The End of the ADVENTURE....

The Legion of Super-Heroes moved into Adventure Comics with issue #300 (Sept 1962). The Legion moved OUT of Adventure Comics after issue #380 (May 1969).

These 81 issues (plus a few odd Jimmy Olsen, Lois Lane, and Superboy issues) constitute the foundation of the Legion of Super-Heroes' "world." Although the majority of Silver Age Legionnaires made their debut appearances prior to this Adventure Comics run, all of the classic Legion friends, villains, and supporting characters DID first appear in one or more of these 81 stories. The Legion of Substitute Heroes? Check. (Adventure #304.)  The Time Trapper? Check. (Adventure Comics #317). Mordru? Check. (Adventure #369). Rond Vidar and his proud papa, Universo? Check and check. (Adventure #349).

Prior to Adventure #300 the Legion had no particular home; they bounced around as supporting characters in Superman, Superboy, and Supergirl features. After Adventure #380 they moved to the back-up spot in Action Comics, where they stayed for approximately one year. They were then homeless again until they moved over as one of the rotating back-up spots in Superboy from #172. I think we all know how *that* move turned out...

Today we here at the Legion of Super-Bloggers would like to take a moment to salute these pivotal issues of Adventure Comics before we move on to the Action Comic series. To tell you the truth, without them, we don't think we would be here today.

TOS: Superboy #147

Superboy #147 (May 1968)
title: "The Origin of the Legion!"
writer: E. Nelson Bridwell
artist: Pete Costanza
letterer: Ira Schnapp
editor: Mort Weisinger
cover: Curt Swan & Neal Adams
reviewer: Russell "Bilingual Boy" Burbage

Mission Monitor Board: 
Cosmic Boy, Lightning Lad, Saturn Girl, Triplicate Girl, Phantom Girl; cameos by Invisible Kid, Superboy, and Supergirl

Guest Star(s): 
R.J. Brande

Opponent:
unnamed assassins

TOS: Adventure Comics #364

Adventure Comics #364 (January 1968)

title: "The Revolt of the Super-Pets!"

writer and layouts: Jim Shooter

artist: Pete Costanza

letterer: Gaspar Saladino

cover: Curt Swan and George Klein

reviewer: Jason "Anachronistic Kid" Knol

Mission Monitor Board:

Brainiac 5, Chameleon Boy, Colossal Boy, Cosmic Boy, Invisible Kid, Phantom Girl, Saturn Girl, Shrinking Violet, Star Boy, Sun Boy, Superboy, Supergirl, and Ultra Boy

Featuring:

The Legion of Super-Pets: Beppo, Comet, Krypto, Proty (II), and Streaky

Opponent:

The people of Thanl

TOS: Adventure Comics #363

Adventure Comics #363 (December 1967)
title: "Black Day for the Legion!"
writer and layouts: Jim Shooter
artist: Pete Costanza
letterer: Joe Letterese
editor: Mort Weisinger
cover art: Curt Swan and George Klein
reviewer: Mike "Nostalgic Kid" Lane

Mission Monitor Board: Bouncing Boy, Brainiac 5, Chameleon Boy, Colossal Boy, Dream Girl, Duo Damsel Element Lad, Karate Kid, Invisible Kid, Light Lass, Lightning Lad, Matter Eater Lad, Mon-El, Phantom Girl, Princess Projector, Saturn Girl, Star Boy, Sun Boy, Superboy, and Ultra Boy.

Opponent: Dr. Mantis Morlo and his Chemoids


At the end of the last issue, the Legion appeared to be facing defeat at the hands of Morlo's Chemoids, which could shift their chemical block structure to any substance. We start this issue right where we left off last time....!

TOS: Adventure Comics #362

Adventure Comics #362 (November 1967)
title: "The Chemoids Are Coming!"
writer and layouts: Jim Shooter
artist: Pete Costanza
letterer: Ira Schnapp
editor: Mort Weisinger
cover: Curt Swan and George Klein
reviewer: Mike "Nostalgic Kid" Lane

Mission Monitor Board: 
Bouncing Boy, Brainiac 5, Cosmic Boy, Duo Damsel, Karate Kid, Invisible Kid, Light Lass, Princess Projectra, Sun Boy, and Superboy; cameo appearances by several other Legionnaires

Opponent:
Dr. Mantis Morlo "the Chemical Conqueror," and his fantastic Chemoids!

TOS: Superman's Pal Jimmy Olsen #106 Point-Counterpoint

Superman's Pal, Jimmy Olsen #106 (October 1967)
title: "The Lone Wolf Legionnaire Reporter!"

writer: unknown

artist: Pete Costanza
editor: Mort Weisinger

cover: Curt Swan & George Klein

reviewer: Russell "Bilingual Boy" Burbage and Mike "Nostalgic Kid" Lane

Mission Monitor Board:  
Honorary Legionnaire Jimmy Olsen, Brainiac 5, Mon-El, Duo Damsel, Element Lad

Opponents: 
Dreaded Dead-Line Doom

Synopsis:  
Jimmy Olsen is called into the 30th Century in order to help write this month's issue of The Legion Bulletin. As hard as he tries, though, Jimmy can't seem to find any news worth reporting on.

TOS: Superman's Pal Jimmy Olsen #99

Jimmy Olsen #99 (January 1967)
title: The One Man Legion 
writer: Jim Shooter
artist: Pete Costanza
editor: Mort Weisinger
cover: Curt Swan and George Klein
reviewers: Russell "Bilingual Boy" Burbage and Mike "Nostalgic Kid" Lane 

Mission Monitor Board:
Honorary Legionnaire Jimmy Olsen in the identities of Element Lad, Lightning Lad, and Sun Boy.  Cameo by Superman

Opponents:
The Weapons Wizard

Synopsis:

Jimmy receives a special birthday present from the Legion of Super-Heroes. He is given costumes matching those of Lightning Lad, Element Lad, and Sun Boy which give their wearer the powers of each hero. Jimmy tries to use the super-powered costumes to battle the evil Weapons Wizard and his army but things do not go as planned. Before finally turning the tables on the villain, Jimmy gets beaten, shot, electrocuted, frozen, blown up, and almost drowned. If you hate Jimmy Olsen, this is the story for you! 

"The Origin of the Legion of Super-Heroes!"

Until May 1968 no one knew exactly how or why the Legion of Super-Heroes had been formed. In every story that the subject came up, a member would say only that Superboy and Supergirl had inspired the group to create itself.

Until Superboy #147 (May 1968), that is. According to Paul Levitz, writer-editor E. Nelson Bridwell came up with it. "Perhaps the most significant story (he) crafted was the first and still the definite telling of the origin of the Legion of Super-Heroes. (Bridwell) laid out the tale as he had assembled it from pieces scattered in stories he'd read, written, or helped edit over the years. And (he) pinned down a little part of the universe he cared about."

Here for your enjoyment is the original origin of the Legion, featuring vibrant art by Pete Costanza, years before he had his more famous son, George. Even though this story is from 1968, the art has a  retro Fifties Science Fiction feel to it. It's easy on the eyes, which makes the fantastic Triplicate Girl  and Phantom Girl even more eye-popping when they do appear.