The Amazing World of DC Comics was DC Comics' self-produced fan magazine of the mid-1970s. Running 17 issues, the fanzine featured articles about DC characters and their creators, and was exclusively available through mail order. The bulk of the issues were edited by Allan Asherman, replaced later by Paul Levitz and then Cary Burkett. Individual issues were edited by Bob Rozakis or long-time Legion fans Carl Gafford and Neal Pozner.
Primarily consisting of text pieces, with occasional strips and comics features, Amazing World (AWODCC, for short) was printed on high quality paper with heavy stock for the covers. Amazing World in its seventeen issues featured several articles on and about the Legion. For awhile it even featured an exclusive column about the group, named The Legion Outpost (the same name as the fanzine, but not directly related).
Here are the Legion appearances in the The Amazing World of DC Comics....
AWODCC #2 (Sept 1974)
AWODCC #2 (Sept 1974)
There was no Legion content inside this issue (apart from a preview of the latest issue in the Direct Currents column), but the cover features an eclectic mix of of DC characters drawn by Kurt Schaffenberger that includes Mon-El (behind Superman) and Invisible Kid.
AWODCC #7 (July 1975)
This was an all-Superman issue, which regrettably has precious little on the Legion, except for a brief mention in an interview with Curt Swan.
The Legion finally had its chance in the spotlight, and what a spotlight it was. This was the all-Legion issue. It was actually based on a handbook of the Legion that Neal Pozner had compiled, a fact file on all the characters and worlds and villains associated with the group. To complement the publication, DC included avante-garde illustrations of the characters (by Pozner himself?), the centerspread of the wedding of Bouncing Boy and Duo Damsel by Dave Cockrum from S/LSH #200, a Silver Age Legionnaire model sheet drawn by Curt Swan, and a stunning cover drawn by Cockrum. This issue was an instant sell-out and remains the most sought-after of all the AWODCC books.
This issue features a short account of how a group of fans stole the show at the New York Comic Art Convention by dressing up as Legionnaires. They were introduced on stage by Jim Shooter and won a special prize for their efforts.
Paul Levitz contributes an article on “Earth after Disaster!”, attempting to tie in the continuities of Kamandi, Omac, Hercules Unbound, the Atomic Knights, the New Gods, the Green Lanterns, and the Legion. The issue also features an interview with artist Mike Grell, who provides a cover featuring Warlord and members of the Legion, the two titles he was associated with at the time.
And this issue introduced The Legion Outpost, a regular column on Legion news and information edited by Carl Gafford. It included a Legion applicant nomination from reader Robert Harris, who suggested Dr Mars Londo of Zoon (who gave Timber Wolf his powers) had a daughter named Lara, who he endowed with the power to project mental stun bolts as well as teleportation. Her super hero name was Nightwing, although this was later changed to Nightwind when she was officially made a Legion applicant in LSH #283. Her powers and origin were altered as well, and her name switched to Berta Harris, in recognition of her creator.
Also starting with this issue was the use of a series of character heads on the cover which includes Chameleon Boy. Prior to this, another set of heads was used, which did not feature any Legionnaires.
And this issue introduced The Legion Outpost, a regular column on Legion news and information edited by Carl Gafford. It included a Legion applicant nomination from reader Robert Harris, who suggested Dr Mars Londo of Zoon (who gave Timber Wolf his powers) had a daughter named Lara, who he endowed with the power to project mental stun bolts as well as teleportation. Her super hero name was Nightwing, although this was later changed to Nightwind when she was officially made a Legion applicant in LSH #283. Her powers and origin were altered as well, and her name switched to Berta Harris, in recognition of her creator.
Also starting with this issue was the use of a series of character heads on the cover which includes Chameleon Boy. Prior to this, another set of heads was used, which did not feature any Legionnaires.
This issue’s Legion Outpost interviews Brainiac 5 (!) as well as Louis Conzo, who made a model Legion cruiser because there was no official release of this vehicle. Forty years later, we’re still waiting.
AWODCC #14 (March 1977)
The Legion Outpost features four more reader submissions for Legion applicants: Transporter Boy, Thunderbow, Crystal Kid and Lamprey. Only the latter two would make it into Legion canon.
AWODCC #15 (1977)
The Legion Outpost features four more reader submissions for Legion applicants: Transporter Boy, Thunderbow, Crystal Kid and Lamprey. Only the latter two would make it into Legion canon.
AWODCC #15 (1977)
The Legion Outpost includes a Legion quiz and applicant suggestions Thundra Girl and Neutro.
AWODCC #16 (1977)
The Time Trapper is profiled in a three-page Legion Outpost edition.
AWODCC was an outstanding magazine and it was a shame it got cancelled. Issue 16 promised that the next Legion Outpost article would focus on more Legion trivia and facts, but it did not appear in #17, which turned out to be the last issue of the series.
Bits Boy runs the comprehensive Legion completists’ site Bits of Legionnaire Business.
AWODCC #16 (1977)
The Time Trapper is profiled in a three-page Legion Outpost edition.
AWODCC was an outstanding magazine and it was a shame it got cancelled. Issue 16 promised that the next Legion Outpost article would focus on more Legion trivia and facts, but it did not appear in #17, which turned out to be the last issue of the series.
Bits Boy runs the comprehensive Legion completists’ site Bits of Legionnaire Business.
This was actually a pretty good series with lots of in depth interviews, fan creative characters and artwork .
ReplyDeleteI still have several of these in my collection agencies including the all legion issue #9 !
Me, too!!
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