Threeboot: Supergirl and the Legion of Super-Heroes #33

Recap: Cosmic Boy has disappeared and new Legion leader Supergirl (with some nudging by Brainiac 5) has sent three away teams to try to find him. It is unclear if Brainiac's motivations are above board as each team has a volatile makeup and has been sent into explosive environments. On Ranzz, Sun Boy, Star Boy, Mekt Ranzz, and Tenzil Kem run into a cult worshipping the Lord of Lightning, Validus. The cult seems to want Mekt to fulfill a prophecy and become Validus.

Reboot: Legion of Super-Heroes #70

Legion of Super-Heroes v4 #70 (July 1995)
title: "Beyond Belief"

writers: Tom McCraw, Mark Waid, Tom Peyer

penciller: Jason Armstrong
inker: Ron Boyd
lettering: Pat Brosseau
colorist: Tom McCraw

assistant editor: Mike McAvennie
editor: KC Carlson

cover: Alan Davis & Mark Farmer
reviewers: Siskoid & Shotgun

Mission Monitor Board:  
Andromeda, Apparition, Brainiac 5, Chameleon, Cosmic Boy, Invisible Kid, Kinetix, Leviathan, Saturn Girl, Shrinking Violet, Spark, Triad, XS

Guests: 
Ambassador Wazzo, Vril Dox (cameo), Daxamites (in flashback; including Andromeda's father), hospital staff

Opponents: 
Composite Man (in flashback), White Triangle (in flashback)

Who's Who: Legion Academy

The Legion Academy
by Russell & Siskoid

The Legion Academy is the training and testing facility of the Legion of Super-Heroes. Originally shown to be part of the Legion headquarters, it eventually became a separate facility in a completely different location. 

Coming Attractions----!

Starting this week we'll have a slight schedule change here at Legion of Super-Bloggers! 

Starting October 4, Tuesdays will now be Gerry Conway Legion Day! We'll be reviewing the 1980 Legion title from its first issue without Superboy, i.e. Legion of Super-Heroes #260. We'll be picking up right where we left off with Superboy/Legion #259.

But don't fret, efffendi! The Reboot 1990s Legion & Legionnaires reviews that have been posting on Tuesdays aren't going away! They will move to Thursdays starting this week, September 29! Shotgun and Siskoid 5 will continue their series of posts on their new day without missing a beat.

So here's the revised schedule:

Monday:

Anything and Everything Day!

Tuesday:

The Legion (vol 2) by Gerry Conway! 

Wednesday:

Who's Who, currently featuring Friends & Enemies of the Legion!

Thursday:

Shotgun and Siskoid 5 reviewing The Reboot Legion of the 90s

Friday:

Anj's reviews of Threeboot Legion

Stay with us, and if there is any era or specials you would especially love to see, let us know!

Long Live the Legion!!

Happy Birthday, Jim Shooter!

Today is the birthday of extraordinary Legion writer Jim Shooter, born on this date in 1951. He is 65 years young!

Legion of Super Heroes S01 E010: Child's Play

"Child's Play" was written by Marty Isenberg and directed by Ben Jones, original airdate: February 24, 2007.

Mission Monitor Board: Brainiac 5, Triplicate Girl, Saturn Girl, Phantom Girl, Lightning Lad, Bouncing Boy, and young Superman.

Opponents: Zyx, Comet and Cupid, and the Zarokian bureaucracy.

Guest-stars and cameos: Winema Wazzo, President of the United Planets.

Remember all those classic "Star Trek" episodes with children who had infinite power? You know, the templates for Q? Well, the show-runners at the animated "Legion of Super Heroes" have taken that concept a step further by introducing a super-powered kid who doesn't want to be a member, not that the Legion wants him, so he becomes a super-villain instead. Shades of Gene Roddenberry, what can the Legion do against a magical foe with the maturity and patience of a spoiled brat? We'll find out after the break with my thoughts on "Child's Play."

Threeboot: Supergirl and the Legion of Super-Heroes #32

Review by Anj

Recap: The Dominator War is over. Cosmic Boy shunted the Dominion homeworld to the Phantom Zone but let everyone believe he destroyed the world, committing genocide. Afterwards, Cos, without telling anyone, slipped away into the future to be a hero there. With UP Prosecutor Tenzil Kem hunting Cos down for war crimes, the Legion (now led by newly elected leader Supergirl) sends three away teams to try to track down Cos. In the background, Brainiac 5 seems to be scheming and manipulating everyone and everything.

Supergirl and the Legion of Super-Heroes #32 marked the second issue written by Tony Bedard. And with this issue, we get a glimpse into Bedard's style and his take on the Legion. One of the things that is very apparent is that Bedard is going to take advantage of the new continuity by writing his own. Last issue we saw a much more serious take on Tenzil Kem. This issue we get a very new take on Winath and the idea of Validus. I wonder if this might have been too much of a jump away the old continuity. Would old timers accept such deviation?

Bedard also does an interesting story-telling swerve in this issue. Last issue, we saw three away teams seem to head into danger. This issue, we stay with only one of the teams. We barely hear about the others. And that gives us some time to really dive deep into the one team we stay with.

The art on the book is now by Dennis Calero and I have to be frank. It has never worked for me. After the smooth clean look of Barry Kitson, Calero's is much muddier and rougher. It just isn't clean enough for a Legion book.

On to the book.

Happy Birthday E. Nelson Bridwell

Today is the birthday of former Superman Group Titles Assistant Editor extraordinaire and prolific comic-book writer E. Nelson Bridwell. He was born in Sapulpa, Oklahoma on September 22, 1931.

Who's Who: League of Super-Assassins

The League of Super-Assassins
by Russell & Siskoid

Members: Blok, Lazon, Mist Master, Neutrax, Silver Slasher, and Titania

Relationship to Legion: Minor annoyances 

Reboot: Legionnaires #26

Legionnaires #26 (June 1995)
title: "Authority"

writers: Tom Peyer and Tom McCraw

penciller: Jeffrey Moy
inker: W.C. Carani
lettering: Pat Brosseau
colorist: Tom McCraw

assistant editor: Mike McAvennie
editor: KC Carlson

cover: Jeffrey Moy and W.C. Carani
reviewers: Siskoid & Shotgun

Mission Monitor Board:  
Andromeda, Apparition, Chameleon, Cosmic Boy, Invisible Kid, Kinetix, Saturn Girl, Spark, Triad, XS

Guests: 
Aven (1st appearance), Bertor Ardeen (1st appearance), Evolvo, Inferno, Karate Kid, Live Wire, President Chu, Spider-Girl, Ultra Boy, Winema Wazzo, Science Police, Durlans, Chameleon's father (corpse), customs agents, doctors

Opponents: 
Composite Man (flashback), Leland McCauley, White Triangle

Titans/LSH "Universe Ablaze!" #1

Titans/Legion of Super-Heroes: Universe Ablaze! #1 
(2000)
title: no specific title

writer/layouts: Dan Jurgens

finished art: Phil Jimenez

letterer: Comicraft
colorist: Tom McCraw
separator: Heroic Age

logo design: SJI Associates
editor: Mike McAvennie
cover: Dan Jurgens & Phil Jimenez, color separation by Richard & Tina Horie

reviewer: Russell "Bilingual Boy" Burbage

Threeboot: Supergirl and the Legion of Super-Heroes #31

Review by Anj

Recap: The Dominator War is over. The Legion has returned to Earth as heroes, having spearheaded the attack on the Dominator home world which ended the conflict. But afterwards, Cosmic Boy was asked to head to the future and join a super-hero team. Unfortunately, Cos didn't tell anyone before he left. And so the Legion, while picking up the pieces of Earth, has a new mystery ... where is Cosmic Boy? Oh, and with Cos gone, who is their new leader?

The Mark Waid/Barry Kitson era of the Legion of Super-Heroes is over. After 2.5 years of trying to bring a fresh take on the team, Waid and Kitson are gone. Under their tenure, the team worked through two major plotlines - Praetor Lemnos secret war against the UP and then the Dominator War. Within those arcs, Supergirl was added. We met a new Wanderers, led by Mekt Ranzz. We saw Sun Boy leave the team to start his own. We got the idea that the Legion was a youth movement.

Was it successful? Could it ever be successful? Was the comic world and the Legion fandom ready for a completely new team? It seems like the answer was no. As for me, I was impressed, most during this review reread. While I thought the first arc was too long, Waid certainly understand super-hero comics and this team in particular.

But enough about the old. Tony Bedard comes on board as writer here and starts the 'Quest for Cosmic Boy' storyline in which the team strikes out to find their lost comrade. Bedard is one of the creators who I trust. I am always happy to see his name on the covers of properties I love - like Legion and Supergirl. And he had the even more unenviable task of following Waid on the book which seemed to be struggling for acceptance.

The art on this issue is by Kevin Sharpe who brings a Kitson-like look to the book with a dollop of sexiness on the female team members. The lines are crisp and the book looks clean, a nice style for the Legion.

But would this new team be able to do the Herculean task? Could they satisfy the old guard Legion fans while bringing in the new?

Legion of Super-Heroes (V2) #296

Legion of Super-Heroes #296

February 1983

"What Do You Do on the Day After Doomsday?"

Written by Paul Levitz

Pencilled by Keith Giffen

Inked by Larry Mahlstedt

Colored by Carl Gafford
Karen Berger Editor


Roll Call:
Blok, Brainiac 5, Chameleon Boy, Colossal Boy, Cosmic Boy, Dawnstar, Dream Girl, Duplicate Boy, Element Lad, Evolvo Lad, Invisible Kid, Karate Kid, Lightning Lad, Lightning Lass, Magnetic Lad, Matter-Eater Lad, Mon-El, Night Girl, Phantom Girl, Princess Projectra, Saturn Girl, Shadow Lass, Shvaughn Erin, Star Boy, Sun Boy, Ultra Boy, White Witch, Wildfire.


The Great Darkness Saga has ended, and the Legion has won! So just what does a team of super-powered teenagers do the day after doomsday? Let's dive in and find out!

Who's Who: The Khunds

The Khunds
by Russell & Siskoid
Super-Power(s): Khunds are humanoids with no known biological abilities (such as Braalian's control over magnetism). 

Planet of Origin: Khundia

Relationship to Legion: Thorns in the side of the United Planets and therefore the Legion

Reboot: Showcase '95 #6

Showcase '95 #6 (July, 1995)
title: "The Alienation of Unification" / "Learning Curve"

writer: Beau Smith / Gregory Wright

penciller: Mike Huddleston / Wade von Grawbadger
inker: Jim Mahfood / Mark Farmer
lettering: Kevin Cunningham
colorist: Lee Loughridge / Gregory Wright

editor: Mike McAvennie

reviewers: Siskoid & Shotgun

Mission Monitor Board:  
Andromeda, Apparition / Leviathan

Guests: 
Brawler, Cannus, Tomb / Gigi Cusimano, Shvaughn Erin, Sybelle Deacon

Opponents: 
Motarian pirates / unnamed criminals

Secret Origins #47

This week a trio of Legion of Super Bloggers are looking 

at a trio of stories from Secret Origins #47!
(cover by Dave Cockrum and Eric Shanower)

Threeboot: Supergirl and the Legion of Super-Heroes #30

Reviewed by Anj

Recap: The Dominator war is nearing its climax. The Dominator's have completely shut down Earth's technology and are running amok on Earth. Meanwhile, the Legion,Wanderers, and Sun Boy's crew are on the Dominator's homeworld smashing everything in site. It is an odd two-front war. But how can this war come to an end?

Supergirl and the Legion of Super-Heroes #30 marks the end of an era for this threeboot incarnation of the team. This marks the conclusion of the Dominator War, perhaps wrapped up a bit too quickly. Now mind you, there are huge moments in this issue especially regarding Mon-El. The plot is really handled well. There are at least three big scenes in the book that really struck me. But things on Earth return to normal a bit too quickly.

It also marks the last issue that Mark Waid is listed as a creator. Waid, who had the extremely difficult task of creating a new Legion that still pleased the old regime of fans, is off the book. And I have to say, this change hurts. Waid seemed to have a great grasp of the idea of the Legion. The book really was clicking for me at this point. And yet, he's out.

Barry Kitson is back on art. But the book is inked by Justin Gray and Jimmy Palmiotti. And Palmiotti's pages just seem a bit rougher than what I am used to on this book.

But this is the end ... in a way ...

Legion of Super-Heroes (V2) #295

Legion of Super-Heroes #295
"The Origin of the Universe File--"
Written by Paul Levitz
Pencilled by Keith Giffen
Flashback Sequences Pencilled by Howard Bender
Inked by Dave Hunt
Colored by Carl Gafford
Lettered by John Constanza
Karen Berger Editor


Roll Call:
Blok, Colossal Boy, Cosmic Boy, Lightning Lad, Lightning Lass, Phantom Girl, Saturn Girl, Timber Wolf, Triplicate Girl (flashback sequence of Duo Damsel before one of her bodies was destroyed by Computo in Adventure Comics #340).


With Darkseid finally defeated, the Legionnaires can take a deep breathe and enjoy some downtime without the fate of the universe hanging in the balance. So time to wrap up some of those dangling subplots, namely the future of Lightning Lass & Timber Wolf's relationship.

Who's Who: Insect Queen

Insect Queen
by Russell & Siskoid

Real Name: Lana Lang

Super-Power(s): Using her biogenetic ring, Lana is able to alter her physiology into any insect form she knows, gaining the powers of that insect
Planet of Origin: Earth

Relationship to Legion: Honorary member

Reboot: Legion of Super-Heroes Annual #6

Legion of Super-Heroes Annual #6 (1995)
title: "Deep Background"

writer: Tom McCraw, Mark Waid, Tom Peyer

pencillers: Jim Hall, Stuart Immonen, Alan Davis, Mike Collins
inkers: Tom Simmons, Bob Wiacek, José Marzan Jr., Mark Farmer, Ron Boyd
lettering: Tim Harkins, Richard Starkings, Comicraft, Patricia Prentice
colorist: Tom McCraw

assistant editor: Mike McAvennie
editor: KC Carlson

cover: Stuart Immonen and Bob Wiacek
reviewers: Siskoid & Shotgun

Mission Monitor Board:  
Andromeda, Apparition, Brainiac 5, Chameleon, Cosmic Boy, Invisible Kid, Kinetix, Leviathan, Saturn Girl, Shrinking Violet, Spark, Triad, XS

Guests: 
Athramites, Chief Wilson, Dvron, Flash II (flashback), Gigi Cusimano, Inferno (cameo), Iris West Allen (flashback), Live Wire (cameo), Marla Latham, R.J. Brande, Shvaughn Erin, Spider-Girl (cameo), Tenzil Kem, Tornado Twins (flashback), Science Police, XS' father, Kinetix's mother

Opponents: 
Composite Man (flashback), Dominators, terrorists

Legion: Secret Files 1998 Profiles

Legion: Secret Files 1998 (Jan, 1998)
title: "Profile Pages"

editor: K.C. Carlson

For the Legion of Super-Heroes: Secret Files (which we reviewed last week) there was a second, "variant" cover in this issue by the multi-talented Alan Davis. We saved if from last week's post to use *this* week.

There were 18 Profile Pages of the Legionnaires as part of the "extra" pages in the book. These "Who's Who" profiles were by some of the best artists in the industry at the time. All pages were written and colored by Tom McCraw. 

Threeboot: Supergirl and the Legion of Super-Heroes #29

Review by Anj

Recap: The Dominators have invaded Earth. In a well-orchestrated series of attacks, the Dominion shut down all technology on the planet and then sent in their genetically modified, incredibly strong shock troopers. The Legion and the Wanderers seem stretched thin and overmatched. All seems lost. Until Cosmic Boy turns the tables. Using chicanery, he tricks the Dominators into opening a portal to the Dominion homeworld. Suddenly the Legion and the Wanderers are tearing apart the Dominators' planet just as they are razing Earth. It is an odd two-front war.

Supergirl and the Legion of Super-Heroes #29 is an curious chapter in this Dominator war arc. And that makes it one of the most interesting issues within this run. Let's start off with the creator credits. Mark Waid and Barry Kitson aren't here. Waid isn't even listed as plotter. This issue is written by Tony Bedard. The art is by Kevin Sharpe. I wonder how Bedard got this gig. Did Waid need a month off? Did Waid tell Bedard where the story was going? Or did he write this on his own based solely on what came before?

Next, it is something of a pause in the action. After the last issue ended with the Legion invading the Dominion, I assumed this was going to be a knock-down, drag out action issue. Instead, Bedard slows down the action to give us back story. And the most amazing thing is that it is told from the viewpoint of a Dominator scientist. Hearing the Dominator's story adds some depth to the proceedings. Heck, you almost can understand the Dominator's actions based on this issue. How amazing is Bedard to make me sympathize with the enemy? That is incredible!

And there is so much more. The plot ties into the '52' title and the 'One Year Later' themes of the main DCU. The few action scenes we see show vividly that this is war. There is a feeling that this is a seed planted for even future stories. Not too shabby for an issue that doesn't have the main creators.

Kevin Sharpe's art is fine. It has a sort of house style to it. It isn't flashy. It does what it needs to do.

On to the story!

Legion of Super-Heroes (V2) #294

Legion of Super-Heroes #294

“Darkseid”

DEC 1982

The Great Darkness Saga Part Twelve

Written by Paul Levitz

Pencilled by Keith Giffen

Inked by Larry Mahlstedt

Lettered by John Constanza

Colored by Carl Gafford

Cover by Larry Mahlstedt

Laurie Sutton Editor

Roll Call:

Blok, Bouncing Boy, Brainiac 5, Chameleon Boy, Chlorophyl Kid, Color Kid, Colossal Boy, Cosmic Boy, Dawnstar, Dream Girl, Duo Damsel, Duplicate Boy, Element Lad, Evolvo Lad, Fire Lad, Gas Girl, Karate Kid, Life Lass, Lightning Lad, Lightning Lass, Mon-El,  Night Girl, Phantom Girl, Polar Boy, Princess Projectra, Saturn Girl, Shadow Lass, Star Boy, Sun Boy, Superboy, Supergirl, Timber Wolf, Ultra Boy, White Witch, and Wildfire.

As seen last issue, Darkseid has finally revealed himself and the future of the universe hangs in the balance! The situation is so dire, that even the Legion of Substitute Heroes has been called in for assistance. It's all hands on deck as the 31st Century faces the wrath of the Monarch of Apokolips. It's the thrilling conclusion of the Great Darkness Saga!