Legion of Super-Heroes in the 31st Century #13

Legion of Super-Heroes in the 31st Century #13 (June 2008)
title: "The Man From Two Worlds!"
writer: J. Torres
pencils: Alexander Serra
inks: Rick Ketcham
letterer: Sol Cipriano
colorist: Heroic Age
editor: Jeanine Schaefer
cover art: Alexandra Serra


Mission Monitor Board: Bouncing Boy, Brainiac 5, Element Lad, Lightning Lad, Sun Boy,  Superman, and Timber Wolf

Guest Stars: Lois Lane & Perry White

Villain: Lex Luthor


In 21st Century Metropolis, Superman has his first interview with Lois Lane in a scene that harkens back to their penthouse meeting in the 1978 Superman film. There is clearly a spark between the two of them but Superman has to rush out after overhearing a fire alarm from across town.

After rescuing the family, he also saves two firemen from an explosion. Lois arrives to continue their discussion, but he cannot speak with her because he has to put out the fire.

In the 31st Century, Superman is training with the Legion but is still uncertain about his abilities. Lightning Lad tells him to use his freeze breath on Sun Boy, but Clark is not certain he will be able to.

Back in the 20th Century, Clark Kent is getting screamed at by Perry White for an article. Perry is annoyed by all of the spelling errors and because Clark did not follow their style guide.  Just as Clark is about to point out that it is actually Lois Lane's article that Perry is holding, she busts into the office to tell Perry about her interview with Superman. Unfortunately, Perry thinks her interview is too short as a result of Superman leaving to stop the fire and he tells her to make it about the fire instead. Clark is trying to reassure Lois when Perry gets notice that one of his other reporters will be unable to cover a Lex Luthor event at Shuster Airport. He sends Lois and Clark instead.

Clark and Lois arrive in time to see Luthor present his new Lex-O-Skeleton. He dons the armor to conduct his own demonstration, but things go awry when the suit experiences technical problems and he loses control. He aims at the crowd and almost hits Lois but Superman intervenes. Lex then turns to fire at one of the scientists assisting him but is grabbed by Superman.

In the 31st Century, Superman sees a Lex Luthor sign on a building and mentions to Brainiac 5 how impressed he is at Luthor's legacy. Brainy's expression darkens and despite his usual concerns about altering time, he cannot resist giving Clark at least one small warning about Luthor.

Deep in his archives, Brainiac 5 has changed into a more robotic form to review historical records, including one of Superman stopping the out of control Lex-O-Skeleton. In the final a panel, an obviously jealous Lex mutters that he has the feeling that Superman and he will be seeing more of each other in the future.

This was a perfectly fine issue, nothing spectacular, but enjoyable. We never got to see much of Superman in action in the 21st Century in the Legion cartoon so it made sense for the comic to give us a bit more of that. (Not too much of course, since "31st Century" is part of the series' title.)

The high point was seeing how difficult it is for Brainiac 5 to resist telling Superman anything about his future. He is always the one warning everyone else of the danger involved, but here we see how his concern over his friend is making it really difficult for him to follow his own advice. In every incarnation of Superman, Lex Luthor has been his greatest foe, so no doubt he could save his friend a lot of misery by warning him. But we have all read enough comic books and science fiction to understand why he ultimately chooses not to.

There were a few particularly nice moments, such as setting their interview on Lois' balcony and Perry mistaking Lois' article for Clark's. I was also pleased they made Lex's armor a big part of this issue because it is such a classic.

There is not much more to say about this one, but check back with me next issue where we get to focus on one of my favorite Legionnaires, Phantom Girl!