Shield (Archie Comics)

The Shield
Pep Comics #1 (January 1940) by Irv Novick.
Publication information
Publisher	MLJ/Archie
First appearance	Higgins Pep Comics #1 (January 1940) Barnes Legend of Shield #13 (July 1992) Adams The Shield (vol. 5) #1 (October 2015)
Created by	Higgins 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 affiliations	Mighty Crusaders
Abilities	Superhuman strength Great leaping Invulnerability Wears an indestructible costume
The Shield Publication information Publisher Archie Comics Impact Comics Format Ongoing series Publication date June 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 by Adam 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]