EXCLUSIVE: "New Crusaders" Shifts Style Towards "Dark Tomorrow"

[CBR News]

Following a surprise death this week, Red Circle's "New Crusaders" prepares for May's "Dark Tomorrow" with a more detailed art style, realistic themes and a new collection of remixed classic stories.


Full article here.

[Bricolo]

Bad idea going dark, everything is too dark these days. This was a bright spot in an otherwise abysmal era of comics. So sad to see it pass.

[Overhazard]

Bad idea going dark, everything is too dark these days. This was a bright spot in an otherwise abysmal era of comics. So sad to see it pass.

Thats true, but taking the "dark and realistic" route is what the fans were asking for apparently. The main complaint about the book was that it was too cartoonish.

[Ziza9]

I'm inclined to pick this up now. While the new direction does appeal more to me, I can see how fans of the way the book has been so far might hate it. There should be room for all types of stories.

[jsf]

I'm beginning to think people really haven't been reading this book. The tone for the series has been pretty serious from the get-go, belied only by the art. It's as good as anything on the stands, and that has little to do with it being "dark" or anything else. It's straight up superheroics, and quite good at that. This next arc looks to be following up on the consequences of the first arc, not somehow taking the title in a new direction that is out of the blue.

[Ziza9]

I'm beginning to think people really haven't been reading this book. The tone for the series has been pretty serious from the get-go, belied only by the art. It's as good as anything on the stands, and that has little to do with it being "dark" or anything else. It's straight up superheroics, and quite good at that. This next arc looks to be following up on the consequences of the first arc, not somehow taking the title in a new direction that is out of the blue.

This sounds good. I'll have to get the early issues as well then.

[Blade X]

Bad idea going dark, everything is too dark these days. This was a bright spot in an otherwise abysmal era of comics. So sad to see it pass.

While I agree with your over all sentiment about the current state of superhero comics, I should point out that something can be "dark" and "realistic", and still be a fun and upbeat. Heck, THE LEGEND OF KORA and 80's X-MEN comics were "dark" and those books were still fun and upbeat (and suitable for all ages).

[Blade X]

I'm beginning to think people really haven't been reading this book. The tone for the series has been pretty serious from the get-go, belied only by the art. It's as good as anything on the stands, and that has little to do with it being "dark" or anything else. It's straight up superheroics, and quite good at that. This next arc looks to be following up on the consequences of the first arc, not somehow taking the title in a new direction that is out of the blue.

This is very true. It seems these days that when a comic company decides to put out an all ages comic, they often have the book be drawn a very cartoony animated style with bright colors. Many of today's editors and creators seem to have forgotten that there were plenty of realistically and shadowy drawn all ages superhero comics back in the 60's,70's,80's,and 90's.

[Alton]

This is very true. It seems these days that when a comic company decides to put out an all ages comic, they often have the book be drawn a very cartoony animated style with bright colors. Many of today's editors and creators seem to have forgotten that there were plenty of realistically and shadowy drawn all ages superhero comics back in the 60's,70's,80's,and 90's.

Thank you so much for saying this. I still hope this project bombs to the point of a Valiant style buyout of Red Circle someday.Get these characters as far away from this team and Archie as possible.To me the whole initial look was designed to get this on Cartoon Network And nobody at CN cared.

[Blade X]

Thank you so much for saying this. I still hope this project bombs to the point of a Valiant style buyout of Red Circle someday.Get these characters as far away from this team and Archie as possible.To me the whole initial look was designed to get this on Cartoon Network And nobody at CN cared.

I don't want this series to bomb or for another company to buy these characters since I have been enjoying it. I like the creative teams on the books. However, I do think that there is room for some improvement in this series and the RC line/universe as a whole. IMO, I think that Archie should hire Tom DeFalco as an editor to both oversee and write some books for the RC line. The MC2 books that he did for Marvel are a text book example of how the RC line should be done, IMO.

[JordanWinchester]

This has been a series I have found myself supporting since I was able to catch up on the first few issues. I now own all 6 of the original arc and, even though I really liked the first arc, I am looking forward to the second as well. Like previous posts have touched on this series has been serious from the start and balanced with comedic elements. While I do think it will be a change for the book to be sure I do not think they are going to make this so dark as to have no source of light to draw upon. It is going to be one of those books that will strike a balance and really is something quite rare right now since most books really lean more towards the darkness.

[Speedboy]

This has been a series I have found myself supporting since I was able to catch up on the first few issues. I now own all 6 of the original arc and, even though I really liked the first arc, I am looking forward to the second as well. Like previous posts have touched on this series has been serious from the start and balanced with comedic elements. While I do think it will be a change for the book to be sure I do not think they are going to make this so dark as to have no source of light to draw upon. It is going to be one of those books that will strike a balance and really is something quite rare right now since most books really lean more towards the darkness.

I agree. This series has been fun from the very beginning. Who is not excited to see the Original, Golden Age Shield return!! ??

And not only The Shield but a number of other Golden Age MLJ heroes, too. The Black Hood, The HANGMAN, and others....like Mr. Justice, The Wizard, Roy, Dusty, .....I can't wait to see who else is going to make an appearance.
The possibilities are staggering.
And what about that photo and the words:"You remember how it all started." ...With a picture of THE SHIELD, Dusty, KARDAK, Kalthar, MR. JUSTICE, THE WIZARD, and Roy, the wonder boy...all together!!
The story-telling has been Great!!
Sign me up for this roller-coaster ride.!!
So, I'm

[Rod G]

I'm enjoying this title.


Can't wait for the second arc.