The Fly #1
Published and © by Red Circle (Archie), May 1983
Title: “The Return of the Sinister Spider!”
Synopsis: After a several-year hiatus, Thomas Troy is again able to rub the ring and resume fighting crime as The Fly!
Writer (plot): Jack C. Harris
Writer (script): Rich Buckler
Artist: James Sherman
Review: Despite the Big Two’s dominance, so many publishers have taken a swing at the superhero market. For Archie in the 1980s, that meant dusting off the MLJ heroes for its Red Circle imprint. The story does little to draw in contemporary readers but the James Sherman art is quite lovely.
•••
Title: “Who Is … the Man With the Double Life?”
Synopsis: The orphaned son of a scientist grows up to fight Soviet agents and mysterious space creatures as the Shield.
Writer: Rich Buckler
Artist: Bucker
Review: This quick recap brings readers up to speed about the Shield, but the art borrows heavily from Jack “King” Kirby.
•••
Title: “Mr. Justice … and the God That Fell to Earth!”
Synopsis: Mr. Justice uncovers a potential alien invasion of Earth via the Church of the Holy Extra-Terrestrial.
Writer: Chris Adames
Penciler: Trevor Von Eeden
Inker: Frank Giacoia
Review: The story is pretty stock sci-fi material, but the art from Trevor Von Eeden shows strong potential.
Grade (for the entire issue): B
Second opinion: “The first issue gets off to a good start artistically.” – The Slings & Arrows Comic Guide (second edition), 2003
Cool factor: That’s a nice Steranko cover.
Notable: Also features a back cover featuring The Fly by Rich Buckler.
Character quotable: “I wish I were … The Fly!” – Thomas Troy (because who says “Shazam!” anymore?)
Editor’s note: This review was written July 29, 2021.
