posted
Try-outs are better than the Academy - less story-telling infrastructure to detract from on-going plots. Lots of room for one-shots. It can be written seriously or as comedy.
There's a third option - the invitation to an existing, practicing hero - someone the Legion encounters on a mission. Shadow Lass & Dawnstar joined this way. I wouldn't want that to be the only way to get new members, however.
posted
I think the Academy should be required once a "hero" is chosen at the open tryouts. They should initally be given temporary status, leading to full membership pending the successful passing of academy requirements. The membership (legion "start" date) would be retroactive to the day they were selected at the tryouts, assuming they pass the Academy.
-------------------- Long Live the Legion!!!
From: Sayreville, NJ | Registered: Jul 2003
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posted
I love both concepts, so would love to see both continued. Open Try-outs made for some great stories and issues, but the Academy gave us characters that we gradually came to love and learn more about.
I think when the five Legionnaires joined during Levitz's tryout, it was one of the best ones, because we had new characters (Quislet), academy cadets (Pol & Tellus) and established heroes/characters in Legion lore (Polar Boy). And on top of that, a mystery member.
From: If you don't want my peaches, honey... | Registered: Sep 2003
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posted
In general I prefer the Academy. Tryout issues are prone to one-off novelty characters but the Academy was the springboard to a few good stories in the past, such as the "Colossal Failure" story and the "Who Shot Laurel Gand" annual, and even the students featured during the Gail Simone story at the end of the Zero Hour series. The main drawback is that students seemed to linger around for years in the original continuity with no real sense that they were going to graduate to the Legion or any other heroic venue.
That said, I don't know that an academy feels right for the current Legion. With the expanded definition of what it is to be a Legionnaire and going on the assumption that things will be returning to something approaching the status quo prior to the destruction of Legion HQ, it would seem that the pool of potential recruits is already at hand, even if the non-core members aren't neccesarily trained to step up quickly. Then again, we have no inkling thus far that the current team is "trained" in any formal sense so there may really be no standards yet.
From: Douglasville, GA | Registered: Jul 2003
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posted
It seems to me the Legion should have a very thorough system for accepting new members. Then, mandatory Academy training. Then very strict guidelines on missions for rookies. But yeah, if someone came along and space-rawked, they'd just have to get a fast track to membership!
I suppose having people like Saturn Girl and Dream Girl on the team does a lot for expediting candidates.
posted
The problem with Academy is, other than Pol and Tellus, no one else moved up. Almost all recruits (other than those 2) came from try-outs and/or chosen in battle... even Chem King and T-wolf were chosen primarily for field service, not Academy (although it is true they got the assignment to try via Academy, I grant, but T-wolf had the stuff to make it anyway).
Academy's a place for those already recruited to hone skills. And maybe to train a reserve.
And storywise, try-outs ARE kewl!
From: Vancouver, BC, Canada | Registered: Dec 2003
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posted
I'm with MYG. Tryouts are fun...but the Academy makes sense and makes the Legion universe deeper.
I say tryouts and once they are over 18 they can join the main team. Oh wait...um...my bad. I forgot overagers are evil.
From: Tampa | Registered: Mar 2004
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