Brave and the Bold # 198 Terrorists of the Heart! by Mike W. Barr, art by Chuck Patton & Rick Hoberg, letters Todd Klein, colours Adrienne Roy



HWW did a fine recap and review of this issue in his Karate Kid Series review.

Comments:

Karate Kid is the only Legionnaire appearing in this issue. His fight scenes are classic, but his behaviour with Iris is sad. Not deplorable, he really didn’t seem to catch on how devoted she was to him. You can just feel the floor falling out from under her as he invites her to his wedding to Jeckie.

Val shouldn’t be entirely clueless; she kisses him when he first appears, which does surprise him, but should have been a tip-off. He doesn’t do anything to disabuse her, like shake her hand or say he’s happy to see an old pal.

Iris is a positive character in this story. She’s the good samaritan to Katy, warns Batman about an attacker behind him, subdues Katy by herself at the end and, although she totally misread or imagined Val’s feelings for her, doesn’t hide her emotion, but speaks out and tells him the truth.

The story depends on a number of highly convenient events: Katy is in the shower when Val appears, Pulsar is on the television when Val is looking at it, Katy is on the television when Iris isn’t looking at it, Val takes the handkerchief that Katy had left.

The bad guys are revolutionaries, not terrorists (although Val calls them terrorists). My tendency, when writing these notes, was to call them terrorists, which just goes to show how much the public rhetoric has changed in 34 years.

Batman has changed a lot in 34 years as well, a little grim, not very gritty and no stranger to emotions. This was the era when I read Batman comics regularly and it left me a bit nostalgic for that more everyday human version of the Bat. He's had some previous contact with the Legion and willingly works with Val. It does remind me how much I'd like to see a Legion which was inspired by this version of Batman, rather than Superman.

Pulsar meets an ignoble end. The motor within him burns up, and he burns with it. There’s no follow-up to this; his family is gone and nobody asks about him, let alone mourn him. It's not much of a finish for a guy who graces the issue's cover.

The ending struck me as really abrupt. Iris tells Val off and he just says, “Okay.” and leaves. Then Batman plays agony aunt and tells her she’ll get over it.

So does Val, like the cover suggests, wear his high collar costume in this issue? Seems a little odd, because he'd basically abandoned it in his last several Legion appearances to this point.

I had a feeling I didn't have this one to hand. I'll take a look to see if I have it in storage, but it will be weekend. Just as well, as I'm sure they had to send a rescue party into my Wall Of Text last week to find people lost in it

I recognise the villain from the Karate Kid series. I was just moving some of those out of the way to find another book a few minutes ago.
Also looking forward to the Chuck Patton art.

Thanks for linking to my review on the KK thread, FC.

I have nothing new to say about the issue, though I note that I also referred to the Black Heart as a group of terrorists. Organizations of this ilk often think of themselves as revolutionaries, so I'm not sure the terms are mutually exclusive. Perhaps it depends on who you ask.

The ending does seem abrupt, but I guess there was nothing left to say. I would like to have seen Val come to some revelation about how clueless he had been about Iris's feelings or to learn something from the experience, but this doesn't happen. As it is, he comes off as more of a jerk than he should.

LSH #301 Different Paths, Different Dooms by Paul Levitz & Keith Giffen, art by Giffen & Mahlstedt, letters by Costanza, colours by Gafford



Reep and R.J. sit among the radiation-infested rubble of Durla, recapping the history that led them to this point. R.J. grumbles about the tribe mentality of Durlans, just as a number of them emerge from the landscape, in a variety of threatening forms.

Val and Jeckie head back to Orando to prepare for their wedding. At Legion HQ, Imra thanks Proty for recording the recent Legion festivities and is reminded that Proteans are now “sentient potential citizens” and Proty II will not be returning to the Super-Pets. She takes the holo to the rec room but the viewing is interrupted by a message from Dream Girl, who appoints Brainy as temporary leader while she’s away to assist with the Daxam refugees. This upsets Deputy Leader Jo, but Thom claims that Nura is within her rights.

Back on Durla, R.J. and Reep are imprisoned in a globe, as the authorities remind them of their duties to the tribe and say they will be forgiven for leaving if they promise to remain. Since Reep refuses, he and R.J., still in the sphere, are thrown into a high-radiation pit which was the site of missiles landing in the Six-Minute War which damaged the planet. R.J. explains that the radiation is intended to take away their powers but will kill them eventually. Reep wonders if Ol-Vir’s x-ray vision was what caused his power loss and if this radiation might restore him. R.J. smashes the sphere with his ring.

Back at Legion HQ, Shvaughn introduces fellow officer Gigi Cusimano to Jan. Gigi is a bit starstruck; she has done some research which Jan begins to examine. Just then, Dirk comes in and charms Gigi, but is called away to join Brainy’s mission.

On Durla, Reep and R.J. have escaped the sphere but must scale high cliffs to leave the pit. Reep’s flight ring no longer works, so they climb. Reep fends off an attacking creature as R.J. comments that his money spent on Legion training has paid off. Two SP officers, orbiting above, await a signal to pick up Reep and R.J., baffled why they went to Durla in the first place. Reep and R.J. approach a mysterious structure called The Temple, which radiates heat and should restore their powers. R.J. demures, saying he’s used to his body by now and only came along to keep his son company. Reep enters a column of light and appears to be painfully blasted.

Brainy takes a team to Durla since he observed that Reep’s flight ring had stopped functioning and suspected trouble. As he’s enjoying Kara’s company, Brainy issues a course correction after passing Weber’s World. Suddenly, ships fire on them, damaging the cruiser. They destroy the attacking ships and Gim grabs one of the attackers, a lizard-like humanoid, then sees another who apologizes for the misunderstanding and reminds them that he is Ontiir of Tsauron, newly appointed as SP Commander of Weber’s World. He invites them to Weber’s World to ensure that all is well.

On Durla, Reep’s powers have returned, but he and R.J. face the authorities anew, who condemn them to death unless they remain with the tribe. Reep refuses and is attacked, but evades his attackers and asks who else wants to challenge him. The First Speaker asks that he remain to help them, but Reep replies that they should accept the help of the United Planets and his home is with the Legion.

At Legion HQ, Blok and Brin receive word from Val that the Legionnaires are invited to his and Jeckie’s wedding. Brin is a bit dejected, wondering if he should have let Ayla leave.

Comments:
The main story with Reep and R.J. is primarily interesting for its details about Durla. It also ends with an admonishment to cooperate with the U.P., just as we are introduced to a new storyline involving Weber’s World, the administrative source of that potential cooperation.

While the history of Durla is fascinating, Reep’s battles with various residents don’t strike me as much more than an opportunity to illustrate peculiar monsters.

That R.J. does not want his powers restored shows us another aspect to this character. For such a wealthy person (it appears that he has rebuilt his fortune after it was stolen by President Boltax), who can have any material thing, he’s pretty philosophical and content with the status quo. Or did he fear that he might not survive the experience?

Proty II enjoys a few panels along with his new sentient rights. He manages a gentle put-down of Imra (and implicity the other Legionnaires) by reminding her that he’s no longer a super-pet.

This issue also introduces Gigi Cusimano. It’s odd to see her initial wide-eyed reaction to meeting Legionnaires, since I remember her as very familiar with the Legion and eventually surpassing Shvaughn in rank.

Dream Girl astonishes in one-panel by bypassing the chain of command and naming Brainy acting leader, leaving Jo out in the cold. There’s no explanation for this in the Lee Iococca tradition of “Never complain, never explain” management. I’m curious to see if there’s some fallout from this decision in the issues ahead.

Supergirl’s still here, which not only pleases Brainy but must give readers some hope (if they like the character) that she’ll be back on the Legion roster for good.

Ontiir is back; last seen communicating to some royal personage and letting the reader know that he’s on the other side. The Legionnaires, of course, don’t know that, so we have a set-up for trouble ahead. At this point, it appears that Brainy’s team is off to Weber’s World, forgetting that they were going to rescue Reep.

There's no big cliff hanger in this issue, but if thre's a Legion wedding on the horizon, one expects trouble.

The cover is quite detached from the story; apart from Reep, the other characters don't play a significant role; Mysa and Shady aren't even in the story.

The Cover is a direct homage to Adventure #300 (Cham takes Superboy's place in the centre), and also servers to show off the new costume designs for all of these characters.

LoSH 301

The cover is a reimagining of Adventure Comics #300. I wonder if this was supposed to be the cover for LoSH #300? Although the Legionnaires on the cover have changed, it’s faithful in that their poses are the same as the original. The backgrounds are solid tones, and perhaps it’s this basic look that put them off making it the anniversary cover. I was going to say that it’s as much about capturing new readers as rekindling fond memories in old. But then, the whole of that anniversary issue hinged on old Adventure Comics. This issue’s cover continues that theme. I don’t think Levitz goes as far as to reintroduce Matter Eater Lad in a couple of issues though.

In Adventure 300 we had Sun Boy, Saturn Girl, Cosmic Boy, Lightning Lad, Triplicate Girl and Mon El with Superboy in the larger centre panel.

This time round we have Element Lad, White Witch, Shrinking Violet, Colossal Boy, Shadow Lass and Timberwolf with Chameleon Boy striking a Superboy pose that’s a bit out of character for him. With the DC logo having to appear, Giffen does well in choosing Violet at the bottom left. The revised HQ and the inclusion of the clouds around Timberwolf also add to the enjoyment of seeing the update.

But would it have been even more fun to have more recent Legionnaires on the cover? Cham, Gim and Jan have been around for a long time. A cover with Wildfire, Mysa, Vi (for reasons to come), Dawnstar, Jacques and Blok might have been nice. Hey, even keep in Superboy for some sales.

The characters on the cover are the ones to be revamped with new costumes by Giffen, which is the reason that they’re there.

That applies to Cham, but he’s also front a centre as the story is something of a spotlight issue for him.

He and his father RJ Brande have returned to Durla, in search of a way to restore Cham’s powers. Following their reconciliation, their relationship has changed again. Cham takes a few pot shots at RJ having abandoned him all those years, and for RJ not revealing his identity when he was financing the Legion. The conversation is as much for exposition purposes as it is to move the plot along. But rather than say “It was a verdammit retcon!” Brande cuts Cham off. He’s trying to make amends through his actions and support. You can see his steely business face, when he shuts down anything that contradicts his approach.

Levitz has a good handle on the character. It would have been easy for Brande to be overly guilty about his past. Likewise, it would have been easy for Cham to go on moaning about it. But the conversation changes the direction for both.

Durla looks to have been a technologically advanced world at one point. Cham is searching for The Temple, a surviving energy source that’s supposed to have been behind the Durlans shape changing abilities. Unfortunately, it only took a six minute war to wipe out that earlier civilisation. Brande and RJ are captured by the tribe they left behind. When the pair refuse to re-join the tribe, they are abandoned in a crater where missiles apparently hit back in the war.

Giffen draws the Durlans as having tentacled faces hidden well within purple robes, also made by their powers. It’s a very distinctive look. It’s also one that reminds me very much of the Time Trapper. Today’s throw away theory is that The Trapper is a Durlan who caused the six minute war. His hatred of the Legion comes form it being so closely connected with RJ Brande and his son; Durlans who have betrayed their race by leaving their heritage behind.

Levitz also gets points for having both characters take share of the responsibilities in driving the story forward. While Cham rejects the tribe, it’s RJ who frees them from the crater in a very direct way. While Cham prevents them form being monster food, it’s due to the training he got at the RJ funded Legion. RJ also provides plenty of moral support to Chams’ quest.

RJ is clearly not there for himself, as shown when he chooses not to regain his powers. He’s there to support his son. It’s a touching bond, although RJ is beginning to get a tearful as Sodam Yat or a post Crisis Superman.

Today’s second throw away theory is that RJ didn’t enter the energy stream in The Temple because he’s not actually a Durlan at all, and it would have killed him. He has no shape changing abilities to restore. See previous RJ appearance as a bald arms dealer and the clearly fake retcon in the Secrets mini series

Cham has realised that it’s the radiation from the Daxamite Ol-Vir’s X-Ray vision that has stopped his powers, back in the Great Darkness saga. He correctly surmises that the radiation from the temple will restore them, rather than just kill him. If there’s one thing that tells me that the Durlans are always wearing body shapes like clothes, it’s the seam that runs down Reep’s foot on page 14 as the pillar of energy in the temple warps him. We’d later see Cham in a robe in v4 and, thanks to this issue, it seemed fitting.

On leaving The Temple, the pair face off against the chief of the tribe; The First Speaker. It’s Reep’s Legionnaire training, and all the missions he’s been on, that wins the day for him. Actually, it’s more than that. It’s the perception of a wider world that wins the day. It’s that curiosity that made him leave Durla and it’s that trait that made him remember the creatures to imitate to defeat the world bound Durlan leader.

Father and son depart Durla, back to their homes and the wider galaxy they come from. But Levitz does put some extra effort into the story. There’s nothing to suggest the Durlans are wrong in their viewpoint, just because they lost out to Reep and RJ.

It’s a world of precious few resources. Population control may have to be vigorously enforced. Certainly challenges to the order are also quickly and lethally resolved. Form a resource perspective, this prevents huge rifts and a drain on what’s available.

As they got older, each would have a function within their tribe to support the whole. The departure of RJ and Reep would have destabilised this to an extent. It would have certainly been a waste of valuable effort and commodities. What of others who had wanted a child, but were passed over for Reep’s parents? It’s shown in v4 that Reep had to kill his brother in a Durlan ritual. Form the tribe’s perspective, it’s better that Reep had never been around so his brother, or another, could have taken that place.

On one level the story indicates that the fabulous technology of the United Planets, as amply illustrated by the Weber’s World subplot this issue, is something to strive to be part of. But there’s the Durlan side to this. The Tower contains an almost mystical energy source that was sufficient to keep the survivors of a global disaster alive. When it comes to advanced technology, the Durlans have already had it, and have clearly paid a heavy price as a result. A rejection if it generally, while keeping some untouched through ritual, seems like a legitimate stance under the circumstances.

Their rejection of visitors may also stretch back to their origins. But there’s a clearer message shown in this issue. Why would the United Planets go out of their way to quarantine a world that no one wants to leave? I doubt it’s for any benefit of the Durlans, and I doubt very much if the people that do get to visit are there to study the ruins in any archaeological way.

Subplots in this issue include one that lasts a whole panel, as Jeckie and Val’s ship depart for Orando. Later I’ll get a feeling of Déjà vu as a similar return of Jeckie and Val leads to the beginning of the Baxter volume.

There’s a nice payoff to the cover and the poster from #300 (what other title does that?) as Proty II passes Imra the pics. I wonder if this is the last Super Pets reference? When I started reading the Legion they were a bit of an embarrassing discovery. But that was before I’d read any of them, and I found I enjoyed them a lot.

The Proteans are mentioned as “Sentient potential citizen[s]” and in Imra’s thought bubble no less. I am therefore obligated to provide it as evidence of the sentience of the Protean that was later revealed to inhabit her husband. Possibly, even that such sentience shouldn’t be considered as a complete surprise for her to know about.

Imra carries the piccies into the rec room, where a number of Legionnaires are waiting for a look at them. They are then disturbed by the Mission Monitor and a team depart. Ultra Boy gets to be on it, even though he should have stayed behind as Legion deputy. It’s a lovely combination of Legion administration lore and the subplot concerning Dreamy’s leadership.

The whole thing is a well done transition, as we pick up some morsels on the characters in the rec room; a catch up on Gim’s fight against Duplicate Boy; Tom and Dirk as gaming buddies and the continued closeness of Querl and Kara.

Nura isn’t in the rec room with them. She announces the mission, and its team remotely. That distance reinforces the separation some of the cast feel about her tenure. More points for the creative team there, for not showing something.

Seeing two of the founders relax in the rec room, while the Legion continues around them, shows that the team moves on. It continues the trend of the founders to be removed a bit from the team missions.

The mission involves a trip to Daxam, continuing its recovery very much off panel.

Elsewhere, the investigations concerning Vi continue. We don’t get much movement here, except that they are looking at Science Police Files (classified ones too if you can read upside down. Or just turn the book around if you prefer. ) Gi Gi Cusimano is introduced to Jan. I’m not sure if this is her first appearance. I’m distracted by Jan saying “meet’cha” Perhaps his new costume came with some new vocabulary. Gi Gi also meets Sun Boy and this will develop into a subplot too.

While Dreamy is away, Querl launches another mission once Cham’s flight ring is rendered non-functional as a result of Durla’s high radiation. En route, they are attacked by Ontiir. Suspicious of him, they are led to Weber’s World.

We get a further reminder of how close Kara and Brainy have become, as well as how joined at the hip Gim and Vi are too. Both Gim and Kara get some rally well drawn panels during the attack. Kara seems like such an easy, natural part of the team.

Aside: Having had a pop at Bendis for all the “… the hell.” panels he writes when his name came up as a possible Legion writer, it’s only fair I point out the “What the--??” dialogue here

Poor Cham’s plight is easily ignored showing that Levitz just wanted to give the characters a reason for leaving HQ. Rather than provide any sort of cliff hanger this issue, we get a light hearted page closing of the Brin on the town set up and a reminder that Val and Jeckie’s wedding (and an annual) is approaching.

There’s the glimmer of a Teen Titans/ Legion crossover in the letter column too. As its 1983, and Marv’s idea, the villain could well have been the Anti (Mission) Monitor Board! Or Terry Long hypnotising the female Legionnaires with his Mayavale Medallion and chest hair! Deadlier than that Scarlet Plague story!

301:

I think this is one of the issues I've remembered most over the years. I love Cham and R.J.'s relationship, and the fact that the latter came along just to show his love for his son--not to regain his own powers. This actually puts a lot of things in perspective. As a teenager, I thought having super-powers would be the greatest thing. But R.J. Brande has lived longer. He has very different priorities. Yet he's also human (so to speak). He's made mistakes, such as not acknowledging his parentage to Reep all these years.

In the real world, fathers abandon their children, leaving a void and a lot of unexplained behavior. I experienced this in my own family. Yet one of my relatives now has a close relationship with the father who abandoned him when he was so young. I can't claim to know all the particulars, but I love the idea that the bonds of love survive past transgressions. I also love seeing the Legion characters as fully rounded human beings whose faults have unintended consequences.

It's also fascinating to watch the First Speaker be defeated by a simple hummingbird--a creature most of us take for granted but which remains unknown to Durlans. This is a powerful message of why isolationism doesn't work.

As for Nura, I can't help but see Ultra Boy's reaction as sexism. In previous stories, Legion leaders made similar calls (I'm thinking of Mon-El ordering Duo Damsel on a mission during the Action run, but the issue number escapes me) , and no one questioned them. But now Jo harbors ill feelings toward Nura, just as Element Lad does. It's a shame, really, to think that sexism hasn't died out in a thousand years.

I also loved the cover. It accomplishes two things: 1) It ties the current Legion series to the Adventure tradition, and 2) it moves that tradition forward by displaying new costumes for certain characters. There's a wonderful sense of the characters being open to change while adhering to the structure which defines them.

I found, and still find, Cham's new costume completely bland. The red and purple just popped so much better, I didn't get the impetuous to change it. As much as I really liked Giffens artwork up through this period, I don't think there's a lot of his costume re-designs I ever took to completely. Of course when he returned at the end of the Baxter and redesigned everyone, it was far, far worse.

Oh, I missed the whole new costumes on the cover thing.



Much better than entropy, Rokk Krinn or that bald guy in Takron Galtos when Darkseid attacked. Of course, being Durlan, he could have impersonated all three, depending what entropy looks like.



That would explain why doctors couldn’t detect R.J.’s Durlan blood type. So what exactly is R.J. and did he pay off Cham’s aunt to go along with his story, because he wants a Legionnaire son and heir?



I guess Brainy could have figured out the radiation connection if he hadn’t been so busy with Danielle, Tenzil and Douglas. The robes were also used by Durlans in the reboot; it’s as if their forms are so fluid that they agree to a common look for “clothing”. I wondered why Cham wore that robe in v.4, in the privacy of his own home; it’s maybe like a comfortable old sweater although it could be a Durlan pride sort of thing. Missed the seam on p.14. My, what good eyes you have!



This appreciation of the wider world would be picked up in R.J.’s v.4 origin story. It appears to be an exceptional trait among Durlans and I wonder why it wasn’t attributed to Yera as well.



Durla is truly one of the stranger planets in the Legionverse among those which have been developed by the creative teams. It’s distasteful at times (the kill-your-brother ritual, the ruins, even the forms adopted by some residents), truly alien visually and quite foreign to our majority’s contemporary culture. Tribes can be threatening, they’re a separate, unified group within our society and often don’t conform to or respect the rules of the greater society. Is Durla quarantined for their own good, or for the rest of the United Planets? Durlans have often been hostile players when interacting with the U.P.. Their rejection of U.P. technology may be fear-based, given their past, or rational, they don’t need it and perceive that it might destroy the tribe. So there’s a bit of protective power play in that stance as well, that the powers that be want to preserve the status quo. In that sense, some might be glad to get rid of the likes of Reep and R.J., since they’re like infections. (This happened to Gates and Quislet, IIRC: kicked out of their societies for being too different.) In any event, a lot more could be written about Durla. Time for a mini-series!



Untold story: Proty II explains to the Super Pets why he’s too good for them now. Hurt feelings all around, but they still stand by him because animals are better than us humans and kinda-like-humans. You betcha!



It’s a lot for a comic to get into, but this does open up the whole question of sentience and consciousness in everything from animals to trees and plants, or the planet itself. Those ideas were just beginning to bubble around this time, but if the story were written today, Imra should have had some sense of a more complex mind in Proty II (because we know she’s reading everyone’s mind, even if she says she’s not).



For some, she’s the general on the front with the troops. For others (and we know who they are), she’s a glory hog.



It’s great how they manage to keep the sub-plots going with as little as one panel or one sentence.



Sigh for what might have been....



This could be like those Bible Code stories, or Dan Brown novels, or Nostradamus, in which we find that Bendis taking on the Legion in 2018 was predicted back in the 1980s.




I liked this glimpse into R.J.’s character. I think it goes dormant, however, until v.4 when he winds up on Yolu and Cham goes looking for him.



It was never followed up, but one can’t help but think that First Speaker and the other ruling officials might have made some changes after this encounter.



It may be sexism, although I didn’t see it that way myself. There was a lot of friction with Wildfire as leader, although I forget off-hand who were the most offended. I took it more as a bit of sore-loser feeling but it could be they’re reacting worse to her than they would have if they’d lost to someone like Shrinking Violet (who one wouldn’t figure for leader, but hasn’t been portrayed - or let herself be seen - as a ditzy dame).



Odd man out here, just don’t like that cover, homage be hanged. Too static and, like Dave, I don’t think Reep’s (or Jan’s) costume is very appealing. And, yes, the big shoulder pads will be worse.

Isn't Shadow Lass hot in that full-body black outfit? Seeing as how she's essentially been wearing a bathing suit since we first met her.

And by this point in the plotting arc, the writers are perfectly aware that despite the caption, that is not Shrinking Violet.

Which is fitting since he's really a supporting character.



I doubt it.: Sentients who are entrenched in their worldviews don't make changes; they make excuses.



Good points. The Legion does seem to have chafed against the yoke of their leaders as time went on. Pre-Wildfire, there wasn't much if any dissension in the ranks. In the real world, this reflects distrust of authority, I think, which became prevalent from the '70s on. In the Legion's world, maybe it's a sign of the characters maturing and no longer accepting things at face value.

And you're right: Nura promoted an image of herself as a ditzy dame. It's quite a shock to see her come around and portray herself as a ballsy (so to speak) commander. I wonder if Shady, whose warrior clan status was already well established, would have been perceived the same way had she been elected leader. Alas, we will have to wait until Projecta is elected leader to get our next glimpse of a woman in charge of the Legion (and one who was literally born to rule, at that). Alas, it is only a glimpse.




I was reflecting on Dave's comment, and, while I agree with him that the red and violet costume with the headpiece is more striking, I came to realize that, at this stage in the Legion's development, costumes were the least important aspects of the characters to me. When I was younger, or because the personalities were so ill defined, the costumes and powers were the characters. But now much has changed. The last several issues have really let us get to know Cham as an individual. To me, that's much more important that what he's wearing.

You know, I think so, too. A full body suit was totally unorthodox from what Legion women had worn since the early '70s, yet Shady makes it work for her. Sexiness comes more from attitude and confidence than how much flesh is exposed.

I'm still not sure what to make of Shady's Caucasian skin--is it a mistake, or is she continuing the guise as a fashion statement? In any case, I can totally see the warrior side of her, as well as bit of mystery, than in any of her previous costumes.

By which I meant, naturally, that as Tasmia has been consistently portrayed as comfortable wearing a one-piece bathing suit and short cape for some time, this footie-pajama and heavy cloak outfit might be making her feel uncomfortably over-warm. Not that I expect anyone would take it any differently.

Ah, I see. "Hot" can mean different things.

Considering that the Legion women have worn bikinis in all kinds of weather and on all kinds of worlds, it's never really been an issue as to whether they are too cold or too hot. Somewhere along the way, in a lettercol, perhaps, it was explained the garments are made of materials that keep people warm regardless of how skimpy they may be. The 30th century equivalent of unstable molecules, perhaps?

I think Giffen was given lots of space to play. That probably helped Levitz’s writing about the tensions between isolationism and the loss of culture in joining something larger not become preachy.



Did we see him depart with a group of Legionnaires just after he lost his fortune? More star building wasn’t it and they met the Engineer. It was before the Reflecto Buffer Zone that blocks a lot of my Legion memories



And she ended up being the one to bring the news about the end of the Legion in v7. I wonder why Erin wasn’t … oh yeah…



It's all she needed for Element Lad to have someone to whine to



I didn’t see it as that. I just think they didn’t like her. They wouldn’t have done it to Imra or Jeckie after all. I think a lot of it is to do with Nura’s actions being so much at odds with the personal that the others thought she had. They forgot what she was like when she ran them out of the Legion in her first appearance. They got used to the flirting and the passing out when her powers kicked in, and stopped thinking about just how determined and focused she could be.

I think there’s still some lingering confusion/ self-recrimination over how she played the boys and girls of the team way back when too. Perhaps a little bit of jealousy that she ended up with Thom and not her, despite how much they all wanted to spend time with her.



I think that there may be off panel things going on. Perhaps after the GDS it was Nura who received a lot of the acclaim as the Legion leader. Despite being heroes, maybe it has rubbed a few of them up the wrong way. So, when we see her getting on with her job, which is ordering mission teams, the others just see themselves as soldiers in her Legion campaign.




Polar Boy had problems. Lightning Lad had a breakdown. Imra did well enough, but fittingly off the back of a story where you couldn’t trust your leaders at face value. The volume ended before we really got to see Jeckie do much.



:nods: although I do think she had shown her commander personality previously.



I think having their butts handed to them would have changed their views rather sharpish. Shady wouldn’t put up with it. And besides, no one is going to push Lar too far. Arguably, even including the conspiracy, you know you’re on the wrong side of heroism when you’re not on Lar’s side.




And it looks like the TV show thinks that it’s a great match too.



Kara: Brainy? Why are we going to Webers World? What about Cham?
Querl: We just remembered the Khundian Asteroid mission. He’s probably responsible for getting himself stuck. Yeah, it was a bit too convenient a side track.




It’s a sign of the maturity of the writing that can provide such strong characters as just one layer in a story involving trying to get super powers back.



Unless you are trying to get past the quarantine around the Plague Planet.



The First Speaker will have found a way to convince the others that Reep cheated and the others will have found a way to forget their invitation for Reep to replace that Speaker before RJs anti radiation treatment even begins.








This was the costume I’d first know Cham in, so I preferred it to the red one probably on that basis. But in hindsight, you’re probably right. Although, perhaps he felt that as the head of the espionage team that his costume shouldn’t pop. Not that this one is any less conspicuous.

I liked a lot of the Baxter costumes. Brin wearing an animal pelt was a mystery though.




I like that. Finally a decent reason as to why there are so many different looks for the Trapper!



I don’t want to give away my Bits stuff … but it’s the Proteans




And what did that story involve? Proteans!



Now he’s got to be wondering why his flight rings are conking out at just the wrong moments.

Querl: It’s like someone is making it happen deliberately. Some sort of creator, using us as strands of a story…
[ONE RETCON LATER…]
Querl: Gosh! Kara’s back visiting. Keep it cool Querl. You’re not some green Legion recruit now… well…



Reep: It’s a keepsake from home. If you look closely you can still make out the blood stains form the first fight to the death I had there.
Rokk: Umm… Is that Lydda calling me? I’ll be right back…




Why thank you ma’am! I created them from my Durlan protoplasm just this morning.



She fell into the Flaky Actress stereotype Besides, if she was that astute she wouldn’t have run around as Vi for so long without starting to ask some questions. A bit self-absorbed in her role?




Good spot about the similarities to other Legionnaires. There are lots of interesting takes on Durla keeping it as shifting as its inhabitants




Comet: There he goes, little protoplasmic nose in the air.
Krypto: Did he show you the pictures again? The ones he took of the Legion?
Comet: You mean his Legion
Beppo: >sigh< Imra’s never going to fall for him. Proty I died finding that out.
Krypto: We’ll be here for him. It’s what loyal friends do.
Streaky: I’m off to see if his room has comfier snooze spots than mine…




Imra?! reading minds?! Oh yeah, every issue… Except for her Proty husband, of course. Oh, she knew all right.

Personally, I’ve never seen man as any different from any of the other animals. Who can say about plants and everything else?

But the next time Chlorophyll Kid talks to them, perhaps we shouldn’t chuckle quite so much.



The art, captions, main plots and dialogue are all really pushing the book forward.



>sigh< I can see a few comments about certain events in the future. I must be Naltorian! >faints< see told you! >faints again<




Giffen’s next art shift into those extreme shadow/ faces would have made a Bendis issue of endless talking heads more visually appealing.



But so fitting for the ‘80s Dynasty.




I do remember being blown away by Perez’s Legion work in both Crisis and the History of the DCU a few years from this issue. Costume-wise they were so far ahead… just as it should be for a 30th century team



I read Klar’s post in just the same way. I prefer Shady’s less revealing outfits too.

Although Durla was quarantined, the story makes it clear that the inhabitants could have received UP assistance or even been relocated if they wished but wanted no outside interference. I got chills as I read some of the First Speaker's dialogue: "Rights cannot be rejected. Birth cannot be denied" (p. 5); "Those who would go forth cannot eat at our fire, cannot share our peace" (p. 6); "Apart from us, you are better dead" (p. 19). This is a very narrow-minded and rigid worldview. It clings to tradition and rejects the uncertainty of change (which is ironic, considering the Durlans' powers).

(As a political aside, I couldn't help hearing in the First Speaker's dialogue a lot of Trump's rhetoric about focusing on America first, keeping American jobs safe, and protecting Americans from Muslim extremists. There's a similar rigidness of identity and fear of the unknown in his speeches.)




Glad I wasn't the only one.

Actually, by "Plague Planet" I was making a quip about somewhere like Infectious Lass' homeworld, but was too lazy to try and spell "Somahtur".

On your point, we don't know what strings come with the UP Assistance. We only have to look at the foreign policies of every nation of our own world to see that everything comes with a price. And that's not even including active meddling. In the last half hour I've heard quotes form half a dozen countries that fit perfectly with "clings to tradition and rejects the uncertainty of change." There was another where change is what they think they're getting, but it's going to be more of the same, with a different face. There are a number of arguments to illustrate that the alternative to that, isn't exactly designed to be in the best interests of anyone other than those who push for the change.

Durla: Where political discussion groups prevent them from ever rebuilding their shattered world.

Good point about UP help coming with possible strings attached. I was still thinking that the UP, like the Legion itself, is an altruistic organization that only wants what's best for everyone.

However, the First Speaker is willing to kill others for leaving Durla and bluntly states "Apart from us, you're better dead." This does not sound like someone who would consider help from any source under any circumstances.

I blame the Rereads for moving me away from that!



With Durla being resource poor, any drain on those resources isn't good. Worse, one might lead to more and then the whole thing could break down and they would all die. So, from the First Speaker's position it's better to kill a couple than to lose everyone, I guess. A mix of ideology and those strings cynical 'ol me sees all over the place would cover the last part. - Conspiracy Kid

Thank you for your thoughts, thoth. You added a different perspective I hadn't considered.

It's always helpful to see things from another's eyes. I still don't agree with the Speaker's views, but I can see where s/he might be coming from.

DCCP #59 Ambush Bug II by Keith Giffen & Paul Levitz, art by Keith Giffen & Kurt Schaffenberger, letters by Ben Oda, colours by Carl Gafford



Superman encounters Ambush Bug in Metropolis; since Supes is en route to the 40th century, he decides to save time and dump the Bug en route with the Legion in 2983. The Legion’s not home, however, so he reluctantly leaves Bug with Polar Boy, the only Sub available.

Ambush Bug escapes and the chase begins. Superman, returning from his future errand, discovers that Bug is on the loose and learns that Polar Boy had put him in an old aquarium tank rather than a secure holding cell.

Although Superman traps Ambush Bug, the Bug escapes, along with Superman’s cape. The Science Police arrive, raising Superman’s hopes for some competent help.

Meanwhile, Bug is creating mayhem in Metropolis, harassing a Drakian (aka Purple Eyestalk Creature), as Color Kid and Antennae Lad try to seize him. Bug finds the Superman Museum.

At SP Headquarters, Chief Zendak grills Porcupine Pete and Infectious Lass, as Superman looks on. The two subs explain that they’re working with their Auxiliary members, people who haven’t qualified for membership in the Subs. Zendak notes that Shvaughn Erin has failed to contact the Legion (and readers are advised that we don’t know where this story fits in LSH continuity). They learn that AB is at the Superman Museum; Supes flies off, concerned that Bug will discover his secret identity.

At this time, Chlorophyll Kid and Fire Lad are stumped as to how to remove Stone Boy, whose head is implanted in concrete.

AB is finallly enticed into a room marked by a “Do Not Enter” sign and turns on what he believes to be a special effects machine with a “Do Not Push” button. However, it’s a Phantom Zone Projector, so Bug is safely put away until Superman can deal with him.

The Subs say goodbye to Superman, who asks where their other members are. Chlorophyll Kid and Fire Lad are still contemplating how to free Stone Boy from the concrete.


Comments:

So light it almost floats away.... it’s an enjoyable story and worth a few smiles. The Legion itself stays wisely out of the picture, whereabouts unknown. Perhaps Dream Girl had a vision and they all agreed to lie low and just watch the shenanigans. (I note that Night Girl is conspicuously absent; no doubt Rokk warned her of the coming fiasco, hoping to spare himself the embarrassment of a girlfriend who is a member of such a group as the Subs.)

The Subs have become synonymous with joke (apart from their 5YL rehabilitation). I’m wondering if this is Keith Giffen’s doing. Although I didn’t take the time to review the Adventure era stories, I recall them as weak, not masters of their powers, earnest, well-intentioned, but not idiots and goofballs. These guys could star in a teenage stoner movie.

It’s an Ambush Bug story as well, so logic goes out the window. Of course Superman doesn’t drop Ambush Bug off with the Science Police, or delay his time travel and settle the situation in the 20th century. Of course there are many far-fetched coincidences which move the story along.

Supes was headed to the 40th century. Was his errand explained in a previous or later issue of this series? It’s a fairly popular time period in DC Comics, even being used in the 3boot with the Knights Tempus from the 41st century. Something else else about those multiples of 10 appeals to writers.

Gigi Cusimano, introduced in last week’s issue, is mentioned here, as Chief Zendak’s gofer.

There are no lasting consequences, in terms of Legion timeline, from this story, but it does set the Subs up for future stories as the laughing stock of the 30th century.

Likewise HWW.



That's what I was always taught. But now the police are here, I wonder if taking all those people's eyes makes me some kind of bad guy - Corinthian Kid




Oh heck. I had pulled out #302 for a read. I'll need to go into storage for this one. I picked up the second annual, so at least I have that handy. But I didn't find the B&B issue. I'll have another look for that, but it could be it's one I don't have.

Do you have a receipt for those eyes?




I always admonish my students never to take credit for someone else's work, so . . . it was actually FC who wrote the above.

I have or had DCCP 59, but I couldn't find it while rummaging through my collection. I may have to sit this review out.

After reading FC's review, I don't think I want to revisit this issue. Polar Boy is not so stupid as to put a criminal in an aquarium instead of a locked cell. The other actions of the Subs are equally ridiculous.

I believe the Subs-as-humorous-foils aspect did begin here. Previously, they were treated as FC describes: resourceful, brave, and smart, just not powerful enough for the Legion.

This story is a mixed blessing for the Subs. Previously, they had been treated as very minor characters--so minor that when three of them were given new costumes back in S/LSH 211 or so, those costumes were never seen again. However, this story did give them a specific and recognizable identity--a "brand," in business parlance. The reader now knew what to expect when the Subs appeared--for better or for worse.

DCCP 59 is one I definitely have. I might be able to get it tomorrow night for a post on Thursday. Looking at the cover, it looks as though this is where they are played for comedy value. It's one I've not read for a long time, so it will be interesting to have another look having gone through all of these rereads with you guys.

The above is a also a good lesson is showing students how to be tactful. For example, when someone has been too lazy to sort their tags.

An ignoble day for the Subs, but a glorious day for the Bug. While easy to write this off as the bit of fun it was intended as, it's also a major turning point for Giffen, and really encapsulates the two very different aspects of him as a creator.

It takes a turn with both Ambush Bug and the Subs, and makes them comedic, which would have repercussions for both properties. It showed that Giffen can be really funny, in a very offbeat and almost surreal way, which would inform not only Ambush Bug stories, but JLI, as well as the Subs. It also shows within that humour a bit of a mean streak, as his humour, especially towards the Legion has an edge to it. It's been debated here and elsewhere ad nauseum whether Giffen has a softspot for all the Legion trappings and their silliness, or if there's also a touch of disdain. It's really a bit of both I suspect, but certainly these early lampoonings seem to come with affection, but the seed is there for the other.

One thing I found interesting is Paul's name in the credits. I always remembered this as a purely Giffen joint. I wonder how much each really contributed?

The Levitz credit was a surprise to me as well. Just checked and Paul is also credited as writer on the 1985 annual/special in which the Subs go to Bismoll.

One of the displays in the Superman Museum is a piece of layer cake in a display case. I figured this was just more nuttiness thrown in, but the Legion of Super Bloggers review points out that this references an old Superboy story in which he bakes a giant cake for the residents of Smallville. This strikes me more as a Levitz thing than something Giffen would throw in. (The Bloggers also cite a panel in which Bouncing Boy (apparently) appears in the background, which I missed.)

This is actually referenced several times in the Silver Age.

This is what I need to top off a big Thanksgiving meal: a slice of 1,015-year-old petrified cake.

...I just realized that this is how Cake-Frosting-Hair-Girl got her powers!

Thanks for posting the original source! Obscure 1950 song reference there too, "If I'd known you were coming I'd have baked a cake".

LSH #302 Family Matters by Paul Levitz & Keith Giffen, Larry Mahlstedt Finisher, Carl Gafford Colors, John Costanza Letters



Blok and Brin, on monitor duty, receive an alert from the HQ Lobby. A white figure is hurling lightning and calling angrily for Garth. Dawnstar confronts him; he hits her with bolts as his true form emerges. It’s Mekt Ranzz and he insists on knowing where his brother is. Dawnstar tells him that Garth has left. Brin arrives, but is felled by lightning; Mekt leaves before Blok can confront him.

Shvaughn and Jan pass by Weber’s World. Jan does not signal Brainy’s team, who are on the planet, as he and Shvaughn discuss the circumstances of their mission, dealing with something that’s wrong inside the Legion itself. They are heading to Imsk.

Ontiir guides Brainy’s team on the restored Weber’s World; Brainy explains to Kara that it is the site for the U.P. government administration and that taxes are back to being collected. As they proceed, a globe behind them, with a green aura, laughs.

The Emerald Empress is on Weber’s World, planning to use it as a base to re-establish her empire.

Garth and Imra meet with Dr. Gym’ll on Medicus One, to discuss some serious plans. Mekt arrives, smashing through a wall as Gym’ll bemoans the damage done to his “20th century cultural reproductions” i.e. comic books. Mekt is looking for Ayla; he wants to talk with her now that she’s left the Legion and “seen the error of her ways”. The brothers trade insults; when Imra and Gym’ll interrupt, Mekt blasts both of them. Mekt begins to insult Imra, which draws the full fury of Garth
The two battle along the corridors of Medicus One, Garth berating Mekt for his criminal ways and Mekt sneering at his brother’s heroism. Security bots approach; Mekt blasts them and in so doing destroys an airlock. The brothers are expelled by the blast; their transparent space suits activate and the hull of Medicus One seals.

Nura’s team is above Daxam, which still has the form of Darkseid’s face. Security is high and Mon-el is affronted on behalf of his people. Before they arrive on the planet itself, Wildfire announces the news of Val and Jeckie’s wedding and Mekt’s attack. Nura has foreseen both events and says Legionnaires on Earth can take care of themselves, as she frets over a broken nail.

In the SP Records Room on Earth, Gigi is confronted by another officer and told that Zendak has forbidden her from being in the file room; there’s a close watch on all Durlan files since the Khund incident. Gigi wonders what Shvaughn has gotten her into.

Above Earth, Blok, Brin and Dawnstar, Tinya and Shady arrive to confront Mekt. They don’t fare too well against him, then Garth reappears and the fight between brothers resumes. Imra arrives with a final assist of a telepathic sleep suggestion and Mekt falls. Brin asks if Garth does indeed know where Ayla is; he replies that no one does and she deserves her peace and quiet, especially from Mekt.

On Weber’s World, Ontiir concludes his tour and the Legionnaires are reassured that all is well and Sun Boy is still guarding their cruiser. As they board the ship, the lights go out and Brainy cries out that he was right to be paranoid. They discover an unconscious Sun Boy lying under the glow of the Emerald Eye, which turns its gaze on them and attacks, to the sound of laughter.

Comments:

Over the years, we’ve had numerous Mekt-Garth battles, so it’s hard to view this one with fresh eyes. Mekt is certainly pictured as the very essence of white-hot rage and his power is considerable, defeating most of the Legionnaires who try to stop him – except his brother. The brothers were equally matched; it took the added touch of Imra’s mind control to stop Mekt.

The fight consumes a lot of panel time, with each brother talking throughout, mostly about the other’s perceived faults. It’s a family story; the other Legionnaires in this storyline are just window-dressing. That Mekt wants so much to find Ayla and recruit her to his gang is evidence that family is important to him, in a perverse way. Or maybe he just wants to best his brother.

Imra calls Mekt “my little brother-in-law”. Not sure if that is a continuity blooper or if she’s degrading him as little in importance or value.

Jan and Shvaughn’s mystery opens up a bit as we learn that Gigi was investigating files related to Durlan immigration. Since the only Durlans we know at this point are Cham and R.J., it puts some focus on them. The problem is serious enough that Jan foregoes protocol and does not signal Brainy’s team as he flies past Weber’s World. Urgency and/or caution, as it’s a serious matter of trouble within the ranks. This would have been a tip-off to the observant reader, since Violet, about whom Jan had concerns, was with the Weber’s World team.

Anytime the Emerald Empress appears, you know there’s big trouble on the horizon. She must have been the “Majesty” to whom Ontiir was referring in the previous issue; although Ontiir hasn’t been overtly revealed as a bad guy, the implications are clear. Besides, he looks evil.

Garth and Imra have big plans which involve Dr. Gym’ll, but they aren’t yet revealed. Gym’ll is his usual irascible self and we learn he collects 20th century comic books.

There’s a bit of lightness in the story as Ontiir states that U.P. administration is back to normal since they’re collecting taxes. Nura fusses over her nails, an oft-repeated scene, and one which makes one question why there isn’t better nail protection in the future. She calmly deflates Wildfire’s news from home regarding the wedding and pre-empts any mention of Mekt’s attack. One has the impression that she definitely has everything under control.

302:

I have to agree that this Garth/Mekt battle doesn't really stand out. In fact, it ends anticlimactically with Imra coming in and saving the day. Kudos for her, but it makes the other Legionnaires look like chumps who were easily defeated or side-tracked by Mekt.

This is the first I recall of Mekt showing any familial thoughts about Ayla--wanting to recruit her to his side or whatever he meant by wanting to have a talk with her. Her role as Mekt's motivation for attacking the Legion doesn't ring true. Surely, he doesn't expect Garth to tell him Ayla's location, even if Garth knows (which, we find out, he doesn't). If Mekt had a history of bullying his little brother into divulging information, his actions might make sense, or if he is losing touch with reality (a condition explored in the reboot). But Mekt is too underdeveloped a character at this point for us to understand why he does what he does.

Garth's final jab at Timber Wolf was uncalled for. I'm starting to feel sorry for Brin.

The Weber's World sequence goes on and on and accomplishes little. Brainy pesters Ontiir with the same questions about why the latter's men attacked the Legionnaires, and Ontiir repeats the same answer about his men being inexperienced. The fact that Ontiir puts up with such questions and continues to play the gracious tour guide should have made the Legionnaires suspicious, but, oh well. Perhaps Brainy was distracted by Kara and Gim by "Vi." Drat those hormones.

The only plotline that moves forward is Jan and Shvaughn's secret mission. A trip to Imsk, the Durlan files . . . it's fun to re-read these clues in hindsight.

Levitz seems to have built Nura up only to tear her down. In previous stories, she came across as decisive and in control, but here she irritates her colleagues by predicting what they are going to say before they say it and complaining about another broken nail. Whereas the broken nail in 298 worked as a way for her downgrade the villain she was punching, here it comes across as petty and self-absorbed.

Even the art comes across as flat and uninspired--and just what is Garth wearing under his pants on p. 18? Maybe he needed an adult diaper before going up against his brother.

302 marks time before the next Big Event. With the wedding of KK and PP and the Vi revelation to come, there is plenty to look forward to, but even filler issues should have less fat.

Actually, she says "my nasty little brother-in-law," so, yep, it's a downgrade.



Good catch about Vi being part of the away team. I hadn't noticed the connection.



Yes, he does, and that's always disappointed me. Ontiir was set up as a character who looks evil and whose actions are so ambiguous or carefully explained that one is never sure if he's good or bad. Brought up in the '70s with the idea that appearances can be deceiving (an idea often reinforced in Legion stories), I was hoping Ontiir would be revealed to be a good guy, after all. ("Take that, Legionnairessss! You misssjudged me.") But it wasn't to be. He looks bad, so he must be bad.

This was only my second encounter with Mekt (the first being the LL origin story reprinted in one of the digests), and I instantly found myself loving to hate him (a sign of a great villain). He was boastful, pyschotic, powerful and condescending. I enjoyed seeing he and Garth tangle, especially since Garth really hadn't had much chance to shine since the leadership debacle. This was always my touchpoint for mekt's character, so I took a dislike to later stores that tried to rehabilitate him. Yes he had a believable motivation for his villainy, but he was still a bad guy, who made his own choices. I couldn't square that with the "he just needs love and family" stuff that came later (though I'm admittedly fuzzy on those details).

LSH #303 Those Emerald Eyes are Shining! by Paul Levitz & Keith Giffen, Larry Mahlstedt Finisher, Carl Gafford Colors, John Costanza Letters



The Empress congratulates Ontiir for securing the five Legionnaires. Dirk revives first, but Ontiir hits him with a neutralizer pod and the Empress taunts him as she breaks his jaw. As the others come to, she slaps them or has the Eye hit them with a beam. She recognizes Kara’s costume and deduces that she might be Kryptonian, but doesn’t appear to know who she is. Ontiir claims that he serves the Empress because it suits the purpose of The Dark Circle. The Empress tells him to kill the Legionnaires.

On Earth, Chuck and Lu are on monitor duty since all the others are on missions or will be heading to Val and Jeckie’s wedding.

On one cruiser headed to Orando, Garth broods over Ayla’s disappearance. Brin contacts Blok aboard another cruiser, but seems to have fallen asleep. Shady and Tinya poke fun at the two of them.

On Weber’s World, Dark Circle acolytes prepare to fire on the Legionnaires, but Kara manages to activate Brainy’s forcefield with her super-breath. This liberates the Legionnaires from stasis and Brainy instructs Dirk and Kara to smash the neutralizer pods. Both Ontiir and the Dark Circle implore the Empress to use the Eye, but nothing happens and the Legionnaires break free and attack their would-be killers. They begin to chase the Empress, but Brainy stops them to reflect on what’s going on. Kara suggests that the planet, being movable, could be used as a weapon. The team splits into two; Brainy and Kara head to the surface and see that Weber’s World is on a collision course with the U.P.’s main fleet base.

On Earth, Chief Zendak is chewing out Gigi for handing SP files to the Legion but he himself wants to find out why anyone is interested in Durla. He’s interrupted by an alert that Weber’s World and the fleet base are going to collide.

Chuck and Lu get the same message and contact Nura’s team on Daxam. She sends Wildfire and Mon-el to Weber’s World to help. Jo is enraged that he was not sent with them – and carves a giant “Stuff it” out of rock.

On Weber’s World, Gim, Dirk and Vi seek the Empress among the endless passages. Dirk burns through a wall and Vi tells them that they’re at the Central Data Banks. Gim wonders how she knows that and she replies that she must have picked it up while reading the file on Weber’s World. They find the Empress, who has taken control of the Central Computer, and attack – but all are defeated. The Empress feels the planet slowing down. Supergirl has tried to stop the planet’s movement, but failed; Brainy directs her to deflect the planet off course with a super-speed hit.

Brainy and Kara go after the Empress, with difficulty; the Empress has some kryptonite handy. As Kara weakens, the Empress is suddenly knocked out by a miniature Violet, delivering a Durlan Nerve Cruncher. As Ontiir tries to escape, he’s stopped by Mon-el and Wildfire. Wildfire makes some snide remarks about Dream Girl.

Epilogue 1: Val and Jeckie look forward to their wedding and hope there won’t be any disasters.
Epilogue 2: Gim tells Sun Boy, who’s speechless with a broken jaw set in a cast, to stop griping. Brainy confesses to Kara that she’s “too damn distracting”.

Comments:
The grand plan of the Empress and Ontiir/the Dark Circle was fairly quickly derailed by the Legion. One suspects that the Dark Circle will be back to cause more trouble.

It’s peculiar that the Empress did not know Supergirl right from the start. She may not be a student of history, but she must have followed the Legion’s activities. It didn’t add anything to the story, however – unless it was meant to make the reader think that this wasn’t the real Empress, or she herself was mind-controlled - or a Durlan imposter.:) She does some hands-on dirty work by crushing Dirk's jaw, but she must have had an assist from the Eye to have such strength.

In the end, she’s defeated, Ontiir is captured but the Dark Circle is still in the shadows. What did they want with Weber’s World that aligned their interests with that of the Empress – and who was really in control? Would smashing Weber’s World into the Fleet Base have been a suicide mission for Ontiir and the Dark Circle members, or did they have some escape plan – or promise of protection from the Eye?

Knocking the planet off course like a billiard ball is classic comic book physics. No repercussions from coming that close to the Fleet Base, nothing more than a bit of shaking. I also found it peculiar that nobody else was seen on Weber’s World: no dead bodies, no prisoners, no enslaved-by-the-Eye bureaucrats.

Another clue to the Violet mystery is given, as she delivers as Durlan nerve-pinch to bring down the Empress. It’s not an obvious clue, since Legionnaires are trained in a variety of combat manoeuvers.

Kara and Brainy make a good team, all the more sweet because we know, in retrospect, that it won’t last. Gim, Vi and Dirk didn’t question when he split off alone with her and sent them chasing after the Empress’s shadow.

Nura doesn’t seem very concerned about the Weber’s World problem but she does send two very heavy hitters to help out. Jo’s resentment of Nura builds. Wildfire remains snarky. It doesn’t do Jo much credit to sulk; snark is expected from Wildfire.

Both the Durla sub-plot and the sure-to-be-a-disaster wedding story inch forward. There’s a hint that something might be wrong with Ayla, due to Garth’s concern; his ill-feeling towards Brin surprised me. Bad history between them or just brotherly defense of a sister whose boyfriend didn’t measure up?

I don't know about you, but I'd be fairly hostile to towards the guy who was dating my sister but tried to sleep with my wife.

303:

Even though this is basically another filler featuring an old villain, it's more enjoyable than the previous issue. The story is better paced and there's less "fat"; in fact, I don't think there are any wasted scenes. Everything advances some story line or relationship. Even the Emerald Empress's scheme makes sense--for a villain. Whatever her real goals in aligning with the Dark Circle, causing Weber's World to collide with the fleet would cause untold damage to the UP.

The highlight of the issue for me was watching Brainy interact with Kara. She brings out a different side to him; he even admits he missed her. Then he goes and blows it by telling her she's too "damn distracting." You can see the hurt on Kara's face. Good ol' Querl--Poor Social Skills Lad.

The other Legionnaires also have fun interactions and plenty to do, action-wise. Dirk's broken jaw provides humor at his expense (especially the contraption he has to wear at the end). Gim and "Vi" are more subdued but get a few good scenes. Elsewhere, Nura continues to show poor leadership skills by off-handedly picking the away team that will assist on Weber's World. It is, of course, her right to choose which Legionnaires go where, and Ultra Boy acts like a spoiled brat by protesting, but Nura could have shown that she'd put more thought into it. The first rule of leadership is to take care of the people under you; so far, Nura isn't showing much ability to take care of anyone.

For all its pluses, 303 has a couple of errors which should have been caught by the editor. On Page 6, Kara blows out of the right side of her mouth to activate Brainy's force field belt, but Brainy is on her left; Dirk is on her right. (I'll resist the obvious joke about Dirk getting a blow from Kara.) On Page 13, Gim questions "Vi" about her knowledge of Weber's World's Central Data Banks. I'm unclear if this is supposed to be a clue as to "Vi's" true identity; given all the other clues being dropped, it seems odd that this exchange was stuck in for no reason.

The artwork is uneven. The establishing shot on Page 2 , for example, looks bland and unfinished. On the other hand, some of the facial expressions--particularly Tinya and Shady on p. 5--are nuanced and attractive. The space scenes rock.

303 shows the Legionnaires doing what they normally do--a day at the office. It's far from an exceptional story but fun in its own right.

Nah. It's a little known fact, but Dirk has a glass jaw. Literally. A souvenir from fighting Tarik the Mute.

The glass jaw. Of course!



Oh, that thing.... I thought Imra fixed all that with a little mind nudge. I was trying to remember (and still too lazy to look it up) if there was any mission-related friction between them at any point, especially when Garth was leader.




The 30th century "Remains of the Day". She should know by now that he's not subtle with emotional expression, but it would still hurt.



I was giving her some slack because of the old fall-back that she foresees just who needs to be sent where, but I think you're right. Her disregard for Jo's (and others') feelings displays some arrogance and does make for a bad boss.



Super-breath was meant to ricochet off the wall, circle around and hit Brainy's belt accurately on the left. Perhaps. The Vi thing confused me, unless there's some clarification in a future issue. It didn't really reveal anything, just seemed directionless.

On the Garth/Brin thing . . . it's interesting that Garth is willing to cut his wife some slack (or at least not talk about it) while putting all the blame on Brin for whatever did or did not happen on the asteroid. This is a perfectly human reaction, it seems to me. Garth has to live with Imra and has come to rely on her emotionally, as the last dozen or so issues have suggested. It was Imra who took care of him while he was suffering his electrical dysfunction or whatever.

Still, I think Brin gets a bad rap. He's the scapegoat, and, since Ayla left him, it only seems to compound his "guilt." At least Blok still hangs out with him.

I'm enjoying the psychological complexity of Levitz's Legion.

Electrical dysfunction. Hah! You make a good point that it's a lot easier for Garth to put all the blame on Brin.

I didn't quite get why Brin fell asleep while talking to Blok. Was it the emotional stress of Ayla leaving that finally hit him? Or just a bit of a joke at his expense?

Good question about why he fell asleep. As with Vi's knowledge of the central data banks, it's an exchange that isn't quite explained.

Another exchange that threw me came on Page 19, when Brainy remarks that the Emerald Eye would stop functioning if the Empress were unconscious. Clearly, she is not unconscious and there is no indication that she would be. Brainy seems to be assuming that Kara will incapacitate the Empress and expresses anxiety that it hasn't happened yet, but I had to read the scene twice to gather this meaning.

LSH Annual 2 Whatever Gods There Be by Paul Levitz & Keith Giffen, Dave Gibbons Art, Carl Gafford Colors, John Costanza Letters



The Daxam restoration Legionnaires Nura, Rokk, Thom, Mysa and Jo continue their work. Nura ends the mission so that they can attend the wedding, saying they can return in the months ahead.

On Orando, Legionnaires begin to arrive for the wedding. Garth and Imra agree to keep their “little secret” quiet so as to not take attention away from the wedding.

As Nura’s team is en route to Orando, their cruiser is buffeted by a shock wave as Superboy appears from the timestream. He proceeds to Orando, unaware of any problem. Rokk later determines that they’ve been knocked into the timestream. The ship comes out of the timestream and crash lands on a planet. Rokk identifies the planet as Earth, since he recognizes the magnetic field. Ultra Boy scans the surroundings and reports on some of the structures, by which Rokk determines that they’ve landed in 200 B.C. Jo tries to break through the time barrier, but fails since he needs both invulnerability and super-speed. Suddenly, they’re attacked by Greeks bearing spears. The Legionnaires disable them easily.

There’s some friction between Thom and Nura. The team heads to a nearby town, where they are greeted like royalty. Suddenly, they fall through the floor of the temple and are confronted by Zeus and other Greek gods.

At Legion HQ, Cham and R.J. arrive and join Chuck and Lu at the Monitor Board, where they’re viewing the wedding celebrations. They see Nura’s team’s cruiser disappear from the screen; Cham contacts Dawnstar to find them but she fails. He concludes that since she can’t find them in space, they must be lost in time and contacts the Time Institute for help.

Nura begins to speak with Zeus, begging forgiveness but Thom gets offended and says that Zeus owes them an apology. The Legionnaires are attacked and put to sleep, except for Nura, who remains with Zeus. He tells here that they came from a distant world, that he’s a scientist and doesn’t believe time travel is possible. He and his group came to Earth for metals needed for their planet’s war and will have to kill the Legionnaires to keep them from revealing or undermining his plans. She takes a look at his future and sees his world devastated by war lasting minutes, with only shape-shifters like himself surviving – and that world is Durla.

Nura’s team awakens, confined in tubes; Rokk manipulates the electronics to release them. Assorted gods attack them. As the Legionnaires gain the upper hand, Zeus calls for retreat, saying their work on Earth is done. They all change into animals and flee, taking off in their spaceship which had been the dome of the temple. Suddenly, Cham appears as a bird and says that Professor Huxton was able to trace their time trail; a Time Cube is on its way to rescue them. He then asked why they were talking about Durlans when he arrived.

On Orando, the wedding proceeds without interruption, as various Legionnaires reflect on their own relationships, or lack thereof.

Comments:
Plenty of character moments in this annual, not so much action.

The idea that the Greek pantheon was really composed of Durlan shift-changes is a good premise for a story. It’s a roundabout way of telling the history of Durla’s six-minute war which destroyed their civilization. According to this story, only some Durlans were shift-shapers – and they’re the ones who survived. Zeus and his team are ruthless and prepared to kill anyone who might compromise their war effort.

I wish we’d learned what the war was about. Was it shape-shifters versus others, territory or resources, power grab? It appears from other tales that Durlans themselves know little of their history – or choose not to speak of it. That Durla is still ravaged 2,200 years later speaks to the utter devastation of that war.

Everyone on Nura’s team makes good use of their powers against the classic gods. It’s pretty typical Legion battle fare. The interaction between Nura, Thom and Jo is more interesting; Rokk and Mysa don’t have much to say. There’s friction between Nura and Thom; he feels neglected, she tries to appease him with offer of the Deputy Leader position, she boils at his clumsy interference when she’s speaking with Zeus. Nura is also given a number of cliché Nura lines, worrying about her appearance and physical comfort.

The opening scenes on Daxam show that restoration of the planet is slow; it still looks just like Darkseid’s face. The Legionnaires’ contribution seems to be fairly minor, given the scale of the task; we don’t get an overview of all the work being done by others.

Rokk identified the disturbance from timestream travel as being the cause of their cruiser’s problem, but somebody else (unidentified) asked why he didn’t just come out and say it was Superboy. That suggests that Rokk was reluctant to blame the Boy of Steel for anything. Having Superboy be entirely oblivious was a nice touch and makes me wonder what else may have happened as he flies into the future.

Although one might expect a disaster at the wedding, there was none. I thought Jeckie’s order that Val take care of their guests as she marched off was rather abrupt - is she going to be giving the orders in this marriage? She also lets him know that there won't be too much modernization of Orando, despite his suggestion (joking?) for a spaceport. We learned that Garth and Imra have a secret, which is likely a pregnancy, given their recent visit to Dr. Gym’ll. There’s a teaser that Supergirl might return to the Legion and hints that other couples might be thinking of marriage.

Annual 2:

I imagine Levitz set for himself a challenge: Write a Legion wedding story without having villains disrupt the wedding. He succeeds on that score, but the results are uninspiring.

Even though this is Jeckie and Val's wedding, they have little to do in the story. Jeckie has only one scene ("see to our guests") prior to the ceremony, and Val has a couple of moments, including throwing Superboy and Timber Wolf around for sport. The wedding takes a back seat to various character interactions, which are quite fun and tease the reader with possibilities for other weddings and Supergirl rejoining the team, not to mention Garth and Imra's secret.

But even super-hero weddings must include some kind of action (or at least they did until Tales of the Teen Titans 50, still two years away), so we're treated to Dream Girl and her team getting lost in time and battling Greco-Roman gods who turn out to be Durlans. It's not a bad story or premise--in fact, it reminds me of the Legionnaires being trapped in time during their first battle with Universo (Adventure 349), also referenced in this story. However, the story relies too much on contrivance for my taste.

First there's the manner in which they get lost in time: caught in the shock waves of Superboy's arrival from the 20th century. It just seems so careless of Superboy to emerge from the time barrier and not look to see what's around him. It's the equivalent of merging onto a highway at four in the morning without looking both ways. Sure, there's probably a chance no cars are coming, but what if there is one? What if Kal had emerged a few seconds later inside the Legion cruiser? And have the Legionnaires never considered getting lost in a time travel backlash before? Considering all the time travel they do, it seems careless and inept for them to be thrown off course this way.

Then they find themselves thrust back in time to a period when Durlans are impersonating earth's mythological gods. I'm unclear on if the Durlans were always impersonating the gods or if they simply took advantage of local beliefs. In any event, this plot development ties in nicely--too nicely, in my view--with Durla's Six-Minute War referenced a few issues ago. Of all the time periods they could have found themselves in, they just happen to land in one which references an historical event (from their perspective) introduced a few issues earlier. This is a fanboy's dream: Everything ties together.

Contrivance # 3: Thom, proving once again he's not the brightest star on the horizon, demands that Zeus and company owe him and the other Legionnaires an apology. He doesn't wait to see what's going on, get his bearings, or trust in his lady love/leader's scheme to warm up to Zeus. Rather, he gives Zeus an excuse to knock him and the others back out so Zeus can have his alone time with Nura.

On the other hand, Chameleon Boy is well used in this story as the one who figures out what happened to Nura's team and shows up to rescue them. Maybe it's Nura. Maybe her leadership skills are so bad, she brings out the worst in her teammates. None of her teammates do anything impressive except snipe at her and each other (though Cosmic Boy's knowledge of earth history is put to good use).

Oddly enough, the best scenes in this annual are the ones which don't feature the main plot of Nura's team versus the gods--especially the epilogue teaser which drops a bombshell on the reader.

The art is at best serviceable. I've seen much better from Dave Gibbons (especially Watchmen). At times, his figures are clunky and awkward, and Nura's bizarre hairstyle is distracting every time she appears.

You have to wonder if it was all a teaser. We expect the villain to show up, one never does - only to get the surprise a few issues later. (Or maybe next issue, I haven't read ahead yet.)



There should have been a panel in the next issue or so, showing Brainy and Rond installing anti-shockwave tech in the time bubbles - and telling Superboy to watch his shockwaves.



I hadn't thought that the Durlans might just be using local beliefs, just figured they were the origins of those gods. Your idea makes more sense since they'd be the gods come down to Earth, all the more scary and compelling obedience. There seems to be a rule that time travel is primarily confined to periods relevant to other Legion or DC stories, sort of like the Iron Venetian Blinds of Time.



Yeah, Thom isn't usually the hothead. This would be more of a Wildfire move. I guess we can blame it on his friction with Nura - but dumb move for an experienced Legionnaire.



Cham never appealed to me much as a character, but during the course of this reread, I've been surprised at how clever and (generally) sensible he is.



Definitely excellent epilogue! Keith Giffen was probably planning to have the imposter be Karate Kid.



Oh, that hair. So strange and rather unbecoming. Must have taken a litre of hairspray.

The Iron Venetian Blinds of Time--I love it!

Maybe Daxam is very humid to require all that hairspray.

He Who Wanders:



Given the importance of the actual Greco-Roman gods in the wider DC Universe (Wonder Woman, Shazam), I'd say, the latter.

Sounds good to me, CMK.

LSH #304 Siege Perilous by Paul Levitz & Keith Giffen, Larry Mahlstedt Inker, Carl Gafford Colors, John Costanza Letters



Lu and Chuck address nine Academy students, explaining that the departure of Val and Jeckie has opened up slots in the Legion. The students are introduced as Laurel Kent, Shadow Lass’s cousin, Jed, Lamprey, a froggy guy speaking an alien language, Magnetic Lad, Nightwind and Crystal Kid.

Suddenly, Chuck is propelled into a wall, surprised by Wildfire, who has arrived with Mysa and Jacques for their formal training. As the students speak together, Wildfire complains to Chuck and Lu that the SP should take over the Academy. Gigi Cusimano calls him on it, saying he complains when the SP offer to take over. Wildfire then complains about Shvaughn spending time with Jan. He hesitates, then blasts off.

At Legion HQ, Shvaughn, Jan, Cham and Brainy meet in the shadows of a dark tunnel. They reveal that Shrinking Violet is a Durlan imposter and discuss what to do. They agree to find what happened to the real Violet, to tell no one else and to keep it from Gim. Cham volunteers to handle the situation.

At Metropolis spaceport, Mysa, Jacques, Jed and Laurel are on a training mission with Chuck, to round up assorted escaped beasts from a crashed ship. They meet with Chief Zendak, who has concerns about the ability of the ‘farm team”and silently wishes that Saturn Girl were Legion leader again. The team succeeds in corralling the animals. At the Academy, Lu reviews their action with the other students, pointing out that they took too long and didn’t work as a team. She mentions that Nura, Rokk, Imra, Garth, Dirk and Blok are working as a team on a diplomatic mission for Ambassador Relnic.

Later, outside, Grev and Pol discuss having family in the Legion and their own motivations. Inside, Grava and Laurel speak with Mysa about being a full Legionnaire at the Academy; she explains that she had to train to be a sorceress and now must train to be a successful Legionnaire. Grava complains about Wildfire.

At the Pan-Oceanic Organ Depository, Tasmia and Brin take on three thieves. Wildfire swoops in, blasts the thieves and flies off. Brin is annoyed but says he can’t blame Wildfire, given what he’s going through; Tasmia agrees that Brin would understand.

At the Academy, Nightwind and Lamprey speak fondly about Wildfire and refer to a student in the Special Wing who is also facing serious challenges.

At Legion HQ, Cham herds Vi and Gim into a cruiser, claiming a priority alert from Imsk. She’s reluctant, but doesn’t argue. Shvaughn watches with relief as the cruiser leaves. Thom approaches her; she congratulates him on being Deputy Leader but he’s anxious for Nura’s term as leader to be over. Thom proceeds to chair a meeting to review applicants from the Academy. When he mentions standards, Jo gets angry, but is calmed by Tasmia, who urges that they adopt a positive frame of mind. Thom proposes they begin with Laurel Kent.

At that same time, Laurel and Grava are bickering with Lamprey and Nightwind over Wildfire, who Laurel and Grava dislike. A physical fight erupts, only to be broken up by Pol and Jed. Jacques and Mysa arrive and say that Wildfire is complex; Mysa decides to violate Wildfire’s privacy by showing them what he’s going through. We see Dawnstar telling Wildfire that she’s off to find her soul mate, according to the traditions of her people, and she hopes they will always be friends. As she flies off, he whispers “I love you” and explodes out of his suit.

An entry from the Legion log indicates that no new members would be admitted for the time being and that applicants would be remanded for further training, after the group discussed the perils and deaths of Legionnaires.

Comments:
It’s been a while since we’ve seen the Academy students. They’re no closer to joining the Legion, but this issue makes them a more enduring part of the Legionverse. They are beginning to develop personalities and we meet some new ones. There’s a mystery student in a “special wing”, but no further clues are given.

The reasoning may be sound, but I find it peculiar to see Mysa and Jacques sent for training. Both fit right in with the Legion while facing one of their most deadly adversaries, so why not more learning on the job? At least in Mysa’s case, it may be they themselves who wanted more formal training.

Wildfire appears in various scenes, more angry than usual; only at the end do we find out that it’s Dawnstar’s departure that has upset him. His whispered “I love you” comes as no surprise to the reader, but he may well have never said it to her face. We don’t know if this will be a permanent or temporary departure for Dawnstar.

There’s more of that great full spectrum surveillance that pervades Legion stories, as Mysa invades Wildfire’s privacy to show what he’s going through, rather than explain to the other students in her own words.

The big reveal is the confirmation of Violet as a Durlan imposter. It’s a well done scene; you can almost sense the three Legionnaires and Shvaughn whispering in the shadows as they discuss what to do. They’re keeping it quiet, so much so that (it appears) even Leader Dream Girl has not been informed. This also plays into Jan’s continuing resentment of Nura; he’s got the big secret and he’s keeping it from her. Bad protocol but very much in keeping with bad feelings.

Apart from the search for the true Violet and the discovery of why the Durlan replaced her, there’s a diplomatic mission of unknown purpose led by Nura’s team.

So, lots of shake-up in the ranks. There are only a few Legionnaires left on Earth; Mysa, Jacques, Dawnstar, Ayla, Jeckie, Val and (it appears) Violet are out of the regular action. We don’t know if Imra and Garth will also depart, as a result of their “secret”. Resentments linger between Nura, Jan and Jo – and now Thom has been pulled into that mix. This issue is quite a turning point for the group.

Best line: “Drop the livers and the blasters, guys!”

304:
What surprised me most while re-reading this issue was how the Shrinking Violet impersonation was worked into the story. I had misremembered it being revealed in 305, when the Legionnaires trick and capture the impostor, but to see it revealed this way threw me in a good way. It’s a quiet reveal, almost matter-of-factly dropped into the story. However, it’s nonetheless effective in how it's presented (the shadowy conversation between Jan, Shvaughn, Brainy and Cham). The Legionnaires weigh and reject various options and then deceive Vi and Gim into boarding a Legion cruiser. Nice build-up to next issue.

The rest of the issue consists of good ideas, but most seem underdeveloped or didn’t really go anywhere. It’s great to see Chuck and Lu as instructors again, but little is done with them. Instead, Wildfire becomes the center of attention just as he did the last time an issue featured the Academy students (283). It’s a bit disconcerting how he hogs the spotlight even when he’s not present. The female students get into a fight over him. Brin starts to spout off but says he can’t help but feel sorry for the guy, and the penultimate scene consists of an invasion of Wildfire’s privacy. Yep, it’s all about Drake.

It’s not so bad, really, as it gives the story some focus; otherwise, the various subplots would seem all over the place. But his role in being the subject of all these conversations seems as artificial as his containment suit.

However, I appreciated one subtle touch. When Shady tells Brin, “I suppose you would be able to understand” (p. 14), it left me scratching my head. But the ending makes it clear that other Legionnaires know about Drake’s feelings for Dawny. Apparently, his love for her is the worst kept secret in the Legion. And Brin would understand because he just lost his own lover.

Another nice touch: The story started out as a recruitment drive, leading readers to expect one of our long-serving Academy students to graduate into the Legion. But the ending delivers a twist when the Legionnaires conclude none of students are ready. The last few panels, showing statues of deceased Legionnaires, added a sobering effect.

304 is another “marking time” issue, but one with a lot of good character interactions and the advancements of several subplots.

Now that you mention it, I had also forgotten the reveal scene in this issue, remembering the cancellite spray (in 305) as the big moment. This issue should leave a first-time reader with curiosity as to how she'll be exposed and how Gim will react.



There must be a novel or short story somewhere in which a central character is discussed, described, referred to yet never seen, or only seen at the end. Our perceptions of this character and his life would be built entirely through the eyes of the other characters. Not what happens here, but your comment brought the idea to mind. And it is funny how Drake makes himself the center of attention when he's really just a side issue to the main storylines.

I am reminded of The Wonderful Wizard of Oz or The Great Gatsby.

Also, Waiting for Godot, a play by Samuel Beckett.

Those are good examples. I don't recall if Gatsby had a universal image or if different people gave a different view of him. What also comes to mind is the introduction of Sensor Girl; although we see her right from the start, she's sort of built up through the other members' musings about her.

...and a pulse came forth through space and time... what would the future say... Swan like utopia or shadowy Giffenverse? what form would the message take ... a beam of light? someone form Starhaven paid through the nose to look like an angel? >slap< no it's >slap< taken the form of a slapping hand >slap< and the message is from Cramer saying "Git postin' varmint!" And so it came to pass...

Right you've done 304. I liked 304 so I'm not reading any of those posts till I've read it again myself. So there.

Wondered what happened to you, thoth. A good ol' slap from Cramer is good for keeping us in line.

Good to see you back from that higher dimension you clearly inhabit. Another week and I would have sent the Re-read Goon Squad er... I mean Christmas Elves after you.

At least it wasn't the Mon-Elves. They're all so bloody *earnest* "Oh, let me do all your chores, Mr thoth" or "Let me eradicate all war and lead mankind out into the galaxy, Mr thoth." They make me sick.

At least the Mon-Elves are better than the Kal-Elves, who never look where they're going while driving.

The Mon-Elves took my power out for three days, so #305 is delayed. Or maybe it was the Kal-Elves, crashing their cars into electrical poles.

It will have been the Kal-Elves. The Mon-Elves would have been all "Can we transmit your review around the world using our super ventriloquism, Miss Cramer?" Sickening.

LSH #305 Violet’s Story by Paul Levitz & Keith Giffen, Kurt Schaffenberger guest Inker, Carl Gafford Colors, John Costanza Letters



The Legion cruiser approaches Imsk, which, according to Encyclopedia Galactica, has had a number of disputes with the U.P.. Brainy announces that it is time to proceed and see if Element Lad is right; Violet and Gim are confused. Brainy apologizes to Gim just before Jan encases his hands in restraints and Cham sprays Violet with something. Brainy says he will apologize if Violet returns to normal size, but she is unable to, having been sprayed with Cancellite (which removes Durlans’ power).

At Legion HQ, Shady and Tinya watch Wildfire, Jo, Brin and Lar work on their fighting technique and discuss the doomed relationship between Dawnstar and Wildfire. Thom approaches and says he hopes Jo will run for leader and win, so he and Nura can get back to cuddling.

On the cruiser, Gim watches, devastated, as the others prepare a psych-probe of the Violet imposter. They learn that she’s a Durlan actress named Yera who took a job to impersonate Violet, hired by some characters in a cave. Jan claims that it was her falling so quickly for Gim and forgetting Duplicate Boy that made him suspicious. Gim is angry that he was the last to know and slugs Jan.

On a peaceful medieval-style planet, a strange off-worlder appears and demonstrates his fire-breath by burning down part of a village and calling for surrender to that world’s new masters.

On Imsk, Violet (imposter or real version?) greets admirers in town. A woman shrinks down and tells her (the Yera imposter) that she shouldn’t be there and to come meet with the Committee. The two of them take a miniature tube system to ensure that no Legionnaires may have followed, and arrive at Liberation Headquarters. Yera learns that she’s been part of a plan to “break free of those fascists” of the United Planets. Yera is imprisoned in a plasti-seal to keep her from escaping. She learns that the real Violet has been held in a tank and secrets stolen from her brain.

On Starhaven, Dawnstar bids farewell to her parents and takes off on her journey to find her soul-mate.

On Imsk, Yera protests the treatment of Violet – then turns out to be Cham. Although the rebel leader thinks he is powerless within the plasti-seal, Cham surprises them by changing into a variety of beasts and breaks free, wreaking havoc. The other Legionnaires arrive; Gim is the most destructive. Brainy sprays the miniature escaping rebels with a modified Cancellite, which freezes them in small size. They surrender.

The Science Police arrive and take over as the Legionnaires evacuate the real Violet.

Epilogue: Gim sits at the hospital bedside of Yera, who claims that she really did fall in love with her. He tells her that he really loves her, not “Violet”, and is certain he can get used to having a Durlan wife – but wonders what he’ll tell his mother.

Comments:

Yera is revealed as the Durlan imposter but the real shocker in this issue is the one panel of Salu Digby, gaunt, naked, eyes wide as if in shock, wired in a sens-tank. She looks like she’s become a zombie, not the flesh-eating kind, but just totally out of it. Catatonic. At the end, we learn, via Gim, that she’s going to be okay, but presumably she’s been months in that state, so you have to wonder just how okay she’ll be.

Yera herself is presented as an innocent dupe but you have to wonder how naive she was to have taken a job from a group of people in a cave – and why she didn’t get to meet the real Violet for some coaching tips.

Her employers turn out to be an Imsk rebel group, wanting to detach from the United Planets and Science Police and put themselves in sole charge. The head of the group is Micro Lad, a sourpuss who himself tried to take Violet’s place in the Legion many issues ago. He claims they have an army and navy ready to go, but this sounds more like the ravings of a madman. The Galactica entry at the beginning of the story suggests that Imsk is politically unsettled, but it seems unlikely that an entire rebel military force could be hidden from the authorities. However, coups do happen and their headquarters are impressively large, so who knows? I do like the fact that not all is universal peace among the United Planets, since it’s realistic and creates some drama.

Cancellite is the defensive weapon du jour, now in two flavours, Durlan and Imskian. I don’t believe the product line was expanded further and just as well: too easy to take out any super-powered villain by just cancelling his powers.

Gim’s reaction to events is well done. He’s angry at his team mates for keeping this vital information from him, he feels deceived and betrayed and takes it out on the rebel base. His power of destruction is really quite impressive! Yet he is never shown turning on Yera; in fact, he asks that they treat her gently. In the end, all is forgiven and accepted; he truly loves her. The guy is besotted. It’s sort of sweet, but you have to wonder at this point how the rest of the Legion will react. Levitz and Giffen manage to get in a mother joke for Gim. No mention of concern for what Dad thinks; Marte Allon is the power in that household - and/or Dad's very easy-going. I suppose they wanted to avoid a Jewish mother joke, but wonder if the subtext joke was worry that Yera's not Jewish, rather than she's Durlan.

In other plots, Thom reminds us that another election is soon and he favours Jo for leader. Dawnstar meets with her parents and starts her soul-mate journey. If all Starhavenites follow this path to find a mate, are they marrying outside their race more and more often? How likely would it be to find your soulmate and a fellow Starhavenite off-planet? We’ve never been given any indication that the people of Starhaven have migrated throughout the United Planets; they are presented as a uniform society (as are most planets in the Legionverse).

The other storyline that’s beginning is the fire-wielding man trying to take over the medieval world. He’s unnamed, as is the world and neither immediately registered with me until thinking ahead – he’ll turn out to be Sun Emperor and the world is Orando.

A good story, with a partly upbeat resolution to the Violet story, but, as Levitz himself writes, never the end.

305:

This, to me, is one of the single most satisfying issues of the Levitz/Giffen run. After a long build-up, the Violet story line comes to a complete and satisfying resolution. The ending works on many levels.

The first level is how the Legionnaires expose the imposter. It really is good to see our heroes formulate a plan and carry it out, even though they must deceive Colossal Boy in the process. This aspect, in fact, increases the emotional stakes. CB is their friend and teammate, but they can’t risk tipping him off. CB understands this, but nevertheless lets Element Lad know what he thinks of their deceit.

The second level in which the story satisfies consists of the circumstances of the real Violet’s abduction and fate. “Satisfies” probably isn’t the best word here, as the revelation that she has been subjected to torture for months is truly horrifying—as is the image of her naked, shaven body in the sens-tank. The fact that this could happen to a Legionnaire drives home just how vulnerable people are to terrorists. The story resonates today even stronger than it did in 1983.

The third, and perhaps most significant level of satisfaction consists of the Legionnaires’ reactions when they learn Violet’s fate. They cut loose. The Imskian revolutionaries, like the fireballers back in 298, provide little challenge for our heroes, but the latter express their feelings even as they maintain control of the battle. Cham’s outrage is palpable, and the image of him bursting out of the plasti-seal bubble as a Jovian montressor had me rooting for him. Colossal Boy lets out his anger and frustration, and delivers some understandable if self-righteous lecturing to the Imskians.

(I say “self-righteous” because his comment—“You little tyrants thought you’d take over your world—did anybody ever tell you what an old stupidity that is?”—comes off as rather naïve and stupid itself. Though their methods are deplorable, the Imskians’ concerns about liberating their world from the “fascist” UP go unexamined. It’s been well-established that Imsk has had political problems with the UP for some time, so dismissing the revolutionaries as “tyrants” reduces these political tensions to mere caricatures.)

In spite of these pluses, 305 does have some minuses. For me, the biggest drawback consists of the numerous subplots, which simply interfere with the main story line. This was most noticeable in the segment when Vi/Yera (really Cham) meets the revolutionaries (pp. 11-14). Of course, we don’t learn it’s Cham until a few pages later, which jars the reader as to why Yera is suddenly free. Did she agree to help the Legionnaires or something? As a reader, I’m willing to suspend my disbelief for a short time, but when I have to change moods and now pity Dawnstar in her quest to find her mate, it disrupts the flow of the story. And, really, nothing of value happens in these subplots which couldn’t have been postponed for an issue or two.

The second aspect which bothers me: Yera gets off scot free. Even though she’s a dupe, it must be against some kind of law to impersonate a Legionnaire, just as it’s against the law to impersonate a police officer. Yet the only consequence she will apparently face is her mother-in-law.

The ending is also a bit hard to swallow. Gim, who rails against his teammates for deceiving him, has no problem staying married to a woman who deceived him all these months. Love is not only blind; it’s simpleminded.

I feel almost duty bound to say something about the art, since Lardy praised my comments on the art some time ago, but I really have nothing new to add. Giffen impresses throughout, and veteran inker Schaffenberger complements Giffen’s pencils perfectly. Some shots which stand out: The splash page, with its multi-colored image of Imsk (kudos to colorist Carl Gafford); Vi/Yera’s tearful expression on p. 3; and, of course, the shocking images of the real Violet in the sens-tank.

For me, 305 is also the last truly outstanding Levitz/Giffen collaboration. Although next issue’s Star Boy spotlight provides a fun breather, the following storyline (Omen/Prophet) is among the worst Legion stories ever made and marks the beginning of a long, slow decline in series quality.

He Who, at one time I would have rushed to defend Omen/Prophet, as my most recent memories of it were of something akin to one of those batshit-crazy, so-bad-it's-good summer blockbusters, but when I recently re-read it in anticipation of rejoining this ongoing Re-Reads project, it was just...BAD! Not guilty-pleasure-bad, not funny-bad, not even morbidly-fascinating bad! If it conjures up any images these days, they are of Levitz and Giffen at each other's throats, with Berger unable to effectively mediate their fussing and fighting. Of course, Levitz and Berger are too polite to admit such things publicly, and Giffen is...Giffen, but the drama behind-the-scenes must have been at least as amped-up and grating as the story that resulted from it.

Which is one of the reasons that my return to this project will have to wait until Baxter #14.

Good point. I never thought of it that way.

One of the wonderful blessings of science fiction is that it always takes present-day situations and extrapolates them into futuristic or alien settings. This was done with the lotus fruit addiction back in Action Comics # 378. (You couldn't use a real drug like cocaine, but you could make one up and get it past the code to boot.) The prejudice against Durlans stands in for any number of real-world prejudices. Yera even alludes to this when she suggests she took the role as Violet because Durlans were barred from drama guilds since shape-changing was believed to be their only real talent (p. 7).



Poor Thom. All he wants to do is some "serious cuddling," but saying this just gives Tinya an excuse to cut him down. Thom seems like an odd man out during Levitz's run. His comments are taken the wrong way, his girlfriend doesn't have time for him, and even the role as deputy leader doesn't appear to suit him--which is just as well since he won't have it for very long.

LoSH 302

The cover of this one gave me a little sigh, as I remembered it’s another issue where Mekt and a sibling fight it out. It’s on a satellite where Garth and Imra seem to spend so mu of this period, separated from the Legion. That’s partly an issue because read the early Baxter issues, which have very similar scenes, before this story. Fortunately, the issue is much better than just that.

Just over half the issue is taken up by Mekt looking to find out where his sister, Ayla, has left for. A number of Legionnaires intercept him before he confronts Garth. But they are really just super powered obstacles to get in Lightning Lord’s way. Dawnstar shows a flash of power, but goes down far too easily again. Not as easily as Shadow Lass, but it’s refreshing to see some collateral damage from a dodged blast for a change. Later Phantom Girl would also be defeated too easily, Imra shut down so she couldn’t use her powers, while Blok seems to have forgotten to take his flight rings.

Timberwolf is an interesting character throughout this issue. When confronting Mekt, he feels confident of victory, based on past success, only to be swatted aside on more than one instance. While Dawnstar tells Mekt that Garth and Imra left in a cruiser some hours ago, it’s not explained how he knew to check Medicus One.

His confrontation with Garth on the satellite (and surely it *must* be related to the JLA satellite!) has all the makings of a better lightsabre duel than we ever got in the Star Wars movies. There’s a distinct visual and tactical approach to each duellist; Mekt revelling in the confrontation, and his power, while Garth is looking at wider issues such as protecting people, including his brother.

It’s another Ranzz fight that we’ve seen before and would see versions of again. However, it’s interesting to note that this plays into the start of the Baxter story, which is why it’s here. Also, Garth and Imra work as a team to take down the villain. I read this as a sign of the strength of his marriage and his maturity. They are a team within the Legion.

For all the enjoyment there is in the later Live Wire interpretations, Garth is a hero all the way through this issue. It isn’t just in his actions, or his words. It’s in his convictions. He protects the privacy of his sister, because he respects her wishes.

And this is where Timberwolf comes back in. At the start of the issue he’s continuing his light comedy routine with Blok. But the reason he’s there is because he’s not with Ayla and his attempts at dating have failed. He’s a bit sulky and a bit frustrated. He’s happy to take some that out on an opponent. Especially one he thinks he can beat.

But when the villain does fall, it’s Brin who oh so casually, but utterly blatantly, asks after Ayla himself. Garth’s response is that Garth never knew, and he had enough respect to give his sister her space to make a new life for herself. “She deserves her peace and quiet, undisturbed by him,” says Garth before the kicker “or anyone.”

The “anyone” in question is Garth referring as directly as possibly to Brin. The victorious couple of Garth and Imra walk away arm in arm, finally resolving their parts in the fall out of the Khundian mission, and they are stronger for it. Brin, looking on, is back to knocking lumps out of gym equipment in frustration at all the events that have led to this. Despite Garth’s words on Ayla, Brin clearly doesn’t respect her enough to give her that space, as we’ll see.

While there will be follow ons from this main story, they won’t quite be as immediate as some of the other developing plots.

The second storyline, of around four pages, follows Gim, Vi, Querl and Kara as they continue their tour of Webers World with Ontiir. Interspersed with the lead story, the easy pace of this one stands out. But there are layers within it too. Gim and Vi are lost in their own relationship. Although Querl is more focused on the task in hand, it ends up being he and Kara who fall behind. There’s a lovely exchange regarding trust between the tow that showcases their personalities well, and also the respect for each other’s opinions.

He’s not that focused, which is something he’ll come back to a few issues from now, and the team fall into the trap he’s been expecting. But when you have Supergirl… ah… it’s the Emerald Eye and the threat that was always there with Ontir, comes into full focus when the Empress makes her move.

We get a nice look at Querl/Kara and Gim/Vi while giving them a plot that will test the power of even Supergirl. But that’s all just a parallel plot to Jan (exposition Lad on his origin again) and Shvaughn;s continuing investigations. Later books would have a huge fanfare about what has gone wrong inside the Legion. But it’s still very understated here, as the investigator’s approach things cautiously. Poor Gi Gi is a casualty of that investigation, just like the so many sources in detective stories, but fortunately, she’s only an administrative one.

To finish off the interweaving plots, we also get a few pages on Daxam. It still looks just like Darkseid, reminding readers of the shadow the Great Darkness has cast. While Dreamy provides leadership, powers and fun the real development is with Lar. He’s watching the virtual quarantine of his race, and it’s not something that’s sitting easily with him.

In summary, the main story is well choreographed and visually interesting. It’s also a link in a longer storyline. But it still felt a bit like a villain-of-the-month story. Fortunately, with Levitz, there’s always loads more going on. There are some excellent character moments, both individually, and even more so concerning their relationships. It’s a combination of all this that raises the issue up to being a thoroughly enjoyable issue. We know next issue is going to be against the Empress too…

LoSH 303

The cover is a classic death-trap, but enclosed within the Emerald Eye. It’s nice although Querl and Vi are reduced to punching it, rather than showing off their powers more fully.

The Emerald Empress could have let the heroes go on their way last issue. She could then continued with her take over, only then prompting a Legion response. But Sarya just can’t resist confronting them directly, despite the impact it will have on her long term plans.

This immediacy, reminds me of some similarities with last issue. Two powerful villains, both formerly of teams, confronting the Legion fairly directly. Both conflicts would be the main storyline, but the depth lay in the relationships and subplots going on around them.

Having captured five Legionnaires, Sarya loses no time in commanding Ontiir to dispose of them. Well, she gets a bit of regal grandstanding in first, as is her privilege, but then it’s all about the murder showing her true colours (other than Emerald of course).

Escape from Ontiir’s firing squad comes in classic silver age fashion, by combining powers, in this case Kara and Querl. It’s followed with a combination of Kara and Dirk’s abilities because no neutraliser pod can withstand both powers! Don’t believe what that neutraliser pod brochure. They just can’t.

As the others chase down the Empress, the plot almost tips over into the Kara and Querl show. Which is lovely, until you realise that the Vi and Gim show is pretty good too. Supergirl and Brainy manage to stop the movement of Weber’s World having figured out that the Empress plans to use it as a mobile weapon. Planets will cringe under the threat of the Red Tape Cannon! A Kryptonian tackling world sized problems is another treat from a past age.

But the others play a part too, as the pair don’t get everything their own way when facing the Empress.

Giffen shows the pluses of Gim’s powers as he gigantically dispatches Dark Circle guards. But also the downsides as he makes for a colossal target. Vi gets to identity the central towers, information that delights and surprises Gim. Almost as if she wasn’t supposed to know it >cough< She also uses a Durlan manoeuvre to take care of the Empress as a further clue to another plot.

The Empress will surely look back at this storyline and wonder where it all went wrong. Both she and Ontiir tipped their hands far too early.

We get to catch up with Chuck and Lu, who enjoying their time on monitor duty with things surely not in the regs. They make a great couple. They also provide (nicely done) links to the cruisers departing for the Jeckie/Val wedding; The group on Webers World, and when that’s threatens the UP; Dream Girl’s team on Daxam.

So we get to see that Timberwolf is not really on his game and a snark between Tinya and Shady. Leader Dreamy is quick thinking and decisive, as well as being fun. But it’s too much for Ultra Boy who sulks, and quits as deputy leader, when he’s not chosen for a mission. While Wildfire puts up his usual token resistance to going too, it’s nicely played off against the dutiful Lar.

As Val and Jeckie prepare for their wedding, Gi Gi is taken to task by her superior for lending Jan and Shvaughn the file on Durla, connecting a few more dots.

The big plus this issue was the growing relationship between Kara and Brainy. After all this time, there’s still that uncertainty about sharing their feelings, knowing the commitments that might follow. Actually, Brainy was pretty sure of things in his first appearance, but his personality had drifted away from there. Seeing him relax into the effects of what’s distracting him is a big character moment for him. He didn’t even have to create a world destroying creature to do it. Kara more confident in expressing herself usually, but is feeling a bit out of place in every era at this time.

Garth and Imra showed last issue, and Val, Jeckie, Kara, Brainy, Lu and Chuck show in this one, that the Legion is a team of adults now. I’ve always thought that Kara was a better fit in that dynamic than Superboy. She has a strong relationship with one of the team, in a way that the teenage inspiration of Superboy could never have. Seeing how far Lu has moved on, reinforces that. Of course, I did read these issues first. It doesn’t hurt that, in all the styles that Giffen manages to seamlessly merge together this issue, Kara has never looked better.

LoSH 304

Who doesn’t want to see the potential future of the Legion? Of course I’m going to step inside, Mr Cover Blurb, and find out! Above the logo they do say “Who will be the next member,” and a couple of them are in there so the issue does pay off.

What seems like a filler issue, is actually an intake of breath before a cliff hanger that has been hinted at for quite a while. Before that, Levitz and Giffen update and add a great deal to the team.

The premise is a sound one. It takes the comic cliché of new members joining after a battle, and upends it by telling us that this doesn’t mean that they will be able to cope with everything the main team does. Recent Legionnaires Jacques and Mysa are taken by Wildfire to the Academy to get some formal Legion training.

There, they interact with the students who are under the tutelage of Chuck and Lu. This issue firmly establishes the pair within the structure of the Academy which will last all the way through to the Legion’s final issue. The Academy has been seen on several occasions previously, but this is the issue that broadens the scope of it.

We not only get to see the students at the Academy, some new some previously seen, but there’s the added spice of Lu telling them that the team is below its 25 limit and that there are places up for grabs.

This issue also continues the trend for all students having to face escaped exotic animals as part of a test. We see a team of students, with Jacques and Mysa, take on the creatures. They succeed, but it’s telling that there were some low scores around, as monitored by Lu back in the Academy. Giffen’s introduction of holo screens, everywhere, really pays off in issues like this.

Chuck provides a lot of support, but also guidance to everyone involved. He’s always been a lot more than a morale officer for the team, as seen in issues where he’s had face plenty of threats. As befitting someone who has to work angles to use his powers, he’s very tactically minded.

This is really a Wildfire spotlight issue, beneath the surface. He has been linked strongly with the Academy in the past. Wildfire shows off to annoy Chuck on entering, but is on the receiving end when Gi Gi calls him out over him having contrary opinions over the academy’s function. One the one hand he thinks that those who don’t want to be Legionnaires should be trained by the SP, but is also the first to cry foul at the first hint of interference.

From brining Dawnstar into the team, Drake has been shown developing the likes of Nightwind and Lamprey. He shared his origin with them, and the two have seen a side to him that not many others have. Following the training mission, the opinions of the pair are so at odds with Comet Queen and Laurel Kent that a dorm fight breaks out.

Drake is also the focus of a conversation between Brin (who shows an animalistic look when angered here) and Shady. Clearly there’s an issue with Drake as he vents his frustration against some crooks. It’s not one that Brin is willing to discuss, as he’s still sulking over Ayla.

The White Witch is the one to show the students what the problem is. In another example of the Legion maturing, Dawnstar is taking a leave of absence to travel and find her soul mate as per her culture’s tradition. She shares her feelings with Drake.. Perhaps had Drake told her how deeply he cared for her at that moment, rather than whispering it when she left, things could have turned out differently. Perhaps she would have stayed. But her decision is then made, and she leaves. Drake’s reaction to Dawny’s departure will mirror Brin’s to some degree and neither of them are pleasant.

His immediate reaction is one of frustration, and he bursts his containment suit (with a visual “Damn”). That will leave him as a ball of energy, a non-human form he recently had for an extended period. It’s a shame that we don’t see the reaction of Jacques, who is watching along with the students. He was the one who dragged a human Drake back into this world, taking him away form possibly the only happiness he could have hoped to have.

The long running resignation of Dreamy’s deputy’s intertwines with the story. With places on the team up for grabs, Star Boy (the new deputy) chairs a meeting to discuss the students. He upsets a touchy Jo very easily. Jo really is in ahuff over Dreamy, that he’s taking it out on her partner too. There’s a lovely segue form Thom talking about the qualities that make Laurel a contender to seeing her threaten Lamprey to a fight in the dorm

In the end they decide that no one is quite ready. “Better no new Legionnaires tan another dead one.”

Beneath the HQ, a Legion conspiracy comes to some conclusions. The reader is allowed in on their secrets. There’s an impostor in the Legion and it’s a Durlan impersonating Vi!

While there wasn’t any real threat this issue, it stands out for the refinements to the Academy, the introduction of a number of student including Pol Krinn following the firebombing issue, and new looks for others. The cliques within the class are just what you’d expect to see. There’s hope that Dawny may have a romantic future beyond a doomed, clingy relationship to Drake. Despite the issue focusing on non Legionnaires, there’s still development for Brin, Drake and Dawny. Then there’s that cliffhanger…

New Year's Resolution: find something good in Omen/Prophet.

The Durlan prejudice idea is one that I don't recall encountering before this story. Did Cham encounter prejudice in any previous tale? It was raised in a 5YL annual, that he joined the Legion to show people that Durlans were not to be feared. (Just as in the reboot, Titan telepaths were regarded as anything from suspicious to pariahs.) It seems like a Star Trek approach, in which an alien social issue is the stand-in for a contemporary problem. Durlans can represent just about anything we fear or hate: race, religion, different social structure and in our current time, the uncanny valley of something not quite human.




Of course it must be related to/based on the JLA satellite. Why didn't I see that before? Maybe R.J., with his penchant for all heroic 20th century things (to be revealed in 5YL), funded it. Garth really does play the hero here, all his actions are for the greater good. Garth and Imra are one of the few Legion couples (or only?) who really work their power sets together. Others - Lar & Tasmia, Jo & Tinya - may be on missions together, but seldom deliver that one-two punch.



Good point, at super-size, he is hard to miss. Probably takes an extra-large blast, but one doesn't see him dodging bullets. And even small blaster shots must sting.



Too true. What a disappointment that they didn't keep Kara in the Legion as the primary super-cousin. I guess Mark Waid thought so too and tried to rectify that in the threeboot.

LSH #306 Born Under a Lucky Star by Paul Levitz & Keith Giffen, Flashback art by Curt Swan, Larry Mahlstedt Inker, Carl Gafford Colors, John Costanza Letters



Thom and Wildfire relax in Legion HQ as the voting results begin to tally. Thom has cast his vote for Jo as Wildfire tells him to stop complaining about his relationship problems. Wildfire has voted for Nura himself, which distresses Thom, who figures she wouldn’t run again unless she knew she’d win. He says his whole life has been a run of bad luck and proceeds to recount his backstory.

Born in a space observatory, he acquired the power to draw mass from stars. As a baby, he nearly crashed the observatory by increasing its mass, but his parents escaped with him and Thom became the subject of much medical study. Thom felt like a freak and ran away from home at 16. He flew through a comet’s tail, crashed his ship back onto his home, yet survived. Not only was he unscathed, he had acquired a range of super powers, which led him to join the Legion. Wildfire points out that write-in votes for Jan are matching Jo’s votes and outpacing Nura’s. Thom, still convinced that it will turn out badly for him, continues his story.

He was sent on a mission to Takron-Galtos, where inmates had taken over the prison. Among the Science Police held prisoner were Lt. Zendak and new recruit Gigi Cusimano, who worry about the massive arsenal of weapons. Gigi hopes that the Legion will help out; Zendak says they must solve their own problems. Thom fakes a crash landing and confides to Gigi and Zendak that he’s a Legionnaire. His story is interrupted by new votes, which show Nura tied with Jo, followed by Jan. Thom grouses more about his relationship with Nura.

On Takron-Galtos, he was taken to Golgoth, the inmates’ leader. Golgoth hit him, Thom felt the pain and realized that he had suddenly lost his comet-induced powers. He had to rely on his mass-drawing power, which he used to make the building collapse, suffering considerable physical damage himself. Zendak regained control of the prison. Thom was hospitalized, but was asked by new leader Imra to return to the Legion once he healed. More votes have come in by now, with Jo in the lead, Nura and Jan tied for second. Thom mentions that Nura broke tradition by making this election an open vote.

Thom continues the story of meeting and falling in love with Nura, her resignation from the Legion, his murder of Kenz Nuhor and his post-trial expulsion. The votes continue, only the ones from Nura’s diplomatic mission team remain to be registered. Thom continues with his and Nura’s time with the Subs and their return to the Legion, claiming it was Nura who wanted back in for the glamour and excitement. The remaining votes come in; Jan has won. Thom lets loose with a blast of power skywards and brings a billboard crashing down, which Wildfire disintegrates. Thom says his luck might be turning around.

Comments:
This is the first time we’ve known who voted for whom in a Legion election. The tally, if I got the Monitor Board symbols right, is as follows:
Element Lad: Violet, Cham, Brainy, Invisible Kid, Shadow Lass, Sun Boy, Cosmic Boy, Lightning Lad, Saturn Girl
Ultra Boy: Colossal Boy, Star Boy, Element Lad, Phantom Girl, Ultra Boy, Timber Wolf
Dream Girl: Wildfire, Superboy, Mon-el, White Witch, Dawnstar, Blok, Dream Girl

Despite his bitchiness to Nura, Jan wins the majority support, including that of the three founders and some of the longer-term members. Violet manages to get her vote in, despite being in what one assumes to be a wretched condition, no doubt highly appreciative of Jan’s role in rescuing her. Dawnstar and Wildfire, despite frequent criticism, supported a second term for Nura. Mysa votes for her sister. Did Mon-el support her for her Daxam relief mission? I wonder to what degree these votes were thought out; they don’t for the most part seem all that surprising – apart from the whole write-in thing itself.

That the results are posted on an external advertising billboard either demonstrates the importance with which the Legion is regarded by the greater society, or the fact that they're celebrities and can help sell space-soap.

Breaking up Thom’s backstory with vote results makes the issue more interesting. The Curt Swan art clearly delineates the past from present; his simple artwork would seem dated for an entire issue but works really well to recount Thom’s history.
The story remedies the problem of Thom’s initial appearance, in which he had multiple powers. Lucky he didn’t turn into Comet King and start valley-girl talking instead! It’s a bit of a kludgy explanation, with the powers suddenly disappearing as opposed to graduallly weakening, but it works for comic books.

Another new tidbit is that Nura was the one who really wanted to rejoin the Legion – or possibly that’s just Thom’s version, coloured by his disenchantment with the current state of their relationship.
It’s a nice twist that Thom brings the advertising billboard crashing down and Wildfire averts potential disaster; it’s usually Wildfire blowing off energy that causes a problem. It’s also a switch that Wildfire is calmly listening to Thom gripe about Nura and offering some support, without making mention of his own sorrows over Dawnstar.

I hadn’t thought of Thom as particularly given to bad luck, as he portrays himself. If anything, he struck me as kind of boring. He did have bad things happen to him in the past, but so have many of the other Legionnaires. He’s clearly got a serious case of poor-me syndrome – yet tempestuous Wildfire deals with him very kindly.

This issue is like one of those dramas in which two characters just talk - or perhaps akin to a session with a psychologist, with Thom doing most of the talking and Wildfire prompting him. Very little reference is made to on-going sub-plots, other than the election.

Nice cover, too, with Thom's suit blending into the background stars that give him his power, and Earth with its polymer shield (or atmosphere?) below. One might think that he's leaving the planet... which he might have done, had Nura won the election.

LoSH 305

Having reached their conclusions regarding Vi, Jan, Cham and Brainy volunteered Gim and Vi for a trip to Imsk last issue. The completely unsuspecting Gim (too busy with his costume changes ) is eager for Vi to help her people. It’s only when the shuttle is safely away that Gim’s arms are shackled by Element Lad and Chameleon Boy fires cancellate at Vi. It’s a nice nod to Supergirl’s invention. “Vi”, being from Imsk should be immune to the effects of it, since it only woks on Durlans. But she can’t change her size. She’s a Durlan, and she’s been caught.

Considering the circumstances, Giffen makes the impostor look as sympathetic as he possibly can. Likewise, Levitz doesn’t write her as a cackling villain shouting “and you’ll never see Violet alive again!” or anything like that.

The Legion are clearly not going to take the impostor at her word. Since we get all the information about her from a psych-probe they don’t seem to bother asking her anything at all.

I wonder if every Legion ship has a psych probe, or perhaps they planned to have an awkward prisoner to contend with. One who for some reason didn’t want to be telepathically probed. While Cham is concerned with Legion security, it’s Brainy who’s thinking about Violet herself. A nice touch.

In the background Gim goes through disbelief, anger, denial and a possible realisation that he still cares very much for the person who has been deceiving him.

Yera was to take the role of Vi, so that the Legion would not realise Vi was really working with an Imskian resistance group. At least, that’s the story Yera fell for. She didn’t even meet the real Vi. Instead, she let herself believe in a higher goal not only for the Imskians but for the Durlans. I’m sure the acting parts that would come her way never crossed her mind. At least she drew the line at spying. Considering the political fall out, it’s not certain that things would have gone well for Yera either way.

I wonder if the Imskians’ plan was to have Vi return to the group only to find a way of taking a leave of absence. That way the Legion would know where they thought Vi was, while their own plan proceeded with less risk. Perhaps it was the mission to Khundia, stranding the group and bringing Yera close to Gim, that scuppered it. Or perhaps the Imskians encouraged the romance. All the better to twist their agent into the group.

Yera returns to Imsk, alarming the resistance group. She’s promptly captured by them, as they feel that she has served her purpose. While Yera has been with the Legion, Micro Lad and his cohorts have been removing secrets form the real Shrinking Violet, while keeping her in a sens tank. Their goal is simply to have control of Imsk for themselves.

It’s never revealed how they actually captured Vi. Her wide eyed terror from the tank is harrowing. It certainly upsets Yera, who reveals herself to actually be Chameleon Boy. Identity swapping used to be all the rage in Silver Age Legion stories, like the escape from the Emerald Empress’ trap last issue.

Thinking they have captured another Legionnaire, the Imskians are quite smug. Their logic is sound enough in the world of comics.

However, Cham bursts out of their Durlan trap anyway. “All Durlans aren’t the same” It makes sense that Cham, having so much more experience than your average Durlan, would be able to escape. But I’d now expect to see it between members of other races. So, no more traps for Superboy/ Supergirl for example as surely “All Kryptonians aren’t the same” either.

The cavalry arrive to help Cham, not that he’s needing it. Probably feeling betrayed, Colossal Boy goes nuts in a few panels that show off the sheer power he has when he grows. Gim’s reminded about the no killing rule, and seems to have taken it on board. But there are lots of Imskians dropping through all the sharp wreckage.

As the dust settles, Brainy oversees the care of Salu. Jan tells Shvaughn it will be a long road back for her, after so many months in the tank. Gim’s dark state of mind is illustrated by showing his face in shadow. In another nice touch, it’s the same posture as we see him in the epilogue. There, he brings Yera up to date on what happened on Imsk. He tells her that he fell in love with her, not Shrinking Violet. The two restate their feelings for each other. And so, we have another Legion marriage, one without all the usual comic fanfare.

I’d have liked to have seen more about Shrinking Violet’s recovery in an epilogue. There’s always another story around the corner, and with this one done, and in need of recovery, I got the feeling that Vi was pushed firmly into the background. It’s not helped by a focus on Gim and Year’s relationship. As the issue go on, I'll no doubt be mentioning the lack of repercussions

Elsewhere, we get Shady and Tinya having a gossip and sharing some snark with Star Boy. While providing some character insight, it’s also an excuse to remind readers about Drake and Dawny and the upcoming elections, all in a single scene. This issue shows Dawny begin her people’s tradition of soaring the galaxy in search of a mate. It's a powerful scene.

I wonder if there’s any cynical/practical academy student looking at the dwindling number of Legionnaires, and thinking that their own chances of entry have just increased after this issue.

The issue continues the feeling that the Legion are growing rapidly. There are lots of key relationship decisions occurring.

A final interludes shows a fiery being landing on a sleepy world and incinerating a village. Although it doesn’t seem like it, this actually links to Mekt’s attack and the Val/ Jeckie wedding.

In summary, it’s a fine issue with the Legion starting subtly before letting all Tartarus break loose when taking down the Imskians. Salu’s predicament is more terrifying every time I read the issue.

Kurt Shaffenberger is the guest inker on the issue. It provides a glimpse into the various styles of Giffen that the inker on the book has to contend with, and polish into a seamless look. Not only are there different styles, but there’s a glimpse of the style Giffen would shortly adopt more fully as well as panels that come from a much earlier style of his. There are some beautiful panels, building up my view that this is one of the book’s best visual spells (Mysa pun!).

306:
I’ve been reading books about Stoic philosophy and moral psychology, and they reinforce an idea I’ve believed for years: Events themselves are neither good nor bad; it’s what we make of them that matters. I’m sure there are exceptions—it’s hard to find anything good about a concentration camp, or anything bad in helping to feed someone—but, as a general principle, it works: We create our own reality through the narratives we tell ourselves about our lives and what events mean. An article which will be required reading of a course I will be teaching goes further by articulating the difference between “creator” and “victim” mindsets.

Thom Kallor has a classic victim mindset. No matter what happens to him in life, he looks on the negative side. He expects bad thing to happen to him, and they usually do—or at least that’s how he interprets them. There is also a bit of selfishness in his narration. He’s madly in love with Dream Girl but wants to her to lose the election. Why? Not for her benefit, but for his own. After reading 306, I want to feel something for Thom and to root for him, but I just can’t. He’s too much of a whiner—and careless to boot.

When I first read this story, the fanboy in me loved it. 306 ties several past Legion stories into a cohesive whole, and adds a lot to our understanding of Star Boy’s back story and the Legion’s universe (such as Takron-Galtos starting out as a Science Police base). These elements still hold up, and they are unveiled in a quiet, entertaining fashion: Just two guys talking with the results of the election providing suspense. I love these kinds of stories. They enable us to get to know our heroes while they simply relate to each other as human beings. Wildfire serves the story well as someone who listens to Thom and shows his concern for a fellow Legionnaire, yet who tells Thom to stop whining about himself. I came away from this re-read admiring Drake much more than Thom.

The artwork is outstanding—both Giffen’s present-day sequence and Curt Swan’s flashbacks. I miss the clean simplicity of Swan’s work. To me, his art doesn’t seem dated; it’s just clear, straightforward storytelling with well-proportioned faces and figures. Giffen’s artwork would rarely ever again approach this level of attractiveness, clarity, and mood. This issue makes the loose and unstructured style he employs beginning next issue even more disappointing.

The Nitpicker’s Guide to 306: There are few areas that could be improved. For example, Thom and Drake are on the roof of one of the Legion HQ buildings, but this isn’t clear until late in the story. (The first clear image of the building is the silhouette on p. 19.) Until then, I wasn’t certain where they were or what they were doing there. They could have been on monitor duty for all we know. Also, is the glowing totem pole which shows the election results part of a public announcement (as Cramer thought) or is it just for Thom and Drake’s convenience?

In the flashback sequence on p. 17, it is not explained that Thom arrived on the planet Karak to visit his parents, who had been vacationing there, and no tree is ever shown above Kenz Nuhor’s head. Long-time fans would already know these things, but new readers might have been confused.

The big twist in 306 is that Element Lad wins election as leader even though he wasn’t running. It’s about time, Jan boy. His victory and recent sniping at Dream Girl reminded me of something Father Mulcahy said on “M*A*S*H” after finally being promoted to captain: “The meek may inherit the earth, but it’s the grumpy who get promoted.” To be fair, it was likely Jan’s investigation of the Violet case which won him the election, not his sour disposition. Even so, it was well-earned.

I loved seeing who voted for whom, and one can speculate why each Legionnaire voted a certain way. This story earns additional kudos for playing on my fanboy sensibilities while telling an engaging tale which fills out the back story of a so far underdeveloped Legionnaire.

Perhaps Garth and Imra posted it on their Spacebook page. Mekt should check his notifications more often.



Great point! Also a great call about Garth acting heroic in this story. I prefer this depiction of Garth as a seasoned pro who occasionally lets his emotions get the best of him to the overt hothead of later eras.



Super-villains are not known for self-reflection. Likely, she'll put the blame squarely on Ontiir.



You know, she really was decisive. And her choice of Wildfire and Mon-El makes sense as they could travel the vast interstellar distances much quicker than other Legionnaires. Yet the whole broken-nail business undermined the very image of a competent leader she should have been projecting. I also think she could have been more sensitive to Ultra Boy's feelings as her deputy and addressed them before he lost his temper and quit. But, yes, she made good calls as leader.

I also appreciate your comments on my man, Mon. He's been an understated presence in these stories, but, as you pointed out, his devotion to duty provides a nice contrast to the drama of the others.



Well, let's not get into fantasy.

LoSH 306

Pulling this out of the binder shows me that the Prophet story is up next. I always think that’s around #312 for some reason.

A special spotlight on Star Boy, which also doubles up as instructions on how to build a wooden wardrobe. The poor guy has never been the most interesting of heroes, but perhaps we’ll learn more as we go.

The cover certainly isn’t dull. It hasn’t any action in it, but Thom strikes a heroic pose, possibly flying off to defend Earth, or at least visiting the toilet on Medicus One. Giffen gets points for showing off that this isn’t just Earth, it’s Future Earth. Sure, there are payoffs a plenty for the Polymer shield. From Mekt dropping Blok through it last issue, a weakened Mon El not being able to break through it to the events at the end of the Baxter series. But it really adds to futuristic tone of the cover.

As does the starfield in both Thom’s costume and in a background so space fieldy it can be seen through the Legion logo. Sure, Spidey will be improbably swinging on thin air between boring buildings in this month, and Superman will be slugging it out with someone in Metropolis. But this is a guy made and named for space adventures! Lovely stuff.

The box on the bottom left says “Get the Giffen Legion poster! Another DC first!” and nearly the last Legion thing Giffen will be able to do without screaming!

From a spiffy cover to a spiffy issue. We’ve seen Levitz’s ability to shift the pace in subplots and across issues. This issue shifts effortlessly across time, showing us the history of Star Boy through a framing sequence of two guys sitting over a drink watching election results come in. There’s a lot of comfortable confidence in books of this time. Wolfman and Perez were happy to have day in the life stories over in the Titans. Levitz and Giffen are assured enough to have Drake and Thom sit over some refreshments.

Framing sequences were far from new, as (sadly) were retconned origin issues. But Levitz and Giffen combine to weave the text and art into the flashbacks beautifully. The segues between present and past don’t follow the standard cut off at the end of a page as the work is parcelled out to each artist. Instead, the first or last panel may be by Giffen while the rest is the guest penciller. Page 22 even combines them both in one panel, reminding me of the Douglas Nolan visions from issue 300. Levitz has half of Thom’s sentence drawn by Giffen as a set up for the other artist.

It doesn’t hurt in the slightest that the other artist in question, drawing the flashbacks, is Curt Swan, which is an absolute treat. It may be because they can focus on fewer pages, or it may be that with such a tight focus on two characters Giffen can’t get distracted, but this issue shows some of the best of the Giffen/ Mahlstedt partnership.

From reading some interviews with Giffen, I’d be stunned if a fair bit of the effort taken to knock it out the park wasn’t down to knowing that Swan would be in the same issue. The two have such distinct looks, but both stand out in the same issue. With the quieter moments, Giffen gets to play with page composition, perspective and what he’s learned of making the characters physically believable. We get to see Swan’s classical mastery of action sequences, figure drawing and the expression of emotion through events such as the key ones in Thom’s (and as a bonus, Nura’s) life.

Mahlstedt looks as though he had a great time with this issue, really bringing out the best in Giffen while adding in flourishes of his own.

The flashback story fills in blanks in Star Boy’s history. Mainly concerning what happened to Thom when he vanished after joining the Legion, returning with more limited powers. Here, he has to recover from injuries he heroically sustained when his once Superboy-like powers waned.

In truth, they had completely forgotten about him in those early Legion days, and gave his powers to an Ultra Boy who had started out only with Penetra-Vision. Zendak and Gi Gi make a ret conned appearance in there too.

There’s a little throwaway line about Thom having told people a fib on how his ship crashed in front of his parents house. In the original, it was an engine failure. Here, he just can’t control it and considers it a failure in order to link in with the story Levitz is trying to tell. It’s this kind of thing that means I can really take or leave such retconning.

This sense of failure is undoubtedly the reason why we don’t get to see the lovely Zynthia, his girlfriend from Xanthu. It doesn’t fit with the mood Levitz wants Thom to believe his history supports.

Likewise, Xanthu is also the place where the people have donated a laboratory to him due to his heroism. In this story, Xanthu is a place he wants to get away from, due to all the tests he underwent when he got his powers. Originally, he was much more like Superboy. His father conducted lots of tests and both his parents gave him his Star Boy persona, swearing to keep his identity secret.

The revised story moves the Legion another step away from the Superboy mythos. His first meeting with Superboy also involved a scheming Lana Lang whose plan backfires (“Let Superboy go… you hussy!” is a key panel for Legion Worlders ).

It also moves away from Star Boy’s initial appearance being a retelling of the Marsboy story in Adventure 195, back in 1953.

It’s not as though this is Thom’s first retcon. He didn’t have his ability to make things super heavy until the editors were reminded about him, and brought him into #317. Thom also had his share of what the Legion thought was bad luck, and his expulsion was part of a story including the Luck Lords. But the unluckiest Legionnaire tag would become Garth’s.

This story does provide some interesting parallels. A link is established between Thom’s desperate, last gasp, action to bring down the house on space pirates and his similar desperate, last gasp, action that killed Kenz Nuhor.

Furthermore, the storyline in the present concerns the election for Legion leader. The panel space devoted to it is very similar to the voting on Thom’s trial, when he was expelled.

Both had unexpected twists. Thom thought he was going to be acquitted back in the Adventure days, and he’s sure that Nura will win here.

When he’s wrong, he thinks that his luck might be turning around. It would take a while, but…

Votes for Thom’s Expulsion:-
Not Guilty (9) – Lu, Kal, Tinya, Ayla, Salu, Lar, Jo, Garth, Kara,
Guilty (10) - Querl, Reep, Jan (bloody cheek), Imra, Dirk (enjoys failing people), Rokk, Gim, Jimmy Olsen (?!), Tenzil (had Thom consumed the guy…), Lyle

Votes in the Election –
Ultra Boy (6) – Thom, Jan, Gim, Tinya, Jo, Brin
Dream Girl (7) – Drake, Kal, Lar, Mysa, Dawnstar, Blok, Nura
Element Lad (9) – Reep, Querl, Salu, Tasmia, Jacques, Rokk, Imra, Garth, Dirk

Like the Legion Academy issue, where there’s speculation to be had about who would make the team, there’s the extra fun of figuring the voting patterns here.

Jo and Nura voting for themselves seems unsporting, but possible, for them. Unlike Jan who is an above the board leader bridesmaid. As Jan is never going to vote for Nura, Jo is his only choice.

Jan’s perpetual deputy status and long service with few outside interests gets him the backing of the founders over Nura, and certainly Jo. I’d also speculate that, since the founders have become a little separated from the main team (Cos with family concerns and Lydda/ Garth and Imra constantly on satellites for various reasons) they reached back to a more solid connection to the earlier Legion they were the centre of in Jan.

Jan also gets the nod of the team sent to rescue Vi as well as Vi herself. Notably Gim doesn’t vote for him. It’s either through guilt about the whole thing but likely that Jan hadn’t trusted him enough to tell him about the Salu impostor (Gim punching Jan in the face as a result).

Tinya is always going to back Jo, but Thom wants Nura back so much he’s willing to put up with the arguments to come when not voting for her. I think Dirk voted for anyone but Nura, just to get Thom to stop moaning and get on with a D&D game.

Four of the five newest voting recruits went with Nura. Sure, she’s Mysa’s sister but I think they went with her partly because of the freedom they felt under fresh leadership and how impressed they were with her during the GDS. That was also when Mysa joined the team. Jacques might have spent too much time listening to Querl in the lab.

Finally, I wonder if the person Thom was talking to was supposed to be Dirk for a while before being switched. Dirk and Thom are good friends and socialise together. Dirk would also have the powers to add the visual flare (ouch!) that Drake shows to add a little action to the present plot and there’s a “be calm” comment which is very odd coming from Drake. But by virtue of being close to Thom, he’d already know all of his background and couldn’t act as the sounding board for Thom’s story. Oh, and there was the little fact about Dirk having his jaw wired together after his run in with the Empress. Which seems rather deliberate in light of this story coming up.

302 Comments



There was a detention cell full of them that Cham had to fight when he was on Takron Galtos. I wonder where they came from and, in light of the Ups feelings in Legion lore on Durlans, how many of them were out and out villains.



Good spot about the tip off.



The paper stock on these things must be a lot better than I thought it was.



It was a good line. The Legion-esque EGOs had a plot regarding control of the galactic economy. The 5YG also focused quite a bit on how important revenue was to keeping the whole UP going. I imagine it’s a problem again at the end of v7 after the Emerald Empress attacked it (again!)




As Drake wants to share all the gossip, Nura nonchalantly undercuts him. That unique combination of powers, personality and approach is probably what goes some way to irritating her frequent deputies into quitting.




It does beg the question why Imra doesn’t send most of the Legion’s foes to sleep. There’s usually no shortage of Legion-fodder to keep the villains distracted. Of course, it ruins the conflict in the story. I wonder if that’s another reason for Imra to get side lined sometimes. Replacement characters, such as Tellus and Otaki (Levitz was polling feedback on her) were more limited in scope.



This is what has struck me about this story in previous readings. The central premise doesn’t seem ever likely to work. Having said that, Dawny told Mekt where Garth and Imra had went

This reread is making me think differently. I was a newsstand reader, so I didn’t get any of the early Baxter books. So, there’s a much larger gap in the Jeckie/Val arc for me than there actually was in the books. It’s actually a fairly regular subplot from their departure, her father’s death, her ascension to the throne of Orando and subsequent marriage.

The marriage is very close to Lightning Lord’s attack. The attack is very close to the Sun Emperor’s appearance on Orando (305). Not only has it been a subplot that has grown steadily over Levitz’s time on the book, the pace has been accelerating in recent issues.

The villains have been forming in the background. Their overall plan is in place, and some may well have already made their oaths. In Baxter #1 we will see that Ayla is on the board of Legionnaires to kill, even if she’s not active.

Considering his ego, and the very direct confrontations Mekt has already had with Garth concerning family matters, I think this is his way of trying to spare Ayla the same fate as the others. Sure, he thinks he can get her to join him, and gratefully follow his lead in the LSV. He’s not overly altruistic But it’s also a way of combining her departure as a way of strengthening what little remains of his family ties in his new life and group. A family, that considering every move he makes involves them (relates to them ) is clearly important to him. He has no leads at all, and so he uses the only technique he knows.




I thought the comment was definitely a put down, as Garth knew full well why Brin was asking. He wasn’t going to have Brin ruin her privacy even if he did know where she was. But the words are combined with his arm in arm departure with Imra. “Let’s call it a day” is Garth’s closure on the whole Khundia mission. Brin is completely out of his depth. He loved Ayla, hadn’t a clue about what was going on the asteroid and is now left failing on the dating scene. But Brin has his moments too, such as trying to wheedle information out of the others. They’ve all just moved on and he’s going to have to mature if he’s going to do the same. That’s what you get by being such a moody loner all that time Brin. It’s only with his superpowers that he can’t be outmanoeuvred



I wondered why that read like a “Previously, on Webers World”



Seeing both sides of the Vi plot (Jans team and[i] Gim & Vi on Webers World) is a good approach, even if it has to take up more space as a result. The Webers World mission is a lovely bit of Plot-A (the big plot) misdirection on Levitz’s part so as not to focus too much on Vi. I think it really pays off when we get the reveal. Seeing Gim with Vi on these missions, and one so close to the plot being uncovered, shows just how much of a shock the whole thing is to Gim. Look how happy Levitz makes them early in the issue. Besotted with each other. Ouch!

I think the Baxter plot is moving in its own way, as above. Likewise there’s a Kara/Brainy plot moving along that may have had some external reasons for not reaching fruition.

Originally Posted by HWW

Levitz seems to have built Nura up only to tear her down. In previous stories, she came across as decisive and in control, but here she irritates her colleagues by predicting what they are going to say before they say it and complaining about another broken nail. Whereas the broken nail in 298 worked as a way for her downgrade the villain she was punching, here it comes across as petty and self-absorbed.

I think that’s all part of Nura. Imagine you’ve closely known a group of people for years. They always tell you the same stories over and over to the point you know everything they’re going to say. There’s never any variation. That’s what it must be like for Nura a lot of the time. [i]Then you’ve got her own ego and her intellectual prowess, that must make it extra boring, to add to the mix. She does break a lot of nails though.



Hey, you try and find a UP Port-a-loo in a space lane, buddy! Particularly one that’s not zero-G! Garth has been too busy moping and I think, for copyright reasons, Kal is the only one allowed to have Buns of Steel on the team



Yeah, I’d have loved him to stay on that edge. The readers may even know what he’s up to, but the Legion don’t making him infuriatingly sneaky.



This. Just go back to my earlier comment about Mekt and mentally paste this in please



All of those personality traits, combined with his sense of frustrated self inflicted ostracisms are why he’s obsessed with his family. I don’t think he necessarily needs their love, so much as having their unending gratitude and respect for every breathe he takes. And if he has to show them that this has to be done, well… The v4 stuff was done after a 5YG in the therapy tanks.

303 Comments (302 above and 304 to come...)



I don’t think I mentioned the Circle once. They were just rent-a-goons in there. The Empress made a show of going solo, but was she about ot be betrayed by Ontiir so that Webers World would really fall to the Circle?




I thought there was some weird retcon going on with that line, even if they hadn’t met before. Still, in the old days Kara would have been obligated to tell us that she was “from Superboy’s time, but from a different decade!”



Lots of Durlans around suddenly, and she could have been controlled unwittingly by the Circle. In V4 the Circle had their hands on the Legion’s cell bank. But what if it wasn’t just the heroes’ cells they had their mitts on? (mental note for Bits )

On the jaw crushing, perhaps it was an early sign of her becoming more at one with the Eye, which sort of led to her downfall in the Baxter run.



I like to think that the Circle got at least some of what it wanted from all this. The Empress has control of the central systems of the World. I think the Circle are tapping into the information she’s getting from it. As a bonus, there’s having an alliance with her that might cripple the UP’s admin. But perhaps that wasn’t really their goal. Who knows if this was even the real Ontiir, considering the Circle clones. Perhaps this one was supposed to die when Webers World went up in flames.



I wonder if I smiled at this the first time I read it, or groaned a little.



Quick decision making and sending the fastest, best team. All to Nura’s credit. I think Jo’s petulance comes from his bid for leadership. He’s angling himself for the top job, and being left out of the rescue team dents his pride. Tinya gets a bit of protectionist snark in too in recent issues, and I suspect she’s fuelling Jo’s ego a bit. Well done to Levitz for having the rescue team not do a thing. Makes a nice change.

Talked a bit about Garth ‘n Brin above...




I do wonder how they met. Perhaps the Circle has so many followers out there, that it’s like the Matrix. They’ll always be able locate someone if they need to.




Be glad that the Hannibal Morgna mini didn’t get past the editors.




…some Nura comments above, and I agree that consideration of feelings isn’t Nura’s strong suit. To Levitz’s credit, this comes straight from her origin issue. Once she was on the team she was completely focussed on learning the constitution and acting upon it for her own reasons. People’s feelings didn’t get a look in. Perhaps she sees them as a bit of in convenience when the future she’ so close to is already determined.





Even when I first read this, it didn’t strike me as at all odd that a Legionnaire would know their way around one of the key parts of the UP. Later, this was only reinforced with Vi being in the Espionage squad and the Legion having spent time on Webers’ previously. I think it’s supposwed to show that “Vi” had knowledge that only a spy would have. Taking that further, does this hint at the Imskian Revolution’s broader goals? First Imsk, then the UP! Or at least a way of preventing the UP form striking back at their takeover? It’s the only way Year would ever have been told such details.

304 Comments (303 above, 305 to follow)



I think they’ll get a bit of both. In between missions, they’ll get to focus on certain areas at the Academy. I didn’t read it as them being there for a semester, but I may have to reread that. Jacques is an everyman (and Darkseid let him live on a whim) so some training wouldn’t hurt. A few holos of Lyle Norg would help a lot too. While Mysa is a potent foe, its pretty focussed. This will round that out without having to be in front of a group of villains. Both expressed a need to refine or learn about their powers. Both also came across as more mature than the students in this issue, showing that it’s more than just the training that makes a Legionnaire.



Facebook gets taken over by Omnicom.



We never see Nura’s reaction to this do we? That’s a really interesting take on some of Jan’s motivations too. Typical. He goes off to find a direction that isn’t just a dutiful Legionnaire, only to be dragged into an Election



Yeah, although it’s still 21 members at the end of the issue, there could be a few turning points coming. Perhaps that was in the reasoning to show the readers an Academy issue. Just to reinforce the idea that some of the old guard could be moving on.



I think that just defining them as teachers was Levitz’s tick in the box for this issue. Lu is shown as a relaxed and knowledgeable teacher, while Chuck has literally all of the angles covered in the training mission. If the students had failed, I’ve no doubt he would have been able to take care of the situation.



It was a secret Wildfire spotlight issue. It’s probably why he was subdued in Star Boy’s issue, content in the knowledge he’d had a spotlight.



I think Shady’s comment had a real barb to it. She was testing Brin’s feelings on the subject and has a calm expression on her face when he stalks off.



You know, because I first read these out of sequence, I always saw it more as an introduction to the Academy. But you’re right, the whole thing is set up to have an induction ceremony at the end. Which makes seeing the statues all the more poignant. Which you just said as I read on…

I’ll also agree that I thought the Vi plot was all in the next issue too.


Would any of you have liked to have seen one (or more) of the students join following this issue?

305 Comments (304 above, 306 to follow)



It looks a bit more disturbing with every reread. :sad:



Taking their word for Vi not being able to be with them showed that she simply wanted to believe them by that point. She’d already had her ego stroked about The Great Durlan Performance. I don’t think they picked Yera only on her abilities. While she wasn;t going to spy on the Legion for them, she did take the time to learn all about UP installations for them.




Imsk had threatened to leave the UP before (back in SBoy 232 – Look It Up Lad) in order to extend their space zone. There was a real need for the Imskians to do this, and the UP were refusing. A compromise must have been reached as Imsk stayed. Since there’s always people unhappy at a compromise, I think the Imskian rebellion may well have had support. From normal citizens to military factions. Many wouldn’t know what their real agenda was until they were under the control of their new leaders. The military force may not have been hidden from the authorities. They may well have been part of the authorities.




I had written all the reviews for recent issues but…Cancellite!



Lost Tales of the Legion: Just what is the link between Cancellite and the powers the Dark Man gave Neutrax?




Colossal Boy was once forced to turn on the Legion. He then had to betray the Legionnaires who went in to help. I wonder if that experience has an influence on what he hopes Year’s motivations were. Or at least how easily it can be to get yourself deeper into something like that.



Gap Year Starhavenites tending bars around the UP and getting married.




Didn’t vote for him either



It’s quite a remove from Villain-Of-The-Month comics isn’t it, which has always been a strength of sci-fi.

EDIT: That you also went on to mention regarding Lotus Fruit! I’ll not say “great minds” so much as “You’re sinking to my level. Get help”



There’s some nice shades of ignorance on a number of sides in this one which makes the writing stand out (even if unintentionally in some cases)




Having just seen her in a psych probe thing, I did think she had agreed to help, or been “pushed” into doing it. Cham being able to break out of a Durlan trap (to the collective gasp of all villains building Super hero traps) gave me more of a problem



The Mighty Levitz Paradigm Chart will suffer no delays! Usually, he manages to drop them in when there’s a pause (sometimes even if it’s just for breathe ) but not here, hence the clunk.



I thought at first that Gim was bringing Yera up to speed form her containment cell, where she awaited trial. But later issues would show this not to be the case. So scott free, she should have joined the Legion as Miss Miracle



As things turned out, I don’t fancy his chances with the real Violet now. So, he’s just being practical staying with someone who can at least impersonate her. Yera isn’t the only one who got off lightly.



I had 306 down as a good ‘un. That’s quite a build up for the rest of the re reads though.

“I was looking forward to the rereads until HWW told me the future. Now you may call me… Despondency Damsel!”

306 Comments



“At least someone noticed, thought Vi as she pushed the button on the Omni-Ballot.”



I also took this to be another reminder of their pairing.




Having read Giffen’s take on the personalities, which he said were Paul’s there was a lot of thought put into the personalities. I guess the voting flowed naturally from that. The write in being because that’s what the readers voted for I guess.

I wonder how far Jan would have taken his sulking had he not got the readers’ vote.

Next month from DC… The Arrah &Erin Detective Agency

Arrah: I have a feeling about this case.
Erin: I like it when you show your feelings…Jan.
Arrah (Blush… while tracking down crooks): Get down Shvaughn! Those crooks are firing hot lead at us! Well, I know something about lead…. Oh… you’ve already shot them.
Erin: Hey, I wasn’t in the SP ‘cause of my looks.
Arrah: But…but.. I wanted to capture them!
…continues for twenty pages of bitter sulking by Jan.



The results seem to be on a portable Monitor Board. It’s still in one piece at the end after Thom brings down a floating advertising hoarding that happened to be overhead.




A Thom & Grava ongoing would be awesome to the max!




Apparently, the full sequence had Thom crushing a rock showing he had powers, then get hit when he realised he’d lost them. Then he turned into Star Horse, Comet’s cousin before Anti Lad came back in time to solve the riddle of who really *was* the thirteenth Legionnaire? That got erased from the timestream, and the memories of all readers so we all see it as per our reviews here.



Drake does chastise him, telling him he likes it in the Legion just as much. Nura was already angling for a return in the last panel of her first appearance, while a love sick Thom looked on.



The people listening to his moaning remember the good old days when he was forgotten about. I think his relationship to Nura is the thing he’s concerned most with. I think he’d previously been shown with a deadpan tell-it-like-it-is personality previously.



Levitz’s run brings out a few warts in the personalities of a lot of the Legionnaires.

I think Thom is extra intro-whiny because Nura has been unusually silent with him well before #306. The reason for this is because she knows Thom isn’t going to vote for her. Thinking that it’s the remoteness of leadership that’s causing the silences, Thom votes against Nura believing he’s doing the right thing. The silent treatment continues after Nura loses.











It looks like a mobile Monitor Board (they refer to it as a Monitor Board) that goes around with them, if they want to keep an eye on things form elsewhere in the HQ. I don’t know if we saw the advertising hoarding prior to Thom shooting it down, which would have helped.



The foliage and Nura are mentioned as having been there, but aren’t shown in the sequence. Perhaps Mr Swan didn’t want to go back and change a panel composition when he got to the bit where Levitz had them mentioned in the script.

Another important change is in the death of Jan Barth. In #306 it looks as though Kenz is simply too quick for hi, But that’s a terrible slight on Jan. In the original story, he was killed because he had to stop and explain to Thom why he carried a gun around. It was really the exposition that got him killed.



Thom grouches about having to meet with whoever Nura has [/i]bothered[/i] to leave back on Earth in #304. He seems to be the last arrival, and there’s a focused Lar sitting there waiting for him.

Tinya, Jo and, an inwardly enjoying herself, Tasmia complete that Legion sub group. Brin has already managed to break something, as he’s way off at the moment. As is Thom, who isn’t punctual and is self-absorbed to the point he can’t see that Nura knows exactly what’s she’s doing and has done anything on a whim.

Not really. None of them really grabbed my interest, though Comet Queen was kind of fun and Laurel was probably the most developed as a character before DC decided to get rid of her in one of the most trite ways imaginable. Bad enough that the Legion had an impostor in their midst for several months, but to learn that one of their Academy students was secretly



must have really lowered their security clearance rating.

Laurel's connection to Superboy was one of the things I enjoyed most during her infrequent appearances. It tied the Legion, however marginally, to the Silver Age and the expectation that Superman would eventually marry and have children. Yet Laurel's background was ambiguous enough that we were never certain who he would marry. (Laurel only told us she resembled the woman Superboy would marry, but that doesn't have to refer to Lois.) Laurel was the Legion's first legacy character, not counting the brief appearances of the Tornado Twins, and she reinforced the notion that family was important. However, her invulnerability wasn't an impressive power, especially since it was already duplicated by Mon, UB, and, to an extent, Blok.



I'm just trying to pique your and other readers' curiosity--is the Omen story really that bad? Is there a decline in quality? Let's find out . . .

Maybe you and Cramey can live up to her New Year's resolution and find something good in the Omen story.

Comments on comments on #306...



The Doom Patrol, particularly as written by Giffen, struck me as the perfect Stoic superheroes. Among the Legionnaires, I placed Element Lad (more based on his later development than what we've seen so far), Mon-el and Light Lass (also based on later portrayal).



I don't recall Thom being this way previously, although he was always something of a cipher, personality-wise. This negative Thom will continue and extend into 5YL. You have to wonder what sort of batball coach he was; we know he was honest, but his pep talks must have been downers.


Certainly one of the better/more positive portrayals of Wildfire.



This confused me; I figured it was an internal monitor at first but Drake's comment at the end made me think it was an ad board (which really doesn't make sense, since the Legion has their own internal vote monitor system, as seen in the Dream Girl election issue). Should have known better!



Good point, Father. How many Legion leaders have been on the grumpy side?




Wishful thinking?



All of which makes me question why Thom never became some writer’s favourite (or at least favoured) Legionnaire. He just remained one of Nura’s accessories. (Perhaps we’ll uncover some forgotten gems of Thom-centric scenes in the issues ahead?) He couldn’t even attract the attention of the Giffen kill-squad.



I can never figure out how people discern what the penciller vs the inker has done.



I rather like how this retcon was done, the past re-filtered through Thom’s current mental state rather than just rewriting history with no explanation.



Curious that the guy who dates the seer has such poor forecasting abilities.



The election votes are easier to decipher than the expulsion votes. At the time of the murder trial, the Legionnaires’ personalities weren’t so distinctive – although the only female who voted guilty was Imra. It would have been a tie if they hadn’t let Jimmy Olsen vote – and Brainiac 5 shouldn’t have had a vote at all, as prosecutor.



Hadn’t thought of that possibility. You’re right that using Drake instead makes for a better story.

Comments on Thoth's comments on comments, 302-305

All the Durlans we've seen so far have been unsavoury characters, apart from Reep and R.J. - Chameleon Chief, Yera, Takron-Galtos gang, the leaders on Durla weren't too pleasant either. It may just be too easy to cast them as villains and sneaks with that power of impersonation.

Signs of activity from the LSV - you'd think the Legion - or the SPs - would be monitoring criminals, who's where, who's meeting with whom, etc. Police do that today - and we know that the future is one super-surveillance state of space.

The idea that the Dark Circle might be controlling the Empress is pretty interesting. I don't believe it developed that way, but no reason there couldn't have been some manipulation of her, overtly or covertly. Maybe the Eye makes its own deals at this point.
I rather miss the old Thieves' World, where characters like the Empress and the Dark Circle (and Mekt Ranzz) could hang out over a beer and plot to kill Legionnaires.

Ontiir as a clone to be sacrificed if necessary - perfect!

Shady's comment to Brin had a real barb in it: I hadn't taken it that way, but given her comments in the next issue (#307), it does take on a less than sympathetic tone.

That Yera gets off scott free is a bit lax for 30th century justice, but maybe she made a plea deal and she's under house arrest/probation in exchange for information about the Imskian rebels. Or Marte Allon's office took care of everything, unbeknownst to Gim.

Thank you for commenting on my comments on your comments, and your comments on HWW’s comments too.



The analogy of a state spending most of its time spying on everyone in its population rather than targeting likely criminals is not lost on me.



I read it as them letting her get her objectives, while they had goals that relied her achieving them as a starting point. Different levels, and approaches, of villainy at work.


Curtsey… no bow… darnit…bow…



I’ve just read #307…

thoth: Look Ma! I’m ahead!
thoth mum: Well, you are a brain in a tank, dear.

… and she is enjoying playing with him. For a guy who’s all wolfy, he’s easy prey.



There’s something coming up about Marte meeting Year isn’t there? Perhaps we’ll learn more there. Bearing in mind that the Legion carry around a lot of sensitive UP stuff in their heads too, you’d think they’d be more punitive. Having said that, I always had Yera pegged as a UP agent from this point on, as part of a deal.








I’m sure we had a reread issue, probably when there was a change in creative team, where I expected Thom to be removed by the end of the issue. Had I been reading it for the first time, when it came out, dedded would have been possible too. He was just baggage. There’s also an interview with Barr & Wein where they spoke about (albeit nothing planned) about trimming the group. Star Boy would possibly have fallen away then too.

His initial appearance was picked up on in the Superboy and the Legion Elseworlds mini drawn by Alan Davis.

I think he did attract the attention of the Giffen kill-squad, even if Giffen had just moved away to maintain an alibi for it



Fortunately, this is a great batch of books to learn from! You see all those issues where the characters are consistently coherent in style? That’s Mahlstedt at work

Not fair, but Giffen’s basic pencilling has been shifting and experimental to lesser degrees in its approach for a while.

I should also have been talking about Gafford’s stellar work in recent issues. They wouldn’t stand out as they do without his contribution. A top team at work.



I think I’ve turned into a bit of a retcon grump, so bear that in mind with my posts I guess. Although I wouldn’t have liked Swan’s work anywhere near as much as I now do, I think I would have loved seeing all the gaps filled in when reading these for the first time. But, for me, it’s not a patch on the original stories. Playing around with Bits and the rereads has just made the retcons feel a bit more obvious, so I’m also blaming Legion World! And Brin! Everything is Brin’s fault too!




Opposites attract… although one of them knew that in this case.


That led into how her personality was perceived by the others. I’m thinking there was another reason, but it’s escaping me. Where’s an Academy team when you need one to catch it?!



Years later, we’d get the retcon tale of how Ant-Lad secretly voted in place of someone else and how half of the votes were from Bizarros and Superman Fortress robots of the Daily Planet staff, pretending to be Legionnaires.




Laurel was probably the readiest, but neither she Magnetic Kid, Power Boy or Shadow Kid were going to get past the no duplicate powers thing. Despite Laurel’s pleas of “I’m sort of Kryptonian and you let all of them in…

The one good thing about joining in battle, is that you get some panels to show off some personality. Crystal Kid, Nightwind, Lamprey (both nicely updated visually) and Urk don’t really have that.

Comet Queen does stands out in that respect.



This could be due to when I started reading the Legion, but I was never impressed with the Superman lineage reaching Laurel. The Legion was stand alone for me, so I could live without the Tornado Twins, Oli-3, and super-descendants (nice as some of the writing was)
Laurel introduced herself as Elna, as an anagram of who Superboy would grow up to marry. Super-editors must have had a fit!

Superboy chatting up his descendant was creepy no matter what the legalities of it were by the 30th century.

Post Crisis, she had to go as there was no Superboy. I don’t remember minding the detail of the story. But the premise made no sense, particularly as it followed “Who shot Laurel Kent?”

I’ve grown to appreciate her character and her power more in recent times. Visually, she’s always stood out. Not from (or just from) a leching point of view, but from what the personality behind the choices must be like.

#307 The Prohpet Shall Speak by Paul Levitz & Keith Giffen, Larry Mahlstedt Inker, Carl Gafford colours, John Costanza Letters



Cover: A sorcerer-looking person examines a burning parchment with depictions of Star Boy, Blok, Timber Wolf, possibly Nura and others.

Tinya, Brin Jacques and Tasmia, enclosed in space suits, observe the remains of a planetoid research station Trewsk. Jacques mentions that one of the scientists was his friend. Tasmia covers the destruction with darkness since it’s making her feel sick, although she thinks Brainy could stomach it. Aboard the Legion cruiser, Tinya sights a flash coming from one of the suns; the Legionnaires follow this solar flare as their scans indicate two humanoids within it. One of the figures seizes the cruiser and hurls it towards the other, who stops it with a gesture and sends the cruiser hurtling towards a planet. The Legionnaires escape, but Tinya remains on board to try and save the ship in a crash landing.

At Legion HQ, Jan and Cham disembark from their cruiser, to be welcomed by Thom and Drake. Jan reports that they left Vi on Medicus One and that Gim and Yera have gone off to get reacquainted. Cham impersonates Nura with a mustache and asks Thom if perhaps she’s a Durlan too – which earns him a punch in the eye. Drake tells Jan that he won the election, but Jan figures it’s a joke.

On Khundia, Nura has led a team to protect Ambassador Relnic in negotiations. Rokk, Imra and Garth decide to take a dinner break. Garth announces that they’re going to have a baby. Blok hears Rokk’s shout, then a blast sound as bits of a wall hit him. He turns to see some SP officers lying unconscious, others blasting their own guns at a Khund who announces himself as Gurkak. Gurkak calls for Blok, saying that by defeating Kharlak, Blok robbed him of the chance to defeat Kharlak himself. He hurls a bomb at Blok as the other Legionnaires run in. Blok abosrbs the blast and tosses Gurkak over a wall.

In deep space, Tasmia expresses her relief that Tinya was unharmed and saved the cruiser. Tinya says they should track the solar creatures and use their brains to deal with them, since Lar and Jo aren’t there to do the heavy work. They track the radiation trail to Corvan IV and find themselves under attack once again; this time, the cruiser is destroyed. Each Legionnaire deals with the defense ships using their own power and they alight on the planet’s surface. Tinya suggests that she and Jacques explore the nearest town; Brin and Tasmia hide in a cave under Tasmia’s shadow. Tasmia suggests that Brin stay to his side of the cave since this isn’t a romantic interlude.

On Earth, Gigi and Shvaughn play scrabble. Jan arrives and shares the joke that he was elected leader.

On Corvan IV, amid a downpour, Jacques reflects on the beauty of the French language and asks if Tinya or the original Invisible Kid ever doubted their power’s efficacy. Tinya answers that there weren’t as many powerful Legionnaires back in the day and that one does what one can, since mighty power doesn’t make one more valuable. She then observes that it’s not raining in the center of the village, where a weird glow is seen. The glow is addressing the residents, warning of damnation if they do not vanquish an approaching enemy. Jacques is thrown out of his invisibility and attracts the attention of the Corvanians, who think he must be the enemy. Tinya tries to distract them; suddenly, Jo snatches her and flies away. He and Mon-el have joined the group, after reading their report on the destruction of the science station.

On Khundia, Relnic sits down with a Gil’Dishpan and Khundish diplomat. They are told that the meeting is ended since Khundia has been invaded. Relnic and the Legionnaires are baffled as to who might be invading; the Gil’Dishpan says he doesn’t know and teleports away. The skies brighten and they see a figure amid the glow. The Khunds fire at it, with no effect. The figure claims he is not their enemy but warns that the enemy will soon arrive like an Omen of Doom – and they must fight.

At the edge of the Khundish system, Mon-el and Jo follow the radiation trail, guiding the other Legionnaires in a Corvanian ship. Mon-el sees a figure at the end of the trail and a trashed Khundish fleet.

Comments:

Well, this starts out promising. Unlike others (it appears) I rather like this artwork, so that helps. We get a number of set-ups for new storylines: the Prophet/Omen, a looming war with Khundia and Gil’Dishpan, Jan’s term as leader, a baby on the way for Imra and Garth. The Violet/Yera story is put on the backburner, but not forgotten.

The friendship between Tasmia and Tinya is emphasized here. They joke about relying on their powerful boyfriends on missions, but are confident that they have the brains to deal with the issue at hand. Are they saying that their lovers are all brawn, no brain - or just that they have to supplement their powers with strategic thinking? They ignore Brin and Jacques as they huddle together.

Tasmia displays some of the cattiness which I so dislike in her character. In the cave, she tells Brin to keep his distance, this isn’t a romantic interlude – certainly unkind to bring up such embarrassing, if not painful memories, let alone unnecessary. She thinks “especially with you”, but you figure her tone and expression might as well have made that verbal. If Brin had more Wildfire in him, he might have responded that she’s the last woman he wanted to get close to.

Tinya is kinder. She’s upbeat with Jacques about their role in the Legion. She doesn’t snipe at him for falling out of invisibility and attracting attention, but tells him to get away and let her divert the crowd. Tinya saves the cruiser, which must have taken some bravery as well as quick thinking. This is reminiscent of her portrayal earlier issues, in which Tinya often saved the day. Unfortunately, for character development, she’s later rescued by Jo and doesn’t get a chance to make her own escape from the Corvanians.

There’s a nice 16 panel page, before Jo and Mon arrive, in which each Legionnaire defeats an attacking Corvanian in four panels.

That Jan doesn’t believe he won the election may be a good joke, but it suggests pretty sloppy electoral procedures. No official statement of who won? His team clearly took the time to vote, but getting Violet to Medicus One must have overridden any interest they had in the results. Jan goes straight to Shvaughn, showing where he’s putting his priorities these days.

Thom shows that he’s still super-touchy about Nura, actually punching Cham for making a joke about Nura being a Durlan. The joke was in rather bad taste, given the seriousness of Yera’s deception, but perhaps we can chalk it up to black humour or relief at rescuing Salu. We learn that Gim and Yera are on leave to “get reacquainted”, which reminds us that Yera is facing no obvious punishment.

The diplomatic mission hints at a brewing war between the U.P., Khundia and the Gil’Dishpan. The scene with Gurkak doesn’t do much for the story, except to show that Blok is really strong and calm.

It’s probably not a big surprise that Imra is pregnant, although one may wonder if she (and Garth) will stay with the team.

I liked the return to Corvan IV, the planet on which the Fatal Five tried to peacefully settle down. The natives rejected the Five’s advanced technological help, but it looks like they’ve made a lot of progress on their own, at least to the point of having a defensive air force.

I’m not sure what threw Jacques out of his invisible state – was it something the Prophet did on noticing him, or did the Prophet’s message disturb Jacques? Perhaps he feared the return of Darkseid as the prophesied enemy.

I intended to skip the Omen review and link to some of my previous comments elsewhere, but I was bored last night, so I went ahead and re-read 307. A full review will be forthcoming, but I want to touch on a couple of things:



Yes, but she thinks to herself that she doesn't want to be stuck on an asteroid with Brin. At least she keeps her cattiness to herself this time.

I did like this portrayal of Tinya, though: the senior Legionnaire, who shares her insights with Jacques and looks out for him. I admired her positive thinking in saving the ship and looking forward to solving this case without Jo and Lar--which made it all the more disappointing when the latter two showed up. There was a real chance for Tinya's theory to be put to the test and to show that "weaker powered" Legionnaires really do have a lot to contribute.



The first time, Jan's ignorance was funny; the second time (the scene with Shvaughn), it looks like he's just moping and ignorant. Surely some kind of announcement would have been made by now. Even Shady knew the results.

By the way, I notice that Vi voted even though she's just now being taken to Medicus One. The Legionnaires take their voting seriously--casting ballots even when they're apparently in no condition to do anything else!

LoSH 307

The Legionnaires as mythic archetypes on a scroll combines ancient religions with the 30th century future. The Prophet does not look like a particularly meek one, as he views the scroll. That it catches fire indicates that the prophecy is not a good one for our heroes. A pretty good cover in capturing the tone of the issue and showing how ominous the threat might be.


I had gone into the issue thinking that this was where Giffen’s style changed dramatically, with the result that it was going to be difficult to follow. But it wasn’t really the case.

The opening sequence, where the Legionnaires are investigating a research station disaster on Trewsk, is much the same as last issue.

Their solution is to cover up the carnage and leave it to Brainy. So much for a forensic approach. The reaction of Tinya is consistent to her reaction to the firebombing on Earth. Jacques’ strong sense of self is also a stand out. There are key areas of belief that he just doesn’t like transgressed. He reprimands Brin’s flippancy as wishes to mourn his lost friend. It’s a good extension of the decisions he made when dragging Drake back into the world again.

The Legionnaires get a break when an energy prominence breaks away from one of the system’s three stars. Inside, following a nice Giffen panel of a reflected Brainy, are two humanoids.

It’s pretty good for three pages. We know that the system exhibits strange patterns. So much so that it was being investigated. That team were all killed. There may be a link to the killings from a massive energy bubble containing two figures. Energy so powerful that Darkseid gets a mention. We also have consistent characterisation in the field team.

The following pages doesn’t really work as Levitz has to get Jacques to tell us what’s going on. Only one of the two beings communicates in Interlac. He perceives the shuttle as a possible threat and throws it into the other. That other communicates through empty speech bubbles , and swats the ship away. Considering the research station staff are all dead, and the amount of energy around the two beings, the Legion might have got away early. Of course, the two might not have directly killed the research station staff.

Tinya tries to save the shuttle from being completely destroyed. Since she didn’t keep a safe distance from the creatures, it’s the least she should do. We leave our heroes on a cliff hanger regarding Tinya’s fate from the crash.

We also make a significant enough departure from Giffen’s style that Mahlstedt and Gafford have to just let things take there own course.

It will become more pronounced as the issue continues. Giffen has been experimenting with page layouts since practically his first issue on the book. His pencils become deliberately simpler as his page structure becomes more elaborate, channelling his latest influences.

The first page of this covers a lot of ground. Jan and Cham’s return, an update on Vi, the election results and what Gim and Yera are up to. We also have room for a comedy subplot as Cham teases Thom about Nura being a Durlan and gets a punch for it. Nura appears in a similar pose on the opposite page which brings a smile. Thom’s reaction to having a Durlan sweetheart doesn’t say much for race relations. Neither does Jan’s preference for jokes at the expense of the poor Denebians.

There’s a real split in Cham’s character. Sometimes he’s the analytical detective. Just as often, he’s a complete goof. Then there are his “I keep falling in love with bipeds and getting my heart broken” times as well as his father issue subplots. Later he’d become a mercantile genius too.

Embracing the new style, Nura has taken a team to Khundia for assist with diplomatic talks. It’s a combination of humour and underlying terror. Diplomats can expect to get killed if challenged there. Although a challenger to Blok is purely comic relief. Newer readers would perhaps think that’s what the Khunds were with some appearances around this time, and not realise the direct approach to conquering they’ve taken in the past.

The decision to have the three founders on this mission, continues the trend of showing that the Legion functions with them off to one side. Rokk’s comment, as the three stand there, that Nura “is off with the ambassador” brings home the change in the team. Nura should be the one with the ambassador as she’s the leader. But it seems odd to see three previous leaders and keys to the team kicking their heels.

All three do have to be together for the announcement of Imra’s pregnancy. This, and Tinya and Tasmia later casual remark of Jo and Mon as lovers, again reinforces the maturing of our cast.

Sun Boy was back up on the Webers World mission, and is the same here too. I think this has to partly be due to the recent prominence of Wildfire, through the Academy issue and his Dawny subplot. Since it was Sun Boy who got a lot of attention at the start of Levitz’s run, it’s good to see him move through the cast while still keeping the presence of others seen.

The next sequence combines Giffen’s previous and current approaches quite nicely, while also combining a very nice page layout too. The comedy subplot box with Cham & Thom is reused for a conversation between Tinya and Tasmia, as the ship quietly tracks the energy across the stars.

Tinya has survived by going intangible at the last moment. She has saved the shuttle, but only for it to be blasted out of the sky again as the team track the energy to Corvan IV (quiet energy trail set up visuals and then boom! On the next page. Nice).

The attack on the legion cruiser is a really good page from Giffen, following the action anticlockwise around the page. Little Giffen telltales from this period are all over this one too. The close up on the eye; and only seeing Tinya’s legs in the bottom panel, as the action spreads beyond its boundaries. Later we’d have a speaking Sun Boy get his head blocked out by another panel.

Both crashes could have been combined with no impact on the plot.

Each of the team gets a chance to show their distinctive skills against the Corvan’s security. I do think Jacques invisibility comes across as teleportation on the page. We don’t see the shuttle swerve as it can’t find him. If it had flown straight on, Jacques would still have been caught in the explosion. It’s good to see him sweat under such circumstances.

Tasmia is showing a playful streak, from her barb to Brin recently to playing with an opponent here. I like her distinctive appearance here, and she seems cheerier having avoided the death the Adult Legion story had planned for her.

We see Brin’s direct approach and how his animalistic visuals work.

Tinya has a few spotlight moments this issue. Of the four, she’s shows herself to be the team leader. Of course, she did get too close to the creatures the first time, and she’d completely forget about how to escape crashing shuttles at the end of v7 when it was Dirk’s turn to try and land one. :sad:

Tinya and Tasmia are aware that they are without their normal partners for this mission. It does have a bearing on how they approach the situation, and it’s nice to see them shine.

I say shine, but there’s a torrential downpour on Corvan IV. Points to the team for this. How often do you see weather conditions play a natural part in a book (environmental disasters aside). They ruin Jacques powers too, to a point.

Tinya gets a chance to talk with Jacques as they proceed with their mission to investigate the energy. Tinya remarks that Jacques’ comment reminds her of Lyle. Lyle felt close to Tinya before his death, partly due to their powers, and shared his dreams about Myla to her (SBoy #203 – Look It Up Lad). Jacques shares some of his insecurity about being a less than “mighty” Legionnaire (that sweat had a pay off!). Tinya’s “I don’t think ‘mightier’ powers ever made anyone a more valuable Legionnaire.” is an excellent reminder about what’s at the core of the team.

Even if facing off against the likes of Darkseid makes things look like the stakes are higher, they did face down Mordru and the Trapper back in the day, with just as much at risk.

Brin is not having the best of times. Both Tinya and Tasmia think about not wanting to be anywhere close to him. Tasmia goes a bit further than this, making sure that Birn keeps his distance. Tinya and Tasmia are close friends and you can see their interpretation of events on the Khundia mission being perceived as what happened on the asteroid. Garth has firmly closed the door on the event, leading Imra away. As a result of being emotionally out of his depth with Imra, Brin’s now looked down on a bit by at least some of the team. He’s off form (breaking things and sleeping on duty) and spends time in a light comedy with Blok.

The natives of Corvan IV are being warned of an approaching world threatening enemy by a telepathic glow. They are spellbound, and even Jacques is, when he gets close enough to it. That makes him visible and Tinya has to save him from a rampaging crowd of terrified locals. She’s making good use of her powers and is looking out for her team mate…

… and that’s enough of that. Ultra Boy and Mon El arrive in time to rescue the pair, who didn’t need rescuing. Away from Jo for five minutes showed Tinya as a considerate, capable leader with an excellent grasp of her abilities. So, it’s back into the sub group for her

Back on Khundia, the preparations for diplomatic talks are in place and are about to begin (Giffen silhouetting figures in naturally…for now! )… the negotiations are going to be tense… when the Khunds break them off at the last moment. One of the energy beings has arrived above their planet, and destroys a war fleet. Which is a shame since he then tells everyone they’re going to have to destroy his master, if they want to survive.

Behind the figure come Tinya’s team. Although it’s now Jo and Lar you see (fah!)

The last page nearly works. Lar’s vision is supposed to lead your eyes down to his speech. From there, it should have been up and then across to the right. But the borders take it out of sequence.

The trailing team could easily have been placed a couple of pages before, leaving the reveal of one of the energy beings to the last page.

“Harken! The enemy shall soon be among you! I, Norrin Radd warn you of the coming of Galactus!”

Next issue, Reed Richards joins the Legion as Elastic Lad II!

It’s an okay ( quite mixed) opener for a cosmic multi-part tale, and it’s bolstered by all of the solid Legion character moments in the book.

Both main subplots combine, which is not a bad thing at all, but the only other one (we’ve been spoiled for subplots recently) is Jan’s reaction to not being leader. It provides a lighter touch compared to the grimmer looking main plot (both in writing and art), but it’s light to the point of fluff.

I didn’t get around to reading the Subs special. I do wonder how much of Giffen’s approach to that book, and how successful it might have been, has creeped into this. When it was the JL, initial success was put down to the humour, taking it too far in one direction without a bit of editorial slapping.

The villains are powered by the Mighty Plot! They travel together. But only one turns up at the end, with no clue as to why they separated. Likewise, there’s no connection made between how this figure got to Khundia in one form, but appeared as another on Corven IV with vastly different powers. The Prophet seems keen to warn people about the interference of the Omen of Doom. But it was the Prophet who got the Omen to act against the Legion in the first place, by slamming their shuttle off it.

Unusually, there’s a couple of pages that don’t work here. Levitz looks to have had to add a bit of dialogue to cover for it. I wonder how the art changes were discussed. I remember reading Levitz mentioning Giffen looking to expand etc.

But there are a lot of absolute winners:-
-Tinya’s initial shuttle crash combines the second vertical panel from the right (the tip of the landscape) with the first horizontal panel (the ship crashing on it)
-Following the energy trail in a quiet moment/ combining it with the conversation in the ship, and the anti clockwise action in the following page
-Jo’s “rescue” sweeping him across the panels and back to the original one on page 18
-The Legion HQ silhouette behind the panels on page 6 and the rainstorm forming a background to page 15.
- Tinya’s intangibility taking her stylistically out of the panel border in page 17

Another side effect from the changes, at least in this issue, is the panel density. It would really become part of v4, but Giffen moves from 5/6 panels in the old style up to 12.

The pair were the senior Legionnaires, and without their lovers there, they had to use some of their other skills for a pleasant change.



Although Tinya did try to save the shuttle thinking that she wouldn’t want to be stuck on an asteroid with Brin. With Tasmia, Brin knows where he stands, or huddles in a cave in this case. He doesn’t know with Tinya, yet.



If the leadership election were after this issue, she might have picked up some more votes.

Black Witch 12
Blok 22
Brainiac 5 37
Chameleon Boy 13
Colossal Boy 11
Cosmic Boy 21
Dawnstar 32
Dream Girl 52
Element Lad 77
Invisible Kid II 10
Lightning Lad 6
Mon-El 22
Phantom Girl 29
Saturn Girl 16
Shadow Lass 21
Shrinking Violet 8
Star Boy 16
Sun Boy 36
Timber Wolf 30
Ultra Boy 40
Wildfire 24



I groaned when the panel hogs appeared. ;smile:




And



There’s more comedy in this issue than before, which is partly why I wondered about it being off the back of Giffen’s Subs special. With Jan, his lack of interest could be down to his decision to quit as deputy. After that, he’s been involved with the Vi case and is focused on Shvaughn. It’s probably the first time he’s not been focused on the Legion, and he’s enjoying the break. I also imagine a team with Tenzil and Chuck will have had some off panel pranks previously, and Jan’s response might also be partly due to that.

But both scenes are played for laughs, which isn’t that common in the book. You’re right about the timing too. It’s poking fun not only at Year/ impostors but at Vi too. But it’s a visual gag.



Another scene strong in comedy value, at the expense of the Khunds.



There’s a Lost Tale of the Legion where a recovering Vi discovers that the SP Officers and prosecutors were all Durlan agents too, and wreaks her vengeance on them. Realising that Yera was a dupe in their plot too, means that she lets Yera off when they finally meet.

(My Autocarrot keeps changing Yera to Year! Grrr)



I wonder if the fans who were happy at their post marriage return, sighed at the news.



I’d forgotten that we’d seen Corvan before. Considering the met the arrival fo the Five as godlike and the feted the Legion, perhaps they are still prone to the arrival of things from the skies.



I read it as Jacques being entranced by the glow and its message. So much so, that he stopped focusing on keeping his power active.

Didn't put you to sleep, so that's a plus. Looking forward to your analysis.



Could be a case of vote meddling/Lost Tales. One of the rescue team voted for her, using her limp, helpless finger to activate the voter i.d. because they knew, if she'd been able, she would have voted for Jan.




It didn't strike me as a comedy scene, but you're right, it was. It made the Khunds look like jerks more than dangerous, battle-clever opponents.



True, they've been conditioned to expect strange beings from the skies. You have to wonder what their religious rites might be.

Right. Now I’m wondering how many other issues have opened/will open with this sort of scene.



Also Tasmia’s reaction here struck me as not fitting the Planetary Champion image – a little too squeamish – and her comment that Brainy would have no problem with the mess is a bit of a barb as well, that he’s so unemotional it wouldn’t bother him. Good point about the consistency of Tinya’s reaction to slaughter and to Jacques’ beliefs as well.



You’d like to have been a fly on the wall when they first got these pages to ink and colour....



Missed the similar poses for Cham/Nura. And we never did get an answer to the Denebian joke.



Something else else about unconstant body shape may lead to fluctuating personality.



They almost have emeritus positions. The seniors as consultants, not active players.



Good point about the teleportation. A misstep in the story or another facet of Jacques’ not-fully-explored power?



I’d wondered about the sleeping on duty thing, but it makes sense as you frame it, that Brin is off his game as a result of the turmoil of the asteroid incident and Ayla leaving. We’ll see if it continues. (The next positive scene that I recall for Brin is as executor of Karate Kid’s will, quite a few issues from now.)



Really! All they needed was a ship, which they seem to have borrowed from Corvanians.



It’s not clear if Prophet is serving the other figure (he does call him Master) or double-crossing him – or referring to an entirely separate enemy from either of them. In the Darkseid saga, we met the servants first, but it was very clear that they were serving one Master.



You highlight all the pages which made the art quite interesting and why I’d have high hopes for this arc. So we have found something positive!

307:

After reading thoth’s and FC’s comments and flipping through the issue just now, the word that came to my mind was “busy.” It’s a very busy issue, yet little is accomplished apart from setting up the next pair of villains. It reads like a generic Marvel comic which builds toward a Big Reveal, but, in this case, the Big Reveal isn’t that impressive.

I mean, sure, the Prophet takes out the entire Khund fleet, but we’ve seen villains demonstrate similar prowess before. And the Prophet makes gloomy prophecies about an even bigger threat, but we’ve seen that before, too. The only thing which stands out about these villains so far is the pseudo-religious trappings of the Prophet: He’s dressed like a monk or priest, and the full page spread of his reveal is framed by rune-like borders. Alas, we’ve seen villains borrow from religious iconography before, too.

By the way, if you look closely at the squiggly runes, you can make out words: “Fred,” “I killed Fred Hembeck,” and “Dicked” stand out. While planting Easter eggs in comics can be fun, here it comes across as if Giffen is just making a joke of it all—and that, unfortunately, is also how the issue comes across to me: as a parody of what Levitz and Giffen had achieved.

There are many good aspects, as thoth pointed out in his review. Giffen’s art becomes highly experimental in this issue, and some experiments work quite well, such as Ultra Boy flying in an arc on Page 18. Another effective layout is Page 10, which consists of Shady and P.G. merely talking; the panel arrangements, black backgrounds and white space complement the close-ups of their faces and lead us into the impressive shot of Corvan IV.

Other experimental layouts work against the content or overshadow it entirely, such as the action sequence on pp. 3-4 and the ship crashing on Page 11. When the shapes of panels are more noticeable than the action being depicted, it looks like style is marching right over substance.

Also, cramming as many panels on a page as you possibly can is not, in my view, an artistic achievement. The pacing is off several times in this issue because there are too many images to look at and too much going on. (In an interview, Giffen once claimed that having so many panels gave the reader more story. But story does not consist of a bunch of things happening. Sometimes less is more.)

All of these artistic “achievements” make this more clearly Giffen’s issue than Levitz’s. Perhaps this is why the issue feels thin as far as the story goes. Previous issues gave us what we expected in terms of building the super-hero action story, but they also gave us something more—something that furthered subplots or deepened our understanding of the Legion’s universe. Very little of that is attempted here, and what is attempted amounts to jokes (Element Lad doesn’t realize he’s won the election, a Khund challenges Blok, etc.)

There are some truly nice moments, though, such as Garth and Imra dropping the news that they are going to be parents (a nicely understated revelation, like the revelation that “Vi” was an impostor), and P.G.’s interaction with Jacques, as I mentioned in my previous post. But whereas such moments were the centerpieces of earlier issues, here they are not given the weight they are due. They seem “shoe-horned” into an issue that prefers to focus on grand artistic experiments.

307 is not as bad as I remembered, but it feels like a long slow slide is taking place mid issue. Whereas the first three pages set up a conventional story in a conventional manner, the rest of the issue slowly abandons a coherent narrative for artistic expression. I’m all for experimentation, but not at the expense of storytelling. I'm biased in this regard: The art should serve the narrative, not the other way around.

Missed the message in the squigglies. Kill Fred Hembeck? Fred must have done a Giffen sketch. Jacques' advice to Brin to treat things seriously might be welcome here.



It is easier to get caught up in and wowed by the layout and overlook story weaknesses. I did think that "more story" was well fit into some pages, such as the 16 panel page used to show the four heroes battling the Corvan ships.



The letter page regarding this issue (in #313) mentioned the experimentation and also pointed out that Giffen took some time off to work on a Superboy issue and to welcome his new-born son. (Kind of a nice touch to have the pregnancy announcement coincide with this real life event.) Omen/Prophet was also meant to be 3 issues, but back-ups were added to accommodate the interruptions. So maybe things weren't as polished as they might have been in the art/narrative collaboration. (Also, two letters mentioned the Tinya-Jacques exchange as a highlight of the issue. I wouldn't dispute that.)

That was one of the pages I had a problem with. There's too much going on, and the panels appear small and cramped. I also wasn't sure whether to read the panels horizontally or vertically at first. The black panel borders and narrow white strips indicate that they should be read vertically, but I had to stop to figure this out. Anything that stops the reader is not good.

This page is the equivalent of jump-cutting in films: jumping quickly between action and characters' reactions. It works in film because the viewer is still focusing on one image at a time. On a page, to me, it's overwhelming.




Thanks for providing the context.

It's great that the editor was willing to accommodate Giffen's family situation, but I've worked in a professional setting for a few years now, and we've had a number of faculty members who have taken maternity leave or had to take off for medical situations or unexpected issues. There is always a backup plan in place: someone to cover classes. Also, it's great to take on another assignment, but one's primary job should come first. This environment has spoiled me. I expect more from businesses, even comic book companies. The editor should have had a backup plan to minimize disruption to the story and audience. It doesn't look like this was the case.

Tamia is made of sterner stuff than this. Perhaps being with Tinya, Jo and Lar is softening her up a little.



HWW’s comments made me think about the impact the returning art had on Levitzs’ writing. Not only in the dialoguing, but in the plotting discussions. There seems to be definite transition points. SO, it’s not as though Giffen woke up one morning, hit his head, and started doing a dozen clockwise eyeball reaction shots. If there was an element of uncertainty, I could easily see a pro like Levitz providing more space for Giffen to work in. Perhaps at the expense of a column in the paradigm chart, but probably just structured a little looser.




They complained to their embassy before the punchline



That’s just how I think of Cham. I do think he takes on personality traits depending on the role he’s trying to fulfil. For example, his 5YG role in Brande Industries wasn’t necessarily something he started with, but was something he could emulate.







I just think that it’s tough to spend panel time showing someone who isn’t there, evade a ship and then have that ship plough into another one. So, going invisible ends of as shorthand for going invisible and flying as fast as your little flight ring can carry you.




That’s a good point. There seems to be a different dynamic at work here, and it’s not defined satisfactorily. The Prophet’s attack on the shuttle certainly doesn’t fit with his later appearance. Double crossing is a good take on it. That’s deeper than I was reading it. But then I read it for the ‘plosions



Yay!




And Men Would Call Him Jaded Lad! He wasn’t the first they had called Jaded Lad. There had been many across the aeons, with many adventures in many formats. If they were honest, they were just calling people Jaded Lad out of habit really…




I missed them, but still wondered if Giffen’s Subs book wasn’t having an adverse effect.




Pacing is interesting in these issues. The rush of Giffen releasing so many page compositions means that each page can be markedly different to its predecessor. I think we mentioned a couple that don’t work in helping the story. But the remainder work well enough to take the reader down and across where necessary. The number of panels has certainly increased. I guess the impact will vary between readers and their preferences. I did notice on pages 11 and 16, reaction shots to the main panel. So, you not only spend time looking at the main action, but also get a glimpse of how people respond around it. They are small, and I didn’t find they got in the way. But, by the very nature of being additional panels, will slow up the reader to some degree. That, and the page compositions ae turning it into a different reading experience.




He may have said it more than once, but I remember this being in the context of v4’s nine panel grid. I think the reasoning went that it was a way to fit a lot of additional text, and scenes into the book.



It didn’t help that this is an opening chapter that’s trying to build suspense and mystery to a larger plot, and also has fewer subplots than we’ve been getting in quite a while. I do wonder if Giffen had a chat with Levitz during the plotting. Perhaps he asked for plenty of space as he was going to try lots of new things. Perhaps Levitz cut a few things down as a result. Certainly, that balance (which comic readers don’t get too often) isn’t quite the same.




I’m not sure that the GDS didn’t also give similar length to the subplots going on at the time. I did enjoy the time Tinya spent with Jacques. It was Lar and Jo who spoiled that, rather than the Prophet.



I agree, and that mid-point is just when Giffen makes that deliberate move. I think it’s more than the art change in itself. There’s a couple of pages that don’t work (which isn’t great, after such a good run). But the art seems to have had an impact on the writing, and that Levitz has suffered a bit due to the changes too.



Thanks for bravely traveling to the strange, mutant filled, warped future of issue #313 to bring back this news! I’ve just read the next issue, and that interruption is even more apparent.

“Looks like I picked the wrong day to quit my visual narrative style.”



And



This page struck me as being, visually, the odd one out in the issue. It’s also a big leap from the page opposite it. The film strip look to it certainly reinforces that jump cut feel to it.

That said, it’s a clever (well, thought out and different if you prefer ) combination of film and comic styles. The comic reader wants to go left to right, but the strips push the eyes down each vertical. So, you follow how Shady dealt with her opponent. But you can check how the others were doing at certain synchronised points in the same battle.

I just went with the vertical, with a sneaky eye open to the rest of the page. The blue shuttles in each of the four opening panels are a deliberate visual anchoring point from Giffen, to show the reader that it’s the same point for everyone in the battle. It’s a page you can go back to enjoy the same action in more than one way. Different edits to the same scene.



You’re absolutely right, HWW. The environment has spoiled you

I'll gladly cop to being spoiled in terms of expecting more from businesses. I'll also 'fess up to being jaded in terms of expecting something unique or different from every story.

It's an interesting notion that the art influenced the writing on this issue. Giffen said in the same interview I mentioned that he and Levitz never sat down and plotted anything, but they discussed the story and Giffen was free to add his own bits (I'm going from memory here). Whatever the extent of their collaboration, it certainly seems like the art is taking over the story. You're right that Page 16 is a different reading experience and a very clever one (in addition to the blue ships at the top of each strip, we have each Legionnnaire's reaction at the bottom, providing a sense of unity and closure). While I love to go back and study this page after the fact, I felt it inhibited the flow of the reading. Good artistic innovations should enhance the reading, not detract from it. Giffen isn't there yet (and I don't know if he ever will be).

The quote about more story did indeed refer to the nine-panel grids in v.4, but I think it applies here, especially to the 16-panel "film strips." There's a tendency among novice writers of prose fiction to think they have to put in every detail--to describe the weather, the house, the frost on the windshield, the dress the main character is wearing, etc.--but only details which create a dominant impression are usually needed, and they can be worked in as needed. My personal beef with Page 16 is that everything is given equal weight in this 16-panel grid. Nothing is emphasized, so nothing stands out. Again, it's a great experiment but one which does not serve the story. One of the hard lessons I've learned as a writer is to throw out that vivid description or that brilliant dialogue if it doesn't contribute something to the story. Less is more.

As always, your mileage may vary.

Just to pick nits even further ( ), I had no problem with Tasmia's reaction to the carnage--even planetary champions have to draw the line somewhere. And Cham's playful side seems to be a residue of his thrill at getting his powers back. This doesn't contradict your and Cramey's interpretation, but I think it shows how underdeveloped the Legionnaires have been over the years when personality traits such as disgust and humor seem aberrations.

I fully agree. I think the basic concept, with its Very-Levitz combination of Metaphysics 101 and Marvel-style melodrama, was all Levitz's, and Giffen basically spends the whole storyline mocking it. Which makes me wonder more than ever why Levitz and editor Karen Berger gave Giffen so much leeway so early-on, or at least didn't make a more concerted effort to rein him in once it became obvious he was out of control. I've never read the Legion Companion, or, really, any interviews related to the Levitz/Giffen era, because these days I tend to take anything a still-active creator or editor says publicly with a boulder-sized grain of salt. I'm not saying we should get all the gory details (Gods know I've had my fill of tabloid-style behind-the-scenes gossip, and where I once found it sinfully delicious, now it makes me ill.) But a bit more measured candor would be nice, in my opinion.

That’s how I recall it too HWW. Having read a few Levitz plots that he gave to Giffen, they can be quite brief. There’s a lot of room for Giffen to explore/exploit.

From all of our comments, it looks as though it’s a combination of things. Well, a combination of things revolving around Giffen

The story perhaps being spread across more issues than it usually would, Giffen’s personal life, including things like that poster, discussing/ using his new style etc.

One that hasn’t come up (I think), but Levitz may have hinted at somewhere, is the shadow of Darkseid. Or rather, the weight of the Great Darkness Saga on the Levitz/Giffen run and the desire to create another epic story. If you add a deliberate reach for a story type, in addition to the above, perhaps the results aren’t unexpected.



I do agree that it got in the way due to its sharp change of design. But, as you say, it’s a YMMV regarding how much of a derail it was.



I think we’re already seeing Giffen going the other way, from elaborate detail, artistically. Previous issues have shown him add a huge amount of detail to panels, giving us immersive landscapes for the Legion to inhabit. The more he moves into lumpy, stained buildings, eyeball closeups and shadow effects, the further he’s moving away from that. How well it comes across is something else we’ll discuss. But one aspect of the artists he’s looking at, is a deconstruction of both page and panel in how the story is told. That tends towards a minimalistic approach in practice. To be fair, this issue shows a lot of other ideas being used. He’s using too many really, as he’s giddy with a rush of new artistic influence.



There’s an upcoming scene that shows the Legionnaires tackle things individually. The story would have been better served having one or the other. The scene-to-come (for I am the Prophet of next issue. Gaze into my Glowy eyes! ) actually misses out one of the team. So, given the choice, I’m all for the equal opportunity offered by this page.



I’d agree that needless story bloat should often be removed. But there’s always another side to it. Quite often, stories flow well, and adhere to fully functional plots, yet leave no lasting impression. “I managed to read it in two hours, but it just didn’t grab me.” It turns out that it was the vivid descriptions and bits of brilliant dialogue that were the hooks to the story. Instead of reworking the tale to get the best of both, the writer selects to have something more mundane.

I remember reading an anecdote form a studio executive. The gist of it was that he would receive 99, functional scripts showing excellent typing and grammar and a solid grasp of plotting. Those would be binned. The 100th script, scrawled practically in crayon and with a meandering plot would be the one to keep. That was because it had something that would reach out and grab an audience. Everything else, from plotting to dialogue could be reworked. They had plenty of people to do that.



Good points on both. They had cardboard characters back in the old days.

Love the description!



People always tend to recount old stories in ways that make them look good. It's human nature. And human memory is a funny thing. I got to interview a few early members of Jefferson Airplane years ago, and it was interesting to note how their versions of events differed from the established narrative. It's not that anyone deliberately lied (though they may have), but our own personal narratives tend to recast events to protect our egos and justify the opinions we already hold. I just read two excellent books by Jonathan Haidt on this subject.

Even so, I think there's a lot to be gleaned from creator interviews, even if they must be taken with a grain or two of salt.



It's always hard to come up with that next big blockbuster! This is one of the reasons I admired Star Wars: The Last Jedi for taking a very different approach in its conclusion.

In order to up the ante, Levitz went from using a god-like villain to one who is so alien his speech patterns and motivations are indecipherable. But I don't think it was really necessary to up the ante. The story lines which have resonated with me the most during this run have featured ordinary criminals (the fireballers) and revolutionaries (the Imskians). What he really needed was a super-villain with a very strong and different motivation (say, protecting the universe from spoiled, elitist hero-types. )

Your point about a script being perfectly written but mundane is well taken. It will be interesting, as we go through the rest of the Omen story, to see if there are indeed aspects which reach out and grab us (in a good way. )

Levitz has stated in a few interviews, that he doesn’t feel that he created any really big villains. Perhaps it’s something that was used as criticism, or perhaps he felt it was something he should bring to the table. But buoyed by the success of the GDS, the royalty programme and the upcoming Legion plans, maybe he felt this was a good time for this story. We’ll see if it comes off

Wolman and Perez, also getting some Baxter news and top seller status, were experimenting with storylines and the physical and vocal presentation of their cast. Nothing new there. We’ve seen previous Legion artists look at body shapes etc. But I think that the success of both books bought them space to do this, while the royalty programme allowed them to focus their attention.

So, I’m wondering if the lack of vocalisation for The Omen was a Legion attempt at the sort of things Perez would do with Jericho.

As for that focus, perhaps this took a wobble as Giffen looked at Omega Men and other one shots.

I’m really enjoying reading the other views on the book during this these changes. It’s fascinating to see what works (and doesn’t) for each of us, and why.

#308 Prophecy of Doom/And the Sky Itself Shall Burn by Paul Levitz & Keith Giffen, Larry Mahlstedt Inker, Carl Gafford colours, John Costanza Letters



On Khundia, Prophet delivers more of his message of doom, in Old Testament prophet-speak, amid the wreckage of Khundian ships and weapons. He sees demons and commands artillery to fire on them. Lar and Jo approach through the blasts, Lar wondering if they’re the demons he sees. Brin, Tinya and Tasmia follow, each using what powers they have to disable or evade the missiles. Prophet directs some sort of energy at Lar and Jo as they approach him.

Elsewhere on Khundia, Nura’s team sits and waits since Relnic has forbidden them to leave the Embassy. Nura moans about her hair. Relnic brings news that one man and six Legionnaires have attacked Khundia, which further endangers diplomatic relations. The Legionnaires are doubtful, but Relnic orders them to stay quiet and let him try to explain.

Dawnstar travels through pscyhedelic space on her soul mate journey. She is discouraged and decides to go to her naming place, the Dawn Star.

Prophet puts a hold on the six Legionnaires who have followed him from Corvan IV and recounts his backstory. He was a pastor on Trewsk (and father of Jacques’ friend) who left for a conference and returned to find Trewsk destroyed by space creatures, just as the suns exploded. In despair, he flew into the nova but, instead of dying, was met by “the omen of my doom”, an all-powerful being, and was transformed into the Prophet. He knew that he must warn the universe of the threat of Omen. Mon-el, freed from the Prophet’s spell, attacks him, only to find that his punch has no effect. Prophet hurls him into a wall.

At Legion HQ, Thom continues to moan about Dream Girl’s absence. Wildfire enters and admonishes him, then proceeds to check the Mission Monitor Board, viewing the activities of various Legionnaires. When he views Dawnstar, he is angry with himself.

Back on Khundia, Prophet announces that Omen is approaching and must be destroyed.

Back-up: Guess What’s Coming to Dinner by Paul Levitz & Keith Giffen, art by George Tuska & Larry Mahlstedt, Carl Gafford Colors, Adam Kubert Letters

Gim Allon is about to introduce Yera to his parents for the first time. Marte Allon, in her office as Earthgov president, prepares to leave for this family dinner. She advises her assistant to remind Chief Zendak of an item he promised for that evening and puts off until morning Relnic’s report on Khundia.

At home, Marte prepares the table. She and husband Winn greet Gim and Yera. Gim announces their marriage; Marte is so surprised she drops a bowl. After supper, Winn seems pleased with the couple but Marte questions them. She claims that this puts her in a difficult position politically, since Durlans aren’t very popular. Yera asks why her race is so disliked, then proceeds to change into a number of different creatures. Marte responds that it’s not just the shape-changing, but Durla’s hostility to outsiders and their insularity. The debate continues over coffee. Yera agrees that Durlans who remain on Durla aren’t doing anything to improve their lives, but that’s their choice, just as her parents chose to leave.

Two Science Police officers arrive with a package for Marte. Gim assumes it’s a file on Yera and is annoyed with his mother. She gives Yera the package for inspection; it turns out to be a beautiful life crystal necklace. Yera is speechless as Gim hugs his mother.

Later, Marte and Winn discuss the evening in bed, pleased with how things went. Marte says that she picked the life crystal out when she first heard from the Science Police that Gim and Yera were secretly married, a month earlier. She wonders if their children will be raised Jewish.


Comments:
Our favourite action hogs burst off the cover as Brin, Tasmia and Tinya stand behind the wreckage. While I bemoan Lar and Jo taking all the action while others stand by, it makes for a dynamic scene. The actual story does show the other three participating. Or was that the other four? Relnic mentioned six Legionnaires arriving on Khundia, but I only saw five – had to think back, Jacques was with them. Forgotten by the artist? Invisible, of course. Some exposition here, such as “Jacques, stay invisible for defensive purposes” would have solved this problem.

And then, we begin wading through the swamp. Prophet’s monologue/backstory is hard to follow, even for a comic book, but I was willing to roll with the idea of some supreme being transforming him. However, I’m still not clear if he’s been sent with a message from Omen, or is expressing his own fears.

It’s all very repetitive. Legionnaires attack, get knocked down, Prophet repeats his “doom is coming” message.

Relnic puts his team of Legionnaires in lock-down, so they’re pretty much out of the picture for this issue. Nura complains about her hair (again; it’s either hair or nails).

Thom complains about Nura. Again. Wildfire snoops on other Legionnaires via the Monitor Board and loses his cool when he sees Dawnstar. Again.

Dawnstar gets a full page full of pretty colours, just to let us know that she’s still looking for Mr. Right.

All in all, not much happens. We get two one-panel plot updates: Brainy is still working on a cure for Danielle and Vi still looks really bad (although Wildfire doesn’t think so). Mysa and Cham are testing new high-security cells on Takron-Galtos, which may or may not be a new plot.

The back-up story is thankfully simple and direct. Meet the in-laws. Gim has shown himself to be a bit socially clumsy in the past, and somewhat at odds with his mother, so it’s not entirely odd that he springs the news of his marriage on them without warning and well after the fact.

The title, a take on the movie about a black man meeting his white in-laws for the first time, is sort of insulting to Yera, calling her a “what” instead of “who”. Supposed to be a joke, I guess, or reflect the hostility and prejudice of some of the U.P. regarding Durlans.

That Marte Allon knew all along that Gim had married makes her act of being surprised quite devious. The women in Gim’s life do like to trick him, don’t they? You wonder why she didn’t call him in and ask him directly when the SPs told her he was secretly married. At some point, she must have also been told that new daughter-in-law was not Vi, but a Durlan imposter. Was she getting back at Gim for hiding this from her? And did he even think he could hide this from the President?

Using the Science Police (Zendak and officers) to procure and deliver Yera’s gift rubbed me the wrong way. Did the taxpayer pay for it? Did it come out of the evidence locker?

We do learn a bit about attitudes towards Durla and all’s well that ends well.

Apart from a smile at the end, Marte looks like a robot, expressionless. That struck me as creepy. Winn Allon was a bit of a non-entity, but a pleasant non-entity.

I have had more to say about the little back-up story than the main event.

LoSH 308

Its an all action cover. The Legionnaires are targets of a large number of guns (well placed around the periphery). Going by Shady and Tinya’s expressions, they may have been taken by surprise. But Lar and Jo are sorting it out by destroying the attackers in a hail of metal. A nice touch, by an artists who knows is characters, is that Lar can just fly straight through the attack, while Jo is seen pausing, switching between strength and invulnerability. Having said all that, it’s not a cover that leaps out at me. I think it’s down to Giffen’s changed art style having simpler lines. Nothing wrong with that, but it does give an indication that the changing style is already moving away from what I had preferred.

The splash page of the Prophet, arms wide, giving a warning to Khundia follows a page of reaction to his arrival last issue. He warns them of an approaching danger (The Omen), and the need to fight together to destroy it. Instead, he’s managed to wipe out a lot of Khundians and hallucinates that the Legionnaires are demons sent by that danger (there shapes are similar to the cover of last issue).

There’s something about the scene that doesn’t work. Even taking into account the Prophet’s difficulties with reality. He didn’t see the Khunds as demons, sent by the Omen. But the Legionnaires conveniently are. The Prophet destroyed a Khundian battle fleet last issue, but in this scene, he’s controlling the Khundian arsenal against the Legionnaires. Why not just control the battle fleet from last issue?

With so much firepower, and a Prophet to confront, I see the reasoning for Levitz dropping Lar and Jo into last issue. Although it was a bit of a let down, as I’d been enjoying Jacques and Tinya, their presence allows the action to be arrived at quicker for this issue.

In a reprise of the team dealing individually with the ships last issue, Tinya Shady and Brin do so against the Khunds here. Although it fits his powers not to be seen, Jacques is nowhere to be found. This time, I’m left wondering how Shady’s powers are avoiding all the blaster fire. The missiles are one thing, but she’s Sitting Duck Lass up there.

Another misstep is the Prophet suddenly deciding that even the Legionnaires “shall listen to my warnings.” But they were demons sent by the Omen a moment ago.

Jacques is indeed there, and he doesn’t escape the three pages of back story on the Prophet as the Legion are trapped.

One thing I do like about the Prophet, is that he was delusional when he was human too. He’s managed to take those failings through the changes he’s undergone. Like so many spiritual leaders, he’s got more flaws than anyone else around him. His ego is matched by his pride. His need to tell someone that he was aware of news first; His fake worthiness at receiving a “special” invitation.

Both are dwarfed by his inflated self-importance. He really believes that it was his absence that resulted in the death of the others on Trewsk. Therefore, that it was his presence that was protecting them.
The unusual star activity the station was recording, has led to a burst of energy. A shoal of space creatures arrives to bask in the radiation, even as it kills the human watches. This was a well written addition to the scene, and adds an additional layer of perspective to the events.

The creatures received strength from the energy. A humanoid shape, picked up by the Prophet’s instruments seems to be quite happy passively observing a natural occurrence. There’s no indication, at this stage, that the being caused the incident.

On the other hand, the surviving Prophet sees things very differently. A self-professed lack of courage, but possibly also the thought of the loss of status (his ego has just crashed), at the sight of the destroyed station, results in a suicide attempt.

The passive being intervenes, saves him, and in doing so transforms him. Again, it’s the Prophets’ reaction to this, based on his flaws, that propels the story. There’s an irony in a man who teaches and believes in something infinite, being completely unable to deal with contact with anything remotely powerful. His loss of ego is complete. Despite having saved him, the being, must be a threat to everything. As it doesn’t fit into his view of self-importance, the being [/i]must[/i] be about to doom the universe.

If anything, it’s the self-titled Prophet who has provoked a response from the being, and is now leading it across the galaxy. Let’s hope it has a better personality.

I thought that the origin of the Prophet had parallels with the origin of Pulsar Stargrave. Investigations into solar activity; transformation by alien entities at a sun; maniacal rantings and one-note plans in their new form. As the Infinite Man was for the Trapper, I wonder if The Prophet was ever supposed to be a reshaping of Pulsar. Particularly since Stargrave fell between a number of writers.

Lar conveniently manages to break free just as the flashback ends. “…whatever that spell was that you were using to bind us, it can’t hold me long. I guess it wasn’t a spell at all, as I thought Daxamites had no invulnerability against magic. I’d have pegged Jacques teleport, Tinya dimension shift or Shady’s slightly supernatural origins/ darkness power to get out before Lar.

Lar gives the Prophet a huge punch, only to find him unscathed. In turn Lar is blasted back through some buildings. It’s a well-drawn page full of raw power. However, it’s another set up, showcasing the Legion’s strongest member only because there’s a bigger impact when Plot Powers slap him down. It already happened just before the backstory. Would it have been better to have this as the first time Lar appeared to help his colleagues. If you had to have him thumped at all.

Having battered Lar, the Prophet rants about the arrival of The Omen again. He did this at the end of last issue, so the main plot hasn’t really moved on. The Omen is presumably a bit closer, although we’ve not seen him and he could arrive anytime Levitz wanted him to. The Prophet demands that the beings on Khundia destroy the Omen, while not explaining anything and kicking them around when they approach.

Elsewhere on Khundia, we have the diplomatic mission. Another six Legionnaires, who are all told to sit tight. Normally they would have joined their colleagues by the end of this issue. Here, due to the Khundian paranoia that the Legion are part of the attack against their world, they are told, in no uncertain terms, not to interfere. Dreamy is concerned about her hair. Seemingly superficial, but you never know what her powers are telling her. Blok is clumsy and the others have a few reaction shots. No telepathy from Imra and Legion espionage must be exceptionally sneaky… as there doesn’t seem to be any of it.

A developing subplot sees Dawnstar’s quest for a life partner continue. She’s faced with beautiful galactic scenery, but no closer to her goal. There seems to be some handy planned stages for this sort of quest. If Dawny doesn’t bump into anyone special on the general tour, she can go to her naming place to find one. It doesn’t say if there’s any special status attached finding a partner during either one.

Dawny: Um… this is Ralph. He wasn’t on the general tour, or at the naming place. But bumping into that garbage hauler on the way back sure paid off, didn’t it?! Mom?

Dawny is seen again on the last page. Using Omni-Perv, the Galaxies Best (and Creepiest) PeekTek, Wildfire checks up on a few characters. Brainy continues looking into Danielle Foccart’s case with a teaser for an upcoming event. We get to see Vi recover. I’d forgotten this panel, and was under the impression she was pretty much ignored until her return. Not so, as we had a mention of her in an earlier issue too. there’s a lead in to the issue’s second story and we see Mysa on Takron Galtos with Cham. I wonder how you design Magic resistant cells?

Giffen would have Mordru use Omni-Perv in v4 to give away details of what loads of Legionnaires were up to without having to go to the bother of building it properly into the story. It was a page I really didn’t care for. But it seems, it wasn’t all his idea

In summary, the main plot didn’t move forward an inch. The Element Lad as write in leader that also repeated itself. The story we got was flawed as the Prophet conveniently forgot he was trying to kill the Legion so he could tell them his origin. Oh, and the Prophet is really trying to save everyone he keeps trying to kill. We still have no explanation of how the Prophet got separated from The Omen. It might still be given, but this holding issue would have been a good place to have it.

Mon-El is set up for a thump to show off how powerful our Plot Powered villain is and six Legionnaires are benched ahead of a future chapter. As the Prophet’s origins relate to a star, I wonder if Dirk, in particular, is only along due to a plot requirement.

Giffen’s use of a single background image overlaid by other panels continues this issue on the first page. However, other uses of it combine a larger background panel, interlinked with smaller, overlapping panels, such as pages 4 and 10. Ambassador Relnic’s head being used for a flashback is a nice design, as is the background of Dawny’s quest also serving for her smaller panel on the same page.

As discussed before, Levitz uses every pause in one scene, to show us what’s going on elsewhere. But there have been a couple of recent occurrences where it just interferes with the pacing. This issue has another example. If the six diplomatic Legionnaires are going to do nothing, then they could be doing nothing in reaction to the action later in the issue. It’s more pronounced here as that plot leads to a further Dawny subplot, rather than returning to the main action. At least the Dawny one transitioned nicely into the main plot.

Giffen’s art moves further away from what it was even an issue ago. Funnily enough, the trademark eye close ups he couldn’t help doing in this period really show the transition of the Prophet from Human into Silver Surfer well . Page layouts veer from splash pages into some with a dozen plus panels. As good, and interesting, as some of the techniques are, there’s some jarring transitions that result in an issue that feels inconsistent.

Reading these comments, I'm reminded that I've always assumed Omen was Levitz's reaction to the Beyonder, but a quick Google search reveals Legion 308 had a February 1984 cover date and Secret Wars 1 a May 1984 one. Funny how memory works.

I was thinking of the Beyonder as I typed away for #207. Actually, I was thinking more of the Beyonder of Secret Wars II. That's for a scene that must be in an upcoming issue. But not much concerning him happens in the issue.

I had Secret Wars as after this one. But I've also read Amazing Heroes preview issues, where they give away plots for months ahead. So it all merges together.

A group of teleported heroes vs a group of teleported heroes fighting for their lives on a world that's a combination of feudal and high technology.... Secret Wars?... or the opening story in the Baxter volume?

308:

Cramey and thoth’s reviews were much more fun to read than the actual issue. Cramey pointed out the endless repetition of themes and character bits. Thoth did a brilliant analysis of the Prophet’s ego trip. These are things I actually *learned* in reading the reviews. The issue itself imparted far fewer lessons—except, perhaps, what not to if your artist needs time off.

As I may have mentioned before, I was raised Catholic, so much of the Prophet’s way of viewing events rings true (at least in the form of the religion I was taught). He knows himself very well and knows he was prideful in accepting a speaking engagement. It makes sense, then, that he interprets the destruction of Trewsk as a result of that sin.

Of course his reasoning is skewed—clergy members accept speaking engagements all the time—but what else is one to do with the enormity of the destruction the Prophet witnessed—of the death his entire “flock”? As I mentioned in a previous post, people create narratives to help us make sense of our lives. This “sense making,” according to Haidt, is necessary for our health and happiness. Another author I’m reading, Krista Tippett, calls these “healing stories.” But there is also an opposite of a healing story, as the Prophet illustrates. He now sees himself as warning the universe about the coming of an even bigger threat. But this role entitles him to reduce Khundian soldiers to dust and to decimate their fleet. Hey, biblical prophets also warned of great calamities. He's just taking the direct approach.

Much of this story has potential insofar as the Prophet’s self-serving and insular view of events could conflict with the Legionnaires’ more secular understandings (e.g., there’s an enormous threat that must be stopped). But the chance to explore this conflict of world views is cut short by the chapter’s abbreviated length and a bunch of the usual battle scenes (such as Mon-El being taken out once again to show how powerful our villain is). Nothing is really advanced in this story or in the various subplots.

The backup story also starts off with an interesting promise but doesn’t travel far in exploring it. The original “Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner” was a brilliant film about culture clashes. This story pays lip service to such clashes in how Durlans are perceived, but nothing is really accomplished and no one grows. The punchline comes down to Marte Allon presenting her new daughter-in-law with a gift she had ordered a month ago—when she first learned through her connections that Gim had married. The question remains as to whether or not Marte learned her son had married a Durlan. It would have been an interesting twist if the gift had been an Imskian birthstone!

Don’t judge people by appearances: this appears to be the moral of the story, but it’s Gim who learns the lesson after prejudging his mother’s reaction. (Not that she gave him much room to doubt since the gift was delivered by SP officers—suggesting official business!) So the whole idea of not prejudging Durlans is turned around into “Don’t prejudge your mother.” Nice, but it sidesteps the cultural conflicts that could have been explored.

Alas, I’m expecting too much from a comic book, it seems. But Levitz and Giffen set the bar very high on their earlier efforts. It’s hard to accept a less-than-adequate continuation of their ideas.

interesting idea. Even though Secret Wars came later, various Marvel and DC creators were known to socialize with each other. Maybe they kept tabs on what each other was doing.

Thank you, kind sir. I do my best.

I think it's fine for a writer to challenge himself or herself by working outside their comfort zone (in Levitz's case, no-nonsense space-opera potboilers such as the excellent 34-page done-in-one Fatal Five story he did in the 70s with Michael Netzer & James Sherman,) but a really good editor would, in my opinion, bluntly tell the writer, "This just isn't very good. I think you should give yourself a different kind of challenge."

Poor guy. Forgotten by the creative team. It won’t be long before he’s imagining deceased fantasy women and wanting to spend time with them. Tinya even pointed out that he was beginning to sound like Lyle.



I just thought it was a bit of an excessive info dump. But then, this is one of those stories that you could go back and re-edit to make it a lot smoother and coherent.

Overall, the flaws in the Prophet, and being able to see where his distorted views come from makes him an interesting character. The story around him isn’t making it as good an introduction as it could have been.



Case in point. Where is the Omen? Off with Jacques somewhere for a while?



Yeah, it was really a holding issue. I’m sure Levitz wanted something a lot better form this one, and I think that’s hinted at or just admitted in later letter cols.



Was it Imra who said she was too much? It’s Nura’s sense of ease that comes across to me. Although her words are superficial, I think it’s Levitz shorthand for her confidence that the obstacles they face can be overcome.

The Star Boy spotlight got me to look back at his earlier appearances. From Nura’s first appearance, it seemed that her powers don’t work in the way we would so often see later. In that, she doesn’t have to pass out when she gets her visions. I’ll need to dig it out again. My point being that her abilities may be fairly active, and that they affect her personality and approach to the world around her.



Having everything in the book go nowhere, reminds me that there was an issue/ annual in the GDS that felt the same. The Shadow Mockery kept getting up to fight etc. In that instance, it was uncertainty over the scheduling of the annual. With the changes surrounding Giffen, I guess it shouldn’t be a surprise to see a similar outcome here.



I got all nostalgic for ‘70s Legion from that page. The wonders of the galaxy. I put on my Mayavale medallion and reached for a Lotus fruit…



I can’t recall the outcome of this one. I keep thinking of Validus trying to bust out.

I’ve not read the back up yet, so will comment later…



It’s that contradiction in believing in something that is unknowable and yet being so certain of his interpretation of it, that I think has a lot to do with the Prophet’s breakdown. His, almost smug, comfort in his duties (as seen when talking to Jacques’ friend) and the structure of the organisation he’s being honoured by aren’t really compatible with actually encountering something he perceives as closer to the heart of the myths his religion may be founded on. Based on what we’ve seen of his previous life, his coping mechanisms have solid foundations in the story.

As you said HWW “what else is one to do with the enormity of the destruction the Prophet witnessed—of the death his entire “flock”?”

That encounter, with a broader universe, destroys the constructs of his life so much that there’s even a visual change into someone who may represent a different religion entirely. There’s a zealotry about his new form that has parallels in various founders of cults or churches in our times. As HWW says, it’s “sense making” along one outcome that’s started off as not being one of the healing stories. Of course, everything’s a journey so that could change.

All of which makes him an interesting character. If only the plot had paced the exploration of it better.

My hypocrite alarm (located on my right shoulder) tells me that I’ve just praised the solid foundation of the Prophet’s backstory while moaning about the info dump. But I mean that you could have the same information provided, just spread across the story.

It’s also (annoying alarm) telling me that it’s the very isolation of the Omen from the key events, that’s allowing me to have a clearer focus on the Prophet and his motivations. I still think we should have seen him split form the Omen, to show why they’re not together.



Even a hint of that through some of the Legionnaires would have added more depth. Good shout HWW.

And I’ll comment on the back up once I’ve read it…

We really don’t know what his motivations are. It’s a confusing message for the reader; I don’t know tif it’s meant to be to keep the suspense up.



I hadn’t thought of it this way before reading your and HWW’s comments, but it’s more a story about Prophet than Omen. It could have been a great character study of a religious man having everything taken from him – i.e. Job – but it wanders around the question and adds the confusion of both Omen (an unknown at this point) and the Khund’s distrust of the Legion.



It gets lost in the monologue, IMO, but it’s a good illustration of the random event versus will of a divine being running the universe.



O ye of little faith.... but this reminds me of that think tank report from the 60s (or 70s?) that proof of extraterrestial life would likely cause widespread religious turmoil. To give Prophet some credit, though, he’s seen his family and home obliterated, which would unhinge anybody.



It wasn’t clear to me at this point whether Omen was saving him for some evil purpose or to warn of some doom, and if that doom was Omen or something else. Of course, we have been given some clues that Prophet is perhaps not so much manipulated as off his rocker (the hallucinations, destroying the Khundian fleet which could fight an approaching enemy), which I didn’t really pick up on.



Interesting idea. Wouldn’t surprise me if Stargrave influenced the creation of this character.



Good point, especially since he just got bashed. I guess he has to be more powerful than the rest of them, only to get slammed again. How the mighty have fallen (I’m getting into prophet-speak myself).



Right. Imra could have communicated telepathically with the team facing Prophet to find out what’s going on.





Opposite of the healing story – I like that. It applies very well to this character.



Lots of potential indeed, somebody should rewrite this story!



Oh boy! That would have been a good twist. It would suggest that Zendak et al were keeping secrets from the President.



The Comic Code Authority and my mom approved this message.



The similarities are astounding, as is the closeness of the publication dates. Just one of these artistic coincidences, or was there something on TV or movies at the time which might have influenced creation of this type of character?

I might just take you up on that!

LoSH 208 Backup

What stands out most for me in this reread, is how much my opinion of Tuska’s art has changed over the years. I probably saw some of his work in black and white Marvel reprints. The first time I noticed his name would have been during his time drawing the Justice League of Detroit. I thought it was a big step backwards from Chuck Patton and George Perez. There were a few really nice panels, such as his depiction of Mera, but I was disappointed. Likewise, I initially thought the art in this story was big step backwards from Giffen and the other Legion artists I was seeing at the time. Which basically just says my comic art appreciation didn’t have many layers to it as a kid. The story not being action oriented probably didn’t help me back then.

This is a character driven story. Looking at the way Tuska easily conveys the emotions of the cast, reminds me of all the artists who need to show us heroes in masked costumes because the reader would otherwise be unable to tell one from the other.

Gim tries to distract himself with exercise, a place we’d see a lot of him in. But there’s no escaping the inevitable. His sweat is of a different kind as he goes to his parents for dinner with a wife they’ve not met. Tuska gives us some nice panels of Gim working through the problem as well as an all action departure one his mind is decided.

Yera has rarely, if ever, looked better. Tuska really gives her an unearthly quality in both dress and facial expression. I can easily imagine that it’s more than just the way Durlans look that makes people uneasy. It’s their presence in a room; their actions and responses.

Gim is worried about the effect his surprise wedding will have on his parents, particularly his mom. He’s not very good at handling a secret (perhaps something going back to his LSV encounter, if not before ). Yera fancies herself as the United Planets’ next big actress. As she impersonated Vi for so long, she’s much better at keeping secrets. Neither have anything on Marte Allon.

It’s tough to distinguish between the impressions of Marte through the story or the revaluation of her at the end. She’s a very interesting character.

Earth President Allon is hard working, focussed and efficient. She’s also snippy to the poor Compusec, but perhaps it’s because of this evening in particular. I’m also willing to let the “united planets will simply have have to do without me as more light hearted than egotistical.

On the other hand, the “this should be a delightful evening” comment loses its warmth to become something more testing by the end. Marte works at more than one level through the story.

Marte loves her son. A lovely expression by Tuska on page 3 is the heart of the story for me. That doesn’t mean that she’s not going to get him to jump through a few hoops.

Marte was always going to test Yera, and that the key part of the story. She’s not letting Gim away with a secret marriage that easily. More importantly, she wants to be sure of Year as a person, and of her suitability for her son. Marte points out the problems Durlans have in the UP, suggests that Gim may be “blinded” due to his friendship with Cham, and the killing of visitors to Durla.

But the relationship she has with Gim is also an important factor. Marte’s expression on page 6, where Gim is clearly looking forward to fun filled life with Yera, is not an altogether kind one. I think it shows a combination of emotions, but does lead to her pushing further on Durlan politics.

By the story’s end, Gim has wrongly suggested that his mother has checked up on Yera that evening. He will no doubt feel suitably guilty for suggesting such a thing, especially considering Marte gives Year a gift. I note that Marte does nothing to counter Gim’s view. This is the counter to that look on page 6, and Gim is brought to heel.

Marte’s jolt at Gim’s arrival could easily be her knowing that her plans for the evening were going to start, and not being entirely sure how it will turn out. Marte appears to be genuinely shocked by the news that he is married. The dropping of the bowl to reinforce the surprise is set up well, but it turns out to have been fake by the end. Or rather it seems to. There’s another relationship in the story; that of Marte and Winn. Sure, Winn seems to be in the background to the seemingly stronger personality of Marte.

But her actions, such as dropping the bowl and the couple’s arrival are for his benefit. He’s not aware of the wedding as she is. Winn’s immediate acceptance of Yera, and more importantly of Gim’s decision, prompts Marte to begin her testing. Winn also compliments Yera on her powers and career. That also brings a response from Marte. Marte was going to put Yera through her paces, but Winn and Gim direct it in a particular way. Winn is also comfortable in supporting Marte’s position. He’s not a single note character in the story, and his knowing smile at Marte’s scheming shows it’s something he’s used to.
The gift, of a Life Crystal Pendant, is a really nice nod back to Gim’s LSV encounter. Year clearly loves it and Gim is genuinely grateful for his parents (particularly mom’s acceptance). More lovely Tuska panels of Yera.

Even at the end we see that complexity in Marte. He husband says that the pendant “convinced them that we accept Yera.” Marte’s response of “I thought it would be the right gesture” shows that her thoughts in picking it, were more than just on an emotional level. It’s not lost on me that every time Gim sees the pendant on Yera, he’ll be reminded of his mother.

Marte’s knowledge of Gim’s wedding came a month before the dinner in this story. She’s had plenty of time to set up the evening and her approach to it. While that could have come across coldly, and things work out as she planned, she still has a few buttons pushed during the proceedings .

The wedding was told to her by the Science Police. Are they monitoring all marriages, everyone on Earth or just Legionnaires? But, unusually in a world with Omni-Cams, perhaps the information got back simply because of the rather noticeable fight between Gim and Dupe(d) Boy shortly after the wedding.

On the Legion, Marte is said to be mellowing towards it. “Somehow they always seem to make matters more difficult, but they do a lot of good.” It’s consistent that the UP are invariably disgruntled towards the group, never having the self awareness to realise that they’re not minions of Mordru or repeating the anti life equation. It was Earthgov promoting who politically inconvenient the Legion were, while glossing over their good works that led us into v4.

I don’t think we see Marte’s assistant, Lopez, again. Was he a spy for Universo/ The Circle/ Mordru or is there a lost tale of his saving Marte from hostile forces?

Back to Tuska, and there’s a surprising amount of background in the panels. Just enough to make the people have an environment, yet never getting in the way. More importantly, he knows exactly when to drop out the backgrounds when there’s a particularly strong emotion to be shown. It’s something he does beyond the dialogue, so its an artist’s choice and he’s spot on every time.

Tuska’s panel composition is clear and easy to follow throughout. But he has his fun, possibly having been given a couple of reference issues. Gim has a couple of close up reaction shots on page 2; Giffen pot plants appear on 2 and throughout the Allon apartment. There’s a longer vertical establishing panel on page 3 that has seen use in recent Legion times. Heads crossing beyond the panel boundary, consistent with recent issues, are on 3 and 6. So Tuska does all of this with hardly anything looking out of place. What’s delightful is that we’ve seen Giffen develop into bringing all of this into his art. For all I know. Tuska could have been doing it forever. It’s clearly not a stretch for him.

Possibly because of his vast experience, it takes Tuska no time at all to go much further. Tuska drops panels on 2,4,6 and particularly 8 to push the reader’s eyes across the pages. Never out of place and always subtlety done. Very nice indeed.

thoth,
That's a really nice analysis of Tuska's contributions to the story. I was never a fan of Tuska--his art did seem to be a letdown from flashier artists. But he knew his stuff and was able to convey a lot of nuance that this quieter story deserved.

Not only do his layouts and backgrounds stand out, but so do his facial expressions, as you pointed out. Winn, in particular, comes through a strongly designed character (bottom of Page 3, for instance, in which his grin and body posture convey confidence and class). The last page, of Marte and Winn in bed, is brilliantly desgined; they seem like a real married couple.

I think I was hasty in my review of the story, above. There is a lot more going on here than I gave Levitz and Tuska credit for. In particular, the story is a careful study in family dynamics, particularly with a powerful mother (who is literally the most powerful person on earth) and a son who underestimates her. There is a lot of loving manipulation going on, as is often the case in families, and clearly defined family roles.

Good point about the title reinforcing stereotypes.



Perhaps it’s the familiarity of being deceived that adds an extra attraction to Yera for Gim. Gim’s upbringing could be full of incidents where his mother has looked out for him, even if it didn’t quite seem like it to Gim at the time.



It’s taken a good part of a month for the dinner to happen. I think there’s a bit of the relationship that gives Gim a little room. Firmly attached by a harness to bring him back in when required. I think that in knowing Gim’s secrets soon after the event, that she instead wondered how and when Gim would break the news to her.



I don’t think it crossed Smitten Kitten Lad’s mind.



I can just see Zendek breaking up a life crystal smuggling ring, just so he can hand one to Marte Like the title, it’s one of those throwaways that makes you really question just how Utopian the place is.

“I’m sure she paid for it.” – Conclusion Jumping Lad.



That’s how I thought I’d see this one, but I was as surprised as a surprised Fatal Five getting a surprise visit from Karate Kid.



Although to be fair, it was mainly the same main story as last time



Marte would have been half way through her points about Imskian hunting and secession rights, before Gim had to remind her.

I wonder how the dinner would have gone if it was before Gim knew of it being Yera? Would the truth have been brought out by Marte, as year didn’t have the depth of background knowledge?

What if it had been Marte investigating, using SP resources like Zendak and Erin, and not Element Lad? The familial, professional and Legion/UP plots would have been interesting.





I was surprised at just how well thought out the relationships were in this one. I read an interview with Giffen where it’s clear that Levitz has a really good grasp of all those little nuances, not just in characters, but their interactions.



Both here, and in JLD, I don’t think that Tuska’s style lent itself to the colourist/ inkers. I’d need to see some of his older work to see if that’s always been the case.



Winn’s a quiet part in the story, but his comfortable caring attitude propels some of the others.



That was a good page, and the last panel with the lights of was a favourite, along with Yera’s entrance; Marte’s caring for her son and the glow from the Life Crystal.



Tornado Lad! (started with He Who Flashes there, before it dawned on me )



That sums it up very nicely.

She does look good. I just noticed here that her antennae are very small and almost recessed into her forehead. It’s the same look as when she was first revealed, but it just struck me in this story.



Her many straight-faced/expressionless panels struck me as curious, as if the artist didn’t particularly like her. But after reading your comments, I’d have to agree and say that she’s more likely hiding her emotions. Sort of like the Queen, always the same fixed smile.



It never occurred to me that Winn was being duped as well! That explains a lot. At this point in Legion history, is Winn Allon identified as a military man – or just Gim’s father/Marte’s husband?



Wow! Would that be a good reminder or a bad reminder?



Going back over this story, I noticed the Three Stooges on the Allon’s television-like thing... and an interesting triangular door.



I really appreciate the emphasis you put on the artwork. It puts the story in a whole new light for me. What’s fun about these rereads is how differently you and HWW sometimes read these issues, compared to my own views. It truly adds to the enjoyment of the reread.

I was wondering that myself. There was a Who's Who in the Legion issue that came out, somewhere in the back end of the Baxter run, with relatives of the Legion. I'll take a look when I'm next in the binders.



A bit of both, at the same time. I think Marte likes it fine that way. A reminder.


I didn't see that. You can hide all the runes you like Giffen! (I didn't spot those either)


I couldn't agree more. There's not an issue that I don't learn something from the other reviews.

#309 Prophet...and Loss/As the Sky Burns by Paul Levitz & Keith Giffen, Larry Mahlstedt Inker, Carl Gafford colours, John Costanza Letters



With Lar down and out, Jo confronts Prophet and tells him to surrender. Prophet rejects this and repeats his warning. Brin loses patience, physically attacks Prophet and is immobilized by lightning bolts. Jo, angered, shoves a section of wall onto Prophet, who responds in kind, causing various war machines to attack the Legionnaires. Tasmia wonders why the Khunds aren’t fighting. Prophet fells the Legionnaires and repeats that they must obey him and prepare to fight Omen.

On the medieval world last seen in #305, the old man who was bid to tell his world to surrender to its new masters is rebuffed by a castle guard.

At Legion HQ, Brainy struggles to free Danielle of Computo, but fails. Computo causes an explosion, knocking him down, but Brainy manages to tranquilize Danielle and render Computo unconscious.

On an uninhabited planet, Omen (i.e. the unknown being which Prophet named Omen) watches a seed pod burst, thinks it is beautiful, then realizes he has lost the human who he transformed. He leaves the planet.

On Khundia, Prophet senses that Omen is coming. So is the rest of the Khundian Star Fleet, with the Legionnaires caught in between. Prophet decides that they must die and begins hurling lightning at them. Above them, Relnic and the Khund diplomat Shadrack see the Legionnaires with Prophet. Relnic convinces him that the Legionnaires are fighting Prophet, but is told that if they don’t leave, it’s war with the U.P.. Relnic calls his team of Legionnaires to help the ones facing Prophet. Each one tries, without success, to find Prophet’s weakness. Jacques notices something about his eyes and tells Tasmia to blind him with darkness. This brings him down, since Prophet was tapping some sun’s energy – and Khundia’s sun is in perpetual eclipse. Suddenly, a giant white eyeless head appears in the sky. It’s Omen.

Back-up: Monarchs of All They Survey by Paul Levitz & Keith Giffen, art by Pat Broderick & Mike DeCarlo, Colors by Carl Gafford, Letters by Todd Klein

Val and Jeckie enjoy their honeymoon on the beach of the Luxuris resort. He worries about the public money spent on this vacation, she doesn’t – and tells him he’ll be leading the quiet life. Jeckie projects attacking knights to relieve Val’s boredom. As he fights the illusion, a Chironian, B’Hanath, watches on a monitor screen, accompanied by Jeckie’s cousin Pharoxx. He’s here for revenge.

Val and Jeckie tussle on the beach, but as they embrace, a monster looms above them. Val brings it down, but Jeckie wonders why the island she rented isn’t private as requested. They fly off to confront management and are attacked by flying fish, which she distracts with another illusion. Clouds have appeared, which put both of them to sleep.

Val is awakened by Pharoxx, who challenges him to a one-on-one fight. Val manages to turn his magic against him; Pharoxx disappears into a fiery void, crying “They’re taking me” and shouting threats. Neither Jeckie nor Val understand what happened to him and decide to resume their honeymoon.

Comments: This is the Doom is Coming issue, not just with Prophet on Khundia, but threats against Orando and an unruly Computo promise trouble ahead.

How much time has elapsed over the last two issues? I have a sense that it’s been perhaps only an hour – and we’re finally getting to the main event, the arrival of Omen. Up until that point, there’s just been some throwing Legionnaires about and repeating doom and gloom.

Once again, Jacques comes through with a key insight. He’s the only one that notices the sun in Prophet’s eyes and has the sense to get Tasmia as the best person suited to deal with it. She doesn’t question him, which indicates to what degree he’s earned the trust of his teammates. We were told in a previous issue that Khundia lived in twilight, but I didn’t make the connection that Prophet was created by some solar power and was running on it.

The diplomatic situation on Khundia has worsened, although the threats seem to lack urgency. The only sense I got that the situation is terribly delicate is the acceptance of Relnic’s Legionnaires to remain inactive.

We get to see Omen, a faceless humanoid who seems childlike, fascinated with nature. Not exactly the portrait of doom as drawn by Prophet, which complicates the story. I’m can’t really say if I thought this was an interesting complication, a diversion from Omen’s true nature/mission or just WTF? Think of the destruction a simple-minded child like Validus causes and Omen picking flowers might not seem so innocent. As for Omen’s giant face in the sky at the end – that sort of thing always makes me groan, although I guess it’s just shorthand for omnipotent being.

Two sub-plots get updates: Computo is still active in Danielle and the medieval world does not want to hear about any new masters. The latter, which will turn out to be the deadly takeover of Orando by the LSV, is played for laughs here. The old man is a prophet as well, sent to deliver a message from a more powerful being – and getting a very different reception than Prophet. It’s a simple scene, but makes one think how you can be laughing one day and face disaster the next.

The back-up also advances the Orando sub-plot. Pharoxx is alive, apparently working for/with somebody and wants the throne. He’s disabled by Val, but is yanked into some void, presumably to fight another day. Jeckie seems strangely unperturbed.

After the attack, Val makes more noise about modernizing Orando, to which the Queen continues to be firmly resistant. Probably would have become a bone of contention if the marriage had continued.

We meet another horse-guy from the same race of Chironians as Nullport manager H’hranath, with the same wheeler-dealer, somewhat shady character. Must be a fun planet.

Hugs back to both of you. You spot things I would never think of.

Getting to read these old stories and learn something new about them is often the highlight of my week.

LoSH 309

Cover: Last issue we had Mon El racing towards a Khundian armoury. He’s more cautious for the cover of #309. The Prophet is being positioned as a foe not to be trifled (or tiramisued) with, as the unconscious forms of Brin and Rokk attest. It’s a tense cover, with energy crackling around the hands of the Prophet and Garth. Giffen does a good job in having the Prophet be the central figure, but have his hands reach to either side of the Legion logo; a hint that he wants to destroy it? A nice collection of rubble gives us the sense of destruction while taking up the bottom half of the cover. That allows for a plain, yet bloody sky to sit behind the logo. The effective typeface of “Prophet and loss” reinforces the change form the pastor to the Prophet.

But is it the Prophet that’s making the Legion apprehensive, or is it the shadow of the Omen we can see on his cloak?

The splash page has a posturing Jo telling the Prophet to stop his warnings. Jo’s costume looks dated, and he reminds me of the Golden Age wrestler-build super heroes. It’s not just that Jo feels the Legion are capable of dealing with the threat (nice “so are we” in there). He just doesn’t want another issue wasted with the Prophet just standing there.

But a rerun is what we get. Shady dodges energy blasts; Brin (whose acrobatic fighting style is shown well) attacks directly and get thumped and we at least “see” Jacques being told to get out of the way, rather than just vanishing. Tinya gets to effectively use her powers again, but then she’s been getting a lot of practice against the same threat for a few issues. As with previous encounters, the Prophet’s Plot Powers win out. So, the reader is reminded of his strength and that the Omen is coming. Again. Just as this plot is about to finally move forward… we switch to events on Orando.

An elderly man (the one who survived the attack on a village in a previous issue?) asks the residents of a castle to surrender. He’s told that he’s mad and the door remains closed. A shadow of one of the those he now serves stands behind him.

While the Prophet plot is in an extended loop, I could have done with another page of this. A single page doesn’t seem to move things forward. It’s only at the end of the book, that it ties in with the second story. Also, having further action would give away the surprise of who’s behind the old man. That would spoil the start of the Baxter run. As I didn’t get the Baxter run, this probably seemed like a plot that didn’t go anywhere fast either. It would be a year before the newsstand issues caught up. Looking at it now, I wonder if all of these scenes would form part of a TPB of the Baxter run. It seems unlikely given the format differences, but it is the same plot.

Instead of giving things away, Levitz tells us in the cations that Orando is under siege. This castle could be one of the last standing, or free. I imagine those responsible didn’t want to destroy it, if they were planning to use it as a base.

Nothing from Omen yet, so it’s time for another subplot. Brainy’s attempted cure for Danielle isn’t going to plan. At least he’s installed a tranquiliser to prevent Computo from escaping in her body. He nearly doesn’t get to subdue her though. An automated system Brainy? For all the times Brainy provides plot solutions at the drop of a hat, it’s good to see him struggle with a problem.

The Omen appears in the next scene. This is the one that reminded me of the Beyonder from Secret Wars II. He’s cosmic in scope; his intentions are unknown and he may be a witness or the cause of transformations around him. As the alien space shoal seemed to be heading to Trewsk’s sun, I read into it that the solar prominences were going to occur anyway. It was part of that species migratory path to bathe in the light from that sun. The research station was there because of unusual, but existing solar occurrences in that system.

If that’s so, the Omen may only be an observer (not to be confused with The Watcher or The Monitor or his aunty). He seems pleased at a transformation he sees, but is it simple pleasure in nature’s beauty or at his own handiwork? He may get inspiration from some events to perform his own transformations. It’s confirmed that he did change the Prophet. Noticing the Prophet’s absence is what sends him in the direction of Khundia.

The Prophet is a bit of a self-fulfilling one. He warns everyone about a forthcoming doom, but he’s the one responsible for bringing it, however unintentionally. His contradictory actions in warning/ attacking potential allies certainly puts everyone on a war footing against the Omen when it finally arrives.

Having bored the Legion senseless, The Prophet then blames them for delaying him and is about to attack. There’s a pause of a moment… and Levitz is pushes his luck by having a subplot within it. It’s almost more of a flashback, but one that could have been put in earlier. It’s not been a story that has gathered momentum, and this doesn’t help.

Ambassador Relnic confers with the Khunds regarding the threat. The Khunds warn him to do nothing, but Relnic decides on another course of action. Just as well, as the Legionnaires being attacked by the Prophet are rooted to the spot. Unusual for them, but handy for the plot as Blok turns up to absorb the blast. Noticeably the blast damages his form, something Giffen will have lots of fun with.

“Only those who stand by me against him shall survive,” says the Prophet. Not that he’s given anyone much of an option. Each of the Legionnaires attacks Mr Plot Device to no avail. But Jacques, resuming his knack for pushing stories forward as he did in the GDS, spots something the others don’t. It’s a character trait developed so that he isn’t spending the stories ducking out of the way of debris.

He concludes that the Prophet is absorbing solar radiation to fuel his powers. Giffen’s use of close ups means that the Prophet’s eyes get a lot of foreshadowing (before their shadowing tee hee) As Khundia is perpetually dark, he must be doing this remotely. Jacques gets Shady to fire shadows into the Prophet’s eyes.

Shady might have discovered this for herself, but she’s the member shown not using her powers (well, Dram Girl) on the previous page. Can’t have her preventing Jacques figuring it out. I’m all for everyone finding their niche, but it could have been written to strengthen both characters. Firing shadows into people’s eyes would be used when Shady next meets the Persuader.

It’s a twist on taking down a villain’s power source, done well due to Khundia’s established history. A weakened Prophet still warns everyone in earshot (until thumped by Jo) about the Omen… who appears in the skies! Well, his giant glowing head does anyway. Everyone seems to gasp “ I thought you’d be a bit smaller! and “I can see right up his nostril…of Space!” What the Omen will/won’t do is left for the finale, as the main story is 13 pages this issue. The All powerful Plot Powered Prophet’s abilities go out like a light switch, when it’s very convenient to have him out of the way.

There are lots of interesting pages of Giffen art. He settles into having small reaction shots of faces within the scenes. He extends this to having the borders of such panels convey emotion, such as the Prophet on page 10. Lots of points for this approach, in a time where there were a lot of thought bubble around. He uses panel size to convey action too, such as Danielle falling unconscious on page 6 (she looks green in my copy from the gas, I wonder if anyone thought it was Brainy falling asleep, particularly as it follows a panel where he slumps down). This issue, he also uses those reaction-faces to move the reader’s eyes around. An example is page 2 with the Prophet on page 2. His face is to the left of Jos and then overlaps with it to move the reader right and down.

On page 4 Giffen uses the panel shapes almost as story arrows, narrowing and broadening them as appropriate, and also combines overlapping with every one.

On page 7 the unnamed planet sits to one side of two horizontal panels, one showing its position in space and the second the Omen walking on it’s surface. I really liked that one. Giffen must have, as I notice he also uses it on page 6. Partly that’s because, having established the scene, Giffen can then use the close ups he’s so fond of without losing any of the sense of place. The last panel mirrors the use of the planet in the first, changed only to take a light out from the page and across into the next. Nicely done, even if the planet can’t be right on the bottom right for symmetry.

Page 8 gives us a top down view over Khundia’s capital, that Giffen used as far back as the GDS. It doesn’t look as crisp here as it did then though.

A couple of pages work a little less well, Page 9 is a page within a single larger panel. It’s different, but looks a bit forced. There’s the thought bubble that falls out of the panel, which lessens the effect further.

Page 11 has a nice design; 10 panels of Legionnaires surrounding the Prophet. But the effects we see crossing over into the Prophet don’t match the Legionnaires’ powers. The bottom four actually move the story along. But having the Prophet appear again detracts from his central presence, and there creates lots of contrary energy effects. I do like the idea though.

Long horizontals and verticals make a reappearance, as more than just establishing shots. Shady’s shadow beam’s going into the Prophet’s eyes on page 12 benefits form the panel, as does Jo punching the Prophet into the air on page 13. I also liked the Prophet standing in the flaming ruins on page four, even as the opening panel on 10 doesn’t work too well.

Since I found something interesting, and mainly positive, in the design on every page, I’d have to say that there were a lot more hits than misses. Mahlstedt and Gafford also do a very good job this issue, but I’m not sold on the changes to Giffen’s basic pencilling.

The changes in the art, and the upcoming schedule clearly still impact the story. The main plot has moved from an “Omen is coming” in the first scene to “He’s here!” in the last, which isn’t a huge amount of progress, considering we’ve already been waiting for a while.

308 First Story (“As the Sky Burns”)

I think it helps me to do what thoth did and review the two stories separately so I can allow each to flourish or flounder under its own merits.

Speaking of floundering, when I opened the book to Page 1, I immediately knew something was amiss. This is just about the ugliest rendering of Legionnaires I can recall. The whole image is off, from Ultra Boy’s foreshortened arm to the indistinct flame and wreckage lines in the background. Shadow Lass resembles a kabuki dancer, and Timber Wolf looks as if he should have gone to the bathroom before they left Corvan. At least Phantom Girl’s face conveys some nuance. It’s hard to believe this is the same artist who drew the GDS and other recent issues.

Elsewhere in the story, the old Giffen returns, especially on the Orando page (p. 5); dig the castle, for example, and the surrounding hillside. This panel alone is well-rendered, atmospheric, and even beautiful.
Other panels and pages are a mixed bag. I did enjoy the innovative approach of showing the Prophet in the center of Page 11, unmoved as the Legionnaires assault him from the surrounding panels. Unlike the 16-panel grid of the previous issue, this page gave us something clear to focus on, and it was easy to follow the action.

As for the story, the major plot development consists of the first true appearance of Omen, the guy/thing/doom the Prophet has been warning us about for three issuesnow. When I first read this story, I thought the intent was to create an alien that was so alien-like, his motivations and even speech patterns were undecipherable. I think this is still the intent, but I’m also seeing a different angle from Omen’s introductory page (page 7). He seems childlike in his wonder of nature and annoyance in the disappearance of the human he’s taken as a “toy.” I wonder if that the intent was to create a child-like alien who was so far above us that human beings seem like play-things. Omen, meet Trelane, squire of Gothos.

In fact, the narrative captions on the page seem unnecessary. They distract the reader by telling us Omen’s “feelings . . . are unknowable—his response is not.” This is one of those cases where I would have preferred to make my own interpretation.

I agree with Cramey that the image of Omen’s head looming large over the Legionnaires is groan-worthy—especially since Omen’s appearance isn’t all that impressive. If you’re going to design a truly alien alien, don’t make him look like a bald guy with no eyes.

In the meantime, a bunch of other stuff happens in the story—some of it good, some of it unremarkable. Among the former, Jacques once again demonstrates how valuable he can be by figuring out the means to defeat the Prophet. (I also got a kick out of his use of French confusing Phantom Girl.) Among the latter, the Computo interlude goes nowhere except to remind us that Brainy is still trying to cure Danielle. (Actually, this subplot will bear fruit in a subsequent issue, but, as I recall, it makes a mockery of one of the Legion’s deadliest and most fearsome enemies.)

One other aspect of “As the Sky Burns” merits mention. Upon being informed by the Khund ambassador that the Legionnaires should leave Khundia immediately, Ambassador Relnic does the exact opposite: He orders more Legionnaires into the fray. It’s one of those super-hero decisions (“We know what’s right, and we’re going to do what’s right even if the authorities don’t agree.”) that wouldn’t improve real-world diplomacy between the UP and Khundia. Relnic might have ordered the Legionnaires out—that would have allowed him and the UP to save face—and they may have refused because they, after all, are the super-heroes, not him. I’m not sure what the best response would have been, but it’s one of those things that jumps out at me, as a reader now 35 years removed from the original reading, as less cut and dried than depicted.

It was a nice bit of foreshadowing on Levitz's part.

Thoth's post made me realize that this bit was probably intended to give Jacques something to do. As a Legionnaire whose only power (so far as we know yet) is invisibility, he really doesn't have much to do in this story except stay out of the way. It's a tried and true way of showing everybody has something to contribute. If only it worked that way in real life . . .



Good catch about Omen being childlike. You made me think maybe that was Levitz's intention all along.



Good point about the old man being a prophet. I hope the LSVers were kind to him and gave him a swift death for his failure.



Excellent point. There is so much in this story we take for granted--that Omen is the threat he appears to be, that he caused the destruction on Trewsk--and the only evidence we have is the Prophet's word. If this story had gone differently, we might have found that Omen was indeed just a bystander--a child-like alien who intrigued by a human "toy" which approached him and decided to modify the toy (e.g., grant him powers) to make it easier to play with . . . or perhaps Omen tried to save the Trewsk outpost and somehow failed. There were so many possibilities for Omen to challenge our assumptions about who/what he was.



"I'm going to save your soul, even if I have to kill you to do it." -- the mantra of missionary zealots everywhere.

Have you ever read The Poisonwood Bible by Barbara Kingsolver? It provides a particularly chilling example of the above.



Interesting typo. Short for Dramamine Girl? Maybe that's her real power: preventing the others from getting motion sickness in a story that doesn't move anywhere.



To me, her features were distinctly African and consistent with her other closeups, so there was no confusion.

Good points about the various pluses in Giffen's art this time. We can see he put a lot of thought into the panel arrangements and what would be in those panels.

Good point on that overall darkness approaching the team. I had been looking at all the subplots separately, so hadn’t been joining the dots (or, as they say in the Legion, I couldn’t see the wood for the Chameleon Boy’s showing off to Supergirl). That tone does lend itself to the start of the Baxter run.







I much prefer thinking your version than Tasmia having to be there only because her powers were needed for the plot. I remember an earlier (Levitz?) story with Blok having to be there for blatant plot purposes.



I think that the comedy interlude with the Khundian and Blok really undermined the diplomacy subplot. The tension, which I’m sure has a payoff before the end of the story, was diffused by that scene. I get the feeling that these diplomatic missions are ongoing, with both empires using their influence along the fringes. Failures in negotiations might not always mean all out war, although the Khundians are overly aggressive, but worlds on the edges might be attacked on a regular basis. That undermines the UP and removes buffers to other worlds.



I did like that the Omen’s innocent nature is at complete odds with the Prophet’s rantings. With the readers having seen the Omen on Trewsk, we’ve seen that he wasn’t definitely a threat there. The Legionnaires, might be more wary though, not having that information.



No, it might not. I’m currently in the “Give Omen a break” camp. so, I’ve not been picking up the threat behind the innocence so clearly. The Omen is very interested in transformation. Trewsk’s sun; possibly the aliens; the plant and the Prophet. But having witnessed it, does it then want to do a bit of transformation by itself? Actually, that reminds me of Jan Arrah as the Progenitor. Alone for such a long time, he saw life forms emerge and then started changing them. Perhaps Jan is that universe’s version of The Omen?




I really like the idea of the old man as a parallel prophet, Cramer. That adds a lot of depth to the story.



He would have been Flattened By Shuttle Lad earlier in the story if real life had peeked in Mind you, that would have just led to a show down to see whether Flattened By Shuttle Lad or Ron Karr got admitted into the Legion.



The old man was snogged to death by Sun Emperor



You’re right. I’m seeing him less of a being that’s child like, and more like a being with a perspective that’s moved past civilisations, such as the squabbles shown in the story between the UP and the Khunds, towards naturally occurring wonders.







I haven’t. Does it get a HWW recommendation as a good read?





Nura Nal looked out at the purple clouded islands that dotted the bay towards the horizon. While the curve of her world limited the distance she could see, there were no such barriers when it came to her vision through time. Nura knew that she would have to leave her pampered life on New Caledonia. She had seen her precognitive powers helping the Legion defeat the growing darkness that threatened to engulf the galaxy.

But how would she be able to help them with more immediate threats? How could she develop her powers to shift to different levels of consciousness? She drew on the heritage of her Celtic ancestors, and gave a small laugh at having missed the obvious solution. She would become blind drunk and pass out!

Thus Dram Girl, with her utility belt of Whisky Miniatures would not only join the Legion, she would lead it! When not recovering from a hangover, that is.

Jimmy Olsen #87: In “The Magic Circle” the legion are investigated the Satan Sorcerer, who is really a brainwashed Clark Kent. Dram Girl’s slurred request to see a Big Trick is misinterpreted, leading to a battle between Giant Turtle Olsen and Colossal Boy. Following this, the victorious Olsen would start wearing Gim’s costume in his own time.

Action Comics #364: Supergirl travels to the future to find the Legion in a dream like state. “The Dream Dates of Dram Girl” reveals that Nura has entered the minds of her friends to erase memories of a particularly embarrassing drunken weekend. Nura would spend time in the Subs after this story, along with a smitten Star Boy.

LoSH v3 #64: Following the Magic Wars, “Breakdowns” continues with Earthgov taking advantage of the absence of key Legionniares. Cham is rebuilding Brande Inc, Brainy has been summoned to Colu and Nura has finally checked into clinic for therapy and detox. Is it the end for Dram Girl?

Yes, I recommend The Poisonwood Bible. I read it at least 15 years ago and still remember it vividly. That says something.

Dram Girl would have been such a valuable asset to the Legion. It's a shame they included a sobriety clause in their constitution, thanks to Brainy and his kono juice . . .

Thanks. I’ll add it to my list.



Having a member with the codename “Kono” in v4 was a clear attempt to capture the Dram Girl fan base. But Kono never had adventures like…

Legion Annual 4 (1993) – Lamprey and Dram Girl investigate the extent of Dark Circle control over Tellus’ secessionist homeworld, only to fight the bio-engineered aquatic horror of… The Sturgeons!

(a bit of local politics there, for Dram Girl's Caledonian roots )

Kono -- must be the 30th century equivalent of naming a girl Brandy or Tequila.

309, Second Story (“Monarchs of All They Survey”)

The opening caption confused me as to when this story takes place. It states that Jeckie and Val are “officially on leave” from the Legion, yet they resigned when they married. The phrase “for several weeks prior to their wedding” also suggests this is an untold tale from the recent past. Yet there’s no reason for it to be. V and J are simply on their honeymoon, as the caption also states.

Some honeymoon. Their marital bliss is interrupted by a difference of opinion, an old foe, and some really bad hairstyles. (Where did Pat Broderick study? The Cosmetology School of Department Store Mannequins?) Jeckie’s hair even changes length, but, when you’ve got the power of illusion, why not? Maybe the thin body is also an illusion to cover up her “hedonistic” indulgences.

As for Val, he appears to have learned a few illusion tricks himself. Not once in this story does he look even vaguely Asian. Mostly, he looks like a typical Hollywood leading man, though some close-ups are more natural than others.

Anyway, the story is nothing special. Our heroes are attacked by Pharoxx, who wants revenge for losing the throne of Orando. He arranges for Jeckie to lie around unconscious so he can fight Val mano-a-mano (an appearance by Mano—or two of him—would have been interesting). Val wins, of course, and Pharoxx is spirited away by whatever forces he was working with. His final threat—that Jeckie would see Orando in ruins—now comes across as subtle foreshadowing, not the empty threat it first appeared to be. (One of the unexpected pleasures of re-reading these current stories is noting the various clues leading up to the LSV War.)

Jeckie and Val are once again shown to be at odds in terms of personality. He wants to modernize Orando; she doesn’t. She uses their tiff as an excuse to create a battle illusion to keep him busy. We learn she has no qualms about spending the Orando treasury on her honeymoon. Really, these two are more egotistical and willful than Nura ever was; at least they’re evenly matched.

And, oh yes, we’ve got another horse-like alien. Every time one of these creatures appears, it throws me out of the story. The LSH of this era was growing up, becoming serious, and even addressing thought-provoking themes (as we’ve discussed in our Omen reviews). Cutesy horse aliens detract from all that.

I would like to say that this story is haunting to read in light of what lies ahead, but it isn’t. It doesn’t tell me anything new or interesting about the doomed lovers, Jeckie and Val. It just doesn’t really do anything at all.

What got me was that the castle seemed rather relaxed for a planet under siege. They actually opened the door to the old man, albeit not too wide, and just dismissed him. No sense of urgency or danger.



Yes, it’s rare that Brainy meets his intellectual match.



I hadn’t considered that he was changing the flowers, but given what he did to the Prophet, he could well have been playing around with nature.



Ah! A trick she picked up from Jacques’ suggestion, no doubt. Of course Jacques needed something to do, but a character whose power is shadow-casting should have been more attuned to what light is doing.



If it were the Subs, someone surely would have commented on the nostril – of Space.



I thought it was Brainy at first, because of the green and the slump, although a second look clearly shows Danielle’s face.



As before, I enjoy all the art details you point out!



I wonder if this was a page meant for a different story/issue or drawn at an earlier time.




The human as toy is a good comparison. When Omen realized Prophet was gone, it was almost like a kid realizing his dog has wandered off.



It didn’t strike me at the time, but what we read in English is really Interlac that they’re speaking. So the French expressions would be even further removed from the common language (although I recall that Jacques used the word “dangereuse” earlier on, and was understood to be saying dangerous; maybe some words are more recognizable).



Good point. Relnic isn’t going to be pushed around by the Khunds, even on their own planet – and likely realizes that he himself may face consequences for his decision, especially if it all goes wrong.




Agreed, they really don't come off very well, especially Jeckie. They deserve their hairstyles!



At least he wasn't a giant horse head in the sky....



Dram Girl - woo-hoo! The gritty, fight 'em in the streets Legionnaire! Not to be confused with a Saint Bernard.

Good catch. This is another instance, I think, where captions are unnecessary. They even detract from the scene by giving information that is not supported by the art. If the captions were removed, we would understand perfectly well what's going on.



Now that we have the miracle that is Google Translate, I've typed in some of Jacques' expressions to find out what they really mean. I've found this quite illuminating.





Now I can't get that image out of my mind.

LoSh 309 Backup

A nice, relaxing splash page shows two Legionnaires on their honeymoon. The warm, tropical day, that can be seen behind a swimsuit clad Jeckie putting on suntan lotion, seems to draw the reader into the story.

As the main feature seems to be a re-tread of the previous issue, this back up is too similar to the storyline from 286 and 288. Pharoxx defeating the heroes, only to then be bested in single combat by Val is the same. Giffen’s art made the feudal world of Orando stand out in previous issues. It gave Pharoxx and Hagga added threat as you could see what sort of world they came from. As a lone foe on a luxury island, Pharoxx comes across as a vengeful ACME villain, easily beaten by his own magic. There’s nowhere for him to go after this, and it’s not surprising he didn’t make another appearance. The foes who take him away, are hinted at ominously. Pharoxx doesn’t want to be taken back to whoever freed him from prison and he makes a prediction of Orando in ruins.

The one thing I thought Jeckie and Val would do, was to find out why Pharoxx was freed and get back to Orando immediately. They’ve been on a honeymoon for several weeks according to the opening caption. But they are unconcerned about a usurper being let loose with prophecies of doom(That’s three prophets in this issue.)

But having them check on the world they now rule, would have really put a spanner in the works of the Baxter series. They can’t go back yet, and it’s a shame that their sense if duty is dulled in their last extended period of time together.

Apart from that, their relationship still stands out. They bicker, play and enjoy each other’s company. We see the side of Jeckie that isn’t presented with royal duties or Legion threats. She enjoys her position and the comforts it brings. Val, his skills requiring constant honing, is the one slightly uncomfortable with a life of luxury.

They also have differing opinions on the technology levels on Orando. Jeckie wants it to remain the same, while Val considers bringing in some basic upgrades. Technological changes will be the first thing they see when they return home, and this conversation leads nicely into that. They could have been written to return to Orando and out of the Legion universe, but it’s not to be.
The significance of this back up story would be a bit lost on me by the time I got around to getting this issue and the newsstand Baxter story was released. But there are strong, steady beats leading from their induction into the Legion, through their courtship and into that story.

On a deserted island, there’s not a lot of background in many of Broderick’s panels. Mike Decarlo, on inking duties, takes off a lot of the ragged nature of Broderick’s earlier Legion work and keeps the overall look as smooth and consistent as he can.

With only four characters in the story, the couple get a lot of panel time. Page 7 is particularly nice, using the story to give us a lovely picture of the pair while keeping things moving. I’ve always quite liked the effects in this one. There’s a few on the final page, with a favourite being Pharoxx surrounded by the crackling, dark energy of his own making.

Comments on comments!



I only picked up the threat level in this reread. Up until now I thought they were just starting out knocking on castle doors.

At Castle Pharoxx, the LSV seek shelter and allies…

LSV: “If he will give us food and shelter for the night, he can join us in our quest for the Holy Grail.”

Doorkeeper: “Well, I’ll ask him. But I don’t think he’ll be very keen. He’s already got one.”



If it were the Subs of this period, they’d end up using Space Nose as a form of transportation, and a HQ.

Come to think of it, wasn’t Stargrave’s nose bitten off in a Subs issue by Tenzil? An early go at having a Space Nose HQ?



That’s interesting (points lost for Giffen). I had thought it was Danielle all the way through. Then, just as I was looking at Giffen’s panel progression in dim light, I saw the green tone a bit more prominently. And the slump led from that.




The cityscape view on page 8 is just like those from the GDS. He can still do all of that, he just prefers not to. There was a long vertical panel, establishing a building, in a recent issue,. Before, it would have been a clean, gleaming spire full of detail. Now, it was a grubby featureless edifice. That’s the way it’s gone.




Oooh,.. Cramer has just given us a way for The Legion of Superpets to return!



I didn’t pick up on HWW’s comment first time. But it’s interesting to speculate how the story would have gone if Relnic had ordered the Legion out. In some scenarios, there’s a chance that the Khunds could have been removed as a threat. How many lives would that have saved?



… takes Gallop Girl out of upcoming Bits story >sniff<



Oooh… Cramer’s just give Dram Girl her sidekick during her struggles through the Five Year Gap! A talking, often bipedal Saint Bernard! With “Saint” in his name he could even be another failed Prophet of a returned Omen!

#310 Omen by Paul Levitz & Keith Giffen, Larry Mahlstedt Inker, Carl Gafford colours, John Costanza Letters



The Legionnaires are stunned by the arrival of Omen, who looms above them in a white robe and flowers. Imra tries to read his mind but only gets images; at Nura’s suggestion, she reads Prophet’s mind, and only gets “Omen”. Omen sends out a power beam, which Blok, Lar and Jo try to stop, but it surrounds Prophet.

On Earth, Jan and Shvaughn play a game which ends with a kiss. That’s interrupted by Zendak looking for Jan and telling him that there’s a mess on Khundia and, as leader, he has to get the Legionnaires out of there. Jan realizes that he really is leader and dashes off.

On Khundia, Lar tries to keep Prophet away from Omen as Dream Girl calls for a plan. Jo won’t wait and flies into Omen, only to be powerfully repelled. Prophet pleads to be kept from Omen. The Legionnaires try to blast Omen, but fail. Relnic appears as a holo-projection and tells them to leave immediately or the Khunds will declare war.

At Legion HQ, Brainy works on the Computo/Danielle problem, but is distracted by other tasks and thoughts of Kara. Wildfire arrives to tell him that all Legionnaires are needed for the Khundia problem; Brainy refuses, angering Wildfire.

Prophet asks Omen what he wants with him and is told that Omen pursues all that is strange and wonderful. Something else else attracts Omen’s attention. Tinya is trying to get through an energy dome, but passes out; Prophet is commanded to do something to her. The Legionnaires bicker with Relnic, but hearing Tinya scream, fly to her. They are stopped by Khunds who order them off planet and fire on them. Rokk manages to make a hole in the energy dome and is dismayed when he looks inside.

Jan and Wildfire depart for Khundia with a U.P. escort.

On Khundia, Relnic continues to receive threats from Shadrack. On the ground, Legionnaires enter the energy dome and see a Negaton Bomb. Prophet is being absorbed by Omen, who can now speak and delivers a blow, knocking out all the Legionnaires – except for Nura. She’s inside the controls for the Negaton bomb, thanks to her prophetic power. The bomb is set off, sucking Omen out of their dimension. In the space where the dimensional warp formed, Nura sees Lyle Norg, who claims that he’s not dead.

Epilogue: the ambassadors squabble among themselves, but the Gil’Dishpan sides with Relnic that the Khunds acted in bad faith. Relnic tells Shadrack that the Legionnaires won’t help them in the future and walks out.

Comments:
“Keep your eyes from weeping and your voice from tears, for your work shall be rewarded, saith the Lord” (the prophet Ezekiel, as quoted by Linus van Pelt) – and we arrive at the end of the Prophet/Omen saga.

The action seemed muddled to me. I suppose it would truly have been hectic and confusing had this been a real confrontation, but I found some of the story elements hard to follow e.g. where did the energy dome come from (Omen, I guess) and why was Tinya the only one in it? There’s more of the attack scenes we’ve seen repeated in the previous two issues, but now with more Legionnaires. I did think the sense of confusion came across with Relnic arguing with the Legion, the Khunds joining in and Omen’s undecipherable language, but some of the confusion just seemed to be based in the way the story itself was told. The artwork clearly shouted chaos with many panels like shards of broken glass.

At this point, the Prophet reminds me of weepy Sodam Yat. Lucky for him the Legion has a no-kill policy, since it would have been tempting to plug the guy just to shut him up. Or was he killed? Lar punched him into space above Khundia, although Prophet said that Omen had absorbed his knowledge and emotions. I got the sense that the Prophet and Omen were combined in the end, but presumably there’s a body somehwere above Khundia, even though Omen’s visage is half-Prophet at the end.

Omen’s language is indecipherable, although Prophet understands it. Why are the Legionnaires protecting Prophet from Omen? After all the trouble Prophet has caused, why figure the guy in the white robe with flowers is the enemy, based on what the nutter said? In any event, I’m still not sure if Omen came to warn about the bomb or just wander around the universe; he himself seems to question what’s happening when the bomb is revealed. Yet he levels the Legionnaires, saying that they shouldn’t interfere with his experiment. What experiment? We neither learn whence he came nor where he went, let alone why.

The bomb is a classic superhero comic book type of bomb, which means I don’t understand what it was supposed to do – and it doesn’t really matter. Nura displays her precog and scientific abilities by figuring out what to do with it. She’s still acting very leader-like and does maintain her cool throughout – unlike Jo, who acts and attacks impulsively.

The Khunds wind up with egg on their faces. They lose points for messing with nasty secret weapons while peace talks are proceeding. They don’t have to worry about sanctions, though; that only happens in our world. It helped to have the Gil-Dishpan side with Relnic. I wondered where the Dominators were in all this. The bomb was a surprise, thought, which doesn’t say much for any covert information gathering that the U.P. might have been conducting. (If Cham had caught wind of this when he was on Khundia, he could have been a hero.) Instead, we have two more Legionnaires and a U.P. escort fleet approaching Khundia, which could have gotten messy if the bomb hadn’t been discovered. That scene was left hanging; presumably, both sides were told to stand down. Only two Legionnaires, but pretty powerful ones – Jan and Wildfire – in a more streamlined story, they might have been effectively thrown into the fray. As the story stands, their presence would just have added to the mess.

Lyle Norg is back! Or not; we’ve been fooled before. Maybe he’s Omen transformed!! (just kidding) This Lyle does seem more real, but knowing how it turns out.... this will be his third “return to life” - as an exploding clone (with Ferro Lad), in the spirit realm that Jacques found and now this. He’ll also come back as a spirit conjured up by Projectra and a zombie in 5YL. The reboot can’t get here fast enough for fans of Lyle Norg.

Elsewhere... Shvaughn makes her move, Jan finally accepts that he’s Legion leader, Brainy continues to work on the Computo problem and think of Kara, Wildfire goes hot as he loses his temper with Brainy. Not much happens, but these scenes remind us that there are developments to come. The scenes themselves were like a gulp of fresh air amid the chaos on Khundia.

LoSH 310

The cover picks up from the last panel of 309; the giant face of The Omen threatening the Legionnaires: the three founders, Blok and Dream Girl. The Omen has an unusual, eyeless face, and his mental powers are so great that even Saturn Girl looks threatened by them. Omen dominates the cover, and those mental powers conveniently split into segments, creating a regular pattern across the cover. The Legionnaires are arranged in a clock-like formation, as we’ve seen Giffen doing at least as far back as the first annual. Overall, a good cover that has the desired effect of drawing in this reader.

“Omen is Here!” says the cover, having to drop the “…and his dinner is cold! Where has he been?” for space (of more than one type ) reasons.

The other bit of cover blurb tells us “and the Legionnaires will never be the same!” I blinked at that for a moment, as I could only think of Blok getting fried as little. Then I recalled that this was supposed to be a three issue story, and that this was probably the cover that would incorporate events from at least a couple of them. So, the founders are on it because of Imra’s pregnancy from last issue. Blok will go through regular changes from this issue. Dreamy’s tenure as leader comes to an end this issue, which is why she’s on there. Two of the three not being connected to The Omen is pushing their luck a bit though

The story starts with a figure standing threateningly over Khundia, with Legionnaires ready to attack. At least it’s a different figure this issue! Imra can’t read The Omen’s mind but, at Nura’s suggestion, she tries to read the unconscious Prophet.

The Omen seems interest only in retrieving the Prophet. The retrieval energy beams he sends out can’t be clear, as Blok has to tell the reader what they are. That’s not the first time in this story that some clunky dialogue has had to help the reader out. Lar has to do it in the very next page too, illustrating the disconnect between writer and artist. Lar also tries to grab hold of the Prophet. They don’t know what the Omen is, but they’ve heard the Prophet’s rantings and seen the destruction on Trewsk. The beams remind me of Darkseid. Where Darkseid sends his targets away, The Omen brings them to him. As Levitz, having done the GDS, is setting up The Omen as cosmic class villain, I wonder if this was deliberate. An Alpha Beam to Darkseid’s Omega Beam. Where Darkeid represents static change under his rule, The Omen is a transformative figure.

Back on Earth, Shvaughn makes her move on Jan, only to be interrupted by Zendek. What happened in the years since those kissing games in Adventure, for Jan to be so shy? Zendek is suddenly everyone’s messenger. Marte Allon in a back-up and now Relnic. He also mentions that it was Querl who told him where to find Jan. Querl will be interrupted by a different character in a later scene, and makes no mention of it.
Jan realises that he’s now leader and a subplot that has rather overstayed its welcome is brought to a close. Jan and Drake’s subplot acts to link a few things together in the issue. But neither of them has any bearing on the main action at all.

I forgot to mention, but when GiGi left Jan and Shvaughn alone in 307, she said she had a hot date, meaning Sun Boy (it’s in bold and everything ). Of course, he was on Khundia, so I wonder if he was expecting a quick return, or he was just added into that mission. He didn’t really add anything to the story by being there.

While Jan’s comedy realisation sinks it, Nura is telling the troops on Khundia that they have to come up with a plan rather than directly attack, showcasing the capabilities of both in the position of Legion leader.

Jo ignores Dreamy, and is lucky not to be killed. His shock comes across very clearly in an excellent panel. While he’s often the direct type, I wonder if his feelings over being Nura’s deputy play a part in him ignoring her. The Prophet regains consciousness and rants about dooming the universe if the Omen is allowed to take him. Lar, last seen tugging on the Prophet’s cloak, seems unable to do anything. In fact, it seems as though he’s grabbing the Prophet’s cloak just to keep him out of the next few panels. It nearly works as a nice bit of cast choreography.

Nura’s plan is to have everyone attack together, which is what they were about to do anyway, wasting some possibilities there. The Legion are thumped (again), not having learned a thing from seeing Jo fail. As they regain consciousness, probably wondering why they’re still alive, Relnic orders them to leave. This is an about turn from last issue. There, Relnic is threatened about the consequences of actions, but decides to bring in reinforcements. It would seem that the Khunds have had to go back and tell him what the consequences specifically were (The Khunds will declare war), which makes them quite the diplomatic race after all.

Back on Earth, Brainy is working away on a solution for Danielle. We get a teaser for a programme that will play a part in a later story, and he finds himself distracted by thoughts of Kara. He’s not willing to be distracted further and shoos an annoyed Drake away when the latter tries to get him to come to Khundia. Drake makes an unkind, but supposed to be comedic comment about leaving Brainy in the asylum after his last breakdown, as he crackles away down the corridor.

Back on Khundia, the Prophet is reunited with the Omen. We learn that the Omen pursues “death and life, and all that is strange and wonderful” He finds something on Khundia that interests him and tears up the ground to get to it. Tinya is the first to get to their location. I had to go back to find the energy dome she mentioned getting through. Why did the Omen feel the urge to erect it, considering how easily they’ve removed any resistance up until this point? It knocks her out, so it would have been nice to have had it mentioned. The Prophet tearfully approaches her and she screams. This reminds me of the scene in the Sun Boy spotlight issue, where Tinya nearly gets to be the hero. There’s quite a few echoes of earlier Levitz stories recently.

Jo chases after Tinya and the Legion attack the energy dome. They do have to rather pointlessly get through Khund forces along the way, which we didn’t see Tinya having to do. It seems to stop the action, as they’re essentially chasing after Tinya twice. They could have faced the Khunds first.

Dreamy gets another fine moment of standing up to Relnic. There are also some good moments for Rokk, Garth, Cos and Blok here, against the Khunds and the Dome. Levitz has to explain what’s happening to the electricuted Khunds. I’ve no idea how Jacques keeps surviving firing squads and explosions. It’s a balancing act, having a large cast and wanting to show them all participating. But there are some scenes where characters really shouldn’t be. Just ask early Legion member Cannon Fodder Kid. Cos gets through the dome, and his expression is one of dread.

Wildfire and Element Lad approach with a UP escort, while on the surface of Khundia their ambassador says that, regardless of the intentions of the Legion, it’s too late to prevent their deaths. The escort could well be on a near war footing as it looks to prevent the Khunds attacking UP planets.

An unconscious Jo lies at the feet of the Prophet. He’s not there in the next panel (neither is Tinya), as we pull back to see the Omen standing in front of what Jacques tells us is a Negaton bomb and that it creates dimensional holes.

Who knew that Jacques spent his spare time going through Death Machines of the Galaxy Monthly? Like finding the solution to stopping The Prophet, it gives him something to do. At least he’s not reduced to Blok’s “how peculiar” comment at the start of this issue. Is vast knowledge of military hardware seen again? I don’t think so. His niche would end up being political in nature.

Jacques also tells us that The Omen came to Khundia having sensed the bomb’s creation. Going through that portal to meet Darkseid has given Jacques Reader Assistance Powers!

So, there’s a storyline where the Omen was already going to end up on Khundia. But the Prophet got ahead in order to warn the Khundians to unite against their common foe.

But the story we got had The Prophet nip off to Corven instead of directly to Khundia. The Omen only went to Khundia to retrieve The Prophet. Perhaps the Prphet is able to see into a future disaster that he caused?

But any predestination/ prophecy of the bomb’s discovery is undone by the Omen’s surprised expression and the Prophet’s “what has caught his eye now?” comment.

In order to get the most out of pursuing “death and life, and all that is strange and wonderful” the Omen likes to absorb the intelligence of things he meets. He might keep them as companions for an indeterminate, and pointless, period first. But that’s what he’ll do. After all, we saw that, when he absorbed one of the space creatures around Trewsk and the insect creature on that unnamed planet… or not.

The Prophet warns that the Omen is absorbing his mind. Lar throws the body of the Prophet into space, but too late to stop the transfer. I guess that energy shield that proved such a barrier has conveniently gone or the Prophet would have gone >splat< against it.

Using his Plot Powers, The Omen gets The Prophet’s knowledge and, oddly for a Pastor, his hatred. It would seem that Jacques’ friend on Trewsk also shared a subscription to Death Machines of the Galaxy Monthly. The Pastor got a peek at it often enough to know what a Negaton Bomb does. It’s another misstep in the plot. Levitz apparently wanted the Omen to be a cipher of a cosmic villain. By merging with the Prophet, he loses all that.

Although the Prophet never expressed any such intentions, and the Omen seemed happy to follow life and death suddenly he declares he has an experiment.

There were much better, clearer options here. Normally witnessing natural transformations, The Omen takes things into his own hands to transform the Prophet. Taking this further it sees the transformative nature of the Negaton bomb or sees it as a gateway into another dimension of life and death, wonder and change.

Alternatively, The Prophet’s death wish comes more to the fore. We could have had some foreshadowing of this affecting his link to the Omen. As a result the bomb could have been a way for the Prophet to meet his own end and destroying the Omen he fears so much. Quite a lot of collateral damage, but he’s past that as seen by the pile of Khundian bodies.

The Omen blasts the Legion (again). Actually, he seems to read poor Blok’s mind (thanks Plot Powers!) and blasts him first. This would continue Blok’s visual changes. I was going to say start them, but he’s been through a few already between artists. But it’s the start of a longer Levitz/ Giffen subplot for him.

That leaves Dreamy. Her powers enabled her to see the Omen’s blast coming. The last prophecy of the story.

Perhaps she had just been counting the pages between all the other times the Legion had been knocked out in this story, and knew one was due. She operates the controls of the Negaton Bomb (everyone must read Death Machines of the Galaxy Monthly). The device activates and sucks the Omen through it.

“It’s been a fun life,” says Nura in the heart of the maelstrom; a quote that really defines her. This is another example of her powers working while she’s fully conscious. Something else else that would lead into the Baxter run, making her a very effective character.

Although we see lots of debris flying through the warp, none of the unconscious Legionnaires go anywhere. Instead, we get the surprise return of Lyle Norg. This is the panel that Giffen threw into the creative game he was having with Levitz. With so many other things going on, he could have picked a better time. The Baxter launch effectively locks down the final newsstand cast. Norg won’t be in it, giving Levitz a year to get rid of him.

Although it’s hinted that the bomb could be the end of everything, not least Khundia, it must have a variety of settings as it only takes The Omen with it. The bomb itself is gone, and Nura isn’t shown turning anything off. I imagine the designers are executed. An epilogue shows Relnic stand up to his Khundian counterpart who is demanding the Legion’s execution. Although a little bumpy the Khundian plot worked well in the story – providing the source of tensions and personnel on a number fronts.
Relnic leaves to tell Nura what a nice end to her term has leader this was. And it was an excellent term. Nura mentions “everything else has been going sour lately” earlier in the issue (perhaps thinking of the Fireballing and Vi’s abduction), but she has been a stand out leader. She has been the key to seeing off Darkseid and the Omen. She has led from the front and, while her style didn’t endear her to a number of her colleagues, I think she really showed how vital the Legion is to the UP during her tenure.

Oh, Jo and Tinya are fine. You’d have to wait a month to find out. But by then I guess people forgot that it looked as though they were going to die. It’s going to be a problem with Legion stories like this. Levitz puts them into life threatening positions, then provides imminent death panels accompanied by ominous dialogue, only to show that everyone gets out unscathed in the end. Look what The Prophet did to the Khunds and then compare that with how lightly the non-invulnerable Legionnaires fared. The Prophets’ power was a fraction of The Omen’s but they all walked away from him intact too.

In addition to Nura, Tinya is another Legionnaire to come out well in this story. She leads the field team with Shady. She does well on Corven and takes Jacques under her wing. She’s first up against the Omen in front of the Negaton bomb too. Levitz counters this by having her fall unconscious and downplayed with the arrival of Lar ‘n Jo. But it doesn’t hide her quality as a Legionnaire.

I had been of the opinion that it was the extended length of the story that had caused The Omen storyline to falter. While that did lead to a lot of repetition, there are enough flaws in the feature length issues on either side to sink this one. Instead, I’m happy we’ve got those back up stories. They ended up being stronger, in a lot of ways, than the main story.

I put it down to the factors we discussed earlier: Giffen having a kid and getting burned out on the Legion poster; Giffen experimenting with his art (lost in new artists that were inspiring him) to the point that it leads to disconnects with the story; The success of the book resulting in more focus on the upcoming Baxter run ( and the launch of Baxter runs generally) than on the task at hand - Bearing in mind that Levitz had another function at DC, which was going through/building up to a lot of changes (Crisis and the reasons behind it) at the time- ; all of the above leading to little lapses between the two creators.

Broken down into Levitz’s usual structure, the story works, or is at least comparable to how previous stories work. It’s in the execution of the details that it falls away. With the success of the book and Berger’s work elsewhere around this time with the likes of Swamp Thing, I wonder if it was a little too hands off under all those circumstances. Perhaps it wasn’t, and the book we got was actually a lot better than the book we could have got.

I’ve mentioned a few of the Giffen disconnects above. Page 3 already has one of those. But the page doesn’t work overall either. Lar’s dialogue overlaps a panel where we see the Prophet captured by The Omen. That panel overlaps others where Lar has grasped the Prophet’s cloak. But then there’s a penal on the left where Lar is chasing the Prophet. It’s a panel that Giffen has used before to show direction, but it only leads back up to a panel we’ve already read. If the panel on the bottom left is to be read first, then he shouldn’t have used all the overlapping panels on the other side.

In recent issues, Levitz put in subplots where there was a pause of breath, never mind a logical sense of time passing. Here, we get a related plot – Element Lad going to Khundia – right in the middle of the action. It gets better later when he uses the pause when Relnic tells the Legion to leave and also when Cos discovers the non-tragedy of what happened to Jo and Tinya. But that early one didn’t do much for me. When the Omen said “no more interruptions” I half expected a subplot on the following page.

In addition to a number of small reaction shots, that I thought worked for the story this issue, Giffen uses panels as emotions well again too: The fragmentary mind of Omen on page 2 and throughout and Cos on page 15. The lettering of Tinya’s scream (she’s fine) showing Legionnaires faces on 13 is well done. There’s a few nice Giffen standards such as panel size allowing for movement – Jan whooshing off on 5; Jo getting thumped down on 7 as the Prophet gets thrown up on 19; The Khunds whooshing into the Legion attack on 14 (particularly nice this one) and Jan and Drake’s ship arcing down the page on 16.

Another highlight is the use of panel spacing. On page 15, there’s an extra large space between the Legionnaires debating getting off Khundia and Relnic telling them. It’s a story beat that Giffen adds a real degree of finality to with the space, as well as with Relnic’s posture and the shading. That’s the horizontal. On the vertical front, there’s Shvaughn’s kiss with Jan on page 4. There’s an extra large space for the bottom panel. They touch, they move closer… pause indicated by the space… they kiss. Very nice. It’s just a shame that the issue had a few disconnects and a clunker page

Lost Tales of the Legion:

Soil moves on the barren plateaus of the Puppet Planetoid. The last of the Dryads re-emerges. Blok’s transformation at the hands of The Omen enters a new phase.

His suit destroyed and believed dead by his friends, the bodiless energy of Lost Legionnaire Wildfire drifts through the centuries. His energy dissipating, he waits for an end to the loneliness. He would need an empty vessel to contain his form … and then he remembers the energy powered, mindless body of The Prophet.

Bloomin’ ‘eck. Them thar reviews ‘ave gone up a notch!
>searches frantically for Boy’s Bumper Book of Quotes<







She did use her powers to get through, but since the others were all seen by the Khundian forces why wasn’t she?







Crumbs! Was it really that bad?



Dram Girl would have taken none of his nass.



As there wasn’t any body-fading effects, I reckon he’s still up there waiting for whatever disembodied force to inhabit him. I went for Wildfire, but it could just as easily be some of the demons that Command Kid went around with. The dual face look I put down to The Omen having The Prophet’s mind. I might have even thought that it really was the Omen’s face and we were just seeing The Prophet’s as a bit of visual shorthand to remind us that he’s in there.



Most likely just because it was a plot on a string, but I wonder if any of them feared for The Prophet’s life, when the Omen got him? Not that this was mentioned.




The Prophet had given them that 3 page back story, so they perhaps recognised some humanity in him. Which they didn’t in The Omen? Perhaps they just feared having to listen to it again more than they feared the Omen, so attacked the Omen first



I’d have been happy enough for him to have remained an enigma. But Levitz went off course doing that. The experiment makes sense if the Omen had become enamoured with transforming things for himself. So the bomb would provide lots of opportunities. With the mind of The Prophet in there, this could have been hinted at to the reader.

...continued




>gasp!< doesn’t matter? You tell that to the many subscribers of Death Machines of the Galaxy Monthly!



Go Nura! I liked this portrayal of Jo a lot too. Not one to think things through. Particularly when peeved and especially when his love is threatened.



You’re thinking of The Bismollian Egg-Fu Carton Bomb, which you’d know if you picked up Death Machines of the Galaxy Monthly.



It’s the Gil Dishpan who swing it (big band fans that they are). Like the UP don’t have loads of secret planet killer weapons lying around. The Khundians never put forward a suggestion that they didn’t have a bomb. It never came up. It’s the agreement that the Khunds were about to use it, that they know isn’t going to look good for them.



Disc-us throwing championships were on.

I’d have liked to have seen a little more of an impact after this one, showing the Dominators getting an upper hand over the Khunds in some way in the wider political scene. I suppose they did, in that they ended up with Earth. Could things like the Negaton bomb and general Khundian aggression pushed Earth more towards the Dominon?




Nura: We’ve found a weapon of mass destruction!
Relnic: But there aren’t any!
Nura: But all your reports said they had some.
Relnic: Oh, that’s just a report written by a 10 year old Denebian as an excuse to go to war.
Nura: But it’s right there!
Relnic: >looks right past it< nope I’m not seeing anything. Perhaps our puppet regime can have a closer look when they take over. They’d find one jolly useful to keep the locals in line.



Fine margins. I keep thinking we had another group going to Khundia at some point, that didn’t end up with them being imprisoned.

I’m sure it will all be revealed in “I was a Teenager on Takron-Galtos,” by Reep Daggle.



If you took Drake and Jan’s actions out, I don’t think it would have hurt the main plot. You’d have just had to come up with a couple of other ways to link some scenes. That’s about it.




# 311 – “We won’t be fooled again.” – Legion doubt Lyle
#312 – “Who are you?” – Legion interrogate Lyle
#313 – “Substitute” - Jacques worries that the Legion prefer Lyle to him.
#314 - “The Real Me” – The truth is revealed!
#315 – “The Kids Are All Right” – The Legion prevails!
#316 – “I’m One” - Townshend Teen joins to prevent lawsuit.



Oh, I don’t know…
-The Omen becomes increasingly keen on transforming things: the plant, the Prophet
-The Omen absorbs minds and communicates with those linked to it.
-The Omen tries to transform the Legion, gaining a sense of its history. When this fails he uses the Negaton device. It seemingly destroys him, but in fact he comes back as something the Legion held dear. He can then transform them from within…
-The plot is revealed when some bloke turns up with a surfboard telling him he’s behind on his planet eating. More work needed on that last one…

...continued



It’s like, they don’t understand that in comics dead is, like, dead.




Rumour has it that editorial stopped Levitz’s plan to have Vi use exploding clones on all the people who couldn’t tell the difference whether it was the real her or not.



Zombie Norg is a bit final.

Lyle: I’m back from the dead!
Jeckie: Really? So whose flesh it that dropping from the corpse over there?
Lyle: Awww rats… >disappears back into dream realm…<



There’s a parallel world where Shvaughn would only hook up with Jan if he became leader. When he’s outvoted again she dumps him for Brek Bannin.
This Shvaughn would turn out to be the Manhunter agent.



Yeah, set ups to future issues. We’ve had two teasers on what’s going to happen with Brainy next issue. Wildfire is there as a lead into an upcoming back up.

310:
I think it says something that the pages I enjoyed most in this issue were those which did not involve the main action on Khundia. The “quieter” scenes featuring Jan and Shvaughn, Brainy and Wildfire, and Jan and Wildfire were better paced, more purposeful, and better drawn than anything in the main story.

The whole Omen story feels like it is just marking time, getting us through the encounter with this Bad Ass villain while we warm up for the next major story line to come.

Thoth (as usual) did a brilliant job of analyzing this story in the context of other events going on for the creators, the company, and the franchise. I had forgotten some of this and did not know other details (such as the apparent differences between Giffen and Levitz). Levitz’s dual role as writer and DC exec and the “hardcover/softcover” plan also seemed to play a role in diluting this story from what it could have been.

I remember the buzz about the hardcover/softcover plan, and how uncertain it felt for some fans. My home town did not have a comic book shop at the time, so the realization that I might have to do without the new Legion stories for a year until they were reprinted in the newsstand title or find a way to go to Kansas City (60 miles away—a very long distance for someone who didn’t drive then) was unsettling. As a long-time fan, I felt marginalized –no longer significant in DC’s bid to capitalize on the growing comics specialty market. Fortunately for me, a local comics shop opened a few months into the v. 3 run, but the whole idea that DC was leaving a large part of its fanbase “behind” didn’t sit well with me.

I imagine Levitz and company had to spend an inordinate amount of time justifying that decision. With his attention divided and the newsstand series diminishing in importance, it’s perhaps no wonder that the Omen story turned out to be a generic slugfest against a conveniently strange and incomprehensible villain.

There are flashes of originality, to be sure. When Saturn Girl begins probing the Prophet, Omen appears to pick up on her efforts and recalls his servant before she can learn anything. The beam of light Omen sends from his finger easily evades the Legionnaires when they try to stop it. So, these are clues as to his power and motivation.

But then, after our first subplot interlude (the Jan and Shvaughn one), things fall apart. Nura stops the Legionnaires from rushing into battle so they can have a plan. Ultra Boy disobeys (impulsive even for him), and the plan consists of nothing more than rushing Omen—who responds, as omnipotent villains do—by blasting everyone in sight. We are to infer, I suppose, that Mon-El was blasted along with the others as he’s no longer holding onto the Prophet’s cloak.

This is followed by an exchange with Ambassador Relnic, who orders the Legionnaires off Khundia. I almost feel this should be Relnic’s story; he comes across as more interesting, nuanced, and powerful than the Legionnaires. He holds his own in argument against both the Legionnaires and the Khund ambassador. He exhibits a range of emotions and, like a good diplomat, finds a way to turn the outcome to his favor. By standing up to Ghadrak, he provides us with an emotional payoff that is otherwise lacking in the rush to a cliffhanger (see below).

The Legionnaires simply go through the motions of fighting the villain, but some of the action doesn’t make a a lot of sense. Phantom Girl enters the fray, only to pass out from . . . something. But if she’s unconscious or incapacitated, why is it necessary for the Prophet to do to her whatever he does with those glowing hands? Never mind; her scream alerts the rest of the Legion, and they attack after some temporary and unnecessary interference from the Khunds.

At least we find out why the Khunds wanted the Legionnaires off their planet: to cover up their construction of a negaton bomb—a device so powerful it has attracted the Omen’s attention. Again showing how powerful he is, the Omen knocks out the entire Legion except for Dream Girl, who activates the negaton bomb and saves the day.

Thoth made an excellent point that Nura’s term as leader involved the defeat of two extremely powerful villains. And this finale to her leadership gives her a chance to shine in that role for one last time. “It’s been a fun life” was a wonderful line—a stoic attitude from someone who takes everything with a grain of salt (except her nails and hair, of course).

But the Legionnaires don’t have time to celebrate her victory because it’s cliffhanger time. The tale ends on one of the tritest cliffhangers of all: a long-dead hero returns alive.

I had extremely mixed feelings about this revelation. I was a Lyle Norg fan, and while his death shocked me when I was 10, I had grown to accept it and embrace his heroic sacrifice. By the ‘80s, I was starting to become jaded when dead characters returned—and Lyle’s “resurrection” came across as another example of comics taking the easy way out by not having to commit to the death of a beloved character (see: Jean Grey). However, part of me did rejoice. Who wouldn’t love to see a favorite character return from the dead?

I may have more to say on this development as we continue with the re-reads, but, for now, I’ll just say I resented Lyle’s insertion as a last minute “Surprise!” It came across as a cheap stunt. Still does.

A few issues ago, I pronounced the Omen/Prophet story one of the worst Legion stories ever produced. I stand by this opinion. Like thoth, I see flashes of a brilliant story and intriguing possibilities in our mysterious villain, but the execution comes across as rushed and ill thought out. The Legionnaires themselves were pretty much the same afterwards (the cover blurb notwithstanding), but the series itself would never again reach the heights of the early Levitz/Giffen period.

I actually found Giffen's experiments less disruptive this time. Just the same, I would rather he have focused on rendering what was in the panels than the shapes of the panels.



One of the most ill-thought-out aspects of this story is that the Legionnaires (and the writer) just assume the Omen is a bad guy without any real evidence. His actions could certainly be open to interpretation. Perhaps he uncovered the negaton bomb because he wanted the Legionnaires to see it. The "experiment" line seemed tacked on, as a way of justifying him as a threat.

I rather like the idea of the Legionnaires never being certain of his intentions but reacting in a way that made sense to them at the time--a "preemptive strike." Sure, they didn't ]know he was a threat, but they wanted to take precautions. Again, there was a wasted opportunity to examine the Legionnaires' universe and the assumptions they (and we) take for granted.



Now that you mention it, the Omen looks like he could have been a Dominator--evolved through some arcane experiment or some such.



It's unclear (to me, at least) how many Legionnaires joined the space fleet. Drake says only that everyone who wasn't involved in something urgent had been summoned. Star Boy was still at Legion HQ, last we saw. The White Witch and Cham might have returned from Takron-Galtos or met the others on the way. Gim was on leave, but leaves were always being interrupted.

317 - Baba Devlin O'Ryan -- Lyle, Condo, and Andrew form a new band called Teenage Wasteland.
318 - I Can See for Miles -- Lyle discovers his real power is the the ability to see into other dimensions, which allows both him and Jacques to remain on the team.
319 - Athena-- Lyle leaves when he realizes his true love was not the ghost-girl Myla, but rejected applicant Athena, who can explode at will. She is a bomb, after all.

I had the same misgivings as you and wrote a letter to DC expressing them. In return, I received a typed letter from Dick Giordano that included a hand-written note from Levitz. While it didn't change anything, it was a nice gesture - they just as easily could have ignored me.

Rob,
It is indeed good that they responded--not only Giordano, but Levitz, as well. Did they offer any additional explanations or insights into the hardcover/softcover plan and how it would inconvenience fans?

"Dear Rob,
Thank you for sharing your concerns regarding our upcoming plans for the Legion. I can assure you that as long as we have Legionnaires like Karate Kid, we'll always listen to the fans of both formats."

Imra should have thought of this, but I guess her mind’s distracted with the baby.

There are a lot of similarities between the two, along with the servant.


Zendak as messenger boy, not very suited to his position. It was a way of keeping him in the picture and limiting the number of S.P. characters we had to keep track of. Now that you mention it, I can envision an additional scene with Brainy telling Zendak to go find Jan himself, because Brainy’s doing i,mportant work, and Zendak signs off in a huff but does find Jan.


So he got bored and decided to leave early... I pretty much forgot he was there.


This brings to mind Nura’s association with the Khunds in the DnA stories. It would have been fun if some note had been made that Khunds revere female seers, or something like that.


It certainly seemed that way – he’s not going to listen to her, regardless of how impulsive he is anyways.


DMotG Monthly – required reading at the Academy, plus the Legion gets a group discount. Jacques is something of the Straight Man, there to set things up, explain, reveal....


The Super Sponge... of Space! One might think that Omen is a machine or A.I. construct sent by another dimension’s race to study this galaxy. Reminds me a bit of the 5YL blue McCauley probes in that sense.


Those ideas make more sense than what we got, which remains as indecipherable to me as Omen’s symbolic language.



It is a great line for Nura. Heroic, ready to die, and taking it all in stride. Acceptance must be a necessary attribute of seeing the future.


Sort of like the Kamandi Challenge – here, see what you can do with this red herring! I hadn’t read this issue with the constraints of the approaching Baxter series in mind. It explains a few things.


I wonder if this could have been a story in itself, without Omen and Prophet. One Legion team searches for a weapon of mass destruction (based on the rumour column in Death Machines Monthly) while the other is playing background to Relnic’s negotiations.

True. Too bad more wasn’t made of her leadership skill when she was shown to be Head Seer of Naltor in 5YL.



Good points on the behind the scenes complications that affected this arc.


Well, why not? Would the body still be in one piece in the vacuum of space?


If it could be done over, we could have had half (or less) of the Omen/Prophet story and the rest on those and other quiet scenes showing what was up with other Legionnaires. Even a scene with Dirk putting the moves on the Khundish ambassador’s daughter would have been a welcome cliché.



Agreed! But don’t tell him, or he’ll start charging us.



A case study in time management and balancing priorities as well as in how not to write a story. Do you think it could be used in a class to analyze how a story fumbles?



It could have been told from Relnic’s point of view, since he seemed to be moving back and forth throughout the story. Based on your recommendation, I read The Poisonwood Bible this week (a book hard to put down!) and appreciated how effective it was to tell the story with five different voices, and never hearing from the father himself, only as the girls and his wife perceived him. It made me wonder if Omen/Prophet couldn’t have been told in that way. We don’t get much out of either Omen or Prophet, so they could have been kept to accounts from the Legionnaires, Relnic and the Khunds without losing much information.


Oh, I like that idea! Maybe even a Dominator from the future, or one from a more peace-loving sect.

Not really, other than to say that the softcover portion of the plan was conceived specifically because they knew there were people like me who wouldn't have access to a comic book shop.

^Typical corporatese: Telling you that something that's not all for your benefit will be for your benefit.

A few years ago, I read 3001: The Final Odyssey, a sequel to Arthur C. Clarke's 2001: A Space Odyssey. In the book, we discover





I would love to use Legion stories to illustrate any number of writing choices and challenges.



I'm glad you enjoyed The Poisonwood Bible. You highlighted one of the most interesting aspects, which I had forgotten: the story is told from multiple points of view. It's an interesting idea to compare the father in the story with Omen--both characters exert enormous influence over the people around then, and it's left to them to decipher motive and meaning from his actions.

Reading your reviews of this storyline, it really seems to become clearer to me that it was much more about the tension with the Khunds than it was about Omen and Prophet. Kinda like: Introduce a major threat in Khund space to see where the political situation that was set up in the Espionage Squad story can be continued and brought to a culmination. Basically, Omen and Prophet are a plot device, which is why they are under-developed and remain enigmatic and haven't returned to this day.

I've asked Paul on Facebook a question along these lines. Often, he doesn't really deliver much, usually citing it being so long ago, but hope springs, right?

Of course, it's highly probable also that Keith spearheaded this concept and developed it kinda half-way as he's done in some of his writing efforts.

But I think my first though really feels like the best way to look at this story...at least in a way that makes it kinda work.

I like your idea, Lardy. I wish the story had focused more on the tension with the Khunds than on Omen and the Prophet.

I wondered if the rough edges to the Omen and Prophet story could be dealt with. If they could, what would the story look like. So, I’ve put up the Omen and Prophet - Reworked thread over in Bits.

Now that’s done it’s on with commentary of comments!



Thanks for sharing that. I didn’t get any of the Baxter series until after the newsstand run had finished. Even with access to Direct Sales shops, it seemed odd to break from the title and format I had been happy with. Besides, the Baxter issue would have been more expensive. Pennies I would have used for another newsstand quality comic.



Lar did seem to vanish. I think Giffen remembered, making sure to put Lar’s head in a panel shortly afterwards to show he was still with the team.



I also thought that the UP/ Khund negotiations were the spine of the story. I saw them as a pay off form all the Legion vs Khund stories we’ve seen since the start of the Levitz run. It’s also the part of the story that has a satisfactory arc. The Khunds seem to have the upper hand (it’s on their turf and they’re happy to accuse the UP) militarily – their military proves to be of little consequence, requiring the aid of the UP’s Legion – the Negaton Bomb is discovered giving the UP the upper hand in the wider galactic community.



Does she have trouble passing through other fields of energy in previous stories? Blaster fire seems to pass through her with no trouble in the same story. Perhaps it was because it was The Omen’s energy dome. Not even Tinya can cope with Plot Powers!
Levitz is good enough to know that Tinya would be a very useful scout/ infiltrator. But not so great in figuring out how to stop her. It was radiation back in the Sun Boy story, I think.



Having recently been in the depths of space, perhaps the Prophet’s hands were just really cold. Tinya screamed when he tried to wake her up. That’s the least creepy way I can think of to interpret this one. :sad:



Yeah, I thought this scene held things up needlessly.



“It’s been a fun life.” – Nura Nal
“I don’t think ‘mightier’ powers ever made anyone a more valuable Legionnaire.” – Tinya Wazzo

Two key, and character defining, lines of dialogue in the Legion for me. Both in this story.



I wonder if Giffen had jumped on the conversation Tinya had with Jacques earlier in the story, combined it with Jacques trip into the other realm where he met Lyle, and came up with the ending. Perhaps he also thought that the Bomb removing the villain from the universe needed something a bit punchier too. And that’s my “It was all Levitz’s own fault” defence m’lord.

I tend to view it based on what the subplot develops into. I wasn’t a big fan of the story execution when Jacques first met Lyle either. These were my first sightings of Lyle, which was a bit unfortunate really. It’s probably his reboot version that stands out for me.




“But behind this Lyle Norg Mask… that’s right… I’m Andrew Nolan…wearing an iron mask… which if I take it off reveals… that’s right… and as Proty I I’d like to finally join the Legion!*”

* Three issues on and Proty I is uncovered a, transformed again, Biron the Bowman, who is really Comet the Super Horse!



Depends how it’s done, and the arc that killed them off I suppose. I can think of any number I wish they hadn’t brought back. Some stories are designed to have an ending (although very few of these will be in comics).



I was also picking up echoes of past Levitz stories. Tinya falling in a manner similar to the Sunboy story; The Omen being a flip of Darkseid, with the Prophet being a Dark Servant variation; Parts of the Val/Jeckie back up; The upcoming Jacques/ Lyle plot that will get its own comments; Tinya and Shady only being able to operate if Lar and Jo were there to “help” the plot along. That sort of thing.



Thinks…ouch… I think you’re right :sad: While we affectionately point out both pros and cons in the reread thread, this was the end of one the most consistently high quality periods. The level it drops back to isn’t exactly bad, mind you… and there are lots of highlights.



I agree that there was a missed plot point here. I think Levitz forgot that although the Pastor knew Pierre who knew Jacques, the Pastor didn’t know Jacques directly.

The info dump in #308 was probably supposed to persuade the Leigon. But Lar’s reaction sums that up.







And



Yay! Ors The Negaton Gateway takes the Omen back in time. He is the god of the Dominators! Actually, that would follow up the Progenitor comparison I made earlier.



Poor Thom. Forgotten in a space fleet again. He was in the space fleet that Mask Man wiped out way back in Adventure #310 (thanks Fact Check Femme!)



I consider the absence of a telepathic foetus a missed opportunity in the Legion series. It’s like they’d never seen Scanners!



Levitz clearly wasn’t bothered as a caption was put over Dirk’s head at one point.




I’m not sure I’ve read that one. Is it related to the Khunds seemingly worshipping Glorith in the TMK run? Their almost religiously indoctrinated fear of Laurel Gand too come to think of it.



… miraculously avoid getting killed in the middle of a firefight.







That matador gored himself in a tragic accident! I did not charge him!



I did a list of a lot of this over in the Bits thread mentioned above. – Plumber Lad: Supplying all the plugs you need!




It's not well known but Arthur C Clarke, under a pseudonym, pitched DC for the return of Barry Allen a year after Crisis. “Sure, kill your darlings. But keep ‘em on ice” he said.

Stephen Baxter has done something similar. Actually, I’ve little doubt that there’s a host of writers who simply can’t let go. Which is one reason I rarely bother with recurring characters across novels. The suspension of disbelief rapidly vanishes. Of course, I hadn’t thought of the suspension of animation that Clarke used instead.

FYI: The comment about Imra being distracted is from Cramy and the comment about Frank Poole is from me -- Citation Keeper Kid.

I can't imagine what it must have been like to read the Baxter stories after the original newsstand stories ended. The stories took place concurrently and, while the newsstand series focused on smaller stories with fewer characters, it was understood that they took place at the same time as the LSV war, etc. In a way, it was cool having two Legion series each month (a precursor to the LSH and Legionnaires series in the reboot) and getting caught up with what different characters were doing. However, it felt as if the dense layering of subplots that made earlier issues so enjoyable had been diluted.

Over in the New Teen Titans, which was also a recipient of the hardcover/softcover plan, the decision was made to have the Baxter stories take place chronologically after the newsstand stories had run their course, to ensure a natural flow when the newsstand series reverted to Baxter reprints. There were pluses and minuses to this approach. On one hand, it meant we knew nothing significant or earth-shattering would occur during the year before the Baxter series started. On the other hand, it was like reading chapters in a story out of sequence and trying to figure out what did happen during the interval (rather like the Legion's five-year gap).

Neither approach was fan-friendly, though they did have the desired effect of making fans want to visit comics shops instead of buying comics on the newsstand.

I’ll have a word with Cut ‘n Paste Kid



I was young and knew no better



While there were some crossover comments, I don’t remember being disconnected by not having the Baxter run. I’ll be commenting on that a bit more when we get to it.

If anything, it was more seeing them in Crisis and the History of the DCU that made me realise there was a Baxter book out there. I thought Kid Psycho was a new character, who had joined the Legion in the space between the two series.

I don’t remember Who’s Who throwing up any worrying surprises either. That’s worth me taking another look, particularly as to when the “L2 entries came around.



That’s definitely going to be a talking point in issues to come.



Really interesting thoughts on the differences between the two titles as they switched, HWW.

I was a newsstand reader of the Titans too until the end of that title. Only then did I go across to Baxter. I don’t think I did it immediately either. Baxter Titans would have had to fight for its place, something DC may have thought about when ending the other format.

#311 The Big Blow-Up of 2984 or Destruction by Design by Paul Levitz & Keith Giffen, Pencils by Giffen, Larry Mahlstedt Inks, John Costanza Colours, Carl Gafford Letters



Chuck, Lu and Flynt Broj stand before an exploding Legion Headquarters. Chuck tries to investigate, but bounces off the defense shields. Flynt suggests he should go home, but is told to stay. Lu wonders what happened to Brainy, who was alone on duty; all other Legionnaires had gone to Khundia.

Inside, Brainy mulls over having made another stupid error by overloading HQ control circuits while trying to cure Danielle of the Computo presence. Computo speaks, through Danielle, and another explosion occurs.

Two Legion teams are returning from Khundia, with Lyle Norg, who thinks he was in hell. Mysa wants to congratulate her sister but Jan has already shut off the communication channel. Wildfire asks to leave on a personal mission and immediately does so.

At Legion HQ, Brainy tires to deal with a reawakened Computo, who threatens death and speaks of his supreme intelligence. Brainy remarks on Computo’s ego, observes that the machine has become more human and considers this an opportunity. He enfolds Danielle/Computo in a force shield and proceeds to try separate Computo from Danielle, then isolate him “somewhere appropriate”.

Outside HQ, reports to Chuck and Lu that the area has been cleared and only Brainy is inside, according to the SP link to the Legion computer. Flynt notices that the defense shields are down, then Brainy comes hurtling into the sky. Chuck inflates and provides a soft landing; Brainy is a bit roughed up, but alive and conscious. He explains that he trapped Computo inside a crystal globe and that Danielle should now be completely cured. Shvaughn Erin says the the U.P. will surely be happy to fund the repairs to the HQ. Brainy says that’s not necessary, as a loud hum develops and the debris rebuilds itself into a new HQ. Brainy explains that Computo’s new persona has constructed the new building. The new Computo appears, encased in a glowing orb, and reports that Danielle is resting. Brainy replies that Computo’s new programming as Legion majordomo will work well; Computo thanks him and asks if anyone would like lemonade as the others look on, stunned. Brainy says it will take a while for everyone to get used to Computo’s new personality and laughs.


Comments: Some big changes from this short story: Brainy finally cures Danielle Foccart, rids the planet of the Computo threat (at least for now: never the end, as they say in Legion comics) and the Legion gets a spiffy new floating HQ, with a butler. Nobody got hurt.

Knowing how it would end eliminated any tension, but as a first time reader, I must have been thinking this would be the start of a major story arc, the return of Computo as Chuck, Lu, Brainy and Flynt valiantly fight through the rubble of the HQ.

This confirms Brainy in his role as the guy who blows things up. He’s pretty likeable in this story, though: determined, calm, self-reflective, even modest - and clearly relieved that he’s solved the problem.

Flynt Brojj was last seen in Superboy #209, described as the Legion’s greatest fan. I don’t know how much Legion time would have elapsed since then, but Flynt is still a super-fan, just less excited. Does he hang out regularly with Legionnaires or Reservists like Chuck and Lu? As in his previous appearance, he displays a keen eye while the superheroes are distracted, noticing that the defense shields have fallen.

The Science Police captain is also a return character, the same Captain who had gone to arrest Legionnaires at a theme park in #257 (where they were trying to cure Brainy’s insanity). Maybe he’s the Brainy’s-on-a-bender-again specialist. At the time we read that issue, I thought the Captain looked as if he must have been based on some other character, possibly from TV or a movie of that era. A fellow fan in the APA-LSH group suggested that he looked a lot like Captain Boomerang. Possibly a descendant?

Shvaughn Erin is also on hand, appropriately as the Legion liaison. I thought it was pretty generous of her to offer United Planets money to rebuild the HQ. Whatever happened to “You can never have too much insurance?”

This is also the second time that a demolished HQ has been instantly rebuilt by a super-intelligent machine, the first being the Miracle Machine (as operated by Brainy) after the Dark Circle attack.

Nutsy science I can live with, in a comic book. Human reactions, I expect more. The only sticking point for me was the lack of response from Luornu, immobilized with anxiety when Computo last broke free and now only responding with the group “Huh?” Well, it is a lot to take in. I look forward to reading future issues to see if she – or others – have any more to say about the new Computo.

There’s only a comment that Lyle thought he was in hell, no panels indicating shock as the others learn of his return from the dead, and maybe Brainy or Imra could figure out what happened to him. Legionnaires take these sorts of things in stride.

Element Lad seems to be in high spirits, returning from Khundia. No sniping at Nura, although Wildfire’s interruption of “this needlin’ party” suggests that Mysa was implying Jan should have congratulated the former leader.

New HQ, new Computo, new team leader, the return of Lyle Norg: one senses a turning point for the Legion after this.

(As others have suggested, I’ll do the second story later in the week.)

LoSH 311

My copy of 311 comes with a little crease a third in form the left and running to just over halfway. Holfding it up to the light, you can see it’s actually a score and that a few figures can also be seen. It looks like someone did a little of their homework on it. I think that affected what I paid for it. The little bag has £0.50, which actually more than the cover price, so that might not be the original one.

I remember being (very pleasantly) surprised finding this one. I think it was in a long box of comics that turned out to be the bargain one in the shop, or it was just very out of place. There’s spine roll as well and so, ever since I first picked it up, I’ve felt it a little thinner than the others.

Rereading it now, that thinness could very well be the result of the story inside

The cover tells you all you need to know. A cartoony style Brainy blows up the headquarters, with Chuck and Lu on the scene. And it’s Brainy. Readers know that it’s not “Brainy happens to get blown up with the HQ as he’s innocently walking past it.” He’s going to be central to that explosion.

The force of the blast is so great that it rips off Brainy’s force field belt and pushes him over part of the logo. The large Legion “L” on the building leaves no doubt over what has blown up.

The explosion’s oranges and reds are used to provide backfill colour over the cover. The orange of the clubhouse lends itself well to being part of the explosion, allowing the reader to focus on Brainy. His form is centred in the middle vertical of the cover. 1 that the It’s a well designed cover. It’s dramatic enough to catch the eye of a new reader, and regular readers would have been aware and intrigued at what had happened.

I’ve always thought that his belt looked more like a little Astro-Force harness on this cover. This might just be me. Now I’m wondering if he managed to pinch something off of the Orion mockery in the GDS. I’m also struck by how ‘80s the purple jumpsuit is. Retro Brainy. No ‘sploding HQ crimps his style.

It turns out that the cover um…covers… two separate parts of the story. It begins with the headquarters being destroyed, but Brainy is blown out of it later on as he tackles what’s left inside it. A good eye to combine two dramatic moments.

The destroyed headquarters looks to have been controlled. Like well designed buildings, it collapses inwards. Had it blown up in normal comics style it would have taken out Weisgner plaza and Chuck would be rushing Lu and Flynt to hospital, if he was lucky. If not in the design, then perhaps the debris was contained by the defence shields that Chuck finds are still active.

Flynt Brojj is there for a tour with Lu and Chuck. Normal tour buses, driven by Oli-3 have to settle with a fly past. Flynt, as the kid who raised the most money from a United Planet’s Charity Drive in SBoy 21,1 has a stronger bond to the team than most.

I wouldn’t have known his past when I first read this. I don’t think I was too keen on his cartoony appearance or his haircut. I thought the Legion having a greatest kid fan was a bit hokey too.

It’s a nice nod to a previous story, but I can’t say that he’s grown on me much. Even though he does well in this issue. He’s selfless in not bothering about his tour. He’s cool under fire too. He stands right there with vets Lu and Chuck as a building detonates in front of him. If only it turned out he had superpowers. Oh wait, that's exactly what happened.

Flynt is actually the first to point out that there might have been people inside, prompting Chuck to investigate. Unlike Flynt, I don’t mind a more cartoony Chuck. It suits him when he’s using his powers. Giffen always draws a lovely Luornu and this issue is no different. She concerned over Chuck a couple of times in this issue. I get the feeling that she’s more aware of being a reserve, and therefore perhaps not quite as battle sharp, than perhaps he is. Her having to spell out her reserve status is the standard dialogue clunk of it’s age

With the trio stuck outside the defence shields, the story shifts to what’s going on inside. We’re reminded that although there’s an above ground HQ, there’s also a large underground complex. That goes all the way back to explaining how they could all fit on a rocketship in the early years.

Although it had a futuristic design, the Legion must have accidentally got Anti Lad to do the wiring. There’s no circuit breakers and an overload blows up the whole building.

In his lab, Brainy chastises himself for yet another failure in providing a cure for Danielle Foccart. He mentions his distractions, possibly due to the Khund mission but far more likely to be Kara. His self-criticism distracts him further, and once again Computo-as-Danielle rises from her tank.

It’s essentially a rerun of a scene we seem to have had a couple of times, most recently in 309. The main plot in this issue is a clear example of Levitz building up a sub plot over a prolonged period, moving it up the running order as it goes, until it becomes the main feature. Or those possession movies had a lot of impact on the guys.

Computo wastes no time in hurling the contents of the lab at its creator. It’s threats of domination and elimination are at odds with Brainy’s analytical approach to the situation. He almost goads Computo into ranting as he formulates a plan. His 12 level intellect fixes on a solution in the same page.

It’s an interesting approach. Computo escaping could have taken up any length of story. Levitz would later reprise the Universo story over four issues. This could have been similar. Alternatively, it could have incorporated elements of the first annual, when Computo was last freed. Instead, the subplot is built up over a number of issues and concluded in 11 pages. We know that Brainy has been working tirelessly on a solution. We know that Levitz has had him also working on a few other projects in his idle seconds. So, it’s no surprise when Brainy finds a new approach combining his research. It’s Brainy at his most effective. Smart, confident of his own ability yet self-critical and ever questioning. He contains a still ranting Computo in his force field and completes his idea with a huge sound effect at the bottom of the page.

The pause in the main story are handled better in this issue than in some recent ones.

As Computo started its attack on Brainy we switched to a team returning from Khundia. This is really a set up for Drake leading into the second story. We get a little more closure on the Omen/Prophet story. Cham and Mysa have been picked up form Takron Galtos. I still can’t recall if their presence there was anything other than showing them off Earth for Brainy’s spotlight. We’re reminded of the Mysa/ Nura connection and that Jan is leader. Finally, we’re told of Norg’s return and the dark mental place that he finds himself in. It’s not a vital page to the issue, but there’s a lot of little reminders and movements in there.

There’s another pause as Brainy implements his plan. Normally I’d expect another subplot, as we switch to those outside the defence screen. But Brainy has been blown clear of the building just after he implemented his plan. The creative team remember that there is a force field and conveniently have Flynt notice that it’s gone before Brainy goes splat against it as he’s thrown clear.

More points to Flynt as Chuck and Officer Stereotype engage in some comedy arguing, rather than dealing with the threat at hand. If nothing else, it shows how Chuck has no problems in standing up to the SP. He’s also quick into action again, getting to save a rather battered looking Brainy.

Brainy explains that he’s managed to isolate Computo. As it threw all its energies out at him, he transferred it to a master programme he had been working on (and that Levitz name dropped last issue). The result is a cured Danielle and a captured Computo.

There’s an air of positivity, as things seem to have worked out (not that often this happens in a space opera comic). Shvaughn, who has turned up with other SP officers when it looked as though the site was going to blow up, gets a little carried away. She’s sure the UP would be happy to fund the repairs. That’s not how its worked out in the past. It indicates what a high point the Legion were at. They saved the galaxy from Darkseid and Nura has been seen working really well with the UP and SP throughout. They had just played their part in averting a Khund/UP war. I think the Legion RPG highlighted that the team were stars at this point in their history.

Brainy doesn’t need the UP’s help. From the debris rises a new HQ; it’s upper part now levitating above the plaza. It’s the HQ I first saw the Legion in and it’s also a design favourite, even if it doesn’t have that iconic Rocketship status. I imagine that it’s Giffen speaking through Brainy when he says he’s been working away at it in some quiet moments. It’s a nod back to Giffen’s cleaner art style earlier in the run and shows he can pull that out whenever he needs to.

Computo is a key part of the complex, and now acts as a majordomo (I must have had to look that up when I read the Legion )

The others stand, open mouthed, and the sheer scale of the transformation as Brainy laughs at the success.

Looking back, I only see horror in Luornu’s face and insanity in Brainy’s laugh.

I mentioned that this story could have been of any length. But the constraint that hangs over the newsstand book is the launch of the Baxter run. The team were really building up pace towards that event and how to make it as successful as possible.

Fortunately Levitz’s technique allows for plots to be added in pauses to other stories really well. This reread is making me appreciate just how smooth a transition into the new format the book had.

Giffen had already been hard at work introducing a definitive 30th century too. He had introduced new looks for a lot of the cast. Like Levitz a lot of the design was added over time. I’m sure there was a protoype Computo-domo way back around the time of the first annual. So, I think the seeds for Brainys solution go way back, at least visually.

But to get a really futuristic HQ for the team and a former-foe as Jarvis V into the book meant that there wasn’t much time before the launch. It needed to get some focus in the few remaining newsstand issues.

We’ve spoken about the number of things affecting the creative team at this time. This issue has another second story to give Giffen breathing space. The lack of space may have resulted in the new HQ being formed as if by magic. There’s not much of an explanation. It looks a bit too sudden. In the old days the Miracle Machine would have been behind it. Here,, we’re only told that Computo was very useful in assembling it.

We don’t see the same technology used to reform any of the many, many destroyed buildings in future issues. It’s not used to reassemble the UP after the Magic Wars for example. What I took to be a form of advanced nanotechnology, doesn’t look to be the case. It would seem that the little Computo globe is less of a Legion servant than an extension of the Legion complex it now forms.

That has to provide a few interesting Lost Tales of the Legion. Not least concerning all the resident deaths in Flight Ring Village as Computo takes back control in a lost tale of v4

Going back to Baxter constraints, this issue also mentioned Lyle Norg in his personal hell. That’s another plot that has to be resolved before the newsstand catches up with the Baxter launch. But with Lyle having returned and Danielle having been cured, was there at least a few months if fans were really thinking that Jacques would leave the team? Perhaps the Baxter cast was already well known from the fan mags of the period, taking away that suspense.

On the art, Giffen is fairly constrained in this story, while emplying a good range of panels to make each page different and fresh.

There’s a stylised splash page, with the smoke form the destroyed HQ providing a back panel to the action itself. It’s a very nice design, but it does remind me that I’m in a story.

Page two does really well in combining Giffen favourites. Overlapping dialogue boxes move the reader from the top left panel (Giffen gets a helping hand here); Chuck’s motion moves the eye down the page and there’s an effective close up of Lu. If anything the top right panel interferes too much.

Chuck’s is a character that GIffen must love to draw, die to his powers allowing for all sorts of motion effects. Page 8 gives him another long vertical panel.

Motion would also play a part on page 7 where a propelled Brainy is thrown clear, not only of the HQ but of his panel and any effects. Giffen must have really liked that one.

Page 7 would also have one of Giffen’s slender, vertical establishing panels. This is quite a thin one, not intruding on the rest of the page. It’s parallel to lesser effect on page 4 too.

A close up of Brainy’s eye on page 3 follows from a panel where we see both of Computo’s, drawing the reader closer before… Ka-Thooom!

Panel border display Computo’s effect on its surroundings really well on page 5. The central bottom panel ahs Computo’s raging eyes appear over Brainy’s forcefield. The colouring doesn’t really make them stand out too well, but it does show Brainy’s hands-on- hips confidence against such a threat.

After the “MMMM…” build up we get a landscape page of the new HQ! Too cool a look for a portrait splash page.

Finally, this story shows us Chuck and Lu standing over the site of a ruined Legion HQ. At the end of v7, they both stood over the same site, the HQ having alsoe been destroyed.

But, as both stories show, there’s a larger Legion complex underneath what the public see. A larger operational complex. Never the end. LLL.

Oooh spooky that I just used it for this one too.



It was a bad day for the Legion of Super Infiltrators from Norg World to attack the Legion HQ.




I agree that it could have been part of a longer story. With Computo so easily contained, it does reduce it from the realms of Grade A villain. Brainy can now stop it. If memory serves, TMK sidestepped using it as Computo again, instead placing the Computo Matrix inside the BION.



He’s in a very good place in these issues. The Kara influence?




Flynt is described as an “old friend.” But was that just them being polite? The tour seems like an event, rather than a “Hey Flynt. Don’t forget to bring the chips on Thursday” sort of thing. He’s not exactly the age where they could hang out. But then, perhaps the Legion HQ/ Flynt scene was supposed be an analogue of the DC Offices and Legion fans since as we know Flynt was named after tow of them,



Ah, thanks Cramer. I had a feeling I’d disliked him somewhere else before.



The new name for the Ester’s-on-a-Bender thread.




That’s a new one for me. I had him down as a descendant of Banshee, whjo got stuck in the wrong universe when DC and Marvel squabbled over crossovers in the ‘80s.

Are the APAs still going?




Is there a point where Policy Pam’s employers take her to one side and ask her not to hang around with so many damage-causing super heroes and villains?



Crumbs. Although I mentioned the Miracle Machine, I’d forgotten it had actually been used like that. Thanks Cramer.



Lu was very much there as the back end of Chuck and… in this story. A couple of panels of her beating up Brainy until he renamed Computo and convinced her that the old version had been wiped would have been a start.



I can see way Lyle was dealt with as being a bit of sticking point in issues to come. Form a plotting front, Levitz would have plotted this one before Norg had been drawn. So mentioning him in the next issues was a start, even if it was just through dialogue.




Sociopath Lad has had his ego petted by getting the things that he wanted. So, he’s momentarily happy.

Ah, I’d missed the emphasis on “you” and wondered about that line. Thanks Cramer. Yes, that does suggest that Jan will never really let it go. It’s not a bad thing that the characters have flaws.



A shiny new format awaits!



Welcome to the Legion of Slackers! – founder member, sloth Lad, I mean thoth Lad.

311, “Destruction By Design”

When this issue came out, I couldn’t wait for more information on Lyle Norg. I had no way of knowing that Giffen had inserted the deceased Legionnaire into the previous story or that Levitz had already plotted 311; hence, the cursory mention of his return. Because I didn’t know the behind-the-scenes shenanigans (and, in truth, wouldn’t have cared), this issue came across as a big disappointment to me.

I mean, come on! A long-dead Legionnaire has returned and we don’t see him?! His teammates don’t rejoice that he's alive? They treat his appearance as matter-of-fact, as if he were simply recovering from a delusion. Vi got more sympathy without dying. Where’s the love for Lyle?

The absence of what I expected to happen overshadowed the rest of the story, which, even on re-read, is a rather pedestrian “Here’s what so-and-so was doing while the other Legionnaires were saving Khundia” yarn. I mean, sure, it’s great that Brainy accomplishes two things. He cures Danielle Foccart and tames Computo. But everything is done in such a rushed manner that it lacks resonance or significance. Computo was a major threat to both the Legion and humanity; that it is defeated so easily and domesticated seems off.

On the other hand, I do appreciate Brainy’s purely logical solution to the problem. It probably never occured to him that his teammates—especially Lu and Chuck—might have a problem with one of their greatest enemies serving as their butler. To him, it’s a purely intellectual puzzle. This disconnect between how he sees Computo and how they see it could have been developed in subsequent stories, but, apart from the odd shiver as Computo pours lemonade or some such, I can’t recall it being addressed.

I also appreciate the idea that Brainy faced a challenge he couldn’t quite overcome. He keeps making the same mistake—unleashing Computo—and seems distracted by Kara (though she isn’t mentioned in this story). However, Brainy doesn’t learn anything new or come across as changed by this episode. Instead, his last-panel laughter seemed strange and disconnected from what had gone before—another indication of his fragile mental state, perhaps?

It’s always good to see Chuck and Lu again, and Chuck is put to good use here (especially in cushioning Brainy’s fall). Flynt Brojj and SP Captain Noname add nothing to the story.

Oh, yes, there’s also the new HQ. In the modern day, when new technological marvels appear every six months, the instantaneous transformation of the HQ seems more plausible than it did then. The new building is sleek and hi-tech, even by today’s standards. But my initial impression upon reading this story was that Brainy takes an awful lot of liberties by redesigning the headquarters without consulting anyone. Just how much authority/power does he have? Too much, it seems.

“Destruction by Design” boasts a clever title, but the story, to me, is a piece of fluff with the redesign of the HQ being small consolation for the lack of character growth that might have been explored had Brainy actually learned something or Lu been forced to deal with her fear of Computo . . . or, heck, if Lyle Norg had put in an appearance.

Flynt seems much older in this story.

Going by the chronology Levitz worked out in the Legion Sourcebook (and which he may or may not have adhered to in writing the series), about three years have passed since 209. Mon-El was leader at the time, and, since then, we've had three full terms (Wildfire, Lightning Lad/Element Lad, and Dream Girl), each representing one year. Also, in the backup story, Dawnstar is 18, and she was said to be 16 when she joined the Legion in 226, so the chronology holds up surprisingly well--Trivia Analysis Lad.

Flynt does demonstrate a penchant for noticing things, and it's a shame his relationship with the Legion wasn't developed further. The Legion really needed more regular supporting characters.



Maybe it's just me, but I read more into her expression and Chuck's than in the reactions of the others. There's a sense of horror as well as disbelief in both of their eyes.

EDIT: I see from thoth's post that he saw horror in Lu's eyes, too.



I mentioned in my own thread that I was troubled by the Legion's matter-of-fact reaction to Lyle's return. Time and experience have put some of this in perspective, though. Not all of the Legionnaires were close friends, and, as we've seen in recent stories, some don't much like each other even though they are capable of working together. Lyle's only close friend we know of was Chem, and he, too, has passed away. So maybe the Legionnaires really don't have much of a reaction to Lyle's return. It's a sad thought.

However, they did serve with him for all those years and even regarded him highly enough to elect him leader. I would have expected some emotional response from them.



Interesting take on that scene. It shows Mysa becoming more assertive and Jan as a bit of a clod.

Necessary for the Brainy-blows-things-up routine.



Computo as cranky child. If Computo took on human attributes, as Brainy infers, it must have taken on the attributes of the 10-year old (?) girl who it inhabited, therefore emotionally immature. And possibly with a penchant for My Little Space Pony.



Drawing the story out with a few panels spread over several issues did give the sense that this was a fairly drawn out problem, despite its eventual rapid solution. What was missing (for lack of space, I suppose) were the reactions of other Legionnaires – no expressions of fear, concern, doubt that Computo would be successfully dealt with and discussion of back-up plans if Computo escaped.


I think a lot of writers like Chuck. He’s very well portrayed in most stories.



Since both you and HWW mentioned the horror, I looked again at that panel and could say she and Chuck do indeed look more horrified than Flynn and the SP officers. To hit me over the head with that message, I would have had her passed out, or some other reaction, in the second panel showing the same faces. The Brainy insanity I don’t see so much, given how perfectly well-balanced he’s been throughout the issue (and previous issues). Any laugh from a super-genius does give one pause for reflection, however.



Reality to the rescue! There have been a number of times the HQ and/or Metropolis have been severely damaged and rebuilt. Some fast, some slow – but this must be the only external, real life driven occasion.



Good point about Brainy’s detachment from others’ emotional reactions. When Computo later took on the form of young Validus, Imra remarked that she was annoyed with Brainy for doing that and, IIRC, she considered that he did it on purpose to needle her.



They missed an opportunity to have him reflect on his own ego, just as he points out Computo’s failings are a result of ego. Or he could have remarked what a difficult challenge this was, even for him, and he wished Kara was there to celebrate with him.

#311 Second Story: A Shared Destiny by Paul Levitz and Keith Giffen, art by Gene Colan, Larry Mahlstedt Inks, John Costanza Colours, Carl Gafford Letters

Wildfire approaches Starhaven, admiring the purity of the atmosphere. He lands at a temple, asks for Dawnstar and is told he does not have permission to be on sacred ground which has not been disturbed by outsiders for seven hundred years. Dawnstar’s parents speak up and say that they know of Wildfire, but their daughter has gone on her grand tour. Wildfire is rather abrupt and just wants to know where she is; her mother Moonwalker replies that she is at her naming place and it is too late for anyone to interfere. Wildfire blasts off, leaving Moonwalker in consternation that he is not a whole man.

Dawnstar flies through the asteroid belt and bemoans the unfairness of creation, which took Wildfire’s body from him and thereby denied her a soulmate. She suddenly sees a meteor about to collide with a ship; her reverie ended, she flies at top speed and nudges the ship out of the meteor’s path. As a grateful pilot waves, she proceeds to the Dawn Star, Venus.

On Starhaven, Moonwalker and Mist-rider reminisce about her grand tour and their meeting, while hoping all will be well for their daughter.

Dawnstar contemplates the history of the grand tour, how it worked out well for all her female ancestors, and prays that the first light will bring her a sign. She feels a tap on her shoulder and Wildfire greets her, in his usual offhand manner. She is angry at this interruption of a sacred moment and flies off; he flies after her apologizing and losing his temper, burning the cloud cover from Venus. She shouts at him to stop. He apologizes again and says he only wants to make sure her choice is a perfect one. She is angry that he has reminded her that he has no body, and he replies that they could have a beautiful friendship.

On Starhaven, Dawnstar returns to her parents, who are eager to hear the news of her choice of partner. She informs them that Wildfire is her choice; they share a life, hopes and fears as Legionnaires. His lack of a body she considers to be a part of the Creator’s plan for her, although there might be another person in the future with whom to share physical intimacy. Her father hugs her as her mother says that no one can know if that will be enough, but if they share love, “the rest will follow somehow”.

Comments:
This is the completion of Dawnstar’s Grand Tour, but the story it’s hijacked by Wildfire, because they have, like, a shared destiny. I imagine a different telling of this tale could have Dawnstar saying, “Hey, this is MY Grand Tour – get off centre stage, Drake”. Wildfire does like to interrupt and take over scenes.

He is rather insensitive here, angering both Starhavenites and Dawnstar herself for his disrespect of their sacred traditions. Drake has one goal, and no time or patience for the sacred. Yet everyone forgives him; love and devotion appear to excuse ill manners and reckless behaviour. This is so Wildfire; how else would we expect him to act? I even feel I would forgive him myself. (It reminds me of the scene from The Graduate in which Dustin Hoffman grabs the bride away from the wedding ceremony and runs off with her.)

We’ve seen Dawnstar’s parents before; here they have a standard American native look. They don’t live in a teepee, at least, but in some sort of domed house. They’re traditionalists, and accept their daughter’s choice – as per the tradition – although they both harbour doubts.

The scene in which Dawnstar saves a ship from a meteor strike shows that she’s not totally absorbed in her quest and spiritual contemplations. She doesn’t mind an interruption to save lives, but she is rightfully angry with Drake when he barges in on her sacred moment.

Maybe it is destiny, but I feel as if she caved in to his personality and pressure. We don’t know what, if anything, he said after that plea for “a beautiful friendship”. Maybe her true soulmate was one of the guys in the ship she saved, but they veered away when they saw the clouds of Venus burning away. Knowing that there will be endless ups and downs in their future relationship and how possessive and jealous he will be adds a different flavour to this story. Dawnstar herself does leave the door open for a relationship with a physical man in the future, so how soul-matey is that? It’s as if this is the first time in the history of Starhaven that the Grand Tour failed.

Drake remarks on the quality of Starhaven’s air, even though he has no lungs. I don’t believe it’s ever been spelled out to what degree he still retains human senses – or if smell, touch and sight are a function of the suit. Legion stories occasionally point out how pure the environments of low-tech/no-tech planets are. (Both Dawnstar and Brainiac 5 will admire the air and water of Jhodan’s planet later in this series, when Dawnstar’s soulmate question gets complicated.)

The very atmospheric Gene Colan art suits this story of Dawnstar’s spiritual journey. It’s a good change of pace from the frenetic art of the Omen/Prophet arc. Although it’s not a look I’d expect for more action-oriented stories, it works here, delivering the sense of speed and movement when needed. There’s a great shot of Wildfire skidding to a stop as he lands on Starhaven, just like coming to a fast stop at the bottom of a ski slope, and many scenes which impart the speed of flight. Dawnstar and Wildfire meeting in space looks like a weightless, high speed ballet.

I'd rather not have seen Lu faint. Such a stereotypical reaction would have added to the already cartoonish attempts at humor throughout the story (e.g., Chuck arguing with the captain).

Also, I think it's fine if the reader isn't hit over the head with Lu's reaction. Long-time readers already know the history, but for new readers, it would be necessary to explain why she reacts that way--and such an explanation would be an infodump. One of the nice things about the Levtz/Giffen era was the subtlety in the characters' actions and reactions, as we've noted previously.



I wonder if Brainy really does things like this to annoy his teammates. Maybe he has a mean streak or a socially maladjusted sense of humor.



I love the idea of him missing Kara! Such a reaction would have humanized him even more and cast a wistful spin on the ending--much more appropriate than maniacal laughter, I think.

311: “A Shared Destiny”

This is one of my favorite Legion backup stories—which is ironic since neither Drake nor Dawny have been among my favorite characters. Yet the story resonates with me on several levels. Dawny has left earth and Starhaven to embark on her grand tour of the galaxy and find her soul mate. Yet she already loves Wildfire—this is clear from her internal monologue in previous stories. However, their love is not meant to be. The writer might have easily substituted Drake’s race or religion for his condition as a disembodied suit of energy. Because of his "condition," he is culturally unsuitable for the woman he loves--a universal theme.

Dawnstar accepts the boundaries imposed by her culture, even though doing so tears her apart. She has been brought up with a mindset that things must be a certain way, though whether her adherence to this tradition is culturally imposed or a result of her own innate stubbornness is a matter of conjecture. If anything, the Starhaven culture—as represented by her parents, Mist-Rider and Moonwalker—seems clearly defined but not overly rigid. Her parents simply do not question the wisdom of “the greater spirit” because their own destiny has worked out so well.

Drake is also torn by Dawnstar’s decision, though he responds in a typical fashion—by taking action. He tracks Dawny down (tracking the tracker! ) to explain his previous actions. Drake is single-minded in the pursuit of his goal, utterly confident in himself, and brusque with those who stand in his way. He never disrespects Dawnstar’s parents, but he responds to Mist-Rider’s claim that he is too late to interfere as a challenge.

Meanwhile, Dawny continues her solitary flight through the solar system and silently rails against the Creator because she cannot see the “glorious pattern of the universe.” Instead, “all is in disorder.” In truth, it is Dawnstar’s thoughts and feelings that are in disorder. She wants to please her parents and uphold their traditions, yet she is troubled by her feelings for Wildfire. In a telling moment, she recognizes that, if it hadn’t been for the accident which made him a Legionnaire (i.e., turned him into a disembodied suit of energy), they would never have met. How can the Creator be so cruel?

Forbidden young love is also a universal theme (see: Romeo and Juliet, among many others), and, in such situations, it’s common to blame God. Clinging to the way she thinks the world should work blinds Dawnstar to how it actually works and nearly causes her to miss the plight of the spaceship. It’s an interesting notion, as Cramey suggested, that one of the men aboard the ship might have been her intended soul-mate—but Dawny rushes off too quickly for any such connection to be made. She pursues her journey as she thinks it should unfold and is not receptive to other possibilities.

At this point, we learn that Dawnstar’s “naming place” was the planet Venus—called the morning (or dawn) star. I don’t know if I was aware of this connection before, but it fits perfectly—as does her journey to the planet itself, which is associated with the goddess of love. Arriving at the planet prepares Dawnstar for her showdown with—Wildfire.

Both behave beautifully true to themselves in this encounter. Drake tries to ingratiate himself with humor, and she brushes him off and flies away (“You interfering idiot!”)—as if Drake could indeed interfere with the Creator’s “sacred” plan for her. In truth, he only interferes with how she still thinks her destiny should unfold. In a wonderful moment of irony, she tells him “There’s something missing from my life, Wildfire, and this is how I’m supposed to find it”—while fleeing from the very person she came to find: him.

Drake persists, however, and even uses his power to stop her from running away. I’m not sure why it matters that his burst of energy would burn away the clouds and cause the planet to overheat. Presumably, there aren’t any lifeforms on Venus that would be affected. In any case, the energy burst has the desired effect: It causes Dawnstar to stop and listen to him. (Her willingness to capitulate to an act of violence on his part may tell us something else, but that’s an interpretation for another discussion.) They finally have their heart-to-heart talk and she comes to realize that, while their relationship can be nothing more than a “beautiful friendship,” it is all she needs right now.

Dawnstar returns to her parents and announces that her journey is complete, even though it did not unfold as they expected. She exhibits growth and maturity here: honoring her parents’ wishes and reaffirming her love for them, but ultimately making her own decision. In another telling moment, she says, “Wildfire and I share a destiny few can dream of—the life of Legionnaires. What we dare—how we survive—our hopes, fears—they are much the same.” Love is complicated, but it helps if the lovers share similar goals, dreams, and experiences. Her experiences as a Legionnaire have bonded her to the team (a wonderful turnabout since she didn’t want to join in the first place) and, more specifically, to one fellow Legionnaire.

In this moment, Dawnstar also steps beyond the confines of her culture and her previous mindset. She learns to appreciate the mystery and uncertainty of life by realizing that the Creator’s plan (if there is one) is “too vast, too glorious” to be explained away. She simply accepts this turn of events.

Gene Colan’s art is absolutely perfect for this story—warm, earthy (even though much of the story takes place in space), and dramatic without being overly complicated. While flipping through the book, I couldn’t help but notice the contrast between Giffen’s full-page depiction of the new HQ (p. 10 of the first story) and any page of the second. Giffen’s page looks clinical, precise—almost like a blueprint and just as devoid of emotion. Colan’s work is evocative—especially in the faces and body expressions. Even when Mist-Rider and Moonwalker are depicted mostly in shadow (p. 6), so much feeling is conveyed.

“A Shared Destiny” is one of the stories from this era I’ve remembered most over the years. It forced me to step outside of my own culturally imposed notions of what love (and even sex) were all about. It also showed that one could be true to one’s tradition while being open to new experiences and possibilities.

LoSH 311 Second Story

A quite lovely splash page brings Drake Burroughs to Starhaven. In a spectacular landscape, an ancient looking cultural monument sits on the opposite side of an inviting valley from a futuristic habitation.

The dialogue wastes no time in reminding us that Drake has no body beneath his suit. While it’s exposition, I like to think that his state is something that’s constantly on Drake’s “mind”, an underlying depression/ conflict. Besides, it’s going to be an important plot point. Getting it out of the way, while we’re looking at Colan’s solid grasp of figure work and world building is no bad thing.

Colan, like Tuska back in #308, is another artist of the Golden Age. Both are filling in on quieter stories, and I probably had an adjustment to make from the all-action (or Adventure!) Legion from the main stories. Looking for the pacier story probably influenced my opinion of the back-ups, including the art a little.

As we pointed out lots of really positives in Tuska’s work, there’s as many in Colan’s. Both extremely versatile craftsmen, I think Colan’s art comes across as more stylised at first glance. “Moody” is the word I read most about his work. Later, I would be reading Detective Comics. There was a noir storyline going on there, leading up to dark conflicts against the crimson skies of Crisis. Colan’s artwork was a main reason that it was all so gripping. I’ve also liked the premise of Night Force. Again, Colan’s work on it is every bit as important as the premise, more so if the storyline starts to sag. I’ve a sneaky suspicion that the art was a lot stronger than the writing.

Picking up from the first story, Drake is looking for Dawnstar, who he knows is on a grand tour to find her life partner. Drake doesn’t exactly make a good impression on her parents. It seems that he can’t moderate his personality depending on the company. His own need to find Dawnstar overrides his need to be polite. He is aware of it as he apologies for appearing at a sacred site, but goes on regardless, as evidenced by his “Not to be rude” comment. Of course, if the age of admittance to the Legion is 18, then Drake isn’t as old as his original origin sometimes suggests. An example of this is his sarcastic use of “perfect guy.” It, and his posture (really well done by Colan) combines that tone with regret and his loneliness perfectly.

Dawnstar has told her parents of her bond with Wildfire. They are very aware of that relationship, treating him with a lot of respect. I think that they are a little torn themselves at the situation. There’s a mix of emotions form them. Dawny’s mother is both upset at the thought of Drake interrupting the tradition, and at the thought that “he is not even whole.” There’s no mention of Drake not being suitable due any cultural differences, which is nice. She’s concerned for her daughter’s happiness as much as for the tradition. After all, it’s Dawny’s mother who tells Drake where to find her. Although she tells Drake that it’s “too late” , there’s always that chance. The sense that destiny will provide the answers seems to calm Dawny’s father. It’s worth noting that it’s the females that go on the tours, so he will have a different perspective than Dawny’s mother.

As Dawny, never far from Legionnaire duty, saves a shuttle, she knows within herself that she’s already found her soul mate. I think that Dawny’s parents are also aware of this, considering how they treat Drake. Wildfire isn’t a little late to the realisation party either. He’s acting on it now, but no one really expressed the depth of their feelings before Dawny felt she had to go.

But will Drake make it to the church on time? The sunlight hits the clouds of Venus and Dawnstar waits for her destiny… only to have Wildfire’s hand rest on her shoulder. She doesn’t take it well. It a hugely important moment in her life. She might not be reconciled with her relationship with Drake, but she’s facing her future. And that moment has been taken from her.

Leaving aside the dodgy science, as the Legionverse has Cosmic King come from Venus, Dawny lets Drake say his piece rather than overheat the surface of Venus below.

It’s this scene that shows the difference in maturity between them. It’s actually something that could be found in any number of male heroes. Drake is reduced to threatening violence against Dawny’s future partner, if he doesn’t treat her well. That’s the best way he can express to her how much he’d like himself to have been that man.

Like parting Venusian clouds, Dawny sees right through this in a second. While Drake has been dealing with his self-worth and frustration, Dawny has been crying herself to sleep thinking that their relationship could never be. Dawny knows that Drake didn’t come to just apologise. “Even you know that’s true” she tells him. He came there to stop her. There’s a part of Dawny that moves beyond tradition to realise that this is what she wants too. Or rather, since she’ll never know what would have happened had Drake not interfered, she’s able to follow those feelings. She combines this with the traditions she has, when explaining it to her parents.

They are not only supportive, falling back into the feeling of destiny, but also provide the reader with a couple of plot teasers. The first will be later on in Tales, when Dawny does meet another man. And later, in the Baxter series, when Drake sort of gets a body.

I’m fairly sure that Dawny and Drake didn’t get up to much when he was inhabiting Dirk’s corpse in the TMK run. I’m not even attaching that to the above paragraph. Yuck! Inhabit the Prophet’s body Drake!

It’s a really interesting story that works across a number of levels and interpretations. It works clearly as a sci fi take on people having relationships across cultural/ religious/ perceived racial boundaries. It parallels the Gim/ Yera story with that theme.

The hand on the shoulder was supposed to be destiny showing itself. It’s a story that illustrates the old idea that some people are “meant” to be together across any hardship or boundary. It’s “destiny” that they’re meant to be together. But when one of the parties involved is determined to get to a certain conclusion, destiny can mean a lot of other things.

He fancies Dawny from the academy, and puts her on the team. He makes sure that he’s barely ever apart from her, and the two would become a two-person clique within the Legion. Then, when she’s fulfilling a key moment in her life, he can’t, and won’t, let her go. All of these things are about Drake. It’s a physical touch on her shoulder, followed by a damage causing expression of his powers, that stops Dawny. That has lots of disturbing real-world parallels.

There’s also another DC reminder that non-white cultures left Earth at various points.

There’s the coming of age of the two leads and the way that they express their feelings. Dawny gets to see the Drake in all those quieter moments when they’re on duty together. I’ve no doubt he has adolescent communication issues there too. But Dawny hopefully gets to see the heart that transcends its loss from his body, and the one we don’t get in the adventure issues.

It’s a beautifully drawn story. Colan gives us both the majestic sweep of the galaxy and the range of human emotion all in one tale.

Comment Comments



I only knew Lyle through these issues. I’ll be interested in your thoughts as this subplot develops, and also any thoughts on him from his earlier appearances.




It does have a certain “Meanwhile” touch to it. Its isolation, which I read as “must show new HQ before Baxter”, doesn’t help. Why does no one consider this to be an escalation of the Khundian conflict?

It could, and possibly should, have been a longer story. But then, I found that the Annual, with the last big Computo appearance, had a lot of padding. So, I wasn’t too upset. Rahter what we had than a longer story, that still seemed rushed due to all the other things we discussed going on behind the scenes. Better short, than losing out on the Colan art in the second story too, really - Hindsight Lad

Brainy had a solution. It didn’t quite work, but he used his intelligence to quickly adapt. I think it was fairly important that his solution worked without risking any more lives to the thing he had created. It was a story of some closure for him. He could leave the final page with a sense of achievement.

As for the change to Computo, I saw it as a continuation of Levitz’s revamp/ progression of the major villains.
- The Infinite Man as a Trapper version.
- The Omen as a flip side to Darkseid
- The Prophet as version of Pulsar Stargrave, with a touch of the Servants.
- Mordru getting depowered, leading to some changes ahead for him.




I agree that it never occurred to him. That’s one of the most enjoyable parts to the story. That laugh at the end. He’s solved the problem, but he hasn’t learned from it. As Lu was already shown as struggling to face Computo back in the Annual, we really should have seen more of her reaction to having a legacy of it at the heart of her organisation. I know I have for Bits

How long would it be before he does the same sort of thing? We do get an answer to this one.



I imagine Levitz being quite happy at pulling supporting cast from earlier stories, adding to the consistency of their world. Captain Stereotype also brings another hat into the Legion. I await EDE’s Hats of the Future review on this one fares!



Querl: Look! Look at our wonderous new HQ!
Imra: Wow! It looks shiny and big and just like our srtits think the 32nd century is going to be!
Querl: Thanks1 OPf course, Computo had a hand, or rather a circuit, in the design.
Luornu: >retch<
Cos: Right. I’ll just get all our stuff out of storage and we can move back in.
Querl: Uh… stuff?
Cos: Sure, you know my 20th century antique collection, Garth’s cooking pots and Val’s priceless weapons of the ages collection. You know.. “stuff”
Querl: Um…. guys…



It's interesting to hear your expectations, as an existing reader, for this one HWW. I’d agree with you on both. You saw Brainy not learning anything too. I’d say “great minds…”, but there’s probably just a malfunction in the nutrient feed to our brain tanks.




Good job TAL!



I don wonder if it was exactly because Levitz wrote him as noticing things that gave TMK the idea to give him some sensory powers.




Yeah, it’s that nutrient feed for sure…

More First Story Comment Comments



That is a sad thought. Did you have any sense for Lyle’s personality from older stories? I recall him talking to Tinya in his last issue, and him finding it easy to talk to her. That didn’t factor into his reappearance that I can remember.




I remember Computo as being ranting and power mad the first time. I read it as Brainy winding it up on purpose, while he worked out his plan.

You must pitch your My Little Space Pony/ Legion of Super Pets idea to DC! Must!




I’d have given Brainy another smug look after he finished his laugh… then have Lu go ballistic at him. After getting out all of her anger and some of her trauma, you’d find Brainy quickly contacting Colu for some funds to rebuild the HQ; minus any Computo influence over its construction. After sarcastically asking Brainy if he’d like little Omegas to wander round as servants, he gets in some basic AI models instead.

Later in the Baxter run, Brainy gives Lu his force field belt as the latest in a long line of apologies.



Legion records show that Brainy quit the Legion after his trial. The truth is that Imra put him in traction after the Validus major-domos appeared.



That’s all three of us in the brain tanks then…

Lots of well put, thoughtful points in your post HWW. There really is a lot under the surface of this story, including issues around religion – both personal and organised, sex, culture, gender, family, self-expression, youth & maturity, love, relationships and duty.

No wonder it stands the test of time, and possibly just gets better as some of the readers get older.

If The Gim/Yera story is "Guess Who's Coming to Dinner?" and the Drake/ Dawny story is "The Graduate" then I wonder...hang on... it's the phone...Oi Levitz! It's Mort on the line. He wants to know if you could do something with Moby Dick... possibly a cross generational tale with a powered Cham & RJ? Giffen wants those wacky Subs in it and to call it "A Whale of a Time" ... Paul...Paul...

My standout memory of Lyle is from Adventure 351. As Legion leader, he agreed that the Legion would not try to find out the real identities of new members Sir Prize and Miss Terious. When Ultra Boy tries to violate that promise by using his pentra-vision to see through their lead masks, Lyle punches Jo in the chin. When the leader makes a promise, Lyle says, he makes it for the entire Legion. So, not only did he have a sense of ethics, he also asserted his authority by standing up to a much more powerful Legionnaire.

Four issues earlier, when he assumes the leadership, Lyle announces he won't waste time making a speech. Instead, he immediately leads the Legion to participate in a charity event or some such.

In Adv. 358, Lyle is the last Legionnaire standing against the Hunter. He's there when the villain is killed by one of his own traps.

Lyle came across as a decisive and no-nonsense leader who recognized what needed to be done and did it. In other stories, before and after he was leader, he received less attention. However, he does have a solo scene in the super-stalag story (Adv. .344-345), in which he tries to use his invisibility to escape from the prison camp. Caught, he is shrunk to tiny size as punishment and has to evade a spider in order to survive. He demonstrates resilience and ingenuity with or without his power.

But such spotlights were rare. My first encounter with Lyle, in fact, was in my first Legion story, Adv. 328 (reprinted in LSH v.1, # 1); he shows Triplicate Girl the Legion planetarium he invented, and they chuckle as two robot duplicates of former Legion enemies argue. Lyle plays no other role in the story and doesn't even get to demonstrate his power when Command Kid shows up; nevertheless, invisibility was a very attractive power to me at a young age--and Lyle wore a headband, which made him seem cool.

Superboy 203 rounds out his personality even further by showing how lonely he is: He falls in love with a girl from another dimension and even neglects his duty while seeing her. But Lyle is hopeful that, whatever secret she carries, they can be together. The end of this story suggests this is what happens--and that's why I've always thought his demise was one of the best super-hero deaths ever written: It maintained a sense of hope and faith in something beyond life.

These various aspects of Lyle's personality--the decisive leader, the otherwise loner--made him quite an intriguing character to me. I tried to expand on these characteristics in one of the few fanfics I've written, "Myriad"

By the way, it is indeed a shame that his friendship with Tinya was not followed up on during his "resurrection." It's one of the details from the Legion's past that Levitz failed to revisit.

Wonderful way of describing Colan's art in this story. The outer space scenes do indeed appear to be a ballet.



Very interesting take on that image of his hand on her shoulder. To me, it was just a throwaway image--but I can see how it can be interpreted to mean much more.



Also another very interesting take on Drake's actions over the years. On one hand, Drake is decisive--he knows what he wants and he goes after it, but he can also go too far. I think Dawny was a good match for him. She was decisive and stubborn in her own ways. They balanced each other.



Yes, I was glad it wasn't longer.



This. Must. Happen.



This is a really good point. If Levitz's intent was to show that Brainy really didn't learn anything, he should have made this clearer. Contrary to what I wrote to Cramey above, it is occasionally necessary for the writer to hit the reader over the head--especially when the central character of a story is supposed to undergo a change. The contrast between this story and the second one is very strong. Dawny does learn something, and this is clear in her dialogue at the beginning of the story and at the end. Brainy fails to learn, but it's unclear if this was the writer's intention. Brainy just laughs maniacally, leaving us to wonder what the point of it all was.



Maybe Legion fans are just smart and come to similar conclusions.



Thanks!

Re: Lu’s horror – I mentioned a hit over the head scene because I missed the look of horror - and agree that fainting would be too cliché. I like Thoth’s proposal that she go ballistic on Brainy. An older Lu would/will do something like that; at this point, she’ll probably just avoid the HQ. (Future issues will tell.)

HWW’s review of “A Shared Destiny” was moving and inspirational, in that it captured the highest meaning of the story, that love transcends tradition and physical constraints; it also illustrates Dawnstar’s maturity.

I read the story more in the context of all the drama that will follow this couple. She’s your girlfriend who marries the guy everyone is opposed to, and she’s on the phone complaining about him or showing up on your doorstep after they’ve fought and all you can do is listen and pour another cup of tea. She’ll always go back to him because she loves him. It’s not battered woman syndrome or anything awful like that, it’s just a relationship that you don’t quite understand, but works for her.



The Gim/Yera parallel didn’t come to mind when I read this but it does bear comparison. Both sets of parents show some hesitation but ultimately accept their offspring’s choice of mate. As for destiny, Drake is surely one who believes that you make your own luck. Good thing Calamity King wasn’t passing by Venus at the time.



The happy ending despite death was indeed one of the best super-hero deaths and it made what has followed something of a desecration of Lyle Norg. I do wonder what sort of character he would have become if this return-to-life had somehow been made real. We’ll see as we read ahead, but I recall Lyle just hanging out in Jacques’ quarters and not talking to anyone else. Tinya would have been a natural choice as someone with whom he could speak.

I was reminded of her recent guilt over not helping when Computo broke free in the annual. With that being so raw for her, I thought it would result in her expressing exactly what she thought of Brainy. There would be something more satisfying in it coming from a single Lu, rather than it possibly being explained away as being a personality trait of one of her duplicates later on.



It would have been interesting to have at least one parent who didn’t accept their child’s decision. Having all four follow a similar path, while showing their maturity limits some story potential.




Venus would have blown up if Calamity King was passing. Drake would have used it as a sign for Dawny to look for a new direction, thus proving your point about making his own luck.



That’s how I remember things going too. Thanks to HWW for the comments on Lyle from earlier years. I am curious to see the reaction as the returned Norg’s subplot unfolds, or rather doesn’t.

#312 Good Cop, Bad Cop by Paul Levitz & Keith Giffen, art by Giffen, Inks by Karl Kesel, Colours by Carl Gafford, Letters John Costanza



Dirk is in Gigi’s apartment, admiring her 23rd century detective novels. He annoys her by saying they don’t have anything to do with modern policing, but diverts her with a kiss. An SP alert interrupts them, as all officers are ordered to Metropolis Stadium. Dirk flies her there, apparently smashing through a window which he claims the Legion will pay for.

There’s panic at the Stadium following some explosions. Gim and Yera are on site, along with Jan and Shvaughn who had been there on a date. Drones fly in, spraying tranqui-mist but the crowd is still unruly as Zendak arrives with a complement of officers.

At Legion HQ, Brainy talks to himself, admiring the new facility but has trouble debugging the Mission Monitor Board. Blok joins him and observes that a team is leaving for Daxam repair work, which he decides to join to take his mind off his injuries. Brainy notices the stadium alarm and is surprised to see the situation is a riot.

At the stadium, after several hours, everything is quiet. Shvaughn says that Zendak did have a warning and followed procedures; Zendak admits that this is the first time procedures failed and asks for the Legion’s help. They proceed to SP Headquarters, where each person is scanned. Zendak claims that the computer which assesses threats may have been tampered with.

On Medicus One, Violet leaves, against Dr. Gym’ll’s advice, and thinks to herself that she has some scores to settle.

Gigi monitors the Crimewatcher program, which reports a number of minor incidents around Metropolis. Gigi wonders if Earth really needs 100 SP officers. Shvaughn arrives with two new transfers, who Gigi recognizes as Gim and Jan, despite their distorters, since Gim is an old friend of hers. The two Legionnaires are to work undercover. Then the receive an all-points alert.

Bombs have exploded on Restaurant Row, causing many fires and scores of casualties. Help arrives as Rokk, Tinya and Jacques join the officers. Shvaughn implores Jan to help put out the fires, but he doesn’t want to blow his cover and claims that he’s already done something. That something was a call to Superboy, who quickly extinguishes the fires.

The restaurant owners had received an extortion threat, but didn’t report it. The Stadium was also blackmailed, but the SPs didn’t release that information. Gigi expects this is only the beginning. Mysa performs a spell, despite Zendak’s skepticism, to try and get an image of who hacked the computer. An image appears but the face can not be made clear, although it seems to be an SP officer.

At Legion HQ, Brainy and Superboy share a game of Galaxowar. When Kal mentions Supergirl, Brainy blushes and loses his concentration, allowing Kal to win. Jacques and Danielle enter to say goodbye as Danielle is returning home. Danielle hugs Brainy. As she leaves, sparks appear at the portal, leaving Brainy wondering.

In a fancy penthouse, a man talks to some sort of egg-shaped computer, saying that they’re ready to reap the rewards as they begin the third stage of their campaign.

Zendak is shocked to receive a 10-minute warning that a bomb will explode in the SP Armory. Mysa is trying to detect the explosives, but the bomb explodes and is only contained by Kal, Rokk and Jan. Zendak is distressed, admitting that President Allon will be dead at noon unless a million credit ransom is paid.

At Legion HQ, Garth and Imra prepare to leave until the baby is born.

Comments:
This straightforward story about terrorist activities (bomb 1, bomb 2, meet the villain(s), blackmail threat cliffhanger) serves as a platform for a lot of character moments and information about 30th century Earth. It’s the character interaction and Enclyclopedia entries that I found the most interesting.

Jan and Gim going are undercover is unnecessary to the plot. They don’t do any undercover investigation. The only justification is to give Jan a reason to not use his power to quell the fire, thereby opening the door for a Superboy ex machina resolution. That Zendak has confidence in the Legion is shown by him consulting them and allowing Mysa, on Jan’s advice, to cast some spells. Interestingly, Mysa doesn’t provide any miracle solutions; she only gets a rough image of the bomber and fails to detect the armory explosives (her concentration is interrupted by the others’ bickering).

It’s rare to see any reference to the period between the 20th and 30th centuries, so I enjoyed the 23rd century detective novels (on paper no less). I wish we could have seen some titles. Gym’ll collects ancient comics – how much of Earth’s paper artifacts remain?

Dirk puts his moves on Gigi and flies her to the stadium, but drops out of the story after that, which struck me as odd - just as he dropped out of the Prophet story on Khundia. I would fear he’s being typecast as the team Romeo, and not much else.

The villain is ordinary-looking to the point of comical and talks like a super-villain; his computer companion/servant is mysterious. Shades of Brainy and Computo! Although the title refers to a bad cop, it's not clear if this is the bad cop or "Mr. Big" - and the bad cop has yet to be revealed.

Lots of future story set-up: the sparks around Danielle Foccart, Blok’s injuries, the Daxam repair team, Gigi’s old acquaintance with Gim, Violet ready to settle scores, Supergirl kept in the picture as romantic partner for Brainy, Garth and Imra on extended leave, possible problems with the Mission Monitor Board (Computo related perhaps?).

No comments from the Legionnaires on the shiny new HQ, apart from Brainy’s own self-congratulations and big plans (fly it into space! maybe that was maniacal laughter in the last issue), nor on the return of Lyle Norg. There’s only so much you can fit in an issue.