 Sunset Strip #1  A briefcase with top-secret matter gets Kookie into water too hot to tread!
"The Mix-Up"
"Blaze of Revenge"
"The Ruby Caper"

Gold Key Comic's 77 Sunset Strip #2  Stu Bailey uncovers the truth behind a troubled friend's mask of fear!
"Mask of Fear"
"The Line-Up"
"The Alita Mine Caper"

The Dell Comic's Four Color Comics of 77 Sunset Strip issues included artwork by Alex (Space Ghost) Toth!

Live Large My Friends!

Thank You!