Happy Halloween! Wildfire Jack O'Lantern

Happy Halloween everyone!

My creative outlet in Halloween is the jack o'lantern. Every year I carve 4-5 pumpkins and I try to up the difficulty level each year. Usually there is a theme for my kids and one jack o'lantern that is strictly for me. Something the neighbors look at and wonder what it is.

Anyone who knows me knows that Wildfire is my favorite Legionnaire. So this year I decided I would try my hand at a Wildfire carving. And, I think, it came out pretty good. It was hard to try to figure out the right pose to highlight the cowl/helmet, the chest symbol, and the face plate. Luckily I found a panel by Greg LaRocque that worked. I think this ended up looking pretty good.

That said, the original plan was for some energy leaking out of the little vent at the top of the helmet with Kirby crackle. Turns out that Kirby crackle is tough to pull off! I drew a bunch of circles to represent the dots but it just looked like dots and not crackle. So I decided to not go there.

For a process piece, here is the pumpkin unlit (before I tried the crackle effect in ink).

This takes time, a sharp exacto knife/scalpel, a set of cheap woodcarving tools, and patience.

I don't think this Wildfire jack o'lantern matches the Sensor Girl one I did in 2014. That one was just unbelievable.

Threeboot: Supergirl and the Legion of Super-Heroes # 36

Recap: Cosmic Boy is missing. Timber Wolf, Atom Girl, and Shadow Lass didn't find him on Lallor, finding Wildfire instead. Sun Boy, Tenzil Kem, and Star Boy didn't find him on Winath, instead arresting Mekt Ranzz for (purportedly) running a mind control lightning cult. And now Supergirl, Saturn Girl, and Lightning Lad are in the Gobi Jungle, fighting Evolvo Lad, and hoping to find Cos there. But they are in a fight and it isn't an easy one.

Supergirl and the Legion of Super-Heroes #36 is the final issue of the interim creative team of writer Tony Bedard and Dennis Calero. Mark Waid and Barry Kitson left the book 6 issues ago. Since then Tony Bedard and Dennis Calero have been giving us The Search for Cosmic Boy. The plot has been three away teams searching three areas where Brainiac 5 feels Cos may be hiding. While each story has been interesting, bringing in elements of the old Legion into this new continuity, it has somehow shrunk the book. We haven't seen much of the cast of this book since this turn. And that seems to rob the book of some of its energy.

This issue actually marks the end of this creative team. It was pretty widely known at this point that Jim Shooter was coming back to the Legion with #37 and so Bedard also has the job of sweeping the deck and setting everything up for the next regime. One of those elements is Supergirl, who is removed quickly and efficiently. Was this an editorial decision? Was it Shooter's idea?

As usual, Dennis Calero's art just doesn't work for me. But, ironically, I think this is his strongest issue to date. There are some nice shots in this issue.

But for me, unofficially, this is another ending in this book. In my mind (because I haven't reread the Shooter issues yet), this book takes a big turn creatively once Shooter comes on. As a result, I think this issue slams the door on the Waid era.

On to the book.

Reboot: Legionnaires Annual #2

Legionnaires Annual # (1995)
title: "Four Horsemen"

writers: Mark Waid, Tom Peyer and Tom McCraw

penciller: Jeffrey Moy
inker: W.C. Carani
lettering: Pat Prentice
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 (dies), Brainiac 5, Chameleon, Cosmic Boy, Invisible Kid, Leviathan, Live Wire, Saturn Girl, Shrinking Violet, Spark, Triad, XS

Guests:
Alchemist, Evolvo, Inferno, Karate Kid, President Chu, R.J. Brande, Spider-Girl, Ultra Boy, Athramites, hospital staff, many rioters and victims

Opponents: 
Roxxas (dies), White Triangle

Who's Who: Legion of Super-Villains

 

The Legion of Super-Villains
by Russell & Siskoid

Membership varied, but core characters included: Cosmic King, Lighting Lord, Saturn Queen, Chameleon Chief, Sun Emperor, Radiation Roy, and Nemesis Kid

Relationship to Legion: Archenemies 

Legion of Super-Heroes (v2) #263

Legion of Super-Heroes (v2) #263 (May, 1980)
title: "Day of Judgment!"

writer: Gerry Conway

penciller: Jimmy Janes
inker: Dave Hunt

letterer: Ben Oda
colorist: Gene D'Angelo

editor: Jack C. Harris
cover: Dick Giordano 

reviewer: Russell "Bilingual Boy" Burbage

Mission Monitor Board:  
Saturn Girl, Lightning Lad, Light Lass, Wildfire, Tyroc, Shadow Lass, Dawnstar

Guests: 
Crav & Mytra Nah (the parents of Ultra Boy), Tarnia Tolarn (Shadow Lass' mother), Ji Daggle (Chameleon Boy's mother), Arn Digby (Shrinking Violet's father)

Opponents: 
Dagon

Legion of Super Heroes S01 E11: Chain of Command

"Chain of Command" was written by Amy Wolfram and directed by Lauren Montgomery, original airdate: March 3, 2007.

Mission Monitor Board: Lightning Lad, Triplicate Girl, Bouncing Boy, Brainiac 5, Colossal Boy, Cosmic Boy, Ferro Lad, and young Superman.

Opponents: Cosmic storms.

Guest-stars and cameos: The people of Winath; and a photograph of the Ranzz family, including Garth, Ayla, Mekt, and their parents; and the voting Legionnaires: Phantom Girl, Blok, Element Lad, Star Boy, Timber Wolf (where has he been lately?), Shrinking Violet, Dream Girl, Tyroc

This episode may imply one thing with its title, but there's a lot more to this episode of "Legion of Super Heroes" than that. In "Chain of Command" we have the return of an old leader, the rebirth of the current leader, and the birth of a new one. Team leader elections have long been part of Legion tradition, and this time we see an impromptu one, set against the background of Lightning Lad's home world in danger.

Happy Birthday, Paul Levitz!

Happy Birthday, Paul Levitz! 

Today is the birthday of incredible Legion of Super-Heroes writer Paul Levitz, born on this date in  1956. He is sixty years young!

Reboot: Legionnaires #28

Legionnaires #28 (August 1995)
title: "Nightfall"

writers: Tom Peyer and Tom McCraw

penciller: Joyce Chin
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, Brainiac 5, Chameleon, Cosmic Boy, Invisible Kid, Leviathan, Shrinking Violet, Spark, Triad

Guests:
Ambassador Wazzo, Buck Bond - Science Ranger, Chief Dunne, Live Wire, Murl Wazzo, President Chu, R.J. Brande, Tex, Spacewatch Post 23 crew, Alamo tour guide

Opponents: 
Flint (dies), Roxxas, White Triangle

Who's Who: Legion of Super-Pets

The Legion of Super-Pets
by Russell & Siskoid

Members: Krypto (dog), Streaky (cat), Comet (horse), and Beppo (monkey) were the charter members; Proty II (protoplasm) joined later
Relationship to Legion: Auxiliary support group of and to the Legion

Legion of Super-Heroes (v2) #262

Legion of Super-Heroes (v2) #262 (April, 1980)
title: "The Planet That Captured The Legion!"

writer: Gerry Conway

artist: Jim Sherman

letterer: Ben Oda
colorist: Gene D'Angelo

editor: Jack C. Harris
cover: Jim Sherman (signed) 

reviewer: Russell "Bilingual Boy" Burbage

Mission Monitor Board:  
in space: Chameleon Boy, Dream Girl, Colossal Boy, Cosmic Boy, Karate Kid, Shrinking Violet;
on Earth: Light Lass, Sun Boy, Ultra Boy, Lightning Lad, Shadow Lass, Wildfire, Saturn Girl

Guests: 
RJ Brande

Opponents: 
murderous androids

Titans/LSH "Universe Ablaze!" #2

Titans/Legion of Super-Heroes: Universe Ablaze! #2 
(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

The Team-up of the Centuries continue!

Threeboot: Supergirl and the Legion of Super-Heroes #35

Recap: Cosmic Boy has gone missing. Brainiac 5 has sent three away teams to investigate possible sites where Cos is hiding. But Brainy seems to have a hidden agenda as well. The away missions included a team on Winath where a Validus cult was thwarted resulting in Mekt Ranzz thrown in jail. Meanwhile, Atom Girl, Shadow Lass, and Timber Wolf are on Lallor. There, they have been thrown into an assassination plot against the Lallorian president. The assassin? Wildfire!

Supergirl and the Legion of Super-Heroes #35 continues the Tony Bedard/Dennis Calero run on the book. Much like last issue, Bedard seems to be relishing the opportunity to inject some Bronze Age sensibilities into the book while bolstering some of the newer characterizations and fresher look at the team. Bedard is walking the fine line that Mark Waid was walking earlier in the book.

If any character has a very new persona it is Atom Girl and she is the star of this issue. Once again we see her as a vicious fighter with a sort of sensual streak. She seems ready to devour the world in many senses. As a fan of Shrinking Violet, I will admit to took a little time for me to get used to this Salu given how well developed she was at the end of the Levitz run and the 5YL run.

As a Wildfire fan, I was happy to see him again and to see his history basically intact.

Once again, I have to say that Dennis Calero's art on the book is just too rough for me. After Barry Kitson, this seems like a inky, blobby mess.

On to the book.

Reboot: Legion of Super-Heroes #71

Legion of Super-Heroes v4 #71 (August 1995)
title: "Heaven and Hell"

writers: Tom McCraw, Mark Waid, Tom Peyer

penciller: Lee Moder
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:  
Apparition, Chameleon, Cosmic Boy, Invisible Kid, Kinetix, Shrinking Violet, Triad

Guests: 
Alchemist, Ambassador Wazzo, Garra Arrah (dies), President Chu, R.J. Brande, Tarn Arrah (dies), Trommites (die)

Opponents: 
Roxxas, White Triangle

Who's Who: Legion of Super-Heroes HQ

The Headquarters of the Legion
by Russell & Siskoid

The Legion Headquarters, originally called The Legionnaire Club-House, is where the Legionnaires hold meetings, investigate phenomena, and hang out as they protect the United Planets. After it was rebuilt, it also includes dormitory rooms for many of the Legionnaires. 

Legion of Super-Heroes (v2) #261

Legion of Super-Heroes (v2) #261 (March, 1980)
title: "Space Circus of Death!"

writer: Gerry Conway

penciller: Ric Estrada

inker: John Calnan
letterer: Todd Klein
colorist: Gene D'Angelo

editor: Jack C. Harris
cover: Dick Giordano (signed)

reviewer: Russell "Bilingual Boy" Burbage

Mission Monitor Board:  
Mon-El, Star Boy, Brainiac 5, Phantom Girl, Princess Projectra, Timber Wolf

Opponents: 
unnamed killer

The Write Stuff part 2

In my previous post, we looked at the articles relating to the Legion that appeared in the magazine AMAZING HEROES. This time around, we focus on contributions that appeared in some other comic book publications.

Threeboot: Supergirl and the Legion of Super-Heroes #34

Recap: Supergirl has been elected leader. Cosmic Boy is missing. Three Legion away teams are sent by Brainiac 5 to sites where Cos might be hiding. But Brainiac's motives seems a bit worrisome. The teams seem set up to create conflict, perhaps clearing the way for Brainy to take over. Timber Wolf, Atom Girl, and Shadow Lass are on Lallor trying to track down their missing friend when they get caught up in a planetary conflict. 

Reboot: Legionnaires #27

Legionnaires #27 (July 1995)
title: "Eyes of Hate!"

writers: Tom Peyer and Tom McCraw

penciller: Mike Collins
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, Cosmic Boy, Saturn Girl, Spark, Triad, XS

Guests: 
Live Wire, Marla Latham, President Chu, R.J. Brande, Ultra Boy, crew of the Kendal, Science Police


Opponents: 
Obin Der, Roxxas, White Triangle

Who's Who: Legion of Substitute Heroes

Legion of Substitute Heroes
by Russell & Siskoid

Original Members: Polar Boy, Night Girl, Chlorophyll Kid, Fire Lad, and Stone Boy
Additional Members: Color Kid, Porcupine Pete, Infectious Lass, Antenna Boy, and Double-Header; Dream Girl and Star Boy (resigned to re-join the Legion)
Second Incarnation: Cosmic Boy, Night Girl, Duo Damsel, Bouncing Boy, Comet Queen, Karate Kid (II) 
Super-Power(s): Polar Boy has control over intense cold; Night Girl has super-strength, but only in darkness; Stone Boy has the ability turn into super-suspended animation; Fire Lad has fire breath; and Chlorophyll Kid can make any plant grow super-fast; Color Kid can alter the color of any object.

Relationship to Legion: Initially star-struck fans, then allies

Legion of Super-Heroes (v2) #260

Legion of Super-Heroes (v2) #260 (February, 1980)
title: "Come To The Circus And Die!"

writer: Gerry Conway

penciller: Joe Staton

inker: John Calnan
letterer: Milt Snapinn
colorist: Gene D'Angelo

editor: Jack C. Harris
cover: Dick Giordano (signed)

reviewer: Russell "Bilingual Boy" Burbage

Previously:  
Last issue, Superboy and the Legion faced a villain named the Psycho Warrior who made Superboy learn that he was indirectly responsible for the deaths of his adopted parents. Not wanting to subject their friend to that knowledge every time he came to the future, Saturn Girl gave him a post-hypnotic suggestion to not visit the 30th Century again.
RJ Brande's fortune has been stolen by the United Planets in a misguided effort to help rebuild Earth after the Earthwar and the attack by Omega. After Brande found out about this, however, he forgave the larceny, vowing to re-build his fortune on his own. 
The Legion had investigated the bankruptcy because they wanted to use Brande's fortune to rebuild their destroyed head-quarters. Now, they are still homeless. 

DC Special Blue Ribbon Digest #1

At a recent comic-book convention I happened to come across this Legion of Super-Heroes gem. I'm not sure why I bought it, as I already own all the Legion Archives, which means I have all of the Silver Age Legion stories. Maybe I bought it for nostalgic value. When this digest came out there were no Archives or Trade Paperbacks. You could only find older reprinted stories in books like these. So never having read any of these stories as a kid, I grabbed this off the rack in December, 1979. And yes, where I bought comics they were still sold on racks...!