Legion of Super-Heroes in the 31st Century #7

The Legion of Super-Heroes in the 31st Century #7 (December 2007)
title: No Boys Allowed
writer: Jai Nitz
art: Ethan Beavers
letterer: Mike Sellers
colorist: Heroic Age
editor: Jeanine Schaefer
cover art: Alexander Serra

Mission Monitor Board: Bouncing Boy, Lightning Lad, Phantom Girl, Saturn Girl, Superman, Triplicate Girl

Villain: Circe

Special Appearance: The Amazons of New Themyrscira



Summary: The story opens on New Themyscira, formerly Io, the fourth largest moon of Jupiter, now home of the Amazons. Regent Circe, who is ruler of the Amazons until such time as Princess Xenobia is of age, is informed that the princess is missing. Circe speculates that she has probably just run away and that there is no reason for alarm. She insists that this is an Amazonian matter that must stay among the Amazons, and not involve the world of men.

Back at Legion headquarters, Phantom Girl is concerned that her friend Xen (the princess) has not shown up for her visit because it is not like her to ever miss a vacation. The girls think she is over-reacting, but the boys insist that the team visit Themyscira to investigate.

When the team arrives at New Themyscira, Circe refuses to allow the male members of the team to leave their ship. Circe escorts the female Legionnaires through the city in an effort to locate the princess, but explains along the way that she is concerned that Xenobia is not ready to lead their society. As they walk, Circe is somehow able to discern the team's deepest secrets and uses them to cause resentment among the teammates.

The Legionnaires become so distracted arguing with one another that they do not realize that Circe has led them into a trap. They find themselves in a small room where Xenobia is being held in some sort of mystical mirror. Before they can react, Circe traps them as well.

Meanwhile, the male Legionnaires have lost patience and snuck out of their ship to explore New Themyscira. They try to keep a low profile at first, but stumble onto a group of Amazons. At first the boys mistake the Amazons excitement for happiness over seeing men, but when the women start pulling out their swords, they discover how mistaken they were.

Superman uses his heat vision to warm a water fountain to create a fog thick enough to blind everyone. Unfortunately, Bouncing Boy and Lightning Lad are also unable to see, but Superman uses his x-ray vision to search for a way to escape. He discovers the girls imprisoned nearby and the boys soon go to their rescue. Lightning Lad is able to destroy their prison, and Xenobia and Superman are especially excited to meet one another.

Circe arrives and is furious to find that they have escaped. The team battles her while Phantom Girl attempts to lead Xenobia away, but the princess insists she has a plan. Circe turns the male Legionnaires into pigs and has soon nearly defeated the Legion when she is confronted by Xenobia in full battle armor. The Princess appears to be goading Circe into dropping her protection spell, but is actually just distracting her long enough for Phantom Girl to help her teammates recover.

Aided by Xenobia, the team quickly weakens Circe, and a final blow from Bouncing Pig finishes the job. The girls had gotten over the earlier resentment that Circe caused by revealing their secrets and the boys return to normal. Now in place as a ruler, Xenobia presents medals to the Legionnaires to show her appreciation. Unfortunately, she still has to insist that the men depart, although not before she shares a brief moment with Superman.

Commentary
This was a fun, light-hearted issue, albeit not one of the more memorable entries in this series. I think more could have been done with the concept of Themyscira in the 31st Century since they are often portrayed as immortal, but there were some creative aspects I appreciated, particularly moving it to a moon of Jupiter.

Some of the humor involving the male Legionnaires was a bit grating, but since this title is oriented to younger readers I can forgive it. Superman's attraction to Xenobia felt a bit forced, and I am not sure if it was worth including in the story. I know they were alluding to Wonder Woman, and the potential for him to feel an attraction to her, but since I am not a big fan of the idea of Superman and Wonder Woman getting together, I do not think I felt that engaged in those moments. All in all, I do not have much to say on this one. It was an interesting tie-in to aspects of the mainstream DC Universe, not as enjoyable as the Green Lantern issue, but perfectly serviceable.