quote:Originally posted by Set: With a team of characters the size of the Legion, each of whom is *somebody's* favorite, each new character added has an increasingly uphill struggle, as they are both competing with twenty-some other main characters (and dozens of compelling secondary characters, like R.J. Brande or Rond Vidar or Gigi Cusimano or whomever) for attention, but also could be seen as 'stealing' page-space away from characters that the pre-existing fans bought the book to read about in the first place.
Very true. When Wildfire joined, a very big deal was made about him -- he was the main character in the story of his return from apparent death (SUPERBOY # 201), and the issue before featured a subplot foreshadowing his return. Even the issue after his return made a big to-do of changing his name, even though he had nothing to do with the rest of the story ("Wrath of the Devil-Fish")
And, then . . . he disappeared. Except for a minor role in SUP # 205, I can't recall a single appearance by him until # 215 or so (the McCauley brat story) -- at which point he was treated as just another cocky hothead. The rich personality of a determined go-getter that had been developed for him earlier was lost.
Sadly, that's true with a lot of Legionnaires. Rich personalities and character growth can be make them irresistable if they "star" in a particular story, but that momentum becomes lost when the focus shifts to other characters or plot threads.
-------------------- The Semi-Great Gildersleeve - writing, super-heroes, and this 'n' that
From: The Stasis Zone | Registered: Jul 2003
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Everytime I try to think of my favorite Legionnaire, I end up with three, then five, then ten, then about two dozen of them...
It's like trying to pick a favorite kind of pie. Is it Pumpkin? Mincemeat? Apple? Cherry? Blueberry? Custard? Shepard's? Bacon and Egg? Chicken and Mushroom? They're all good!
Registered: Aug 2006
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quote:Originally posted by lowercase mllash: Come on, now... how many of you will disagree that it's GOT to be Lex Luthor and Mr. Mxyzptlk?
"If I know my buddies, they've already accepted you in our ADULT LEGION unanimously!" guffaws a haggard-looking Lightning Man, as a balding Cosmic Man and goofy Element Man chuckle mightily.
I loved the ADULT LEGION tale, but that ending sucked big fat parakat eggs!
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