Every once in awhile you run across a comic book series that sticks with you. This is the book that maybe you discovered accidentally, or a friend recommended. There's no time constraints, maybe you discovered this phenomenal title one month...four months...a year six or ten years ago. The book for me is the Legion of Superheroes or Superboy and The Legion of Superheroes, or the Legion or more recently Supergirl and The Legion of Superheroes. (Let's not forget their companion book Legionnaires)
The original Legion first appeared in Adventure Comics 247, April 1958, meaning they are due for their 50th anniversary. The legion is a group of teenage heroes from different worlds in the 30th century. Initially the team was closely associated with the original Superboy. Many of their adventures required either the Legion or Superboy to travel through time to participate in adventures that ranged from standard superhero fare to science fiction.
The group was highly dependent on Superboy to turn the tide during their many adventures. Many of their stories revolved around a standard silver age gimmick of stories shrouded in mystery, leading the reader to believe one thing was going on while the story was really about something else. For example maybe Superboy was the Great Thief from the past. The story would revolve around the legion trying to find a way to stop him. Eventually it would be revealed as either a scam or a fake Superboy.
The stories were fun but didn't have a lasting impact except to propel the Legion into such high popularity as to eventually take over the Adventure Comics title from Superboy. Their next major move was to co-op Superboys title with issue number 197, becoming Superboy starring the Legion of Superheroes (August 1973) crafted by Cary Bates and Dave Cockrum. Dave Cockrum would soon be replaced by Mike Grell. Two major things happened next. In 1974 Paul Levitz comes on the book as writer and issue 231 (Sept 1977) sees another title change; Superboy and the Legion of Superheroes (written by Paul Levitz and drawn by James Sherman). The book saw a revolving door of artist including Joe Staton, Jim Starlin, Bob McLeod, and Jack Abel. Paul Levitz eventually left the book to be replaced by Gerry Conway.
Ok let's look at this for a moment...The Paul Levitz; Mike Grell era saw a dramatic change in the Legion, mostly visual. Grell brought a sexy sleek look to the Legion. Common threads in the book were self contained stories and a sense of danger. Legionnaires died, lost powers, gained new powers, got married, and left the Legion to travel thru time. Earth War a notable and popular storyline saw an ongoing storyline involving the United Planets at war with the Khunds (Paul Levitz and Jim Sherman). Another ambitious multi-parter was "Murder Most Foul" by Paul Levitz and Jim Starlin.
The Legion is known for its large roster, 20-25 members, and simplistic character names such Sun Boy, Cosmic Boy, Phantom Girl, Karate Kid, Light Lass and Colossal Boy and Matter Eater Lad. Names that for the most part, clearly defined the characters abilities with the exceptions of Saturn Girl, Mon El, Cosmic Boy, Star Boy and Dawnstar. Each member had a unique power. The team had a charter, and rules for membership, such as; no member shall kill, all powers must be natural, and all members must be teenagers. Each member is also awarded a Legion Flight ring.
The book was fun...just plain fun. Individually there were few members who could be classified as power houses, but together they were damn near unstoppable. Each issue showcased a small line-up, usually with multiple stories. Paul Levitz eventually left the book replaced by Gerry Conway.
Superboy left the book in issue 259 (August, 1980) and the book was re-titled the Legion of Superheroes. Jimmy James took over the art chores and the book went into a lengthy storyline that was mediocre and pedestrian at best. I actually left the title at this time. Paul Levitz returned to the title joined by Pat Broderick. Keith Giffen joined Levitz for an acclaimed run (including the Great Darkness Saga) that propelled the Legion to one of DC Comics most popular titles. The Legion was re-launched as a Baxter paper direct market comic. Keith Giffen eventually left the book, Superboy was killed thanks to Crisis on Infinite Earths, Keith Giffen returned and the Legions historic run ended with the Magic Wars.
Time passed the book was re-launched as The Legion, chronicling the tales of the Legion 5 years after the Magic Wars, a darker version of who they were helmed by Keith Giffen. This led to taa daa their 1st reboot. Out of Zero Hour (a major DC Comics event) came a new continuity and younger version of the Legion and 2 titles, The Legion of Superheroes and Legionnaires. This new continuity allowed the creative team to tell new stories or re-introduce old concepts with a fresh twist. But alas it did not last the book had one finale resurgence with The Blight storyline leading to the Legion Lost and Legion World mini-series. Next up was the new Legion series, which started out with a bang but somehow lost its way and was cancelled with issue 38, just in time for another reboot.
Following a crossover with the Teen Titans, in Teen Titans #16 and Teen Titans/Legion special, a new series was launched; written by Mark Waid and drawn by Barry Kitson. Initial issues of the current title reintroduced the characters and provided new and divergent origins for them. Most characters resemble their previous counterparts in costume and powers, with the most notable exceptions including Chameleon Boy, now called simply Chameleon and depicted as an androgynous creature, Star Boy, who in this version of the Legion is black, Colossal Boy, who is now a giant who shrinks to human size, and Phantom Girl, who exists in two universes at once and has conversations with people in her own dimension while talking to Legionnaires at the same time. The future universe of this Legion is an emotionally and mentally repressive society which involves human sexuality and contact being kept at arms' length as well as Orwellian surveillance of minors. The Legion's main goal is social reform as well as protecting people and inspiring them with the legends of superheroes of old, even though the team isn't appreciated by various government authorities. The Legion is worshiped by thousands of "Legionnaires"; young people on various different worlds who worship the group in a cult-like manner. Some of the Legionnaires keep a constant vigil outside Legion headquarters.
Ok...to understand what I love about the Legion you have to examine the essence of the book. When the Legion was created the only motivation they needed to form a team was the desire to do good, and surprisingly that motivation lasted through their fifty year history and two reboots. Even during the the "Five Year later" re-launch when the book was decidedly darker, and the team was disbanded, and hardened, their motivation to get back together was to do some good. Each member was the best their race had to offer, not necessarily the best power, although they were usually more accomplished at using their abilities then others on their planet, but they were strong willed, courageous, and full of hope that the universe could be a better place and they would never be less than the heroes they needed to be. No kill or be killed, no dark Legion. The few times they decided to put revenge above their team morals, they always found themselves answering to the overall ideals of the team, realizing that as a Legionnaire you are held to a higher standard. More than a few Legionnaires lost their membership due to putting their personal desires ahead of the team philosophy.
This book always felt good, even at its silliest or darkest, because it was about the good in people no matter your race, color or religion, realizing your potential, and fighting the good fight. It defined the term Superhero. No matter how you feel about the constant creative changes, re-launches reboots and differences that follow, the Legion held its members to a higher standard, and each creative team over its 5o year history never lost sight of that.
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