View source for Crusaders (DC Comics)

{{short description|Team of DC Comics superheroes}}
{{Distinguish|Crusaders (Marvel Comics)}}
{{Infobox comics organization <!--Wikipedia:WikiProject Comics-->
|name = Crusaders
|image = Crusadersdcu.png
|imagesize =
|caption = The DC Comics version of the Crusaders, art by Dick Ayers.
|publisher = [[DC Comics]]
|debut = ''[[Freedom Fighters (comics)|Freedom Fighters]]'' #7 (March 1977)
|creators = [[Bob Rozakis]] (writer)<br>[[Dick Ayers]] (artist)
|base =
|members = Americommando<br>Barracuda<br>Fireball<br>Rusty<br>Sparky
|subcat = DC Comics
|hero = y
|sortkey = Crusaders (Dc Comics)
}}
'''The Crusaders''' is a team of [[DC Comics]] [[superhero]]es. The team was created by [[Bob Rozakis]] and [[Dick Ayers]] in the pages of ''[[Freedom Fighters (comics)|Freedom Fighters]]'' #7 (March 1977). 

They were based on the [[Invaders (comics)|Invaders]] and part of an unofiical crossover.<ref>https://www.cbr.com/comic-book-urban-legends-revealed-69/ {{Bare URL inline|date=August 2024}}</ref>

==Fictional team history==
The Crusaders were a [[metafiction]]al team of superheroes appearing in comic books on [[Multiverse (DC Comics)|Earth-One]] during [[World War II]].

The Crusaders appeared "for real" on Earth-One during the 1970s, offering their services to [[New York City]] [[District Attorney]] David Pearson to help capture the [[Freedom Fighters (comics)|Freedom Fighters]], who were at that time fugitives because they were believed to have been working with the villainous Silver Ghost. Pearson gave the Crusaders the authority to pursue [[Uncle Sam (comics)|Uncle Sam]] and his group after a report that they had caused a blackout in upstate New York.<ref name="obscure">{{Cite web | url=http://obscure.dcuguide.com/crusaders.htm | title=Obscure Characters: The Crusaders | work=DCU Guide | url-status=dead | archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20060520043531/http://obscure.dcuguide.com/crusaders.htm | archivedate=2006-05-20}}</ref>

After a lengthy fight, at the end of which the Crusaders are defeated, the Freedom Fighters ask the Crusaders how they became the comic book heroes of World War II. The group revealed that the Americommando had approached a group of young comic book collectors at a convention ([[Marv Wolfman|Marvin]], [[Len Wein|Lennie]], [[Archie Goodwin (comics)|Arch]], and [[Roy Thomas|Roy]]) and had offered to recreate them as his former teammates, using a special device to transform them into their superpowered identities.<ref name="obscure"/>

Meanwhile, the others had caught up to the Americommando and [[Doll Girl#Martha Roberts|Martha Roberts]]. The villain dropped Martha, but the [[Ray (comics)#Lanford "Happy" Terrill|Ray]] was able to save her. He left Martha with [[Doll Man#Darrell Dane|Doll Man]] and headed off after the Americommando. The Ray again caught up with him and the sky battle between them burned off the Americommando's mask, revealing him to indeed be the Silver Ghost. The fight also attracted the attention of some state trooper helicopters, which swooped in to arrest both of them. The Ray accidentally hit one of the helicopters with an energy blast, prompting the troopers to open fire. The Ray was wounded and fell to Earth. The Silver Ghost gloated and left him to die.<ref name="obscure"/>

The Ray was later rescued by Rod Reilly, the [[Golden Age of Comic Books|Golden Age]] [[Firebrand (DC Comics)|Firebrand]], who had emigrated to Earth-One some time prior to the Freedom Fighters.

The Crusaders fought among themselves until finally, after being deserted by the Americommando, they reveal their origins. They disappeared at the end of the story and there was no sign that they have lost their powers, but they never appear again. There was never an explanation of how the Silver Ghost gained super-strength or developed the [[technology]] to turn comic fans into superheroes.<ref name="obscure"/>

==Members==
The Crusaders only appeared in ''[[Freedom Fighters (comics)|Freedom Fighters]]'' #7–9. The names of the team are actually taken from obscure Golden Age superheroes:
* '''The [[Americommando]]''' – in actuality the Silver Ghost.
* '''Barracuda'''
* '''Fireball'''
* '''Rusty'''
* '''Sparky'''

Updated versions of the Americommando and Barracuda have since appeared in the miniseries ''[[Freedom Fighters (comics)|Uncle Sam and the Freedom Fighters]]'' (2006–2007), as part of the team called [[First Strike (DC Comics)|First Strike]]. It is unknown if their Pre-''[[Crisis on Infinite Earths|Crisis]]'' history is still canonical.

In ''[[Lord Havok]] and the [[Extremists (comics)|Extremists]]'', Barracuda and the Americommando are also members of Earth-8's Meta-Militia, an updated version of the [[Champions of Angor]].<ref name="dc-extr">{{Cite book | last=Jimenez | first=Phil | author-link=Phil Jimenez | contribution=Extremists, The | editor-last=Dougall | editor-first=Alastair | title=The DC Comics Encyclopedia | page=117 | publisher=[[Dorling Kindersley]] | location=[[New York City|New York]] | year=2008 | isbn=978-0-7566-4119-1 | oclc=213309017}}</ref>

In the 2007–2008 ''Uncle Sam'' series, a new team of Crusaders, gathered and controlled by the government, were introduced, including [[Captain Triumph]], Citizen X, the Libertine, and [[Magno (Quality Comics)|Magno]]. After they are freed from their mind-controlled state, they team up with Uncle Sam and the Freedom Fighters. Citizen X and the Libertine are killed by alien insects, but Captain Triumph and Magno both go on to continue their superhero careers.

==See also==
* [[Justice Society of America]]
* [[All-Star Squadron]]
* [[Young All-Stars]]
* [[Freedom Fighters (comics)|Freedom Fighters]]
* [[Seven Soldiers of Victory]]
* [[Liberty Legion]]

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20060520043531/http://obscure.dcuguide.com/crusaders.htm Obscure DC Guide: The Crusaders]
* [http://www.fanzing.com/mag/fanzing23/feature3.shtml Freedom Fighters bio and timeline] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100121003828/http://www.fanzing.com/mag/fanzing23/feature3.shtml |date=2010-01-21 }}
* [http://darkmark6.tripod.com/freedom_fighters_index.html Index to the Freedom Fighters' 1970s adventures]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/19991008012257/http://www.geocities.com/SunsetStrip/4775/crusaders.html Calling... The Crusaders!]

{{Freedom Fighters}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Crusaders (Dc Comics)}}
[[Category:Comics characters introduced in 1977]]
[[Category:DC Comics superhero teams]]
[[Category:United States-themed superheroes]]