posted
Interesting bit on the motivation of the Legion:
quote:While the 31st century is, on the surface, a utopian future, there are always natural forces, mercenaries, alien races and agents provocateur who have their own reasons for disrupting galactic peace. Interstellar war is looming, and the Legionnaires' chief battle is to keep it from happening. In that way, they're fighting for "underagers" everywhere, because they know that in war, it's the young who are drafted to die in battle, not the old.
Which--aside from its relevance to the current geopolitical situation--is kinda interesting when you compare it to what we've seen in the previews. There, the authority figures are ticked off that the Legion kids are fighting threats without permission. Here, Waid says that youth in general are expected to go into battle--but only when they're told to do so.
So the Legionnaires are volunteering as countercultural heroes to forestall all the other kids' being drafted into establishment-sanctioned heroism. I like that.
From: Columbus, Ohio | Registered: Jan 2004
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EuroMutt
flight, super strength & super territory marking
posted
The whole "flavor of the month" villain aspect I think means that villains only will be introduced when it makes sense. It doesn't mean we won't see The Legion of Super-Villains, Modru, etc. But that only as context of the stories allow. I think a lot of the villains still have a lot fo great potential, maybe jsut not as they are currently being thought. Look at what Geoff Johns did with Mordru in JSA.
This interview did instill a little more hope in me about this series. I was ready to doom it, but I'll give it a chance based on reading this. I'm confussed why Waid would have problems with Mon-El being shared with the rest of the DCU; he's a Legion character, and no one else uses him. How is there a problem?
Oh, and go first post on the boards.
-------------------- -j.
Those who deny freedom to others deserve it not for themselves.
Any society that would give up a little liberty to gain a little security will deserve neither and lose both.
From: Lancaster, PA | Registered: Nov 2004
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quote:Originally posted by EuroMutt: I'm confussed why Waid would have problems with Mon-El being shared with the rest of the DCU; he's a Legion character, and no one else uses him. How is there a problem?
Well, Mon's origin is firmly planted in the present DCU (it was last time I checked), which might bring a whole lot of continuity headaches. He not only did the whole "Valor, seeder of worlds" thing but also served with L.E.G.I.O.N. Who knows if Waid plans on using this version or if he has a new one that'll be dependent on whatever the status quo of the present DCU is after this upcoming "event".
From: New York, NY | Registered: Jul 2003
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posted
First Mon-El...there are ways I think to use Mon-El with a different origin of sorts. BUT when it comes to my fave comic I like to keep things simple...even if it means not using one my favorite characters. Sadly I would sacrifice Mon-El being in the book for a less complicated Legion.
Villains? I honestly don't think we will get a LSV...and while I love Mordu...well I think Waid may balance the "superhero-y" fanboy stuff with CHALLENGES/CONFLICT versus traditional villains. Mordu may appear at one point but the LSV? I have a feeling they will never appear.
Jorge
From: Tampa | Registered: Mar 2004
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posted
So if the Legion is trying to prevent a war, WHO are the UP about to go to war with?? The Khunds? The Dominators? The Thanagarians....?
From: New York, NY | Registered: Jul 2003
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posted
Maybe the Romulans? And that is a good page to take. With all the evil alien races including the evil humans...who needs super villains?!
From: Tampa | Registered: Mar 2004
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-- Hee, hee. Brainy sounds like the *perfect* foil for our new Dream Girl.
From: Reimagined Trom | Registered: Jul 2003
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EuroMutt
flight, super strength & super territory marking
posted
I know that Mon-El has all sorts of ties to the present, but I always thought those appeaances should take backseat to anything the Legion might want to do with him. After all, if Byrne can totally reboot the Doom Patrol (not something I Agree with), why can't Waid have stuff from Mon-El's past be ignored to use him in the book? Just playin Devil's Advocate here.
As for sacrificing characters for the sake of a more simple Legion... No. Sorry, but that was what they tried to do last time with Superboy, and look what happened - they wound up bringing him in at the end, only to have it become "confussing" again. I've occasionally found the Legion confussing, but I've always considered that a strength, not a weakness. Too bad I'm one of the only ones.
And Waid saying that fans in the past woudn't pick up a Legion book because of the back story - Does he really think this time will be any different? How hard are the LCSs going to push that this is a reboot, and how many new fans are going to jump onto it, especially if they know its likly that anything they like will be taken away from them the next time its "failed"? We've all had to face this at least three times now, and how many here are tired to the point of giving up on new Legion stories? If the dedicated fanbase is discouraged, how does he hope to build upon that?
Sorry to become negative. I'm going to give the new series a shot, but I have a lot of doubts - not about how Waid is going to handle the characters, but the thinking behind a reboot, re-visioning, new focus.. whatever. It still seems like change for change's sake, and those never work.
-------------------- -j.
Those who deny freedom to others deserve it not for themselves.
Any society that would give up a little liberty to gain a little security will deserve neither and lose both.
From: Lancaster, PA | Registered: Nov 2004
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posted
Euromutt, trust I really love monel...i can write essays on the guy. To me he's this noble samurai silent...bordering on dark/brooding which may (or may not?) be a result of the 1000 years in the phantom zone. I see him a powerful sci-fi hero like Superman but with almost a metaphysical cloud around...like the Phantom Stranger.
The problems comics and Legion get into is when things get complicated someone tries to "fix it" and then someone reverts, and someone again fixes it...and then it's really a complicated mess.
Since this Legion seems to be "all new" I think if the do introduce Valor they should rethink of how to make him exclusive to the 30th century. Look at Laurel Gand and Supergirl? For all intents and purposes we can have Valor/Mon-El without the baggage? But there will always be baggage. If the stories are good I can live without one of my favorite Legionnaires.
Jorge
From: Tampa | Registered: Mar 2004
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quote:Originally posted by Jorg-El: Euromutt, trust I really love monel...i can write essays on the guy. To me he's this noble samurai silent...bordering on dark/brooding
mon-el, the last samurai wasn't Tom Cruise in that?
From: Lauderhill, FL | Registered: Aug 2004
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quote:Originally posted by EuroMutt: How hard are the LCSs going to push that this is a reboot, and how many new fans are going to jump onto it, especially if they know its likly that anything they like will be taken away from them the next time its "failed"? We've all had to face this at least three times now, and how many here are tired to the point of giving up on new Legion stories? If the dedicated fanbase is discouraged, how does he hope to build upon that?
as usual, we see pretty much eye-to-eye on these things, blacula ... i'm a little more optimistic about the rebooted legion (mostly just from Barry's participation on this board)
this reboot could work if DC is concientious about putting out a Legion book that appeals to a new audience too -- and judging from my own local comic shop, that would have to include: ongoing press (interviews, etc. - glowing reviews don't cut it - witness the great & low-selling FALLEN ANGEL), timely publishing of digest-sized trades (something DC hasn't been consistent about), more innovative design work on the covers and book itself (and Barry's stuff so far has been great IMO and really stands out, but the real test is when it's on the rack, right?), and a focus that somehow stretches across sci fi & super heros (kinda like Transmet)
while i think waid & kitson have the creator pull at DC to get the trade collections (eventually), i hope that it's not solely up to them to promote the book (pushing to get trades out, getting interviews, etc)
quote:... whatever. It still seems like change for change's sake, and those never work.
this i totally agree with ... while there was definitely a need - IMO - to switch the DNA creative team, it's a little hard to believe a reboot was the only option possible ... it's clear that waid & kitson wanted to start fresh
i'm hoping DC goes for it (the way they will in their Vertigo & Wildstorm lines) and lets the Legion team create a visionary, thrilling future not bogged down by being locked into ongoing (& changing) DCU continuity or bound in Legion in-jokes that only the subscribers to APA or Klordny will get
yes, i'll probably read Legion 1 with a glass of Maker's Mark ... either to celebrate or feel better
we'll see
From: Lauderhill, FL | Registered: Aug 2004
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posted
[QUOTE]Originally posted by 235 - Andy S: this reboot could work if DC is concientious about putting out a Legion book that appeals to a new audience too --
i'm hoping DC goes for it (the way they will in their Vertigo & Wildstorm lines) and lets the Legion team create a visionary, thrilling future not bogged down by being locked into ongoing (& changing) DCU continuity or bound in Legion in-jokes that only the subscribers to APA or Klordny will get
One thing that struck me about this interview was it's location - at a site oriented to female comic fans. Mark Waid has not given that many interviews about the new series, and to have one at Sequential Tart suggests to me that there may be some effort to reach out to a broader audience. Now if he could get into the New York Times (and be well received), then maybe we're talking sales - although that would probably be a TPB-only audience.
The in-joke thing ... I don't know how much this affects reading for the uninitiated. I only found out a few months ago that the TMK stories had a number of references to actual fans or friends of theirs in the naming of characters - didn't make any difference to me at the time. However, if dialogue or a story element is dependent on getting the in-joke, I think that's bad for expanding your readership.
quote:Originally posted by 235 - Andy S: as usual, we see pretty much eye-to-eye on these things, blacula ...
Actually, that wasn't me who wrote that Andy... but I can see where the confusion came from.
From: Australia | Registered: Dec 2003
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EuroMutt
flight, super strength & super territory marking
posted
Sorry Blacula. I can change my icon if you want. I figured it was a good one for my name, but you were obviously here first with it.
-------------------- -j.
Those who deny freedom to others deserve it not for themselves.
Any society that would give up a little liberty to gain a little security will deserve neither and lose both.
From: Lancaster, PA | Registered: Nov 2004
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