L.E.G.I.O.N. '91 #30

L.E.G.I.O.N. '91 #30 (August 1991)
title: "Welcome to the War!"
plot: Alan Grant & Barry Kitson
writer: Alan Grant
penciller: Barry Kitson
inker: Barry Kitson
letterer: Gaspar Saladino
colorist: Lovern Kindzierski
editor: Dan Raspler
cover art: Adam Kubert
review by: Mike "Nostalgic Kid" Lane

Recap: The L.E.G.I.O.N. successfully captured a doomsday device being built by the Khunds to use in their war against the Dominion. It turned out that there was a flaw in the device, but Dox kept that to himself and used it to force the Dominion and Khunds to stop using free worlds in their war. Stealth continued her exile and gave birth to a son, but the experience almost killed her. Dox sent Lobo to deal with some smugglers and freed Lydea Mallor from the brainwashing that led her to kill her mother, Lyrissa Mallor. He then asked Phase to take over for Lyrissa as his second-in-command. She was shocked at the offer since she believed Dox resented her for the Durlan's disappearance, but she did accept.

A new class of recruits has arrived and are about to be put through a series of tests to see if they have what it takes to join the L.E.G.I.O.N. Suprisingly, they include a Khund and Lydea Mallor.

Sadly, Jiv Reduu is rejected because his Bouncing Boy-like ability to swell up in size does not impress Strata. The rest of class undergoes a mind scan by Telepath to make sure they are not hiding anything. 

Meanwhile, Phase removes Garryn Bek from active duty and assigns him to administrative duties because the power he received from the Emerald Eye has become increasingly unreliable. His wife, Marij'n, is examining Captain Comet in her laboratory to try to find the cause of his headaches when one of her machines explodes. It is unclear why, but it is hinted that Comet may have subconsciously caused the explosion to prevent her from continuing her exam.

Elsewhere, the gangster Mr.G'odd is meeting with his lieutenants. He is unhappy that one of them, Garza, recently lost a smuggling shipment that was destroyed by Lobo.He orders Garza to eat a poisoned fish but the man refuses so G'odd deals with him another way.

One of his men notes that the L.E.G.I.O.N.'s credibility has skyrocketed since defeating the Khunds and that they could become a threat. G'odd says their best approach is to send someone to infiltrate the L.E.G.I.O.N., and when they express skepticism, he explains that he already has.

Strata takes the recruits on an orientation where they learn everything about the L.E.G.I.O.N., from the canteen to the computer system that is hooked into every lay agency computer in the galaxy. It ends with a visit to the Lyrissa Mallor memorial.

Phase has called Lobo to her office to complain that the report he submitted for his last mission was a disgrace. He refuses to write a new one and when she insists, he attacks. He is unable to land any punches because of her power but does manage to cause a lot of destruction. The noise is noticed by Vril Dox, who orders Lobo to stand down. Lobo is too angry to be calmed and is close to murdering Dox when their fight with gets interrupted by the return of Stealth.

Although I have really grown to love most of the cast, I am happy to have some new blood injected into the book. Some are more intriguing than others, but they all have potential. Of course, the Khund stands out like Worf did in Star Trek: The Next Generation, and it did crack me up a bit when the Telepath described him as a monster, but sincere, after reading his mind. 

As a fan of Bouncing Boy, I was a bit annoyed at the dig to the character when Jiv Reduu was rejected. But that is a minor point. Besides Lyrissa and the Khund, the ones that stood out to me the most included the cocky Davroth Catto, the nervous Zena Moonstruck, and the unusual Bertron Diib. It has been far too long since I last read this to recall who the mole planted by G'odd may be or which of these characters go on to prominence so I look forward to finding out.

I also cannot recall exactly what was behind the explosion in Marij'n's lab. Well, I realize it was pretty clearly caused by Comet. But I cannot recall the degree to which he was acting consciously or subconciously. He clearly cares for her and was sincerely worried that she might be injured. And I cannot imagine Comet intentionally trying to hurt her. But he is obviously hiding something. Their budding relationship felt refreshingly innocent and sweet for this title when I first read it as a teenager.

Phase is falling into her role as second-in-command nicely but it did seem a bit naive of her to even suggest that Lobo would be willing to complete a mission report. I have to think that Lyrissa would not have even tried but would just talk to him to learn more. She did handle herself beautifully in the fight though, and I enjoyed seeing her get the best of Lobo.

This issue promised a lot of interesting developments in the future and made me really look forward to what is to come. Which, of course, means its time to interrupt things with a major crossover! So check back with me next time as the War of the Gods storyline intrudes. (On a happier note though, we also get an appearance by a certain Big Red Cheese, which is always welcome.)