Legion World Forums LEGION CLUBHOUSE The Legion of Super-Heroes Adventure Comics #12/515 reviews

This was my favorite story, so far, of this new version of the team. I'm a huge fan of the classic Superboy, but felt no need for his return to the DC universe. That being said, it looks like Levitz plans to have some fun with the concept. I'm all for fun.

I like the fact that Saturn Girl mentioned improved lifespans in the future. It makes me feel more comfortable with the "boy", "girl", "lass" and "lad" code names in the main book for an obviously adult team.

I enjoyed the story, with its bright and shiny future - and another chance to see R.J. Brande (and Invisible Kid, briefly).

R.J.'s speech was a bit strange and I guess that's a retroboot - unless he just started speaking that way because of some Syntax Reversal Germ. In the reboot, didn't Cham affect a more stilted Interlac as a shield, then surprise everyone with his perfect grasp of the language? I thought R.J. took that physical form to avoid the prejudice against Durlans and get on with his business building - so why would he use that language pattern? Either he just never entirely mastered Interlac, or it could have been part of some plan to trick business opponents into thinking he wasn't as bright as he is (and that way of speaking became habit).

It was pretty interesting to see some acknowledgment of Brainy's patents. I always wondered if he was filthy rich from them, or if he gave away all his money, or if Colu seized it all... and here's old R.J., the fox, making sure his expenses are covered.

I'm sure I am in the minority here, but I didn't like it all that much. I think this is mostly because until very recently, I had not read this era of the Legion at all. My knowledge and love for them comes from much more modern day stories and themes. I know there is a place for this kind of innocense, but again, it's not the Legion I started with or fell in love with, although it had it's roots there.

I got the variant as well (I actually bought both, only the third issue of Adventure Comics I've done that with). It cost me $12, so you got lucky! Or I did--I think it was the only variant my comic shop got. They held it for me, in fact, because they know I always want the variant Adventure covers. Somehow I just have had to have the original numbering...

I've bought every issue of this revived series so far; since I enjoy Superboy (all versions) as well as the Legion, the first "Superboy(s) and the Legion of Super-Heroes" series in 30 years was made to order for me. (I've enjoyed the series overall, though some of "Last Stand of New Krypton" stuff in #511 and #512 were a bit slow for my tastes.)

This issue was a lot of fun, the mistakes with Imra and Brande's weird syntax (was he trying to speak Coluan with Brainy, perhaps?) notwithstanding. And the art was only OK. But Superboy's characterization more than made up for it. I enjoyed the "list" motif and how that plays off Kon-El's list in issues #504-509. Paul both managed a good portrayal of Superboy and picked up on the essential differences between this version and the pre-Crisis Kal-El, because the pre-Crisis Superboy wasn't "in the closet" as a superhero in his own time.

This issue also completes the triptych of the portraits of the three Superboys in Adventure Comics, something I think is rather cool.

Sometimes it's just the little things. But perhaps what I enjoyed most about the issue is that Clark was actually called Superboy by someone on panel for the first time since Infinite Crisis, and that he also referred to himself that way! 'Bout time!

Oh, and of course it's always delightful when Brainy blows up the lab!

Not a classic, but a pleasant enough story.

I remember that, before it was given to the SW6 kids, the Legionnaires comic was going to tell (or retell) past stories of the then-current Legion.

I thought that was a good idea. I still do, and this was a look at how well that could go.

Absolutely--it was so nice to hear Clark called Superboy on panel! A little thing that went a long way in feeling right.

Paul kept the same NormanRockwell-esque type story here that John's used to start the title. And it works. It certainly harkens back to early LSH appearances, very Silver Agey.

Nice to know girls are as flirty as ever! (Sorry ladies, but i think you have it down so much better than us boys.)

And seeing Superboy was fun. Having him want to use his powers, cut loose and be like every other kid does, Paul really nailed it.

I'm not sure the book could sustain that kind of vibe and be a big seller. But it sure would be nice wouldn't it.

hmmm I wonder if Lu's gonna develop her crush on Superboy this time around...

This was a pretty 'light' story but I liked it.

Even though I was never a fan of panel-hogging Superboy back when he was sharing the book with the team, I do really feel that his presence has been missed since they removed him from the continuity.

So seeing him interacting with them all again and calling himself Superboy really does feel like a wrong has been righted somewhere in the Legion-verse. That makes me happy and this happy, little story was the perfect little vessel to celebrate the event in.

It was nice seeing Colossal Boy do something too. Was it his idea to send Superboy to Mars? If so, is that the first time he has ever been shown using his brain in a Legion story?

Shame we didn't get to see much of Lyle though. I miss him. Hopefully next issue.

The art was serviceable. Certainly not anything I'd buy a book for and there were some pretty bad panels (particularly the bottom panel on page 6 when Saturn Girl takes Clark shopping and upon entering the shop he gasps 'Okay. I'm not in Kansas anymore.' at the fact that it has about 10 coats in it. I think Paul's script probably asked for something a bit more impressive there.) but it wasn't so bad that it made me actively want to stop reading like some others have done.

Looking forward to next issue!

just read the book.

the story is good enough. reminded me a lot of the old superboy comics, which is good. nothing memorable, but a fine read.

on the art side, though, i really believe the story would have felt much better if only the art had been... good.
i'm sorry but as far as i'm concerned this artist is amateurish at best, or at least the job he did here is. wrong proportions (on the anatomy side and between characters), total lack of expression in the characters' acting, stiff poses, and BAD BAD BAD storytelling (for example, see the page where we are introduced to imra: she's always tiny and when the camera nears her for the first time we see her from behind!).
i understand that maybe the artist was forced to work too fast, but the result is still unappropriate for a DC comics book. what surprises me the most is that an editor at DC had the courage to actually publish this stuff... and that i had to pay FOUR BUCKS for it!!!

Enjoyed it.

Hopefully they will keep a 2 book format for the
Legion....

The main Legion title telling contemporary Legion stories.

Adventure or some other similar title chronicling the early years and or untold tales....of which there are many! Can also do character spotlights, which I think are done better in short stories rather than as an ongoing thing during a mega arc.

The best of both worlds.

I know one thing I have realized in the past month, I absolutely love seeing the Silver Age Legion in new/untold stories. It's just a really pleasant fun read seeing the SA Legion in Action...er Adventure.

It's not just that I love the old Adventure stories, it's that I love the Silver Age Legion. There is just someting about the look of the Silver Age Legion that just exudes this wonderful classic atmosphere.


So in this Adventure title we can have simpler fun stories with sort of a grabbag of Legion favorites, the SA Legion, Superboy, Supergirl, Superpets, maybe the Insect Queen, Chemical King, Ferro Lad...or the Bronze Age Legion. Or throw in a Gates story. Or even knew Legion stories...or alternate Legion stories.

What I hope is that the Legion winds up owning the Adventure title 100%. It's destined to be their title! It has been since their first appearance.

And one thing I do not doubt, Levitz knows how to use Superboy and Supergirl so that it seems special when they appear without over using them.

This was an awesome start to his Adventure run.

This is my number one fantasy for these Adventure tales is that we'll get to see some Invisible Lyle and Chemical King and Ferro Lad 'untold tales!'

The untold first Mordru story! Maybe with Ferro Lad? (Def with Lyle)

Oh, if they play on the 'iron mucks with magic' notion from Superboy's Legion (and, yanno, ancient folklore), that could be a rocking way to make Ferro Lad into a major player!

i have to agree that the art was sub-par. very much a third rate Jeff Moy. some of the facial expressions are just badly drawn (i.e. Phantom Girl). it would have been nice to feel the same sense of awe that Superboy does when seeing the futuristic Metropolis.

Brande's speech was jarring but will probably be explained next ish. all the girl's wanting to kiss Superboy was jarring as well. meant to be a nod at the early LSH tales with kissing contest machines, etc. to show that these are youngsters. but Saturn Girl wanting to kiss him as well? really? ol' no nonsense Imra?

really good of Levitz to re-use the checklist motif here with the original Supes. really cool to see the first time Superboy flies in outer-space. has that been shown anywhere before? an effective way to illustrate the Legion's effect on young Superman's development.

I thought the stilted Brande speech was intentional as he was nervous talking with Cham and probably slipped into Durlan syntax. Cham's probably fresh enough "off the farm" so to speak that he might not have noticed.

In the Legion of Substitute Podcasters' latest interview with Paul Levitz, Levitz states that he based Brande's speech pattern on Pol Anderson's Nicholas van Rijn character.

Now THAT I would look forward to.

I think Imra having some sort of feelings for Kal is something Levitz has hinted at, ever so slightly, previously. Imra was one of the conspirators that wanted revenge on the Time Trapper for the death of the Pocket Universe Superboy. I think she might have actually been the head conspirator, without a word to Lightning Lad.

While there's no doubt Imra knows what just about everyone is thinking, has anyone ever truly known what she is thinking?

I wonder if that untold tale of the first meeting with Mordru is going to somehow be connected to those frozen JSAers on Xerox. Levitz is afterall a JSA guy just like Johns, and Mordru is a JSA villain too. It would be unJohnslike to put those JSAers there for no good reason and it most likely has something to do with the Mordru. If that's not related to the Legion's first meeting with Mordru, it's most likely going to be related to their next.

Irma confides her feelings to Kal knowing that she is about to erase his memories, so she was sorta speaking out loud, knowing that Kal would not remember her specifically speaking about her feelings.

Johns has established the Legion already encountered Mordru and the Time Trapper before they even met Supes in SUPERMAN: SECRET ORIGIN #2

For what is worth, pre-Crisis the first Mordru story occurred during Saturn Girl's term as leader.

Personally, I'm wondering why they produced an alternate cover for this issue that was clearly a hommage to the Great Darkness Saga at all? This cover has no connection to the story inside the book whatsoever.

So the flashback in Adv #269 is the 2nd time they encountered Mordru?