posted
I like the idea of Shady's powers being effective defensively against radiant energy....it gives her something to do other than just making it dark, and it's a more original way of handling darkness powers than the typical comic book life-draining or black energy constructs.
I also think that the one definite way Umbra was an improvement on Shadow Lass as a character was in her fighting prowess. The only time off the top of my head I can think of having seen Shadow Lass show any kind of fighting skill was when she faced Lady Memory and the Persuader in that one issue with Grev, and in an early issue of V4 where she beat the tar out of a probe.
I hope that we see Shady, Phantom Girl and Luornu as more accomplished hand-to-hand fighters in this series, it's something that I think fits them all really well.
I also kind of liked the big scythe thing that Umbra carted around on occasion....Tasmia is from a pretty brutal world, and while I don't necessarily want her turning into Xena, I think it would be cool if she busted out some awesome weapons skills every now and then and really took the Legion by surprise.
She is the champion of a barbarian world and she has no real offensive power; she should be in Batman's class when it comes to hand-to-hand combat IMO.
-------------------- Read the alternate adventures of the Legion after Legion of Three Worlds! postlo3w
Registered: Nov 2009
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posted
quote:Originally posted by razsolo: I like the idea of Shady's powers being effective defensively against radiant energy....
I mostly just thought of it as an excuse / rationalization / fanwank for why a non-invulnerable person runs around in a darn bikini, in a future full of energy weapons and explosions and stuff.
Still, as you say, it is a new twist on shadow powers that doesn't go the easy 'darkforce' route.
Registered: Aug 2006
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posted
Shady was shown a number of times to have powers effective in shielding from all forms a radiant energy. Her issue with Tyroc and then later on the Science Astroid, to mention 2.
She also showed the ability to use her power to disorient and isolate the senses by using her powers to go through the optic nerve directly to the brain. She did that back in the mowhawk days.
Umbra did it also against Mordru.
Umbra had something that Tasmia couldn't have for most of ther original run, the abilities of Lyddea Darkstar, her dotLEGION ancestress. The power was not connected to the cave rite powers of darkness, but to genetic manipulation on her infant self. It was an offensive black energy power that killed her mother and could crash through space cruisers, destroying them.
Umbra was also connected to the Dark Realm of the Shade and Obsidian during that time.
I totally prefer Umbra to Shadow Lass, in look and personality, especially after she mellowed some. It was interesting to have someone who actually acted like a planetary champion from a long line of planetary champions.
I hope TPTB get her out of the bikini and into a fighting outfit. I think that she should be a physically strong and skilled fighter with body and weapons, as well.
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From: Salem, Oregon USA | Registered: Aug 2003
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quote:Originally posted by Candle: I totally prefer Umbra to Shadow Lass, in look and personality, especially after she mellowed some. It was interesting to have someone who actually acted like a planetary champion from a long line of planetary champions.
I hope TPTB get her out of the bikini and into a fighting outfit. I think that she should be a physically strong and skilled fighter with body and weapons, as well.
Agreed on all counts. Umbra kicked ass (though I did miss calling her Shady). Got so tired of SL doing nothing but hanging on Mon-El and being catty with PG in Levitz's earlier run. And her current costume is a joke. She looks like a lingerie ad, not a warrior.
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From: Champaign, IL | Registered: Jul 2003
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posted
In fact, Shadow Lass was capable of fighting prior to the reboot.
I Googled up http://www.majorspoilers.com/archives/4038.htm/ which has some interesting panels, including one where she punches out the Emerald Empress, and another against Lady Memory.
Registered: Apr 2010
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posted
Yes, but somehow Shady's fighting abilities didn't stick as much. Umbra, on the other hand, was shown as a capable fighter in almost every appearance. Guess that's why a lot of us see her as far more kick-ass.
quote:Originally posted by Invisible Brainiac: Yes, but somehow Shady's fighting abilities didn't stick as much. Umbra, on the other hand, was shown as a capable fighter in almost every appearance. Guess that's why a lot of us see her as far more kick-ass.
I'd chalk it up to the cattiness.
I think there was also a really deliberate effort to make Shady a more defensive rather than offensive fighter. She very rarely actually took someone on to defeat them, but concentrated on protecting/hiding herself or others from the bad guys (not in a cowardly way, I think she was just portrayed as being more comfortable with indirect combat).
She was shown to be an effective fighter when it was necessary, and she never shied away from a challenge, but she preferred to use her powers to avoid taking it on directly.
Contrast that with Umbra, who was always a VERY direct combatant, and rarely used her darkness powers simply to hide from someone..
-------------------- Read the alternate adventures of the Legion after Legion of Three Worlds! postlo3w
Registered: Nov 2009
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