Threeboot: Legion of Super-Heroes #42

Legion of Super-Heroes #42 continues the Jim Shooter run and pushes the bubbling plot lines forward a little bit. There isn't much that happens in this issue that makes us know more or understand motivations in any different way than where we were at the end of issue #41. And if you are like me, wondering just what the heck Shooter is trying to do, this felt like a little bit of a waste of pages.

That isn't to say there aren't interesting moments. Maybe I am looking with a sharper eye given the proceedings of prior issues but there is the usual amount of unnecessary sexiness and sexism woven into the story. There is a moment with Invisible Kid which is an emotional beat that also hearkens back to an early Legion hypothesis. And we have new costumes (I presume designed by artist Francis Manapul)!

But for the most part this is more of the same that we have seen before. And I am ready for a little more.

The art is the usual fantastic work by Francis Manapul and Livesay. The fight scenes are appropriately kinetic and muddy. And the quiet scenes are composed well.

Is this what DC wanted for the Legion at this point?

Reboot: Legionnaires #32

Legionnaires #32 (December 1995)
title: "Here and Now"

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
special thanks: Mark Waid & Karl Kesel

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

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

Guests: 
Athramites, Brad Majors, Lori Morning, President Chu, R.J. Brande, Rond Vidar, Shvaughn Erin, Valor, Science Police, President's bodyguards

Opponents: 
Chronos, Neron (in flashback)

Who's Who: Saturn Queen

Saturn Queen
by Russell & Siskoid

Real Name: Eve Aries

Super-Power(s): Telepathy, mind control
Planet of Origin: Titan

Relationship to Legion: Villain; member of the "adult" Legion of Super-Villains

Legion of Super-Heroes (v2) #272

Legion of Super-Heroes (v2) #272 (Feb, 1981)
title: "The Secret Origin of Blok!"

writer: Gerry Conway

penciller: Steve Ditko
inker: Frank Chiaramonte

letterer: Todd Klein
colorist: Bob LeRose

editor: Jack C. Harris
cover: Jimmy Janes & Dick Giordano

reviewer: Russell "Bilingual Boy" Burbage

Mission Monitor Board:  
Wildfire, Sun Boy, Dawnstar, Lighting Lad, and new member Blok

Guests: 
Legion applicants Lamprey, Nightwind, Crystal Kid

Opponents: 
Starburst Bandits

Legion of Super Heroes S01 E13: Sundown, Part 2

"Sundown, Part 2" was written by Rob Hoegee and directed by Ben Jones, original airdate: May 5, 2007, review by Glenn 'Continuity Kid' Walker.

Mission Monitor Board: Brainiac 5, Triplicate Girl, Lightning Lad, Timber Wolf, Saturn Girl, Bouncing Boy, Cosmic Boy, Phantom Girl, Shrinking Violet, Sun Boy, Matter-Eater Lad, Star Boy, Ferro Lad, Colossal Boy, Blok, Dream Girl, Element Lad, Tyroc, and young Superman.

Opponents: The Sun Eater, The Controller(s), The Fatal Five (Tharok, Validus, Mano, Emerald Empress, Mano), the Scavengers.

Guest-stars and cameos: Alexis Luthor, Jo Nah (Ultra Boy), the Legion of Substitute Heroes (Stone Boy, Fire Lad, Chlorophyll Kid, Color Kid, Porcupine Pete, Infectious Lass).

This episode continues the animated adaptation of one of the greatest and most tragic stories in Legion history, the sacrifice of Ferro Lad to save everyone from the Sun-Eater. Nowadays people see superheroes die (and come back) with regular frequency. Hell, over at Marvel Comics in just the last few months, they've offed War Machine, the Hulk, and Iron Man, with similar plans for Captain America (again) in their Civil War II. Back in the day however, this did not happen on a regular revolving door basis. There were only a handful - Bucky, Menthor, the Comet, Wonder Man, and poor Ferro Lad. These days no one seems to stay dead though, because comics. Although, I would be remiss if I didn't mention Lightning Lad, one of the first comics resurrections as well… The Legion had a lot of firsts, even bad ones.

Threeboot: Legion of Super-Heroes #41

Legion of Super-Heroes #41 continues the rather dark and somewhat depressing Jim Shooter run of the Threeboot team. But this issue sort of ratchets up the energy. This is the first issue in this run where I feel that the team is actually pro-active rather than re-active. They are tired of being hemmed in by rules and culture and decide to take some matters into their own hands.

To be honest, I haven't reread this run since it came out.And this critical reread hadn't made me regret that. It has been pretty rough to this point. But I will admit after reading this issue, I was almost tempted to pick up the next one and see where it is going. With the unknown threat of the constructs looming and the UP handcuffing the Legion in red tape, the team skirts the rules and does their thing. Hurrah!

That doesn't mean I am thrilled. The Projectra story still bothers me. To see the Princess become so vile a character just irks me. And Shooter still oddly injects some weird sexual moments into the story. Please don't think that I am a prude. Remember, I am a Howard Chaykin fan. But what Shooter adds just feels off or insulting or superfluous.

Francis Manapul, the main artist of the run, provides the cover. But the inside art is done by Aaron Lopresti. I am a big Lopresti fan and so seeing him drawing the Legion made me very happy.

Onto the book.

Reboot: Legion of Super-Heroes #75

Legion of Super-Heroes (v4) #75 (December 1995)
title: "2-Timer"

writers: Tom Peyer and Tom McCraw

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:  
Brainiac 5, Chameleon, Cosmic Boy, Invisible Kid, Leviathan, Saturn Girl, Shrinking Violet, Triad, XS

Guests: 
Golden Gladiator (cameo), Lori Morning, Ron Morning, Rond Vidar, Lori's school friends, a 20th-Century cop and paramedics; in flashback: Atom (Ray Palmer)

Opponents: 
Chronos; in flashback: Atomic Skull, Black Spider, Cluemaster, Dr. Alchemy, Gorilla Grodd, Mister Freeze, Neron, Ocean Master, Poison Ivy, Psycho-Pirate, Riddler, Shade

Who's Who: Pulsar Stargrave

Pulsar Stargrave
by Russell & Siskoid

Real Name: Uncertain

Super-Power(s): Energy control, heat and light projection, indestructibility, super-strength
Planet of Origin: Unknown

Relationship to Legion: Villain

Legion of Super-Heroes (v2) #271

Legion of Super-Heroes (v2) #271 (Jan, 1981)
title: "What IS the Dark Man?"

writer: Gerry Conway

penciller: Jimmy Janes
inker: John Calnan

letterer: John Costanza
colorist: Gene D'Angelo

editor: Jack C. Harris
cover: Jimmy Janes & Steve Mitchell

reviewer: Russell "Bilingual Boy" Burbage

Mission Monitor Board:  
Timber Wolf, Light Lass, Lightning Lad, Saturn Girl, Colossal Boy, Princess Projectra, Wildfire, Mon-El, Shadow Lass

Guests: 
Blok

Opponents: 
The Dark Man, the Fatal Five (Emerald Empress, Mano, Persuader, Tharok, and Validus)

Titans/LSH "Universe Ablaze!" #4

Titans/Legion of Super-Heroes: Universe Ablaze! #4 
(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 Epic Conclusion! 

Threeboot: Legion of Supr-Heroes #40

Legion of Super-Heroes #40 continues Jim Shooter and Francis Manapul's run on the title, a sort of darker peek into a team in disarray. There is an unknown and significant threat descending on the galaxy. The UP is micromanaging the team. The Legion is broke financially. And they are broken in morale. It is clear that the team isn't united in any way. There is infighting. And a villain in the making in their midst.

Much of that stems from Lightning Lad's ineffective leadership so far. Garth is still dealing with the Legion being part of the UP structure and all the red tape that goes along with that. And while he might be a fantastic Legion Leader he is hardly a politician.

This issue turns the heat up on all these plots, having them go from simmer to full boil. It pushes things along.  And while I thought there were a few interesting moments within the issue, the overall tone of this book just isn't what I was looking for at the time. It is very dramatic. It is somewhat depressing. It is could be called 'extreme' in the 90s sense of the word. And I was just looking for something more Legion.

The art by Francis Manapul continues to sizzle here. There is a lot of conversation in this issue and not too much fighting but Manapul brings a strong energy to the proceedings. The scenes are heated and the emotion is evident.

On to the book.

Reboot: Legionnaires #31

Legionnaires #31 (November 1995)
title: "One Thousand Years of Solitude"

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
special thanks: Mark Waid & Karl Kesel

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

Mission Monitor Board:  
Brainiac 5, Chameleon, Cosmic Boy, Invisible Kid, Leviathan, Saturn Girl, Shrinking Violet, Superboy (Kon-El), Triad

Guests: 
Marla Latham, President Cho, R.J. Brande, Ultra Boy, Valor, crowds

Opponents: 
Chronos (in "next" panel blurb only), Scavenger

Who's Who: Proty

Proty
by Russell & Siskoid

Real Name: None

Super-Power(s): Shape-shifting; limited telepathic ability.
Planet of Origin: Protea in the Antares system

Relationship to Legion: Chameleon Boy's sidekick; member of the Legion of Super-Pets

Legion of Super-Heroes (v2) #270

Legion of Super-Heroes (v2) #270 (Dec, 1980)
title: "Who Is The Dark Man?"

writer: Gerry Conway

penciller: Jimmy Janes
inker: Frank Chiaramonte

letterer: Milt Snapinn
colorist: Gene D'Angelo

editor: Jack C. Harris
cover: Dick Giordano

reviewer: Russell "Bilingual Boy" Burbage

Mission Monitor Board:  
Colossal Boy, Shrinking Violet, Shadow Lass, Mon-El, Wildfire, Princess Projectra, Timber Wolf, Lightning Lad, Saturn Girl, Light Lass

Guests: 
Marte Allon, Blok

Opponents: 
The Fatal Five (Emerald Empress, Mano, the Persuader, Validus, Tharok), The Dark Man, The League of Super-Assassins (Silver Slasher, Titania, Lazon, Mist Master)

How the Legion Ruined Superboy's Love Life

Poor Lana Lang. By the time I started reading Superboy comics, and by that time they were synonymous with Legion comics, Lana was a thing of the past, appearing more in reprints of old comics than new stories. Some Superboy readers might even have said, "Who's Lana Lang?" And it could be the Legion's fault. Come with me now and learn how the Legion ruined Superboy's love life.

Threeboot: Legion of Super-Heroes #39

Legion of Super-Heroes #39 continued the new direction by writer Jim Shooter and artist Francis Manapul. In rereading these issues now I am struck by just how depressing this book and the characters are. After the brighter, political tone of the early issues of this title, Shooter really decided to bring the misery.

No one necessarily seems happy here. Shooter concentrates on three main storylines. One is the away team on Triton recovering from the monster construct attacks. The other is an away team in Beijing working on a rodent problem. And the last storyline is the slow descent into evil by Projectra. And that sort of lack of happiness seems to veer into anger. I guess after writing a sticky sweet, silly Silver Age team, Shooter probably wanted to make it more 'real'.

But who wants a depressing, angry future? And even if the world as a whole is dark, I would want the team to sort of rise above.

Francis Manapul and Livesay continue to bring a sharp, beautiful look to the book which is definitely the upside. But I can't help but notice that there is another semi-needless cheesecake scene in the book. Was that writer's choice? Editorial edict? Artistic choice? Hmmm ...

Reboot: Legion of Super-Heroes #74

Legion of Super-Heroes (v4) #74 (November 1995)
title: "Prisoner of the Super-Heroes"

writers: Tom Peyer and Tom McCraw

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:  
Brainiac 5, Chameleon, Cosmic Boy, Invisible Kid, Leviathan, Live Wire, Saturn Girl, Shrinking Violet, Spark, Triad

Guests: 
Dalya Ranzz, Kirth Ranzz, President Cho, Superboy (Kon-El), Ultra Boy, a journalist called Brad, a one-eyed informant, Korr Institute personnel

Opponents: 
Scavenger

Who's Who: The Persuader

The Persuader
by Russell & Siskoid

Real Name: Nyuen Chun Ti

Super-Power(s): The Persuader has control of the Atomic Axe, which can cut through every known substance, including gravity. He also boasts superior body strength. 
Planet of Origin: Unknown

Relationship to Legion: Villain; member of the original Fatal Five

Legion of Super-Heroes (v2) #269

Legion of Super-Heroes (v2) #269 (Nov, 1980)
title: "Who Shall Name the Dark Man?"

writer: Gerry Conway

penciller: Jimmy Janes
inker: Frank Chiaramonte

letterer: Ben Oda
colorist: Gene D'Angelo

editor: Jack C. Harris
cover: Dick Giordano

reviewer: Russell "Bilingual Boy" Burbage

Mission Monitor Board:  
Princess Projectra, Shadow Lass, Mon-El, Shrinking Violet, Lightning Lad, Saturn Girl, Wildfire, Timber Wolf, Colossal Boy, Light Lass (not listed on Roll Call)

Guests: 
Colossal Boy's parents, Wynn and Marte Allon

Opponents: 
The Fatal Five (Validus, the Persuader, Emerald Empress, Mano, and Tharok)

The Puzzle of the Postponed Plotlines

Loose lips sink ships … and loose plot threads can annoy the sprock out of loyal Legion fans. Over the decades, while there's certainly been many a classic Legion adventure, there have been just as many frustrating unresolved storylines, as the Legion meandered from one reboot to another.

Whether they were intentional, caused by a change in writer, poor editing, or cancellation of the book, or perhaps they were simply a forgotten sub-plot, the unsatisfactory resolutions definitely reduce the overall enjoyment of the respective story arcs.

Let's have a look at some of the chapters in the Legion's history where gaps are waiting to be filled:

Threeboot: Legion of Super-Heroes #38

Legion of Super-Heroes #38 represented the second issue of the new Jim Shooter/Francis Manapul and continued to cement the major plots of this run. There is an alien invasion happening, with brutal monsters overrunning planets. And the Legion is handcuffed, mummified by red tape which is limiting the team's effectiveness. These elements were introduced last issue but played up even more here.

Shooter also decided to maybe take a break from the bleaker storylines to bring in a tried and true humor element of Legion mythos - Legion tryouts. As a group, these might be the most ridiculous applicants I have ever seen. But this amusing subplot is actually a natural extension of the bureaucratic main plot. These are handpicked members from the UP, often the result of some favor or nepotism.

This aspect of the book is sort of the opposite of Waid's earlier 'revolution' theme of the Legion. Instead of rebelling and pushing things forward, this Legion instead is crushed by the system. One interesting wrinkle to this plot is how it is effecting Legion leader Lightning Lad. Historically, he has never been the most stable character. Here we see how the weight of this pressure is weighing on him.

The art on this book by Francis Manapul is just spectacular. There is a mild sense of anime here, not necessarily in the art style but in the kinetic feel of the fight sequences. The brawls on Triton are amazingly rendered. If there is a true positive to this run, it is the art.

On to the book!

Reboot: Superboy #18-19, 21

Superboy (v2) #18-19, 21 (August-September, November 1995)
titles: "Battle of the Century", "T-K-O!", "Making History!"

writer: Karl Kesel

penciller: Tom Grummett
inker: Doug Hazelwood
lettering: Richard Starkings and Comicraft
colorist: Tom McCraw

assistant editor: Chris Duffy
editor: Frank Pittarese

cover: Tom Grummett and Karl Kesel
reviewers: Siskoid & Shotgun

Mission Monitor Board:  
Brainiac 5, Chameleon, Cosmic Boy, Saturn Girl, Triad

Guests: 
Babbage, Doctor Haley, Dubbilex, Hillary Chang, Krypto, Miss Snibbly, Norse Fielding, Professor Potter, Rex Leech, Roxy Leech, Sam Makoa, Superboy (Kon-El), Tana Moon, Valor, kids from school, the U.S. army

Opponents: 
Ira Gambolli (killed), Knockout, Gambolli's men