R.E.B.E.L.S. #11

R.E.B.E.L.S. #11 (February 2010)

title: "The Son & Stars, Part Two"

writer: Tony Bedard

penciller: Claude St. Aubin

inker: Scott Hanna

colors: Jose Villarrubia 

letters: Travis Lanham
editor: Brian Cunningham
cover: Kalman Andrasofszky

Reviewer: Mike "Nostalgic Kid" Lane

Recap: Vril Dox went on the run after Starro the Conqueror took over L.E.G.I.O.N. and put a bounty on his head. He received a message through time from his descendant, Brainiac 5, who warned that there was no record in his era of Vril Dox after this day. To ensure his survival, Brainiac 5 provided him with the complete personnel files of the Legion of Super-Heroes to maximize his chances. Vril Dox then stole a device from one of the mercenaries chasing him that gave him control over the giant beast, Tribulus. He gathered others, including Wildstar, a tracker, former L.E.G.I.O.N. officer Strata, and her companion, Bounder. 

The Dominator homeworld was soon conquered by Starro, and a Dominator admiral, Xylon, took refuge with Dox, as did a Durlan, Captain Ciji, who was sent by the Counsel of Durla to seek his help. Dox activated the "iron curtain" protocols that commanded all of the peacekeeping robo-troops of L.E.G.I.O.N. to abandon their posts and create a barrier in space around Maltus, the location of L.E.G.I.O.N. headquarters. Dox recovered his son, Lyrl, who claimed that his mother, Stealth, was murdered by L.E.G.I.O.N. troops. Dox was also contacted by Adam Strange, Captain Comet, and the dictator Kanjor-Ro, whose planet was conquered by Starro. While they united on the planet Vrool to discuss their next action, deceased heroes throughout the galaxy began arising from the dead as Black Lanterns in a bid to eliminate all emotion and life from the universe. Among those reanimated by Black Lantern rings was former L.E.G.I.O.N. officer Stealth, mother to Dox's child. Dox and his companions stumbled upon a battle between Sinestro Corpsmen and Black Lanterns, and following the death of a Sinestro Corpsmen, his ring immediately went to Dox, just in time for Stealth's arrival. At the same time, Lyrl Dox was captured by Starro, who joined with him and anointed him as one of his elite Vanguard. This made Lyrl loyal to Starro while also allowing him more free will than a typical victim.

Valor #18

Valor #18 (April 1994)

title: "DOA Aftermath The Vanishing"

writer: Mark Waid

penciller: Colleen Doran

inker: Mischa McDowell

letterer: Bob Pinaha

colorist: Dave Grafe

associate editor: Mike McAvennie

editor: KC Carlson

cover: Stuart Immonen & Dick Giordano (signed)

reviewers: Russell "Bilingual Boy" Burbage and Jason "Anachronistic Kid" Knol

Guest-Star(s):

The Legion of Super-Heroes (Brainiac 5, Dragonmage, Element Lad, Saturn Girl, Triad); Wave-Rider and the Time Linear Men 

Opponent(s):
Glorith

R.EB.E.L.S. #10

R.E.B.E.L.S. #10 (January 2010)

title: "The Son & Stars, Part One"

writer: Tony Bedard

penciller: Andy Clarke

inker: Andy Clarke

colors: Jose Villarrubia 

letters: Steve Wands
editor: Brian Cunningham
cover: Kalman Andrasofszky

Reviewer: Mike "Nostalgic Kid" Lane

Recap: Vril Dox found himself on the run after the new leader of L.E.G.I.O.N. put a bounty on his head. He received a message through time from his descendant, Brainiac 5, who warned that there was no record in his era of Vril Dox after this day. To ensure his survival, Brainiac 5 provided him with the complete personnel files of the Legion of Super-Heroes to maximize his chances. Vril Dox then stole a device from one of the mercenaries chasing him that gave him control over the giant beast, Tribulus. He also travelled to Starhaven, home of the Anasazi Tribe of Earth, where he recruited the outcast native, Wildstar, and used technology to awaken the latent tracking talents of her people.  He then went to the planet Cairn to recruit former L.E.G.I.O.N. officer, Strata, and her companion, Bounder. 

At the same time, the Dominator homeworld came under attack by an invading army from another galaxy led by Starro the Conqueror. Dox's ship appeared to be under attack by a Durlan, Captain Ciji, but it turned out that she was there to appeal for his help on behalf of the Council of Durla. Dox activated the "iron curtain" protocols that commanded all of the peacekeeping robo-troops of L.E.G.I.O.N. to abandon their posts and create a barrier in space around Maltus, the location of L.E.G.I.O.N. headquarters. Dox then recovered his son, Lyrl, who claimed that his mother, Stealth, was murdered by L.E.G.I.O.N. troops. Dox is also contacted by Adam Strange, Captain Comet, and the dictator Kanjor-Ro, whose planet was conquered by Starro. They united on the planet Vrool to discuss their next action.

LEGION TOYS: Electric Blue Superman (DC Universe Classics)

Ready for the next century, Superman is reborn as an Electric Energy being with a containment suit designed by Prof. Emil Hamilton and Dr. Kitty Faulkner.  This reborn Electric Blue Superman would assist the Post-Zero Hour Legionnaires during their battle against C.O.M.P.U.T.O. in the late 20th Century.

R.E.B.E.L.S. #9

R.E.B.E.L.S. #9 (December 2009)

title: "Strange Companions"

writer: Tony Bedard

penciller: Claude St. Aubin

inker: Scott Hanna

colors: Jose Villarrubia 

letters: Sal Cipriano
editor: Brian Cunningham
cover: Kalman Andrasofszky

Reviewer: Mike "Nostalgic Kid" Lane

Recap: Vril Dox found himself on the run after the new leader of L.E.G.I.O.N. put a bounty on his head. He received a message through time from his descendant, Brainiac 5, who warned that there was no record in his era of Vril Dox after this day. To ensure his survival, Brainiac 5 provided him with the complete personnel files of the Legion of Super-Heroes to maximize his chances. Vril Dox then stole a device from one of the mercenaries chasing him that gave him control over the giant beast, Tribulus. He travelled to Starhaven, home of the Anasazi Tribe of Earth, who had long ago been abducted by aliens and resettled. There, he recruited the outcast native, Wildstar, and used technology to awaken the latent tracking talents of her people.  Unfortunately, the effects of the process meant that she must now wear a special containment suit for the rest of her life. He then went to the planet Cairn to recruit former L.E.G.I.O.N. officer, Strata, and her companion, Bounder. 

At the same time, the homeworld of the Dominators came under attack by an invading army from another galaxy led by Starro the Conqueror. Dox's ship was attacked by a Durlan, Captain Ciji, who commanded a troop of Khund warriors. It turned out that Captain Ciji was there to appeal to Dox for help on behalf of the Council of Durla. Dox activated the "iron curtain" protocols that commanded all of the peacekeeping robo-troops of L.E.G.I.O.N. to abandon their posts and create a barrier in space. Dox contacted every major power in the galaxy for help to stop Starro's invading army but his overtures were rejected. He then recovers his son, Lyrl, who claims that his mother, Stealth, was murdered by L.E.G.I.O.N. troops. Meanwhile, the Psions recruit the Omega Men into their own plan to stop Starro.

The Original Legion: Who Joined When? (Part One)

By Emsley Wyatt

Who joined when?

When the Legion of Super-Heroes first appeared in Adventure Comics #247 (April 1958) it was as a group without a history.  They were just sort of there.  

The story was intended as a one-and-done, as most comic stories were in those days. But it didn't stay that way.  Readers wanted more and what readers want, they usually get. More and more Legion stories were written and more and more members were created.  Then, readers started to demand a history for the group.  What was their origin?  When did the various members join? This two-part post will attempt to answer that question! 

R.E.B.E.L.S. #8

R.E.B.E.L.S. #8 (November 2009)

title: "Stealth"

writer: Tony Bedard

penciller: Andy Clarke

inker: Andy Clarke

colors: Jose Villarrubia 

letters: Travis Laham
editor: Brian Cunningham
cover: Kalman Andrasofszky

Reviewer: Mike "Nostalgic Kid" Lane

Recap: Vril Dox found himself on the run after the new leader of L.E.G.I.O.N. put a bounty on his head. He received a message through time from his descendant, Brainiac 5, who explained that there was no record in his era of Vril Dox after this day. To ensure his survival, Brainiac 5 provided him with the complete personnel files of the Legion of Super-Heroes to maximize his chances. Vril Dox then stole a device from one of the mercenaries chasing him, which gave him control over the giant beast, Tribulus. He travelled to Starhaven, home of the Anasazi Tribe of Earth, who had long ago been abducted by aliens and resettled. There, he recruited the outcast native, Wildstar, and used technology to awaken the latent tracking talents of her people.  Unfortunately, the effects of the process meant that she must now wear a special containment suit for the rest of her life. He then travelled to the planet Cairn to recruit former L.E.G.I.O.N. officer, Strata, and her companion, Bounder. At the same time, the homeworld of the Dominators came under attack by an invading army from another galaxy led by Starro the Concqueror. Dox's ship was also attacked by a Durlan, Captain Ciji, who commanded a troop of Khund warriors. It turned out that Captain Ciji was there to appeal to Dox for help on behalf of the Council of Durla. Dox activated the "iron curtain" protocols that commanded all of the peacekeeping robo-troops of L.E.G.I.O.N. to abdandon their posts and create a barrier in space. Dox contacted every major power in the galaxy for help but his overtures were rejected.

 

Who's Who in the Legion #2 EXTRAS

by Russell "Bilingual Boy" Burbage

Continuing the series where we spotlight the features that appeared at the beginning of each issue of the mini-series Who's Who in the Legion of Super-Heroes (1988). This time out we continue with the history of the Legion, which had begun in the first issue. 

R.E.B.E.L.S. #7

R.E.B.E.L.S. #7 (October 2009)

title: "No Way Out"

writer: Tony Bedard

penciller: Andy Clarke

inker: Andy Clarke

colors: Jose Villarrubia 

letters: Steve Wands
editor: Brian Cunningham
cover: Kalman Andrasofszky

Reviewer: Mike "Nostalgic Kid" Lane

Recap: Vril Dox found himself on the run after the new leader of L.E.G.I.O.N. put a bounty on his head. He received a message through time from his descendant, Brainiac 5, who explained that there was no record in his era of Vril Dox after this day. To ensure his survival, Brainiac 5 provided him with the complete personnel files of the Legion of Super-Heroes to maximize his chances. Vril Dox then stole a device from one of the mercenaries chasing him, which gave him control over the giant beast, Tribulus. He travelled to Starhaven, home of the Anasazi Tribe of Earth, who had long ago been abducted by aliens and resettled. There, he recruited the outcast native, Wildstar, and used technology to awaken the latent tracking talents of her people.  Unfortunately, the effects of the process meant that she must now wear a special containment suit for the rest of her life. He then travelled to the planet Cairn to recruit former L.E.G.I.O.N. officer, Strata, and her companion, Bounder. At the same time, the homeworld of the Dominators came under attack by an invading army from another galaxy led by Starro the Concqueror. Dox's ship was also attacked by a Durlan, Captain Ciji, who commanded a troop of Khund warriors. It turned out that Captain Ciji was there to appeal to Dox for help on behalf of the Council of Durla. Dox activated the "iron curtain" protocols that commanded all of the peacekeeping robo-troops of L.E.G.I.O.N. to abdandon their posts and create a barrier in space.

Bronze Age Legion Writers

 

The Legion of Super Writers Part 2

by Emsley Wyatt

As we profiled in the first part of this article, the Legion of Super-Heroes had a group of talented men guiding their destinies from their very beginning: Otto Binder, Jerry Siegel, Edmond Hamilton, and Jim Shooter. After the Legion of Super-Heroes were unceremoniously kicked out of Adventure Comics in 1969, then-writer Jim Shooter left the series. He has said that economically he needed to write 17-page stories, and that he could literally not afford to write the 8-page back-ups. 

Although it is said that the Bronze Age begins a few years after this, with the decommissioning of the Legion from Adventure Comics and the near simultaneous loss of Jim Shooter, this seemed like a good breaking off point.