Archie returns to their MLJ heritage and launches RED CIRCLE digital imprint

[Yoc]

Shows how out of the loop I must be.
Archie's new RED CIRLCE COMICS digital only comics line started yesterday.  They've returned to their MLJ heroes after DC failed to do much of anything with them for a second time last year.
The link is here - http://redcirclecomics.com/
A Newsarama preview is here - http://www.newsarama.com/php/multimedia/album.php?aid=46401
And a 'trailer' for it on BuzzFeed here - http://www.buzzfeed.com/donnad/exclusive-new-crusaders-trailer-drops
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News of the digital imprint was reported on Newsarama back last October in an interview with Archie President Mike Pellerito and Red Circle Line Editor Paul Kaminski.  You can read the interview in a repost on Rik Offenberger's amazing Mighty Crusaders site - http://www.mightycrusaders.net/newsarama-10-12.htm

It's being sold as an iPAD app which makes sense as well as a PC 'desktop app' for anyone with a normal web browser.
Checking the site it looks like the original Red Circle 1985 line is available.

Cost is $1 a week with a brand new 6 page 'issue' every week and unlimited access to their back catalogue including the 1960 'camp' era Mighty Crusaders and the 'classic' issue #4 'Too Many Heroes' where they jammed just about every hero they ever did in one book.

Finally they are slowly adding some of the 40s books as well like Zip #1 and Pep #3.  We've already got the entire MLJ line here but it's nice to see Archie embracing their pre-Archie past, warts and all, and giving their heroes a chance to shine again in new stories.  The preview looks not bad by current standards.  I haven't had a chance to read any of it yet though.

The site also adds those that want a print version of the new stories will see NEW CRUSADERS: RISE OF THE HEROES #1 launch this August in comic shops.

The 60s camp era was one of my first exposures to MLJ heroes in their 1979 'Superhero Digest' #2 which I still own and love.  A great mix of old and new that caught my attention right off and had me hunting down Might Comics a year later in dingy comic shops from Osh Kosh to Chicago getting funny looks from each owner.  'You want Mighty Comics?  Why???'.  Hehehe.

If anyone here is giving these a look please let us know your thoughts in a reply here.

Thanks and good luck to Archie on the project!
-Yoc

[John C]

Sort of annoying for those who (raising hand sheepishly) got the Archie subscription for this purpose, when it turns out they're moving it to an imprint with an entirely different provider.

[Yoc]

Ouch!  That would be super annoying. 

[narfstar]

I don't want a subscription since I have all the old stuff. I discovered the 60's stuff from my cousin. I remember being in his room and seeing and falling in love with Jaguar. I also discovered that The Fly had been a boy secret identity first. I found it rather strange and unexplained how he was later a man.

[paw broon]

I found this topic a bit late, still.  I don't enjoy reading comics on screen and prefer to read only those I can't access any other way.  However, given that, I had a look at the Red Circle link and was put off by the very cartoony art which seemed to me to be like many of the cartoons I glimpse on t.v., so I wont go for this.  Also, as with narfstar, I have all the '60's comics and I've always thought they were great fun and the GA stuff is, as noted, available here.  Re. narfstar's discovery that Tommy Troy was a wee boy at the start, I thought that a great idea as it was similar to Kid Marvelman - always been a fan of Marvelman family.  As to them failing to explain the transition to an adult, lawyer, It never bothered me.  The wacky world of comics.

[jfglade]

I don't want a subscription since I have all the old stuff. I discovered the 60's stuff from my cousin. I remember being in his room and seeing and falling in love with Jaguar. I also discovered that The Fly had been a boy secret identity first. I found it rather strange and unexplained how he was later a man.

 The early issues of "The Adventures of the Fly" did feature Thomas Troy as an orphan child who could turn into an adult hero, much like Billy Batson. The book turned over artists and writers many times, and one of the first changes in continuity was the transition of Troy from a ten or twelve year old into a college graduate into a neophyte lawyer who had just passed the bar and was starting a law practice. I remember back when I picked up the issue which had the new premise that I simply considered it like many movies I had seen which dealt with someone's childhood for awhile and then had a scene that began with the text message "Ten years later." I had no problem with the change. What I did have a problem with later was the Fly being transitioned into Fly-Man and the entire "Mighty Comics" era.

  I was going to ask this following question anyway, but Narf's message caught my eye. Before I interrupted myself, I was going to ask, "How did the Red Circle on-line digital comics experiment work out. Is it still an on-going thing or did it come crashing down? Does it look like digital comics will replace paper copies, or will both be available for the foreseeable feature?

 Just Curious,
 Jon

[Yoc]

Hi Jon,
Checking their site it's in week 2.
http://redcirclecomics.com/

[jfglade]

Hi Jon,
Checking their site it's in week 2.
http://redcirclecomics.com/

 Thanks, Yoc. It looks like they threw in the towel. I'd say too bad, but looking over the character sketches and the Who' Who section (which is very hard to read) I doubt I would have had much interest in following the new incarnation anyway. The Crusaders have been reinvented a few times too many for my tastes.

[narfstar]

You would think that they would finally realize that The Mighty Crusaders that we want back are our MC from the SA

[Yoc]

"threw in the towel"?
Sorry Jon, I see May30th is the last scheduled release for the 'episode 1' arc but I don't see it saying there wont be more.
Did I miss something?

[John C]

I think he meant the "digital imprint" aspect of things, Yoc.  A weekly mini-comic and backstock isn't exactly embracing the future.

[Yoc]

Ok, but I think in this particular case after so many failed attempts to revive the line this is about all the budget they are willing to use.
Digital issues and straight to the graphic novel collection.  It wouldn't surprise me if the big two start to follow the same path.

[jfglade]

"threw in the towel"?
Sorry Jon, I see May30th is the last scheduled release for the 'episode 1' arc but I don't see it saying there wont be more.
Did I miss something?

 No, I was just underwhelmed. I get the feeling the experiment has failed, but it may be too early to predict when the plug will be pulled. Besides, what more natural environment that a digital format for a reboot?