Legion World Forums LEGION COMPANION Spaceopoly The Non-Legion Comics Trivia Thread Pt 5

In 1983 and 1984, DC published 2 stories that were essentially alternate takes on a character's return from the situation they were last seen in. The second was labeled an "Imaginary story" on the splash page in deference to the prior published story. Both stories were drawn by the same artist. What character's return did both stories depict?

Not: Martian Manhunter, Atom (Ray Palmer), Alfred Pennyworth, Wonder Woman or Elongated Man

Hint: When last seen, just over a year prior to the 1983 return, this character had been trapped, seemingly forever.

Darkseid?

Brainiac?

Despero?

Metamorpho?

Yes!

Brainiac got his robotic revamp (complete with skull ship) in Action Comics 544, the same issue that debuted Luthor in his new warsuit. Last we had seen, he was trapped in the core of an artificial planet called the Planet-Eater. His revamp picks up from that point and sets up his new status quo. The next year, Superman Special #2 comes with the "imaginary story" disclaimer. This story picks up from Brainiac escaping being trapped, but he retains his former appearance. I suspect the latter story may have been produced first but was scrapped when the idea to revamp him came up. It just makes sense.

Gil Kane drew both stories.

Robin is forced to participate in a classic western high-noon pistol showdown against the (modern, villainous) Trigger Twins. Given that Robin would not shoot anyone with a gun, what did he "draw" to defeat them?

The curtains, and hid behind them.

His cape?

Batarang?

None of those. Cape is close, though what he used (IIRC) was a serape/poncho (in the classic Eastwood fashion) rather than his costume cape. But what I mean by "draw" is what did he use as his weapon to win the duel - he didn't literally draw it. But it was hidden behind his serape, which he did draw aside at the time.

His finger?

No. It's getting obvious that this is one story that no one here remembers, so if I don't get a correct answer by tonight, I'll just give in. But I remember that scene as being pretty brilliant.

BTW, that last part of my statement works as a hint...though not originally intended as such.

A flashlight?

I vaguely remember the scene, and I remember being impressed at Robin's cleverness - just that the details escape me.

The flashlight is the right general idea...just bear in mind that the duel was at the iconically-western time of high noon.

A mirror!

Flare gun? lol

thoth remembered (or figured it out)!

At high noon, Robin (and two associates) threw open their serapes, to reveal mirrors, which reflected the blinding sun into the Trigger Twins' eyes...enabling the heroes to non-lethally defeat the villainous gunslingers.

One of the more fun "Pulp Fiction" Annuals, the first set of themed annuals in a while that the Legion series did not participate in...though it could have been very entertaining if they had. Way, way, way better possibilities than the idiotic "Legends of the Dead Earth" from the year prior.

Alas, all my credit is removed by 1)the giant hint and 2) having not read the comic, I think it's been at least in one film.

ah, I must have confused this for another story. I remember one story where Robin pretended he had a gun under his cape, only for it to be his finger or something.

What inspired the Scarecrow to become one of Iron Man's enemies?

Oh, a different Scarecrow I think

Iron Man's expressionless armor, made Scarecrow want to challenge himself/herself to cause fear?

One of Tony Stark's companies caused his to go bankrupt?

This scarecrow is not fear based and had no business dealings with Stark.

He really really liked gadgets and was envious of Iron Man's genius?