Tuesday, May 23, 2017

TOS: Superman Annual #4 (1961)

Take a look at this two-page profile of the Legion from Superman Annual #4 (1961). 
This illustration by Curt Swan and George Klein appeared before the Legion received their series in Adventure Comics #300, which was cover-dated September 1962. 

I can't help but wonder if features like this helped build up interest in the group.  


Please notice that the text says that the Legion exists in the 21st Century! Also, note that Star Boy is not featured, even though he made his debut in Adventure Comics #282 in March 1961. Ultra Boy is also absent, as he made his debut in Superboy #98 cover-dated July 1962.
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10 comments:

  1. KenMay 23, 2017 at 9:15 AM

    It's funny to think about how the 21st century was the 'faraway future' in 1962. I love the action shots of Colossal Boy & Sun Boy, and the humor of the Bouncing Boy scene. And does anyone else look at the Braniac 5 panel and think of Superman getting hit by bullets, giggling his old "tee hee! it tickles!" line?

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    1. Russell BurbageMay 23, 2017 at 9:18 AM

      Yep!
      I really hate the Cham pic, though. The most dynamic member gets the dullest pic. :-(

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    2. AnonymousMay 23, 2017 at 5:25 PM

      That Invisible Kid is one sneaky son of a ....... as depicted in picture number #6 .

      Delete
    3. Mike LaneMay 23, 2017 at 6:38 PM

      Love the profile and most imagines, although the one of Brainiac 5 smiling so happily feels a bit odd. Saturn Girl's does not do much to reveal her ability but I realize that would be a hard one. I guess her pose does suggest some control over the dragon though...and kids usually find dragons cool. Colossal Boy, Phantom Girl, and Triplicate Girl are the standouts for me. I have to think for most kids back then they would have been among the coolest.

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    4. Honeybee9May 27, 2017 at 10:28 PM

      Oh come on. When I first saw that panel as a kid I had no doubt it was conveying Saturn Girl controlling the monster and commanding it to go away.

      Delete
  2. Jay TeaMay 24, 2017 at 7:04 AM

    Was this the first appearance of the Legionnaires' civilian names? I'm not so up on the Legion from before the era I started buying it, but I seem to remember reading that this was the first time they were given their real names.

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    1. Russell BurbageMay 24, 2017 at 8:37 PM

      Jay, I'm not sure. I want to say yes, but I don't have an actual copy of this comic, just a digital re-creation, so I can't be positive.

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    2. Honeybee9May 27, 2017 at 10:26 PM

      I have a copy. i was there. But how does having a copy answer the question.

      Delete
  3. emsley wyattMay 29, 2017 at 2:27 PM

    I believe that this feature was later repeated and expanded showing newer members, honorary members, and the subs.

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  4. MichaelRbnJuly 28, 2018 at 12:31 PM

    Reprinted with two new pages in Adventure 316, and then with two more pages in Adventure 365.

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