Review: Adventure Comics #507 *revised*

(In my initial version of this review, I accidentally credited Paul Levitz with writing this story. It is written by Michael Shoemaker. This is a terrible mistake on my part and I have no excuse. More importantly, Shoemaker's ability to write these characters this well, with both a look back and to the future is impressive. After all, I mistook him for Paul Levitz.

Apologies to Mr. Shoemaker.)
Adventure Comics #507 continued the re-reintroduction of the Legion of Super-Heroes to the DCU. With the original timeline back in play, writer Michael Shoemaker used the 'second feature' of Adventure Comics to check in on the team, catch up older fans on what has been happening with the members, but also giving some back story to readers who might not know the Legion at all.

It is a heavy lift. Satisfying old fans while engaging new fans in a continuity heavy franchise like the Legion can't be easy. But so far, Levitz is firing on all cylinders. We have had a story focused on Lightning Lad and the other original members. Last issue was Sun Boy and Polar Boy. This issue we 'meet' Blok, White Witch, Dawnstar, and Wildfire. We even get a nice little Brainiac 5 moment. And the story gives back story, personality beats, and advances longstanding plots. It really is that marriage of old school and introduction.

Clayton Henry remains on art and brings a smooth sensibility to the proceedings. There are some panels where he seems to be invoking some of the organic feel of early Legion Giffen.

So what happens when a Legionnaire makes a big sacrifice to save the universe? Can love survive?

We open with a dramatic splash.

Blok is barreling through Legion headquarters, screaming that he needs to leave Earth and head to the White Witch.

Nice perspective by Henry as you can feel Blok's momentum. And making the credits be impacted is always a fun little addition to the art.

White Witch is on Sorceror's World. She has absorbed Mordru's essence. And during that battle, Blok was blasted with energy. He is flaking away. He has always had a special relationship with White Witch, platonic love, and he needs to see her.

Brainiac 5 thinks that an overemotional response to doomed love is foolish. Only he and Quislet seem above it. So to help Blok deal, he asks Wildfire and Dawnstar, another unrequited love story, to help calm their friend.

So much to digest here.

First off, Brainiac 5 *has* lost his mind over doomed love. In a way. Supergirl and Laurel Gand don't exist in this timeline. So maybe he hasn't? But his scoffing at this felt like he was denying his own history.

Next, this idea that Blok is unstoppable when he is moving, a sort of Juggernaut move, is new. But again, for new readers, this little exposition helps.

So in comes Wildfire and Dawnstar. Lovely looks here by Henry.

And again both the text boxes and dialogue helps inform powers.

Turns out that Wildfire and Dawnstar aren't there to stop Blok. They want to help.

So they all pile into the cruiser and head to Sorceror's World.

En route, Blok and Wildfire commiserate over the fact that for physical reasons their love can never be complete, never be truly returned.

It reminds Blok of Romeo and Juliet.

Worst story ever.

Great little moment.

But on Sorceror's World, things have changed with Mysa.

She is now the Black Queen, sitting on her dark throne, surrounded by the skulls and petrified remains of her enemies. I think I see Blue Devil, Zatanna, the Specter, Alan Scott. Anyone else?

But for sweet, naive Mysa the White Witch, this is clearly a change.

She absorbed Mordru's energy and has contained it, controlled it. She is trying to bring some order to this world by being a more benevolent leader, all while struggling with the darkness inside her.

But seeing Blok, her rock, her love, softens her.

For a brief period of time, she reverts to her original form, the pure goodness, the Legionnaire, and cures Blok of the poisoning of Mordru.

A now smooth Blok embraces his love ... and kisses her!
She says that she needs him there. That his support, his love, will help her keep the evil of Mordru at bay.

What I love his that panel of Dawny and Wildfire clutching each other's hands. They see themselves in this relationship. But even that awkward kiss between Blok and Mysa is denied them.

Blok remains behind. And so a long awkwardly silent flight home commences.

Once more the two have to confess their love while acknowledging that they cannot fully experience it.

As a Wildfire fan, this is a great story. As a Mysa fan, this is a great story. As a Legion fan, this is great as it showcases the characters wonderfully. For old time readers, it enriches these old plots. For new readers, it introduces them.

And for some reason it really kicked me in the feels.