Information and images taken from 
The SOUTHERN KNIGHTS web site
(NOW DEFUNCT)

Issue 1 begins with Mark Dagon, in his dragon form, chasing a car. It turns out that Franklin John Barl has just been kidnapped and Dragon is attempting to stop the kidnappers. He is seen by Connie Ronnin, Kristin Austin, and Electrode, all of whom mistake Dragon's efforts and stop him before he can rescue Barl. Working together for the first time (none of them have previously met) they defeat Dragon, who reverts to human form after Connie strikes him with her psychic sword. When they find out what is really going on, Electrode (who is already known to the Atlanta police and public as a superhero) prevents the police from arresting them all, and they all go to Connie's apartment. Here they introduce themselves.

David Shenk (Electrode) tells the others that he was inspired by comic book heroes when he deliberately set out to acquire his electrical abilities years before, and when he was successful, he immediately began his career fighting crime in Atlanta. He can fly, fire electrical bolts, he is stronger than normal and he has a limited form of electromagnetism.

Connie Ronnin was unaware that there was anything special about her until she was attacked by some thugs and in the moment of stress, her mind forged a psychic sword which causes people it is used on to react as though they had been hit by a real sword, but which leaves no lasting physical effects.

Mark Dagon (Dragon) does not reveal his actual age, saying only that dragons were wiped out by humans around 1200 years ago, at which time he discovered the ability to change to human form, but too late to save any other dragons. He says he can fly, breathe fire, "and terrorize peasants." He has been living in human form since he changed 1200 years before and had not taken dragon form again until now.

Kristin Austin says only that "she's just kinda strong."

The new group then works on a name for their team. "The Defenders" is suggested but is discarded in favor of "The Crusaders."

Having selected a name, The Crusaders spend several days looking for the kidnappers' car, which can be identified by the huge scratches Mark put into it while in Dragon form. They spot the car, follow it to a small house where Barl is being held, and working together, they rescue Barl, who announces that he is "assuming the official sponsorship of the Crusaders in their efforts to combat evil in its myriad forms and upholding the decency of the American Way." 

It took a couple issues until the group and comic changed its name to SOUTHERN KNIGHTS