Legion of Super-Heroes (v3) #10

Legion of Super-Heroes (vol 3) #10 (May, 1985)

a review by Russell "Bilingual Boy" Burbage
title: "Election Day!"

writer: Paul Levitz

penciller: Steve Lightle

inker: Larry Mahlstedt

letterer: John Costanza

colorist: Carl Gafford

editor: Karen Berger
cover: Steve Lightle & Larry Mahlstedt (signed)

Mission Monitor Board:  
Sun Boy, Star Boy, Chameleon Boy, Element Lad, Dream Girl, Blok, Invisible Kid, Timber Wolf, Lightning Lass, Lightning Lad, Saturn Girl, Wildfire, Shrinking Violet, Cosmic Boy, White Witch, Mon-El, Shadow Lass, Phantom Girl, Ultra Boy, Colossal Boy

Opponents: 
four Khund warriors: Ghorbak, Wharlik, Khirdrack, and unidentified

Synopsis: 
The election for new Earth President has begun, and the Legion has been asked to protect the candidates as the Khunds have promised to assassinate the President.

In Acapulco, Sun Boy easily defeats Ghorbak, sent to kill the Mexican candidate. Element Lad and others are in orbit in case the Khunds attack Earth en masse.

In Yangtzopolis, Invisible Kid faces another Khund warrior sent to kill the Chinese candidate. He starts off fine, but allows the Khund to get the better of him and is faced with the possibility of his own death.

In Tokyo, Timber Wolf meets up with Karate Kid's Sensei, who agrees to help him on Karate Kid's mysterious mission/request.

Back in Yangtzopolis, Invisible Kid, under threat of imminent death, opens a dimensional portal and suddenly teleports him and the Khund warrior into orbit around Earth. Invisible Kid's transsuit kicks in, but the Khund is killed by exposure.

Saturn Girl and Lightning Lad are preparing to return to the active roster, but discuss wanting to raise their son, instead.

In Hyperbad (India/Pakistan), Wildfire is protecting Mojai from another Khundian assassin. Wildfire absorbs the energy bombs, then causes the Khund to smash the air-mansion down on himself.

With each of the candidates having survived an assassination attempt, Cosmic Boy takes the opportunity to announce his long-delayed vacation with Night Girl. All of the others wish him well.

In the Old Boston Sector, Colossal Boy and his wife are spending time with his mother, the President of Earth, as her term expires. Suddenly another Khund warrior attacks, reminding them that they had promised "to kill the President." Colossal Boy manages to stop him, as Mojai is announced as the next President.

Commentary: 
This issue is not much more than a "place-holder," as nothing really note-worthy happens except that Invisible Kid is given yet another new, unwanted power. I really don't understand why Paul Levitz insisted on tarnishing this character with unwanted side effects like teleportation and dimensional portals. Did he think this made Jacques Foccart look sympathetic? Basically it makes him look incompetent. If Invisible Kid is not up to the job of guarding a political candidate, then he should not have accepted the assignment. If he can't do the same things as others like Wildfire or Sun Boy, then he should not have been a Legionnaire. I had hoped that Invisible Kid would have used his powers and his wits to defeat the Khund, and I was very disappointed to see that his power-set was re-imagined again instead.

When I first read this story I thought that Colossal Boy was gravely injured during his battle with his Khundian warrior. Of course, he turns up next issue feeling perfectly fine.

Science Police Notes:  

• Mojai Desai is elected President of Earth in this issue. 
• No mention is made of Brainiac 5 and Dawnstar, who are still missing in current issues of Tales of the Legion. 

Status: 
Reprinted in Legion of Super-Heroes The More Things Change TPB