Reboot: Legionnaires #42

Legionnaires #42 (November 1996)
title: "When Strikes the Sorceress!"

writers: Roger Stern and Tom McCraw

pencillers: Jeffrey Moy and Philip Moy
inker: W.C. Carani
lettering: Pat Brosseau
colorist: Tom McCraw

associate editor: Ruben Diaz
editor: KC Carlson

cover: Jeffrey Moy & W.C. Carani
reviewers: Siskoid & Shotgun

Mission Monitor Board:  
Chameleon, Cosmic Boy (flashback), Element Lad, Invisible Kid, Kinetix, Live Wire, M'Onel, Shrinking Violet (flashback), Spark (flashback), Star Boy, Triad, XS

Guests: 
Azra Saugin, R.J. Brande, Thanot Saugin

Opponents: 
Mysa, Tangleweb (flashback)

Recap: 
Some time ago, Kinetix was robbed of her psychokinetic powers by an artifact called the Star of Akkos. Looking to re-empower herself, she found her way to the witch Mysa who imbued her with power and sent her looking for the Eye of Ekron. More recently, the Legion reeling from having half its members sent back in time BY the Eye sees some of its members ambushed by Mysa...

Synopsis: 
The Legionnaires fight Mysa's magics on Sorcerers' World and end up as her captives. All but Invisible Kid who made himself and Kinetix's mother and sister invisible to escape detection. Mysa tortures Kinetix for having failed to get her hands on the Eye, and reveals that she was the one who planted the Star of Akkos on that planet and made it suppress Kinetix's powers in order to turn her into one of her agents.

Invisible Kid arrives and robs Mysa of the Starr and her grip on the Legionnaires is broken. Kinetix's mother asks if this is how Mysa repays her for saving her life and tells the story of how, as an archaeologist, she once found Mysa dying in the snow and healed her with the Scepter of Sybolla. Because she was pregnant at the time, it also gave the unborn Kinetix the potential for psychokinetic power and a spiritual bond with Mysa who then kept track of her over the years. Mysa acquiesces to Azra Saugin's demands and restores Kinetix's human appearance and original powers, then teleports the Legion back to their HQ.

After getting home, R.J. Brande approaches Live Wire and asks him to lead the Legion. He accepts, but only on a provisional basis until things calm down and an election can be called.

Commentary: 
Shotgun
Thank God Kinetix’s mom was there to save the day. Interesting to learn more about their common past. The way Mysa treated Kinetix was definitely unfair, but I’m not buying her change of heart. Great speech Azra, but something just isn’t right. I would be EXTREMELY surprised if this were the last we hear from Mysa. I also miss the face tattoo and the skirt on Kinetix, but it’s good to know that her original powers are back. I hope her attitude stays as it is right now. She needs to stop seeking more power and embrace the gift she has. She seems to be on the right path. I just hope she doesn’t mess with the Eye once we get back to that part of the story.

Interesting power demonstration by Invisible Kid, being able to hide not only himself but the other two – I just love how it confuses me every time he talks while being invisible. There were some great leadership traits showing as well in this issue. Not only from Live Wire, but from Chameleon as well. The circumstances in which the Legion are now evolving forces new members to take the lead and I enjoy it quite a lot. I’m glad Garth accepted the position. I am even more impressed with his humility when asked to step up. Choosing to be a temporary leader until everyone’s back to hold another election proves he grew a lot since the beginning of the Reboot.

Siskoid
I am very happy, yes, that Live Wire has grown up so much since coming back to the Legion. That sabbatical actually did him a world of good. He tries to fob the job off to Invisible Kid, who is arguably smarter, but Lyle refuses, saying his skill set works best behind the scenes rather than leading the pack. I agree, but more than that, I don't think Lyle's been purged of his potentially dangerous impulsive side the way Garth has. He's not ready. We'll see what an election will yield in the future (I think Triad would be great, personally), but at this point, if you're going to just up and name someone, Garth is just about the best pick.

We also close the chapter on at least part of the Emerald Eye storyline, though Shrinking Violet's fate will have to keep for a fair few issues yet. Mysa's revenge on Kinetix for failing her provides more than a cool fight (Jeff Moy has really come into his own, as action used to be his weakness), but also some important revelations about Kinetix's origin. It makes me wonder whether her power really is psychokinesis (and even if it is, there's talk of untapped potential, so Zoe should look for more power within not without), or if it's actually the ability to become a vessel or conduit for magic artifacts. At least the way it's told. I'm certainly okay with the "seeking power" subplots to cool down, what with Zoe, Lori and Vi all having been involved in those recently.

Science Police Notes:  

• All-inclusive Legion numbering: 1996/20. For flow of reading, this review appears before 1996/19 (Legion of Super-Heroes v4 #85) as the two books now deviate into separate stories for the time being.
• This issue explains the truth of Kinetix's origin, restores her human appearance, and gives her an third costume.
• Live Wire becomes acting leader.