R.I.P. Derrick J Wyatt

Remembering Derrick J. Wyatt

by Sarcasm Kid 

R.E.B.E.L.S. #26

R.E.B.E.L.S. #26 (May 2011)

title: Starstruck, Part 3

writer: Tony Bedard
penciller: Daniel Horn de Rosa & Claude St. Aubin
inker: Scott Hanna
colors: Tanya Horie; Richard Horie
letters: Travis Lanham
editor: Brian Cunningham
cover: Aaron Lopresti

Recap: Dox asked Blackfire Komand'r to join him for dinner to learn how the Tamaranean refugees were adjusting to their new homeworld. Her report was encouraging and the two hit it off surprisingly well. Dox was returning from their date when his ship came under attack by Starro's agent, Smite, who incapacitated Tribulus. Storm-Daughter abducted Dox and took him before Starro on the newly conquered homeworld of the Psions.

Meanwhile, Lobo was teasing Captain Comet over his feelings for Starfire when he caught the scent of Czarnian pheromones nearby. Believing that he killed every member of his race, he confronted her but the woman turned out to be Starro's agent, Storm-Daughter. She had sprayed herself with pheromones and she easily distracted Lobo with a kiss. It created the opportunity for her to drug him so she could absorb his energy and use it to restore Starro's strength.

Lobo recovered and reported the incident to Adam Strange, who was gathering everyone for a mission to retrieve Dox. Lobo refused to wait for them and charged ahead to find Storm-Daughter because he had her scent. Fortunately, Wildstar could track Lobo, which would help them in locating Dox, but Lyrl was left behind in hope that he could save Tribulus. 

Tis The Season To Be Freezin' - Polar Boy in "Snow Date"

Title: Snow Date

Writer: Rich Bernatovech

Penciller: Travis Mercer

Inker: Norm Rapmund

Colorist: Andrew Dalhouse

Letterer: Dave Sharpe

Editor: Michael McCalister

The Legion's pretty much been absent this past year while Brian Bendis worked on Justice League, Checkmate, and, I-I dunno, whatever else he's wasting time on. I don't think about him if I can help it.

Imagine how delighted I was to learn my friend Rich Bernatovech was not only writing for DC's holiday anthology - he was submitting a Legion story!

AND IT'S GOOD, YOU GUYS. LIKE SO GOOD. THE BEST THE LEGION'S BEEN IN AGES.

After interviewing Rich in my previous post, I'm now submitting a review of the story in question featuring the return of Polar Boy, Comet Queen, and the debut of a new Legion villain.

R.E.B.E.L.S #25

R.E.B.E.L.S. #25 (April 2011)

title: Starstruck, Part 2

writer: Tony Bedard
penciller: Claude St. Aubin
inker: Scott Hanna
colors: Tanya Horie; Richard Horie
letters: Travis Lanham
editor: Brian Cunningham
cover: Aaron Lopresti

Recap: Dox asked Blackfire Komand'r to join him for dinner to learn how the Tamaranean refugees were adjusting to their new homeworld. Her report was encouraging and the two hit it off surprisingly well. Dox was returning from their date when his ship came under attack by Starro's agent, Smite.

Meanwhile, Lobo was teasing Comet over his feelings for Starfire when he caught the scent of Czarnian pheromones nearby. Believing that he killed every member of his race, he confronted her but she easily distracted him with a kiss. It created the opportunity for her to drug him so she could absorb his energy and use it to restore Starro's strength.

Rich Bernatovech Talks Polar Boy

I was delighted when I saw my friend Rich Bernatovech's name among the creators who worked on DC's 2021 holiday anthology, 'Tis The Season To Be Freezin'. My delight grew when Rich informed me he was submitting a Legion story to the mix, featuring the debut of a new version of Polar Boy.

Discussing it with Rich via Facebook and at New York Comic Con, I set up the chance to interview him for Super-Bloggers. I apologize for my lack of content this past year, so I was happy for the chance to submit something really special.

R.E.B.E.L.S. #24

R.E.B.E.L.S. #24 (March 2011)

title: Starstruck, Part 1

writer: Tony Bedard
penciller: Claude St. Aubin
inker: Scott Hanna
colors: Tanya Horie; Richard Horie
letters: Travis Lanham
editor: Brian Cunningham
cover: Francis Portela & Javier Mena

Recap: Adam Strange and other L.E.G.I.O.N. top brass gathered to welcome dignitaries from the Green Lantern Corps, including Jon Stewart of Earth. While they met with Vril Dox, they received notice that the terrorist group known as the Citadel Liberation Front was about to collapse the Vegan sun, which would mean the end of 14 inhabited worlds.

Stewart sent Green Lantern Corps members Altin Admos and Gorius Karkum to deal with the problem. Dox was skeptical of their abilities, since the L.E.G.I.O.N. had recently had encounters with both Lanterns that left the Guardians displeased with their performance. But the duo were able to penetrate the Front's ship and disable their weapon. Dox was caught off guard by their success but reluctantly congratulated them. It was later revealed that the Front's actions were a plot by Dox, who had his son create the weapon. Dox had expected the Corps to fail and planned for the L.E.G.I.O.N. to swoop in and claim success.

Valor #21

 Valor #21 (July 1994)

title: "Sudden Death Overtime part 2: Two Minute Warning"

writer: Kurt Busiek special thanks to Mark Waid

penciller: Colleen Doran

inker: Dave Cooper

letterer: Bob Pinaha

colorist: Dave Grafe

associate editor: Mike McAvennie

editor: KC Carlson

cover: Stuart Immonen & Karl Kesel (signed)

reviewer: Russell "Bilingual Boy" Burbage 

Guest-Star(s):

Wave Rider, The Linear Men

Opponent(s):
time paradoxes, Glorith

R.E.B.E.L.S. #23

R.E.B.E.L.S. #23 (February 2011)

title: "To Be a R.E.B.E.L., Conclusion"
writer: Tony Bedard
penciller: Claude St. Aubin; Kevin Sharpe
inker: Scott Hanna
colors: Tanya Horie; Richard Horie
letters: Travis Lanham
editor: Brian Cunningham
cover: Francis Portela & Javier Mena

Recap: Just as their battle with Brainiac ended, Vril Dox and his son, Lyrl, were confronted by two members of the Green Lantern Corps, Altin Admos and Gorius Karkum. Dox had Lobo attack them, but Admos was hesitant to fight at first because his people held Lobo in such high esteem as a warrior. He soon overcame his reluctance and saw this as a chance to prove himself. Neither Admos nor Karkum were able to get the upper hand, but Admos' pride kept him from calling the Corps for assistance. Their fight was eventually interrupted by the arrival of a L.E.G.I.O.N. armada and a large contingent of the press. Dox broadcast a message portraying L.E.G.I.O.N. as bringing order and prosperity to their member words, and Green Lanterns as a rogue organization imposing the laws of Oa with no regard for local statutes. 

Karkum noticed Starfire among them, a being who always fascinated her. She later encountered Starfire on the planet Norvath, and explained that they suffered a similar fate at the hands of her people, the Psions. They travelled to a prison on Psion, where Karkum explained that most of the women of her race are killed at birth and the remainder used as breeding stock. They battled the guards, but the Psions eventually blew up the prison, killing both the prisoners and guards. Starfire returned to Dox to confront him over their contract with the Psions, and in response, he nullified it. The Guardians were very displeased with the actions of both Admos and Karkum during these events.

Krypton Girl and the Legion of Super-Heroes

Title: Superman's Girl Friend, Lois Lane #47 - "The Super-Life of Lois Lane!"

Creators: Kurt Schaffenberger and Mort Weisinger

Imaginary stories were a frequent idea for DC during the Silver Age. Predating Elseworlds and the overall Multiverse theme, they were stories characters thought up in-universe about what might've been or could've been. Largely, the concept was used to tell tales about who Superman or Batman might marry.

Superman's Girl Friend Lois Lane #47 gave us a typical Imaginary Story operating on the role reversal concept. It also gave us a short appearance of the Legion of Super-Heroes. This particular Imaginary Story is one of my favorites, and served as the basis for an alternate Earth concept I've worked on for several years.

This gave us an idea of how things might go if Lois Lane was the hero, but also gave us a sneak peek at Lois Lane as a Legionnaire. It's minor, but manages to stand out due to Lois not having much interaction with the Legionnaires despite them being good friends of Clark.

R.E.B.E.L.S. #22

R.E.B.E.L.S. #22 (January 2011)

title: "To Be a R.E.B.E.L., Part 1"
writer: Tony Bedard
penciller: Claude St. Aubin; Kevin Sharpe
inker: Bob Wiacek
colors: Tanya Horie; Richard Horie
letters: Travis Lanham
editor: Brian Cunningham
cover: Francis Portela & Javier Mena

Reviewer: Mike "Nostalgic Kid" Lane

Recap: Just as their battle with Brainiac ended, Vril Dox and his son, Lyrl, were confronted by two members of the Green Lantern Corps, Altin Admos and Gorius Karkum. Dox had Lobo attack them, but Admos was hesitant to fight at first because his people held Lobo in such high esteem as a warrior. He soon overcame his reluctance and saw this as a chance to prove himself. Neither Admos nor Karkum were able to get the upper hand, but Admos' pride kept him from calling the Corps for assistance. Their fight was eventually interrupted by the arrival of a L.E.G.I.O.N. armada and a large contingent of the press. Dox broadcast a message portraying L.E.G.I.O.N. as bringing order and prosperity to their member words, and Green Lanterns as a rogue organization imposing the laws of Oa with no regard for local statutes. His speech worked, and the Guardians called both Admos and Karkum before them to explain their reckless actions.

Who DIDN'T Join When

OR, “You're the next contestant on 'Who Wants to be a Legionnaire?'” 

by Emsley Wyatt

Having recently done a two-part article on the joining order of Legionnaires, I was casting about for an idea for my next article. Then I remembered that old writer's maxim: “Look at the flip side of the story.”  Well, the flip side of who joined is who didn't join. It seemed a natural, especially given that the Legion's first appearance was, in essence, a tryout story….! 

So today we'll take a look at the rejected applicants, in publication order.  If I left anyone out, please let me know.

R.E.B.E.L.S. #21

R.E.B.E.L.S. #21 (December 2010)
title: "To Be a R.E.B.E.L., Part 1"
writer: Tony Bedard
penciller: Claude St. Aubin
inker: Scott Hanna
colors: Tanya Horie; Richard Horie
letters: Travis Lanham
editor: Brian Cunningham
cover: Francis Portela & Santiago Arcas

Reviewer: Mike "Nostalgic Kid" Lane

Recap: Vril Dox's son, Lyrl, now known as Brainiac 3, used a pulsar star to create a powerful entity, Pulsar Stargrave. He ordered the being to attack his father's homeworld, Colu, so that he could take their data-core. Dox happened to be on Colu visiting the supposedly inert body of his father, the original Brainiac, when he was alerted to his son's action. But before he could respond to his son's invasion, Brainiac awoke from his coma intent on killing Dox. The ruling council was killed in the attack on Colu, and Dox travelled to the Vega system to hire Lobo to help him against Brainiac. 

Dox convinced his son to help fight Brainiac while Lobo dealt with Pulsar Stargrave. Brainiac attempted to absorb their minds, but found himself overwhelmed by their memories and experiences. He fled with Pulsar Stargrave and the data-core, a loss that Dox said they will not easily recover from. Just as Dox and his son got their bearings, they found themselves confronted by two members of the Green Lantern Corps, who declared that they were under arrest.

Garfield in the 30th Century!

by Siskoid

It happened in the Legion of Super-Heroes' third volume, #32 to be exact. Heroes from the 30th Century had been kidnapped, depowered and kept prisoner on a planet. Heroes like Saturn Girl, Dream Girl, Atmos, and... Jon Arbuckle from Garfield?

Or possibly his descendant. But that would mean he procreated. Which doesn't seem likely from the strips, does it?

I wonder what his powers are. And if he'd have any chance at all in a Legion try-out.

Would they drum him out as soon as he started having conversations with his imaginary cat?

Or NOT so imaginary, as the Legion books would have it.

One theory is that the glacial pace at which the comic strips advance the story kept Jon AND Garfield young and alive for a thousand years. Garfield himself put in an appearance earlier in Legion of Super-Heroes vol.2 #300!

Looks like he's one of the Heroes of Lallor there! As is... Spider-Man!?

Well, that one I can't explain.

R.E.B.E.L.S. #20

R.E.B.E.L.S. #20 (November 2010)

title: "Sons of Brainiac, Part 3: Brain-Drain"

writer: Tony Bedard

penciller: Claude St. Aubin

inker: Scott Hanna

colors: Tanya Horie; Richard Horie

letters: Travis Lanham
editor: Brian Cunningham
cover: David Lynch

Reviewer: Mike "Nostalgic Kid" Lane

Recap: Dox transplanted the planet Rann to the former location of the destroyed planet Tamaran to prevent disaster from the loss of so much mass in its solar system. He also restored the atmosphere of Rann, established a new L.E.G.I.O.N. headquarters on its surface, and allowed the surviving Tamaraneans to settle in its Southern hemisphere.

Dox's son Lyrl, now known as Brainiac 3, used a pulsar star to create a powerful entity, Pulsar Stargrave, which he ordered to attack his father's homeworld, Colu, so he could take their data-core. Dox happened to be on Colu visiting the supposedly inert body of his father, the original Brainiac, when he was alerted to his son's action. But before he could respond to his son's invasion, Brainiac awoke from his coma intent on killing Dox. The ruling council was killed in the attack on Colu, and Dox travelled to the Vega system to hire Lobo to help him against Brainiac. 

Who's Who in the Legion #5 EXTRAS

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 the series features a guided tour of the Legion head-quarters by the one and only Phantom Girl. 

R.E.B.E.L.S. #19

R.E.B.E.L.S. #19 (October 2010)

title: "Sons of Brainiac, Part 2: Name & Number"

writer: Tony Bedard

penciller: Claude St. Aubin

inker: Scott Hanna

colors: Tanya Horie; Richard Horie

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

Reviewer: Mike "Nostalgic Kid" Lane

Recap: Dox transplanted the planet Rann to the former location of the destroyed planet Tamaran to prevent disaster from the loss of so much mass in its solar system. He also restored the atmosphere of Rann, established a new L.E.G.I.O.N. headquarters on its surface, and allowed the surviving Tamaraneans to settle in its Southern hemisphere.

Dox's son Lyrl, now known as Brainiac 3, used a pulsar star to create a powerful entity, Pulsar Stargrave, which he ordered to attack his father's homeworld, Colu. Dox happened to be on Colu visiting the supposedly inert body of his father, the original Brainiac, and was alerted to his son's action. But before he could respond to his son's invasion, his father awoke from his coma intent on killing Dox.

Valor #20

Valor #20 (June 1994)

title: "Sudden Death Overtime Part 1: Ahead of His Time"

writer: Kurt Busiek  special thanks to Mark Waid

penciller: Colleen Doran

inker: Dave Cooper (Colleen inks page 11)

letterer: Bob Pinaha

colorist: Dave Grafe

associate editor: Mike McAvennie

editor: KC Carlson

cover: Stuart Immonen (signed)

reviewer: Russell "Bilingual Boy" Burbage 

Guest-Star(s):

Wave Rider, The Linear Men

Opponent(s):
Descendants of Braal

R.E.B.E.L.S. #18

R.E.B.E.L.S. #18 (September 2010)

title: "Sons of Brainiac, Part 1: Brainchild"

writer: Tony Bedard

penciller: Claude St. Aubin

inker: Scott Hanna

colors: Tanya Horie; Richard Horie

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

Reviewer: Mike "Nostalgic Kid" Lane

Recap: With the defeat of Starro the Conqueror, Dox wanted to rebuild the L.E.G.I.O.N., but was surprised to find that the population of Maltus blamed him for Starro's attack. He decided that they need a new world for their headquarters so Adam Strange took him to the planet Rann, which had recently been decimated by a God-like being. The surviving population fled and the planet no longer had an atmosphere.

On the planet Kalanor, Desparo was about to execute Starro, when his former soldier, Storm-Daughter arrived to rescue him. She used her powers to restore Starro's strength and they fled Kalanor together. Meanwhile, Starfire was visiting the site of her homeworld Tamaran, which had been destroyed. She was in tears, watching the asteroids that once made up her world, when a bright light appeared and suddenly a planet was sitting where Tamaran once did.

She learned that Dox had transported Rann to its location to prevent a disaster from the loss of so much mass in the solar system. Starfire chose to join the L.E.G.I.O.N. while her sister, Blackfire, took advantage of the influx of refugees to mask the invasion of Rann by her army of Tamaranean survivors. But Dox, with the assistance of the Thanigarians, called for a truce and invited the Tamaraneans to settle on their new homeworld in its Southern hemisphere.

I Wouldn't Play D&D with the Legion

by Siskoid

 I won't deny it was fun to see Sun Boy and Star Boy (are they paired because they essentially have the same name?) playing Dungeons & Dragons whenever they had some downtime in the '80s Legion books. However, I just can't get into the way the role-playing game hobby morphed between then and the 29th Century. You might think it's cool that there's an impressive holographic display, but it's got more in common with the chess set aboard the Millennium Falcon than it does table top role-playing.

Click Read More (below) to read my specific complaints. 

R.E.B.E.L.S. #17

R.E.B.E.L.S. #17 (August 2010)

title: "What Happens in Vega...Conclusion"

writer: Tony Bedard

penciller: Sergio Ariño

inker: Scott Hanna

colors: Jose Villarrubia 

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

Reviewer: Mike "Nostalgic Kid" Lane

Recap: With the defeat of Starro the Conqueror, Dox wanted to rebuild the L.E.G.I.O.N., but was surprised to find that the population of Maltus blamed him for Starro's attack. He decided that they need a new world for their headquarters so Adam Strange took him to the planet Rann, which had recently been decimated by a God-like being. The surviving population fled and the planet no longer had an atmosphere.

On the planet Kalanor, Desparo was about to execute Starro, when his former soldier, Storm-Daughter arrived to rescue him. She used her powers to restore Starro's strength and they fled Kalanor together. Meanwhile, Starfire was visiting the site of her homeworld Tamaran, which had been destroyed. She was in tears, watching the asteroids that once made up her world, when a bright light appeared and suddenly a planet was sitting where Tamaran once did.

She learned that Dox had transported Rann to its location to prevent a disaster from the loss of so much mass in the solar system. Starfire chose to join the L.E.G.I.O.N. while her sister, Blackfire, took advantage of the influx of refugees to mask the invasion of Rann by her army of Tamaranean survivors.

Who's Who in the Legion #4 EXTRAS

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 the series profiled the home planets of the Legionnaires. 

R.E.B.E.L.S. #16

R.E.B.E.L.S. #16 (July 2010)

title: "What Happens in Vega...Part 2"

writer: Tony Bedard

penciller: Claude St. Aubin

inker: Walden Wong

colors: Jose Villarrubia 

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

Reviewer: Mike "Nostalgic Kid" Lane

Recap: With the defeat of Starro the Conqueror, Dox wanted to rebuild the L.E.G.I.O.N., but was surprised to find that the population of Maltus blamed him for Starro's attack. He decided that they need a new world for the headquarters so Adam Strange took him to the planet Rann, which had recently been decimated by a God-like being. The surviving population fled and the planet no longer had an atmosphere.

On the planet Kalanor, Desparo was about to execute Starro, when his former soldier, Storm-Daughter arrived to rescue him. She used her powers to restore Starro's strength and they fled Kalanor together. Meanwhile, Starfire was visiting the site of her homeworld Tamaran, which had been destroyed. She was in tears, watching the asteroids that once made up her world, when a bright light appeared and suddenly a planet was sitting where Tamaran once did.

Valor #19

Valor #19 (May 1994)

title: "Deadline!"

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 & Jose Marzan (signed)

reviewer: Russell "Bilingual Boy" Burbage 

Guest-Star(s):

The Legion of Super-Heroes (Saturn Girl, Triad, Element Lad, Brainiac 5) 

Opponent(s):
the Khunds

R.E.B.E.L.S. #15

R.E.B.E.L.S. #15 (June 2010)

title: "What Happens in Vega"

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. Dox began to gather a new team, including the giant beast Tribulus. the tracker Wildstar, former L.E.G.I.O.N. officer Strata, and her companion, Bounder. 

The Dominator homeworld was conquered by Starro, and a Dominator admiral, Xylon, took refuge with Dox. They were joined by Adam Strange, Captain Comet, the deposed dictator Kanjar-Ro, Despero, and a Durlan, Captain Ciji, who was sent by the Counsel of Durla to seek his help. Dox then recovered his son, Lyrl, who had been on the run since his mother was killed by L.E.G.I.O.N. robo-troops. Lyrl became possessed by one of Starro's starfish, although one that left him with a greater degree of free will than typical so as not to limit his intelligence, and he adopted the title Brainiac 3. However, he was not as under control as Starro believed, and the boy set a trap so that Starro would fall into his father's hands. Dox's weapon failed to defeat the conqueror, but the Omega Men arrived with a poison they retrieved in Starro's home galaxy that succeeded in stopping him.

Sarcasm Kid's NYCC 2021 Legion Sketch Post

Wow. So. It's been two years since my last comic con and... a lot's happened.

Like a LOT.

It hasn't been a good two years.

I was only able to go to New York Comic Con on Thursday and Sunday due to my boss going on vacation. Because this was my first convention since 2019 and with everything that's gone on since then, I decided to really splurge. I've dealt with being threatened working the Census, my grandpa dying, getting COVID, my mom being diagnosed with cancer, and that hurricane flooding my boiler room.

I EARNED THIS.

That said, here are the Legion-themed sketches I picked up at the convention. As usual, my sketches range from actual Legionnaires to supporting characters to Legion homages, as well heavyset-related stuff in my special sketchbook. I've met some new artists while also commissioning a few familiar faces.

R.E.B.E.L.S. #14

R.E.B.E.L.S. #14 (May 2010)

title: "In The Flesh"

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 conquered by Starro, and a Dominator admiral, Xylon, took refuge with Dox. They were joined by Adam Strange, Captain Comet, the deposed dictator Kanjar-Ro, and a Durlan, Captain Ciji, who was sent by the Counsel of Durla to seek his help. Dox then recovered his son, Lyrl, who had been on the run since his mother was killed by L.E.G.I.O.N. robo-troops. Lyrl became possessed by one of Starro's starfish, although one that left him with a greater degree of free will than typical so as not to limit his intelligence, and he adopted the title Brainiac 3. He is not as under control as Starro believes, and has begun to plot with Smite to overthrow Starro's rule. Dox sent everyone on separate missions to retrieve several items, including the shattered pieces of Kanjar-Ro's Gamma Gong and a Gene Bomb from the Dominator homeworld. Dox went on his own mission to retrieve the severed head of Despero. The conqueror still lived and Dox offers to quickly restore his body if he agreed to help them defeat Starro. Once everything is recovered, Dox constructs the weapon he believes will defeat Starro. At the same time, the Omega Men were in Starro's home galaxy, attempting to learn how a now dead race was once able to defeat the starfish beings.

LEGION TOYS: See You Space Cowboy

 

 " I think Articulated Lad is the best of us all... And no matter where he goes, and whatever he becomes, I think in his heart and ours, he will always be... A Super-Blogger! "

R.E.B.E.L.S. #13

R.E.B.E.L.S. #13 (April 2010)

title: "Secret Weapons"

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 conquered by Starro, and a Dominator admiral, Xylon, took refuge with Dox. They were joined by Adam Strange, Captain Comet, the deposed dictator Kanjar-Ro, and a Durlan, Captain Ciji, who was sent by the Counsel of Durla to seek his help. Dox then recovered his son, Lyrl, who had been on the run since his mother was killed by L.E.G.I.O.N. robo-troops. Lyrl became possessed by one of Starro's starfish, although one that left him with a greater degree of free will than typical so as not to limit his intelligence, and he adopted the title Brainiac 3. Dox sent everyone on separate missions to retrieve several items, including the shattered pieces of Kanjar-Ro's Gamma Gong and a Gene Bomb from the Dominator homeworld. Dox went on his own mission to retrieve the severed head of Despero. The conqueror still lived and Dox offers to quickly restore his body if he agreed to help them defeat Starro. At the same time, the Omega Men were in Starro's home galaxy, attempting to learn how a now dead race was once able to defeat the starfish beings.

Who's Who in the Legion #3 EXTRAS

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 the series featured planets in the Legion Universe. 

R.E.B.E.L.S. #12

R.E.B.E.L.S. #12 (March 2010)

title: "Secret Weapons"

writer: Tony Bedard

penciller: Geraldo Borges

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 then recovered his son, Lyrl, and they were soon joined by Adam Strange, Captain Comet, and the dictator Kanjor-Ro, whose planet was also 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. 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. 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. Dox used Adam Strange's Rannian Holo-Blaster to find the right wavelength of green to use with his yellow ring to dispatch the Black Lanterns. When the device was destroyed, he used his ring to gather all of the Black Lanterns and send them back through Lyrl's portal, along with his son. When Sinestro ordered all of his corpsmen to gather, Dox declined and was rejected by his yellow ring.

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

Who Joined When? (Part Two)

By Emsley Wyatt

Continuing our review of the original Legion of Super-Heroes and the order of the induction of their members. Previously I profiled the sixteen members who joined before the Legion got their own series in Adventure Comics. Now they had an ongoing series of their own. So from here on out, it's all pretty straightforward.  No more guessing games, no more interpreting panels, or reading tea leaves.  You see a new Legionnaire and you know it.

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!