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!