'The Shield' #1 One-Shot Gets New Writer, New Story, as the Departed Rob Liefeld's Art Remains

Back in March, we shared the news that Archie Comics was relaunching yet again its Silver Age super-team 'The Mighty Crusaders' with a series of one-shot issues. 'The Shield' #1 is the first one scheduled to be released on June 30 but it was originally solicited with comic book veteran Rob Liefeld as writer and artist.

After a key plot point was released and shared by Liefeld himself (something Archie says was not sanctioned) Liefeld alluded to leaving the project altogether. The famously polarizing creator tweeted a series of messages explaining the situation with Archie including this, "Fun facts. SHIELD #1 had a June 30th release date. I exited the project on May 8, activating the release in my contract. I have turned in all the final art files for work I produced that was paid for. As I do on any project, I work out of order and sequences are incomplete."

Today, Archie has announced that David Gallaher will write a new story using Liefeld's uncompleted art. According to Liefeld, Archie declined to have him complete the artwork confirming there was art needed for the front and back end. While this split is over "creative differences" there doesn't appear to be hard feelings from Liefeld.

Archie plans on releasing 'The Shield' #1 as scheduled but this is just the latest wrinkle in the checkered history of 'The Mighty Crusaders.' Living in the shadow of more popular super-teams like DC's Justice League and Marvel's Avengers since the 1960's, Crusaders in all its forms suffered from poor sales resulting in short publication runs and inconsistent relaunches over the last three decades. In 2015, under its Dark Circle imprint, Archie tried to reintroduce The Shield as a woman but the less than stellar roll out and delays doomed the comic. The one bright spot, if you can call it that, was the fact that the campy Crusaders were part of Alan Moore's inspiration for the Minutemen in the iconic Watchmen comic.

Archie Comics is pleased to announce that David Gallaher (Only Living Girl, High Moon) will script a new story for THE MIGHTY CRUSADERS: THE SHIELD #1 based on Rob Liefeld's artwork.

THE SHIELD #1 goes on-sale at comic book shops and digital platforms on June 30.

Updated Solicitation Text

THE MIGHTY CRUSADERS: THE SHIELD #1 (ONE-SHOT)

THE SHIELD IS BACK! America's first patriotic superhero, The Shield, has persevered through countless challenges and always manages to come out on top! But what happens when forces beyond anyone’s control threaten The Shield’s legacy of fighting for truth and justice? Follow Joe Higgins as The Shield (and get ready for some surprises!) in this new one-shot comic featuring art by Rob Liefeld and a story by David Gallaher.

*Retailer orders for all covers placed by FOC date will be 100% returnable (no minimum)*

Script: Rob Liefeld, David Gallaher

Art: Rob Liefeld, Jack Morelli