[Comic Book Review] THE MIGHTY CRUSADERS #3 from Dark Circle Comics

PopCultHQ received an advanced review copy of THE MIGHTY CRUSADERS #3 from Archie Comics‘ imprint, Dark Circle Comics. Available February 14th, 2018, the creative team for this series features writing from Ian Flynn, art from Kelsey Shannon, inks by Ryan Jampole, colors from Matt Herms, and lettering by Jack Morelli.

Here’s PopCultHQ’s spoiler-free review of…

The Mighty Crusaders #3 – Cover by Kelsey Shannon and Matt Herms

MIGHTY CRUSADERS #3

Writer: Ian Flynn
Artist: Kelsey Shannon
Inks: Ryan Jampole
Colorist: Matt Herms
Letterer: Jack Morelli

Cover Artists:
Kelsey Shannon w/ Matt Herms,
Phil Jimenez w/ Kelly Fitzpatrick,
Tom Feister

In Shops: February 14th, 2018
SRP: $3.99

“Ambush”—The Mighty Crusaders are on the attack against the vicious Eliminators! It’s an all-out brawl with the odds in the Crusaders’ favor, until they’re faced with a new, dark entity: The Dream Demon!

PopCultHQ’s Comic Book Review:
The Mighty Crusaders #3

Writing:

Ian has done it again with this third issue of The Mighty Crusaders. He pits the team up against some of their most fearsome foes, which means an all-out brawl of good-versus-evil. There is special attention paid at points to Steel Sterling, with him being one of the original Crusaders in this latest incarnation of the group. It’s page after page of excellent Archie/Dark Circle-style superheroics, the kind that have made the Crusaders such an enduring super-team and will have readers coming back for more.

Art:

Kelsey just keeps on bringing amazing art to this series. It fits the norm of superhero comics, big and splashy, lots of characters and action panels. There’s a heavy use of shadows for sections with villains or mysterious happenings (many from Ryan Jampole’s inking), just the sort of thing Archie fans and superhero lovers will appreciate. When the powers that be at Archie/Dark Circle were assembling the team for this new comic, they made the right choice with Kelsey as artist. And great definition from Ryan as inker!

Matt’s coloring is on the same level as Kelsey’s art. It’s bright, full of color and life. A particular note is that his color choices for all the various costumes. Whether it’s the various members of The Mighty Crusaders or the Eliminators, both hero and villain alike are decked out in bright uniforms. It’s those kinds of details that make this series so enjoyable, thanks to the work of Matt.

Jack’s lettering is the final part that really sells the latest Mighty Crusaders comic. He puts care and lots of detail to each character and their words. As with Ian’s script, Jack pays attention at the start of the book to Steel Sterling, both with the lettering for his dialogue and his internal monologues. Jack almost puts this weight on Steel’s words that really sells the character and the overall tone of the comic.

PopCultHQ’s overall assessment:

This latest installment of The Mighty Crusaders is a doozy. Ian, Kelsey, Ryan, Matt, and Jack working in concert are producing another great chapter in the story of Dark Circle Comics premiere superhero team. There are some surprises near the end of the comic, the kind that will bring back regular readers and draw in new ones.