I Wouldn't Play D&D with the Legion

by Siskoid

 I won't deny it was fun to see Sun Boy and Star Boy (are they paired because they essentially have the same name?) playing Dungeons & Dragons whenever they had some downtime in the '80s Legion books. However, I just can't get into the way the role-playing game hobby morphed between then and the 29th Century. You might think it's cool that there's an impressive holographic display, but it's got more in common with the chess set aboard the Millennium Falcon than it does table top role-playing.

Click Read More (below) to read my specific complaints. 

Good-bye to Legion of Super-Heroes (v3)

The Legion of Super-Heroes (v3) made its debut in May, 1984. I was in college when it came out, and I distinctly remember walking more than 10 blocks from campus to the closest book-store I knew to pick up my copy.

This first issue was a big deal because it was one of DC's first "direct market" comics. That means that it would not be available via the then-regular distribution system that got comic-books into places like 7-11s, grocery stores, Targets, or, yes, news stands. So if I wanted a copy, I needed to go to a specific store to find a copy.

By the time the series ended in 1989, "direct market" was the acceptable mode of distribution, and "news stand" comics were a thing of the past.

"Magic" Defeated; Legionnaire Dies

Legion of Super-Heroes (v3) #63

The Legion of Super-Heroes (v3) #63 (August, 1989)
title: "Where Has All The Magic Gone?"

writer: Paul Levitz

co-plotter/layouts: Keith Giffen
finished art: Mike DeCarlo
lettering: John Costanza
colorist: Carl Gafford
asst editor: Art Young 

editor: Karen Berger 

cover: Steve Lightle
reviewer: Russell "Bilingual Boy" Burbage

Mission Monitor Board:  
All the current Legionnaires (in order of appearance) Lightning Lass, Polar Boy, Chameleon Boy, Sensor Girl, Blok, Wildfire, Tellus, Ultra Boy, Element Lad, Shrinking Violet, Colossal Boy, Phantom Girl, Dawnstar, Saturn Girl, Invisible Kid, Timber Wolf, Sun Boy

Guests: 
Brainiac 5, White Witch, Dream Girl, Star Boy, Duo Damsel, Bouncing Boy, Lightning Lad, Cosmic Boy, Night Girl, Karate Kid II, Comet Queen, Harlack, Amethyst, spirit of Zerox

Opponents: 
The Archmage, Atmos

Legion of Super-Heroes (v3) #62

The Legion of Super-Heroes (v3) #62 (July, 1989)
title: "Why Must Magic Triumph?"

writer: Paul Levitz

co-plotter/layout artist: Keith Giffen
finished art: Mike DeCarlo
lettering: Agustin Mas
colorist: Carl Gafford
asst editor: Art Young 

editor: Karen Berger 

cover: Steve Lightle
reviewer: Russell "Bilingual Boy" Burbage

Mission Monitor Board:  
Sun Boy, Invisible Kid, Timber Wolf, Element Lad, Phantom Girl, Sensor Girl, Chameleon Boy, Dawnstar, Wildfire, Colossal Boy, Tellus, Ultra Boy, Lightning Lass, Polar Boy, Blok, Magnetic Kid, Shrinking Violet, Saturn Girl

Guests: 
Ambassador Relnic, Heroes of Lallor (Duplicate Boy, Gas Girl, Life Lass, Evolvo Lad), Brainiac 5, Bouncing Boy, Duo Damsel, Dr. Gym'll, SP Chief Cusimano, former Chief Zendak, SP Officer Shvaughn, SP Officer Dvron

Opponents: 
the entity responsible for the resurgence of magic

Legion of Super-Heroes (v3) #61

The Legion of Super-Heroes (v3) #61 (June, 1989)
title: "Will Magic or Science Prevail?"

writer: Paul Levitz

penciller/co-plotter: Keith Giffen
inker: Al Gordon
lettering: Augustin Mas
colorist: Carl Gafford
asst editor: Art Young 

editor: Karen Berger 

cover: Steve Lightle
reviewer: Russell "Bilingual Boy" Burbage

Mission Monitor Board:  
Tellus, Ultra Boy, Timber Wolf, Sensor Girl, Shrinking Violet, Lightning Lass, Invisible Kid, Colossal Boy, Sun Boy, Polar Boy, Magnetic Kid, Blok, Saturn Girl, Element Lad, Phantom Girl, Shadow Lass, Mon-El; cameos by dead Legionnaires Karate Kid, Invisble Kid (I), Ferro Lad, and Chemical King

Guests: 
Bouncing Boy, Antonio Stefannacci, Sarvisa, SP Chief Cusimano, former Substitute Heroes Chlorophyll Kid & Fire Lad

Opponents: 
the unnamed source of the return of magic

Legion of Super-Heroes (v3) #60

The Legion of Super-Heroes (v3) #60 (May, 1989)
title: "When Magic Shall Return"

writer: Paul Levitz

penciller/co-plotter: Keith Giffen
inker: Al Gordon
lettering: John Costanza
colorist: Carl Gafford
asst editor: Art Young 

editor: Karen Berger 

cover: Steve Lightle
reviewer: Russell "Bilingual Boy" Burbage

Mission Monitor Board:  
Polar Boy, Timber Wolf, Sensor Girl, Saturn Girl, Phantom Girl, Tellus, Shrinking Violet, Wildfire, Element Lad, Blok, Lightning Lass, Sun Boy, Invisible Kid, Colossal Boy

Guests: 
Antonio Stephanacci, Sarvisa & the unnamed bird from Zerox (the Sorcerers' World)

Opponents: 
the unnamed source of the return of magic

Legion of Super-Heroes (v3) #59

The Legion of Super-Heroes (v3) #59 (April, 1989)
title: "Ghosts In The Club-House"

writer: Paul Levitz

penciller/co-plotter: Keith Giffen
flash-back penciller: Mark Bright
inker: Mike DeCarlo
flash-back inker: Carlos Garzon
lettering: John Costanza
colorist: Carl Gafford
asst editor: Art Young 

editor: Karen Berger 

cover: Steve Lightle
reviewer: Russell "Bilingual Boy" Burbage

Mission Monitor Board:  
NOW: Invisible Kid (Jacques Foccart), Wildfire, Polar Boy;
THEN: Invisible Kid (Lyle Norg), Chemical King, Saturn Girl, Lighting Lad, Mon-El, Ultra Boy

Opponents: 
"ghost" in the Legion HQ, self-doubt

Legion of Super-Heroes (v3) #58

The Legion of Super-Heroes (v3) #58 (March, 1989)
title: "If Thine Eye Offend Thee"

writer: Paul Levitz

penciller/co-plotter: Keith Giffen
inker: Al Gordon
lettering: John Costanza
colorist: Carl Gafford
asst editor: Art Young 

editor: Karen Berger 

cover: Steve Lightle
reviewer: Russell "Bilingual Boy" Burbage

Mission Monitor Board:  
Tellus, Magnetic Kid, Blok, Quislet, Timber Wolf, Lightning Lass, Polar Boy, Colossal Boy, Wildfire, Dawnstar, Element Lad, Ultra Boy, Invisible Kid, Sensor Girl

Guests: 
Yera

Opponents: 
Emerald Empress

Legion of Super-Heroes (v3) #57

The Legion of Super-Heroes (v3) #57 (Feb, 1989)
title: "Under A Watchful Eye"

writer: Paul Levitz

penciller/co-plotter: Keith Giffen
inker: Al Gordon
lettering: John Costanza
colorist: Carl Gafford
asst editor: Art Young 

editor: Karen Berger 

cover: Steve Lightle
reviewer: Russell "Bilingual Boy" Burbage

Mission Monitor Board:  
Wildfire, Dawnstar, Polar boy, Sensor Girl, Invisible Kid, Timber Wolf, Tellus, Magnetic Kid, Lightning Lass, Blok, Quislet

Guests: 
SP Chief Gigi Cusimano, SP Officer Shvaughn Erin, Sarvisa, Antonio Stefanacci

Opponents: 
The Emerald Empress

Legion of Super-Heroes (v3) #56

The Legion of Super-Heroes (v3) #56 (Jan, 1989)
title: "By Hope Ensnared"

writer: Paul Levitz

co-plotter: Keith Giffen
penciller: Eduado Barreto
inkers: Mike DeCarlo (1-18), Al Gordon (19-27)
lettering: John Costanza
colorist: Carl Gafford
asst editor: Art Young 

editor: Karen Berger 

cover: Steve Lightle
reviewer: Russell "Bilingual Boy" Burbage

Mission Monitor Board:  
Blok, Dawnstar, Ultra Boy, Wildfire, Element Lad, Lightning Lass, Magnetic Kid, Shrinking Violet, Shadow Lass, Mon-El; cameo by Polar Boy

Guests: 
SP Chief Zendak, Earth President Desai

Opponents: 
The Inquisitor, his unnamed slave, the threat of the Emerald Empress

Legion of Super-Heroes (v3) #55

The Legion of Super-Heroes (v3) #55 (Holiday 1989)
title: "Different Paths"

writer: Paul Levitz

penciller/co-plotter: Keith Giffen
guest pencillers: Ernie Colon, Jose Luis Garcia-Lopez, Erik Larsen
inker: Al Gordon
lettering: John Costanza
colorist: Carl Gafford
asst editor: Art Young 

editor: Karen Berger 

cover: Steve Lightle
reviewer: Russell "Bilingual Boy" Burbage

Mission Monitor Board:  
Polar Boy, White Witch, Brainiac 5, Dream Girl, Blok

Guests: 
Apprentice Harlak, Star Boy, Atmos

Opponents: 
lack of faith, ego, Atmos (?), the Inquisitor and his dwarf slave

Legion of Super-Heroes (v3) #54

The Legion of Super-Heroes (v3) #54 ("Winter" 1989)
title: "Strength in Numbers"

writer: Paul Levitz

penciller/co-plotter: Keith Giffen
inker: Mike DeCarlo
lettering: John Costanza
colorist: Carl Gafford
asst editor: Art Young 

editor: Karen Berger 

cover: Keith Giffen & Mike DeCarlo (signed)
reviewer: Russell "Bilingual Boy" Burbage

Mission Monitor Board:  
Polar Boy, Ultra Boy, Wildfire, Sensor Girl, Shadow Lass, Dawnstar, Element Lad, Sun Boy, Phantom Girl, Shrinking Violet, Chameleon Boy, Timber Wolf,

Guests: 
Duo Damsel, Bouncing Boy, SP Officer Shvaughn Erin; Visi-Lad, Shadow Kid, Nightwind, and various other Legion Academy students

Opponents: 
Garak of the Glow, various Legion of Super Assassins (Lazon, Titania, Silver Slasher); the threat of the Emerald Empress

Legion of Super-Heroes (v3) #53

The Legion of Super-Heroes (v3) #53 (Dec, 1988)
title: "Hunters and Hunted"

writer: Paul Levitz

layouts/co-plotter: Keith Giffen
finisher: Mike DeCarlo
lettering: John Costanza
colorist: Carl Gafford
asst editor: Art Young 

editor: Karen Berger 

cover: Steve Lightle
reviewer: Russell "Bilingual Boy" Burbage

Mission Monitor Board:  
Magnetic Kid, Lighting Lass, Tellus; Element Lad, Polar Boy, Colossal Boy, Timber Wolf, Shadow Lass, Mon-El

Opponents: 
Hywndr, the Khunds

Legion of Super-Heroes Annual (v2) #4 (1988)

Legion of Super-Heroes Annual (v2) #4 (1988)
title: "Secrets Within The Star"

writer: Paul Levitz

artists: Barry Kitson, Bruce Patterson, and Romeo Tanghal

letterer: John Costanza
colorist: Carl Gafford
asst editor: Art Young

editor: Karen Berger
cover: Brian Bolland (signed)

reviewer: Russell "Bilingual Boy" Burbage

Mission Monitor Board:  
Dawnstar, Phantom Girl, Invisible Kid, Shrinking Violet, Chameleon Boy, Colossal Boy

Opponents: 
Starfinger, Starlight, Starbright

Legion of Super-Heroes (v3) #52

The Legion of Super-Heroes (v3) #52 (Nov, 1988)
title: "Rites of Passage"

writer: Paul Levitz

penciller/co-plotter: Keith Giffen
inker: Mike DeCarlo
lettering: John Costanza
colorist: Carl Gafford
asst editor: Art Young 

editor: Karen Berger 

cover: Steve Lightle
reviewer: Russell "Bilingual Boy" Burbage

Mission Monitor Board:  
Polar Boy, Element Lad, Saturn Girl, Dream Girl, Quislet, Magnetic Kid, Lightning Lass, Tellus, Shadow Lass, Mon-El, Blok

Opponents: 
Hywyndr

Legion of Super-Heroes (v3) #51

The Legion of Super-Heroes (v3) #51 (Oct, 1988)
title: "The Trial of Brainiac 5"

writer: Paul Levitz

penciller/co-plotter: Keith Giffen
inker: Mike DeCarlo
lettering: John Costanza
colorist: Carl Gafford
editor: Karen Berger 

cover: Steve Lightle
reviewer: Russell "Bilingual Boy" Burbage

Mission Monitor Board:  
Saturn Girl, Polar Boy, Brainiac 5, Element Lad, Tellus, Dream Girl, Quislet, Blok, Phantom Girl, Invisible Kid, Shrinking Violet, Lightning Lass, Magnetic Kid, Sun Boy, Wildfire, Dawnstar, Timber Wolf, Sensor Girl, Shadow Lass, Ultra Boy; cameo of Mon-El

Guests: 
Cosmic Boy, Rond Vidar, Duo Damsel, Bouncing Boy

Opponents: 
the Legion Constitution, arrogance, the threat of Starfinger

Legion of Super-Heroes (v3) #50

The Legion of Super-Heroes (v3) #50 (Sept, 1988)
title: "Life and Death And The End of Time"

writer: Paul Levitz

penciller/co-plotter: Keith Giffen
inker: Mike DeCarlo
lettering: John Costanza
colorist: Carl Gafford
editor: Karen Berger 

cover: Ken Steacy
reviewer: Russell "Bilingual Boy" Burbage

Mission Monitor Board:  
Brainiac 5, Mon-El, Saturn Girl;
Ultra Boy, Timber Wolf, Element Lad, Dream Girl, Sun Boy, Quislet, Shrinking Violet, Shadow Lass, Sensor Girl, Polar Boy, White Witch, Tellus

Guests: 
Rond Vidar, Duo Damsel, Bouncing Boy, Circadia Senius

Opponents: 
The Time Trapper, The Infinite Man

Legion of Super-Heroes (v3) #49

The Legion of Super-Heroes (v3) #49 (Aug, 1988)
title: "A Time To Live"

writer: Paul Levitz

penciller: Pat Broderick
inker: Mike DeCarlo
lettering: John Costanza
colorist: Carl Gafford

editor: Karen Berger 

cover: Ken Steacy
reviewer: Russell "Bilingual Boy" Burbage

Mission Monitor Board:  
Sensor Girl, Mon-El, Brainiac 5, Saturn Girl, Phantom Girl, Dawnstar, White Witch, Wildfire, Polar Boy, Lightning Lass, Sun Boy, Magnetic Kid, Element Lad, Shrinking Violet, Timber Wolf, Quislet, Invisible Kid, Shadow Lass, Dream Girl, Blok, Chameleon Boy, Colossal Boy

Guests: 
Duo Damsel, Rond Vidar

Opponents: 
Starfinger, the threat of the Time Trapper

Legion of Super-Heroes (v3) #48

The Legion of Super-Heroes (v3) #48 (July, 1988)
title: "A Time To Die"

writer: Paul Levitz

penciller: Greg LaRocque
inker: Mike DeCarlo
lettering: John Costanza
colorist: Carl Gafford

editor: Karen Berger 

cover: Ken Steacy
reviewer: Russell "Bilingual Boy" Burbage

Mission Monitor Board:  
Brainiac 5, Saturn Girl, Mon-El, Chameleon Boy, Magnetic Kid, Tellus, Sensor Girl, Element Lad, Dream Girl, Timber Wolf, Blok, Colossal Boy, Quislet, Invisible Kid

Guests: 
Duo Damsel

Opponents: 
Starfinger, the threat of the Conspiracy