I know it’s been awhile since I’ve done an Archie review or any review really so let’s rectify that. As part of its revamping of old properties, the company has brought back its New Crusaders heroes including an old legacy character Ivette Velez, the second person to don the jaguar helmet.

In this case, she’s the first, taking up the mantle from her archeology teacher, Ralph Hardy who was the original Jaguar in the 40s.

In this adventure written by Keryl Brown-Ahmed, this one-shot takes Ivette to the wilds of Peru where a mysterious predator has been decimating the adorable wild cat population. Most think its a rogue bird of prey but Ivette has been invited with her expertise on wild cats. Unbeknowst to her, this trip will bring her face to face with her parents’ killer and the source of the jaguar’s powers, the Incan/Mesoamerican god, Alpec.

First, my initial thought that was a little bit of a rip-off of Vixen, the famous DC heroine whose amulet allows her to channel the abilities of any animal she chooses. I mean, it’s not since Ivette only has jaguar powers but the thought did strike me as similar. But what sets her apart is her backstory.

Ivette has such a compelling characterization, clearly feeling unsure of herself and between borders. Not just secret-identity-wise. She’s Peruvian but since her parents’ death, she was disconnected from her heritage and doesn’t speak Spanish or know anything about the country. Yet she doesn’t fit with the other archeology students who assume she’s stuck-up and aloof.

But it’s clear that she has that superhero heart of selflessness that she’s willing to put herself on the line to protect creatures, nature and others. I only regret that this was a one-shot as there was so much potential to cover but in 25 pages, there was a surface-level glance at it. Most of it was devoted to the charming stranger turned obviously evil one all along and action sequences.

Don’t get me wrong, those action sequences were visceral as Tango lushly packs the panal with Peru’s fauna till it’s clustraphobic with whirring punches and kicks worthy of Black Widow. You could see the air whoosh by in the panal.

So to conclude Ivette is a wonderful new superheroine on the scene and she shoule get her own line so readers can dive into her struggles of being between two worlds, her lost connection to her past, who raised her in between, mentorship with Ralph, does she have friends etc. Let’s get to know more about this protectoress of the jungle.

3 jaguar tails.

The Darkling

Darla Lang has been cursed. Ever since she was born and gifted with the voluminous black coak that is literally attached to her. With such a dramatic aesthetic, others immediately label her as weird and eccentric. They’re right to as the cloak allows Darla to transport and trap others alongside her other magical powers that flare up. Darla wants nothing more to get rid of her cloak and the powers that have made her ostracized from her family.

But when students start to disappear, Darla’s classmate, true crime podcast host and potential friend, Pheobe recruits her to solve the mystery.

This one-shot was written by Sarah Kuhn. I already enjoyed her work in nonfiction and comics, so I knew I was going to enjoy this as she weaves humor (like Darla’s surprise that Phoebe didn’t figure out her supernatural abilities and just the incredibly short-sighted villains of the piece that put to mind an eviler version of Gretchen Weiner), moody interiority and reflection as Darla realizes she’s not as alone and as cursed as she thought and heartwarming hope that Darla can use her powers for good, this was an excellent outing.

Plus Darla’s basically a morally grey hero as the editor’s note expanded on her ambiguous nature and ally to the Mighty Crusaders. Darla exists on the grey margins of the world, willing to parse through the black and white thinking of most superheroes and connect with outsiders.
Carola Borelli does a great job with the darker palette, not letting anything get too as to be indistinguishable but allowing for whites and purples to blend together for magical mists that are beautiful to see.

But to conclude like Jaguar, I would like to see more of Darla in the future. Perhaps in a crossover with a certain teenage witch.

5 magic cloaks.