TOS: Adventure Comics #317 Point-Counterport

Adventure Comics #317 (January 1964)
title: "The Menace of Dream Girl!"

writer: Edmond Hamilton

artist: John Forte

letterer: Milton Snapinn
editor: Mort Weisinger

cover: Curt Swan & George Klein

reviewers: Russell "Bilingual Boy" Burbage and Mike "Nostalgic Kid" Lane

Mission Monitor Board:  
Ultra Boy, Phantom Girl, Mon-El, Bouncing Boy, Sun Boy, Superboy, Shrinking Violet, Element Lad, Lighting Lad, Chameleon Boy, Saturn Girl, Invisible Kid, Lightning Lass, Colossal Boy, Cosmic Boy, Brainiac 5

Opponents: 
pure hubris, teen-aged male hormones

Secret Origins #42

Secret Origins (v3) #42 (July 1989)
title: "Bad, Bad, Bad, Bad Boys"

writer: Tom & Mary Bierbaum

penciller: Dave Cockrum
inkers: Larry Mahlstedt and Jim Sanders

letterer: John Costanza
colorist: Tom McGraw

editor: Mark Waid
cover: Dick Giordano & Karl Kesel

reviewer: Russell "Bilingual Boy" Burbage

New 52 Legion of Super-Heroes #7

This relook at the New 52 Legion of Super-Heroes has been something of an interesting experiment for me. These books aren't that old. This is a run that is relatively recent. So I shouldn't be surprised that my thoughts haven't necessarily changed too radically. What I have noticed is that the highs seem a little higher. I think that is because there weren't too many highs so when I see them now, knowing the way this title proceeds, they seem brighter. That said, I am also reading this with the foreknowledge of this book's trajectory and as a result there is more a sense of ennui about the whole thing. So higher highs with a lower foundation makes things even out.

Legion of Super-Heroes #7 bucks the trend a little bit. I liked this issue a bit more now than I did then. I think the high points, basically the scenes I comment on here, are numerous. And when you put that many memorable or powerful moments together in one issue, it has to get bumped up. In particular, the shuffling of the roster so we see lots of teammates pitching in is welcomed. And the added characterization to the new Legionnaires is welcomed. 

Lastly and as always, Francis Portela's art is just dreamy dreamy! So onto the book.

Reboot: Legionnaires #49

Legionnaires #49 (June 1997)
title: "Let the Call Go Forth!"

writers: Roger Stern and Tom McCraw

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

assistant editor: Frank Berrios
editor: KC Carlson
adult legionnaire: Carmela Merlo

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

Mission Monitor Board:  
Chameleon, Element Lad, Invisible Kid, Kinetix, Live Wire, M'Onel, Magno, Sensor, Star Boy, Umbra, XS

Guests: 
Andromeda, Dragonmage, Dreamer (in flashback), Fleet Admiral Everett, General Hol, Heroes of Lallor (Beast Boy, Gas Girl, Splitter), King Charlz of Orando, Lori Morning, Marla Latham, Mysa, Night Girl, Polar Boy, Prefect Lamar, Prince Wyllm of Orando, Proty, R.J. Brande, Uncanny Amazers (Atmos, Atom'X, Insect Queen, Kid Quantum II, Monstress), Workforce (Blast-Off, Evolvo, Karate Kid, Particon, Radion, Spider-Girl); Heroes of Lallor handler, medical staff, mystics (in flashback), the People of Orando, ship crew, Vyrgans

Opponents: 
Emerald Violet, Leland McCauley, Mordru

Who's Who: Dr. Gym'll

Dr. Gym'll
by Russell & Siskoid

Real Name: Gym'll

Super-Power(s): Ability to grow and/or hide additional arms
Planet of Origin: Jaquaa

Relationship to Legion: Team doctor

TOS: Adventure Comics #316

Adventure Comics #316 (January 1964)
title: "The Renegade Super-Hero!"

writer: Edmond Hamilton

artist: John Forte

letterer: Milton Snapinn
editor: Mort Weisinger

cover: Curt Swan & George Klein

review: Russell "Bilingual Boy" Burbage

Mission Monitor Board:  
Ultra Boy, Phantom Girl, Mon-El, Bouncing Boy, Sun Boy, Superboy, Shrinking Violet, Element Lad, Lightning Lad, Chameleon Boy, Saturn Girl, Invisible Kid, Lightning Lass, Colossal Boy, Cosmic Boy, Brainiac 5

Opponents: 
Raiders, lack of faith in your friend

Sarcasm Kid's NYCC 2017 Legion Sketch Collection

This being my first year as a contributor for Super-Bloggers means I also have the opportunity to show off all the Legion sketches and commissions I get at comic shows throughout the year, starting off with New York Comic Con 2017.

This year I did not get as many sketches as I'd hoped. My time was more restricted than it usually is during the convention, which only meant I was able to focus more on quality instead of quantity, as I tend to try and commission as many artists as I can at these shows. Let me just say how glad I am I decided to set up several pieces in advance.

I'll be starting from the smaller pieces to the more detailed commissions.

New 52 Legion of Super-Heroes #6

Legion of Super-Heroes #6 from the New 52 release focused on Dragonwing, one of the newer Legionnaires and perhaps some fresh blood that DC was hoping would lure in new readers.

As I say in this review, it is a double-edged sword. Yes, if the new Legionnaires are going to be a big part of this book, we need to learn about them. If I am going to care about Dragonwing as much as I do Vi, I need to know her. So focusing on her is a good thing. 

That said, we know next to nothing about her. So to jump into a family plot and the gang wars of her home seemed rushed. I feel like if this was the 80s, Levitz would have this as a C-plot for a while. We'd get a page here and there, hinting at this stuff, giving us backstory, before immersing us in it. Instead, we are thrown in. I don't know enough about Dragonwing's history to understand this implications of this plot. As a result, this story made me shrug a bit.

The second plot, a look at the Dominator culture and their turning of Res-Vir, was more interesting mostly because it built on the Legion history. We know about the Dominion. This peek behind the curtain was more appealing.

And yet, this opening shows just the issue Levitz was dealing with. The new story didn't grab me. The old stuff did. But I am (or should be) an aging out fan. It should be the new stuff that lures me and others in. Unfortunately, my guess is Levitz wasn't afforded the time to slowly reveal these plots like in 'the old days'. It is the day of 'immediate gratification', of monthly sales reports, and limited resources. You can't build a Dragonwing subplot over a year anymore. Comics don't last that long anymore.

On to the book and the older review.

The 'renumbered but not rebooted' Legion of Super-Heroes, as a whole, has been a mixed bag for me. It has been somewhat a comfortable comic for a longtime Legion reader for me. I know these characters and all their history; I know what is going on and I am able to fill in some of the gaps in the story in my mind. But it hasn't been exciting. And it hasn't been spectacular. This isn't a new 52 that a new reader could easily pick up.

Reboot: Legion of Super-Heroes #92

Legion of Super-Heroes (v4) #92 (May 1997)
title: "Swan's Way"

writers: Tom Peyer and Tom McCraw

pencillers: Lee Moder

inker: Ron Boyd
lettering: Pat Brosseau
colorist: Tom McCraw

assistant editor: Frank Berrios
editor: KC Carlson

cover: Alan Davis
reviewers: Siskoid & Shotgun

Mission Monitor Board:  
Brainiac 5, Cosmic Boy, Gates, Saturn Girl, Spark, Triad, Ultra Boy

Guests: 
Curt Swan, 1958 Americans

Opponents: 
Time Trapper (behind the scenes, does not appear), U.S. Secret Service

Who's Who: Diamondeth

Diamondeth
by Russell & Siskoid

Real Name: Iris Jacobs

Super-Power(s): Diamond-hard body
Planet of Origin: Earth

Relationship to Legion: 20th-Century Karate Kid villain

TOS: Adventure Comics #315

"The Legionnaires' Super-Contest"
was written by Edmond Hamilton, drawn by John Forte, originally published in Adventure Comics #315 December 1963 (Oh what a night!), review by Glenn 'Continuity Kid' Walker. 

Mission Monitor Board: Brainiac 5, Bouncing Boy, Sun Boy, Saturn Girl, Superboy, and Lightning Lad.

Opponents: Unnamed Space-Raiders, Sun Woman, her guards, and a Rantak. 

Guest-stars and cameos: Polar Boy, Night Girl, Chlorophyll Kid, Fire Lad, and Stone Boy (teamed as the Legion of Substitute Heroes).

"The Legionnaires' Super-Contest" with the apostrophe in the right place for the cover but not the splash page, and the second chapter "The Winner of the Super-Tests," first appeared in Adventure Comics #315 in December of 1963.  Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons jokes aside. I had never encountered the story before reading it in the second volume of the Legion of Super-Heroes Archives, but I knew of its importance in Silver Age Legion legend and lore. Not only was it the revelation of the Legion of Substitute Heroes, but also the story where Stone Boy won Legion membership on what was basically a test/bet/prank.

Bombshells United #2-3

Title: Bombshells Unleashed #2-3: American Soil Parts 3-6
Writer: Marguerite Bennett
Artists: Marguerite Sauvage, Marcelo DiChiara, Siya Oum, and Luciano Vecchio
Colorist: J. Nanjan
Letterer: Wes Abbot
Cover Artists: Stephanie Hans, Emanuele Luppachino & Tomeu Morey
Editor: Kristy Quinn & Jessica Chen

On Russell's behest I decided to combine the reviews for Bombshells United #2 and 3 since they came out so close together, and as of right now #4 should be coming out this upcoming Wednesday.

The issues follow right after the end of the second issue, and while Dawnstar is heavily featured in the first half of the second issue, she doesn't appear much in the second half or at all in the third, but her influence is felt in #3. Because the segments are done by different artists, the review is broken into four parts. I have to say I am EXTREMELY satisfied with Bennett's use of Dawnstar.

New 52 Legion of Super-Heroes #5

Well, here we are at Legion of Super-Heroes #5, an interesting issue to toss into the beginning of a new title hoping to grab new readers. And I have to say I am of two minds of this issue and would love to hear what people think.

Reboot: Legionnaires #48

Legionnaires #48 (May 1997)
title: "Dawn of the Dark Lord"

writers: Roger Stern and Tom McCraw

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

assistant editor: Frank Barrios
editor: KC Carlson
adult legionnaire: Carmela Merlo

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

Mission Monitor Board:  
Chameleon, Element Lad, Invisible Kid, Kinetix, Live Wire, M'Onel, Magno, Sensor, Star Boy, Umbra, XS

Guests: 
Doctor Gym'll, Dragonmage, R.J. Brande, Science Police, Sklarians, the People of Anatac, Outpost Delta personnel

Opponents: 
Emerald Violet, Mordru, Mysa

Who's Who: The Devil's Dozen

Devil's Dozen
by Russell & Siskoid

Members: Prince Evillo, the Hag, Apollo, Sugyn, Wild Huntsman, Dr. Zan Orgal

Relationship to Legion: Villains

TOS: Adventure Comics #314 Point-Counterpoint

Adventure Comics #314 (November 1963)
title: "The Super Villains of All Ages!"

writer: Edmond Hamilton

artist: John Forte

letterer: Milton Snapinn
editor: Mort Weisinger

cover: Curt Swan & George Klein

reviewer: Russell "Bilingual Boy" Burbage and Mike "Nostalgic Kid" Lane

Mission Monitor Board:  
Lightning Lad, Sun Boy, Brainiac 5, Bouncing Boy, Saturn Girl, Superboy, Ultra Boy, Mon-El, Invisible Kid, Chameleon Boy, Shrinking Violet

Opponents: 
Alaktor, Nero, Dillinger, and Hitler (I'm not kidding)

The FWPodcast: Who's Who in the Legion (3)

The Fire and Water Podcast Presents…
Who's Who in the Legion of Super-Heroes episode 3

The cross-over you thought would never finish----concludes!!!

The Irredeemable Shag teams-up with the Legion of Super-Bloggers to cover the galactic seven-issue mini-series! A three-episode podcast has its third and final episode on-line starting TODAY at the Fire & Water Podcast Network!

Our third and last (!) podcast episode features reviews of the fifth thru seventh issues of Who's Who in the Legion of Super-Heroes, the seven issue mini-series from 1988. For Episode 3 of the podcast Shag welcomes a LEGION of special guests! To talk about issue #5 Shag is joined by Kyle Benning and Little Russell Burbage of Rimbor. Featured characters include Mordru, Phantom Girl, Polar Boy, and Saturn Girl! For the middle bridge of the episode Shag is joined by one-name entities Siskoid and Anj to talk about issue #6. Their characters includes Sensor Girl, Shadow Lass, Shrinking Violet, and Sun Boy, who was ecstatic to be in this company. And lastly, the entire she-bang is wrapped up when Shag is joined by Siskoid and Russell again to talk about issue 7, which features everyone's favorites, The Wanderers!

Split in two for your listening convenience, issues 5 and 6 are covered at http://fireandwaterpodcast.com/podcast/ww-legion3
And issue 7 at http://fireandwaterpodcast.com/podcast/ww-legion4

Slip on your Legion Flight Ring and fly over there RIGHT NOW and listen. Then leave Listener Feedback on their page as well as here on our page.

New 52 Legion of Super-Heroes #4

The Legion of Super-Bloggers continues its 'now and then' reviews of the New 52 Legion with my standard comments about the issue now as well as my actual review of the book from when it came out.

I have talked at length about how much I love the Legion. I like having a Legion book to read. And I am so loyal to the property that I think I tend to gloss over problems with a Legion book, seeing only the positive. 

In looking at this review of Legion of Super-Heroes #4, it is clear that I want to love this book. But even way back then, I could see that something wasn't quite right with this. This story ends rather quickly and with a few leaps in logic that would defy even longstanding Legion readers to figure out. I don't think it is very good.

Not this is all bad. One scene that I love in this book is Element Lad helping Chemical Kid defeat the rogue Daxamite Res-Vir. For one, their powers perfectly complement each other. They should be natural team partners. Second, Jan is an introvert, humble Legionnaire. Kid is brash and cocky. Jan should try to take this kid under his wing.

But the big draw to this book is Francis Portela's art. The art is just gorgeous. I love his Ayla. And that Dream Girl is dreamy. On to the old review.

Reboot: Legion of Super-Heroes #91

Legion of Super-Heroes (v4) #91 (April 1997)
title: "No Exit"

writers: Tom Peyer and Tom McCraw

pencillers: Lee Moder

inkers: Ron Boyd and Drew Geraci
lettering: Pat Brosseau
colorist: Tom McCraw

assistant editor: Frank Berrios
editor: KC Carlson

cover: Jeffrey Moy & W.C. Carani
unindicated co-conspirator: Roger Stern
reviewers: Siskoid & Shotgun

Mission Monitor Board:  
Apparition, Brainiac 5, Chameleon, Cosmic Boy, Element Lad, Gates, Invisible Kid, Kinetix, Live Wire, M'Onel, Magno, Saturn Girl, Sensor, Spark, Star Boy, Triad, Ultra Boy, Umbra, XS

Guests: 
Andromeda, Ferro, Flash I, Flash II, Inferno, Kid-Flash, Koko, Lori Morning, Rond Vidar, Shvaughn Erin, hospital staff and patients, Space Museum staff and visitors

Opponents: 
Chronos, Hellspawn

Who's Who: Dagon the Avenger

Dagon the Avenger
by Russell & Siskoid

Real Name: Tech Master Emil Wezil Yondor

Super-Power(s): none; possessed highly-technical battle suit and weapons
Planet of Origin: Earth

Relationship to Legion: Villain

TOS: Adventure Comics #313

Adventure Comics #313 is the first appearance of the character of Satan Girl. Satan Girl as a concept is one of the few enduring legacies for the character of Supergirl, who has been through multiple retcons and reimagings. Whether it is this story, her appearance in Peter David's Linda Danvers strip as a witch from the Salem trials, or as Sterling Gates' Hedonism Demon, Satan Girl has been a staple villain for the Maid of Might.

'The Condemned Legionnaires' is a classic story by writer Ed Hamilton and artist Curt Swan. I have to say I was pretty surprised at the ending the first time that I read this. Who is Satan Girl? And what does she have to do with the 'Crimson Virus' that is mysteriously afflicting the female Legion members?

It all gets revealed in one of the quintessential Supergirl stories that has the daffiness of the Silver Age oozing from its pores.

LEGION TOYS: Matter Eater Lad (Mattel 12-Pack)

Editor's Note: 
We are ecstatic to welcome our good buddy Derek to the Legion Of Super-Bloggers! Derek is a huuuge action figure fan and was more than happy to pick up the reviewing of the Mattel DC Universe Classic Legion of Super-Heroes 12-Pack where Duo David had left off. 
Derek will try to post a new profile every month until the set is done, and then he plans to get to the DC Direct figures, too! And we couldn't be happier. 
Just don't call him Doll Boy. 
Take it away,  Doll Boy Articulated Lad!