*Archie: From 1959, the first foray in Archie’s return to the superhero genre, after their earlier costumed characters had been seen off by a certain red-headed teen funster by the mid-1940’s. The Double Life of Private Strong was dated June 1959, and created by the respected team of Joe Simon and Jack Kirby. It detailed the adventures of a regular army private who became imbued with superhuman abilities, and took to a life of crimefighting as the Shield! (Why they didn’t actually *call* the comic “The Shield” is lost in the mists of time…) In addition to Private Strong’s debut and origin, this #1 issue also features the first appearance of Archie’s other super-hero, the Fly, predating the Adventures of the Fly #1 by a few months. Sadly, despite Simon & Kirby bringing their A-game to the series, Double Life of Private Strong only lasted two issues – rumour has it that Marvel objected to the patriotic hero’s resemblance to their Captain America, and threatened litigation against Archie unless they ceased and desisted – even though Marvel wasn’t publishing Cap (or any super-heroes) at the time! This copy is an attractive Fine+ pence stamped copy, with unmarred cover scene and off-white, flexible interior pages, offered for £75.