-------------------- Five billion years from now the Sun will go nova and obliterate the Earth. Don't sweat the small stuff!
From: Boston | Registered: Aug 2003
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posted
That's a tough question, Jorge, because different writers and different eras had different standards. Virtually all of the Legion's leaders were portrayed as competent until Lightning Lad (who suffered a nervous breakdown and resigned). Few leaders were shown having any difficulties leading (although Sun Boy mentioned that he didn't like the pressures of being deputy leader in SUPERBOY # 208).
The post-Zero Hour era takes a better look at the various styles of leaders, and the difficulties they encountered. I agree with Reboot that Invisible Kid was shown to be an effective and inspired leader, and I also liked Cosmic Boy as leader. Cos had more challenges than his successors: establishing the team, winning the trust and confidence of members who didn't always want to obey (including Invisible Kid!), and dealing with a President who turned out to be corrupt. (The "Chu sting," as I recall, was Cos's crowning achievement as leader.)
-------------------- The Semi-Great Gildersleeve - writing, super-heroes, and this 'n' that
From: The Stasis Zone | Registered: Jul 2003
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quote:Originally posted by He Who Wanders: Virtually all of the Legion's leaders were portrayed as competent until Lightning Lad (who suffered a nervous breakdown and resigned).
And I still say that's because Lightning Lad's one-year tenure lasted from January 1979 (SLSH #247) to September 1982 (LSH #291). A 45 issue run.
From: Utah | Registered: Jul 2003
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posted
The writers of that period (Levitz and Conway?) did seem to have a lot of fun torturing Garth, didn't they?
I remember being pleased when he became leader because he was the only founder who had never been leader before. But he had to preside over the Legion during some pretty tough times: the aftermath of the Earth War, the destruction of Legion HQ, members running off with Cham to invade Khundia and then getting shipwrecked on an asteroid (including his own wife) ... all in all, Garth's reaction was understandable. Not everyone is cut out to lead.
-------------------- The Semi-Great Gildersleeve - writing, super-heroes, and this 'n' that
From: The Stasis Zone | Registered: Jul 2003
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posted
I liked how WILDFIRE, who was pretty much the new kid, handled being leader.
He wasn't above cheating to get what he wanted (see S/LSH 229, where he sneakily uses his powers to cherry-pick himself, Dawny, Mon-El, Superboy and Timber Wolf to attack the Dark Circle to avenge Chemical King's death). He was showed absolutely no fear of long-term members. I liked that.
Dream Girl was a standout for having her run as leader happen during THE GREAT DARKNESS.
Projectra's run was cut short by the 5YG, but she was on her way to a great run, I think.
posted
SATURN GIRL, because she made everybody wear those big-ass medallions with her picture on 'em!
From: elizabeth,nj | Registered: Jul 2003
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Eryk Davis Ester
Created from the Cosmic Legends of the Universe!
posted
Believe or not, I actually kind of like Ultra Boy in the role of leader.
From: Liberty City | Registered: Jul 2003
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posted
Mon-El was the leader for the longest time when I started reading the Legion, and I think that's part of what appealed to me about the character. In hindsight, though, I don't think he was ever comfortable in the role, and I'm fine with that, too. As I said, not everyone's cut out to be a leader.
-------------------- The Semi-Great Gildersleeve - writing, super-heroes, and this 'n' that
From: The Stasis Zone | Registered: Jul 2003
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posted
I gotta say...Cosmic Boy just always _felt_ like the leader. He was always portrayed as fair, competent, and compassionate. He was the heart and soul. It always felt as if when things got tough, even big guns like Mon-El and Ultra Boy would turn to Cos and be like "What Now?", like his own little 30th Century Captain America
But if I had to pick, I'd say postZH Lyle, if I _HAVE_ to say someone other than Cos
-------------------- "I weighed the odds of this working versus the odds I was doing something incredibly stupid and, well, I did it anyway,"
- Crow T. Robot
From: The Evil Anti-Moon!!!! | Registered: Sep 2004
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