L.E.G.I.O.N. '93 #48

L.E.G.I.O.N. '93 #48 (January 1993)
title: "Prices"
writer: Barry Kitson
penciler: Dan Lawlis
inkers: Ande Parks
colors: Digital Chameleon
letters: Albert DeGuzman
editor: Dan Raspler
reviewer: Mike "Nostalgic Kid" Lane

Recap: Dox led the team to the planet Arga-Prime to deal with insurgents, but found the problem to be more complicated than expected. He learned that the planet's leaders had not been honest with him, and that the population was unhappy due to racial strife. The planet erupted in rebellion, and the Grand Council introduced a virus into the oceans that would be carried into the atmosphere, eventually releasing a deadly rainfall. Hal Jordan of the Green Lantern Corps arrived to help, and they successfully evacuated the planet. 

Meanwhile, Captain Comet succumbed to his seizures and lost control of his powers. It was revealed that he had been possessed by an alien entity and that it wanted Lady Quark. Dox used some of Lady Quark's DNA to create a biomass in hopes of attracting Comet, but the creature used it to build a new form. Much of the core team was incapacitated, leaving only Dox and Garv to confront the creature. Dox tried to reassure the creature that he was merely trying to protect Lady Quark and has done it no harm. The  creature slowly started to take a shape similar to that of Lady Quark's husband, who was killed in the Crisis on Infinite Earths limited series. It noticed an army of L.E.G.I.O.N. soldiers gathering behind Dox and fled the ship, promising to return for revenge when it is at full power.

On Sha'aballa's world, a slave, Stealth, is brought up for display to be purchased.

The buyers examine her and are pleased even though they are skeptical of her seller, a Khund, that they do not know. They warn him that L.E.G.I.O.N. activity is high on the planet and they have to be careful.

They send the Khund, who is actually the L.E.G.I.O.N. recruit Haak, and Stealth, to the buyer's club to wait. Amid the debauchery, they notice Lobo, their undercover ace-in-the-hole. Elsewhere, Garv and Telepath are standing by with a squad of soldiers.

Haak is angry because the people they are dealing with tell him that he should mind his place because he is a Khund. Stealth tries to get him to focus but they are interrupted by a fight. The victor is confronted by representatives of the house, who punish him for violating the rules.

Dox is monitoring their mission and so far approves of their actions (or inaction). Bek is concerned that he is not taking enough time off after recent adventures and confronts him.

Stealth is brought before a buyer, who offers Haak a price, although Haak is reluctant to except.

Haak accepts and they depart. Meanwhile, Bek and Strata are looking over their teammates who are still unconscious in the medi-unit after the battle of the last few issues. Marij'n''s injuries are merely physical and she is on the road to recovery but they are less sure about the rest.

Garv and Telepath launch their attack on the slavers and Haak tries to take advantage of the opportunity.

Just as he nears defeat, Garv steps in and rescues him. Garv still appears pleased with Haak's overall performance on the mission.

One of the slavers has taken a L.E.G.I.O.N. soldier hostage, but Dox realizes that they will kill her anyways. He orders Garv to kill the slaver but Garv tells the slaver that they surrender. But before anyone can react, Lobo shows up and kills him. Dox tells Garv that if he ever disobeys orders again, his days as a member are over. 

Elsewhere, Stealth is taking care of a young slave as they arrive at their destination and are greeted by a surprising visitor. Its Dox's former girlfriend, Ig'nea.

I really like how we jumped full on into a new adventure after the last one. As much as I loved this series, it could be a bit slow early in its run, but it is moving at a much faster pace now. This storyline did a good job of incorporating a new recruit, Haak, the Khund, who is sincerely trying his best to fit in. This is a vastly different approach compared to how the Khunds had been portrayed in DC Comics to date. And it always fascinated me how much Stealth remained a devoted member of the team despite her history with Dox. I know she was not in control of her actions when she attacked him, but she has also been frequently manipulated by him, and I would expect their fight over their child to cut too deep. Regardless of that history, she has always been devoted to the L.E.G.I.O.N.

As always, its fun to see the team fulfilling its mission, which sometimes got neglected in this title in favor of focusing on conflicts within the team. As much as I love the personal drama, if we do not see them being heroes for the galaxy now and then, undercuts the premise of the title.

I was a bit disappointed that Kitson was not doing art chores here but Lawlis did a fine job. I do miss several characters currently out of commission but its not a big deal. I know they will be back & still very much enjoyed this first issue of the new arc.