The Red Circle - the Shield #1 - DC

This issue, much like the Web wasn't so much an origin issue as an issue to catch us up on the current status of this character. Lieutenant Joseph Higgins is stationed in Afghanistan. He's recently contacted the Web, via his web-page, to ask for help in finding his father, William. He hasn't seen him in 5 years. Or, if not finding him, at least determining whether he's alive or not. Shortly thereafter the Lieutenant is hit by an ambush and mortally wounded. That's when he's picked up and subjected to the Shield project. "We were able to merge the epidermal layer of his skin with a new form of nanotechnology that in it's relaxed state is virtually invisible. But upon reflex action, or mental command, it encases his body in a hardened war-suit that is nearly indestructible. It also gives him extraordinary strength, limited flight, full access to infrared, ultraviolet and other high-spectrum data, and the ability to monitor communications on every known frequency." Now, unless they change continuity, Joseph's grandfather, Joe Higgins, was the original Shield. Believe it or not, it's said that the Shield actually preceded Captain America by a few months in the 40's. Anyways, Joseph's father, William Higgins, was also the Shield at one time. It's revealed to us at the end of this book that his father is still alive and living in California. He's working with Dr Dickering, the Hangman. Which I'm sure can't be a coincidence. They're working on some secret project. On the final page we see that all of these characters are connected. From here we move right into the Shield's and the Web's series, with back-ups on Inferno and the Hangman. I thought JMS did a great job tying this all together. It appears that Eric Trautmann will be writing the Shield series, while Angela Robinson will be taking on the Web. And JMS will be moving on over to the Brave & the Bold. Also Scott McDaniel was the artist for this issue.