Who's Who: Dr. R'Xalim

Dr. R'Xalim
by Russell & Siskoid

Real Name: Leushk R'Xalim

Super-Power(s): None; all members of his species have 8 arms
Planet of Origin: Muratem

Relationship to Legion: Villain

Who's Who: Dr. Mantis Morlo

Dr. Mantis Morlo
by Russell & Siskoid

Real Name: Mantis Morlo

Super-Power(s): SCIENCE!
Planet of Origin: Earth

Relationship to Legion: Villain

Who's Who: Dr. Mayavale

Dr. Mayavale
by Russell & Siskoid

Real Name: Mayavale

Super-Power(s): Super-creepiness? But seriously, incarnation awareness and access to all manner of technology, including 6 additional synthetic arms
Planet of Origin: Avatanda

Relationship to Legion: Villain

Review: Legion of Super-Heroes Annual #2 (1983)

Legion of Super-Heroes Annual #2 was something of a celebration issue for the team and it couldn't have come at a better time for the team. They are still reeling from the Great Darkness Saga. Much of the team is still helping Daxam reform the very planet itself. Team members are dealing with the loss of family. An away team has recently fought the Emerald Empress and the Dark Circle. Chameleon Boy has just gone through a personal crucible on Durla. And we have just learned that there is a traitor within the ranks.

Despite all of that happening, storytellers Paul Levitz and Keith Giffen decide to pump the brakes a little bit and let us see the more familial nature of this team. The cover announces the event. We are gathered this day to read the wedding of Karate Kid and Princess Projectra. And getting everyone together to witness this celebration allows Levitz and Giffen to give us little peeks into these characters and their lives. We see their feelings. We see their personalities. It isn't just combat and adventures. And it is this deep, layered approach to these characters that makes this particular run so fantastic.

We also get a side story of a team stuck in the distant past, something of a page filler with a story problem that I have a question about.

But perhaps the most intriguing thing about this issue is that Dave Gibbons is on art here. Obviously this is pre-Watchmen. I do like seeing Gibbons' take on these characters. In particular, the hairdo he gives Dream Girl is early '80s delicious.

On to the story!

Threeboot: Legion of Super-Heroes #4

Recap: The 30th century is a place of complete calm and peace, of sterile security. The Legion of Super-Heroes are young, super-powered progressives, working as well as they can to push their agenda while working with the authorities. They don't always see eye to eye. But the Legion have a large group of youths who follow their lead. And that youth movement carries political power, another concern for current leaders. Can the Legion co-exist? And how will a prophecy of an upcoming intergalactic war impact the Legion and who they ally themselves with?

Legion of Super-Heroes #4 continued the strong opening year for this new version of the old team. I have talked in the past about how Waid carefully walks a fine creative line. He slowly is reintroducing us to Legionnaires we know from before. These new Legionnaires are both familiar and fresh. Each issue of the book so far has focused primarily on one Legionnaire, letting us learn who they are and how they differ from prior incarnations. Each issue also seems to pick a couple of secondary Legionnaires to showcase a bit more than others. We learn a bit about these members, getting us up to speed on their motivations while not looking quite so closely. This issue we have a close look at Invisible Kid, who is again Lyle Norg (and not Jacques Foccart). And we have glimpses at Cham and Phantom Girl.