Superman & the Legion of Super Heroes

Wow…been a while since I updated this!  A couple weeks ago saw the release of Action Comics #861, which is part 4 of Geoff Johns’ re-introduction of the Legion of Super-Heroes into the Superman Mythos.  As with many of his recent projects, this has been a wonder to watch unfold.  He has taken our Legionnaires to a darker future, but one where they still represent hope.  Superman has been brought from the past by Brainiac 5 to help them, but so far (as with many of Brainy’s schemes) it has not gone according to plan.

Here are the particulars of this storyarc:

1. Xenophobia runs rampant on Earth
2. Earth’s sun has turned red (as have 75% of the rest of the stars in the UP, we’ve learned)
3. A gaggle of Legion rejects present themselves as the pro-human “Justice League”
4. The JL pushes an agenda which states that Superman was human, not alien
5. Several Legionnaires are working underground to help get aliens off the planet
6. Many Legionnaires are captured or missing
7. The United Planets is about to declare war on Earth

The villains of this arc so far have been the “Justice League,” which consists of several Legion rejects and a couple former members of the Legion of Super-Villains.

• Earth Man – previously known as Absorbancy Boy – he’s the leader of this group
• Spider Girl – cold, calculating and vicious
• Radiation Roy – a victim of his own powers
• Golden Boy – Midas in the form of a spoiled brat
• Tusker – finally feels useful
• Storm Boy – driven to self-mutilation by his rejection
• Eyeful Ethyl – racist schoolmarm with eyes literally in the back of her head

They are an intersting group cobbled together from the Legion’s past.  Most of them were Rejects, but they all have one thing in common – they are from Earth, and are more than happy to push the anti-alien propaganda stating that Superman was born on Earth.  After being told they weren’t Legion material, or fighing against the Legion it is now their time: they are the top dogs on Earth.  They are the beloved heroes, and they are milking it for all that it’s worth, giving us another age old example that “absolute power corrupts absolutely.”

When this story began we saw that opposing the “Justice League” were the Legion’s own members with Terran origins: Colossal Boy, Wildfire and Dawnstar (Starhaven being described as an Earth Colony).  We find that things have not been going well for them, but learn quickly that they have no idea how bad things actually are.  This isn’t just about Superman’s legacy; the actions of Earth have really rubbed the rest of the galaxy the wrong way, and they are about to declare war on that unsuspecting world.

This leads me to only one logical conclusion: there is a grand architect of these events.  The Justice League, for all of their potential, seem to be nothing more than pawns to me at the moment.  Someone is pulling these strings, tho the puppeteer will probably find that the Justice League; Earth Man, in particular, may come to resent the thought that they are pawns and may strike back at their masters.  With the Legion’s long history of villains, several possiblities come to mind as to who may be behind this: Universo, Pulsar Stargrave, and Mordru are some of the biggest guns who may be working behind the scenes.  Something about this whole thing screams to me that Pulsar Stargrave is behind this…either that or he’s working with others.  One person whom I feel he may be working with is Dr. Regulus, but more on the speculation in a bit.

As for our heroes: some are on the run; some are missing; and many are captured.  Let’s do a good, old-fashioned Legion Roll Call:

On the Run:

• Superman
• Dawnstar
• Colossal Boy
• Wildfire
• Polar Boy
• Brainiac 5

Captured:

• Saturn Girl
• Cosmic Boy
• Lightning Lad
• Shadow Lass
• Night Girl (yes!  She’s a member!)
• Lightning Lass
• Timber Wolf
• Invisible Kid II
• Phantom Girl
• Ultra Boy
• Shrinking Violet
• Blok
• Chameleon Girl (Yes!  Yera’s working undercover for Brainy, much to Gim’s chagrin)
• Sun Boy (This one is important – more on him in a bit)

All of these Legionnaires are being used essentially as power batteries for Earth Man, who, like the Composite Superman, has all of the powers of the Legion.  The difference is that earth Man must occassionally draw upon those powers in order to sustain his abilities.  This obviously will not end well for Earth Man, but don’t we all love a nice case of the comeupance?

Missing:

• White Witch (prisoner of Mordru to keep him out of this…but will he really?)
• Quislet
• Tellus
• Bouncing Boy
• Karate Kid (lost in time)
• Starman (lost in time)
• Una (one of Triplicate Girl’s bodies, but I have a feeling that she’s the only one left – lost in time)
• Chameleon Boy
• Element Lad
• Sensor Girl
• Dream Girl
• Tyroc (Make it happen, Geoff!!!)
• Mon-El (rumored to be imprisoned in the Phantom Zone)

So, as we see – there are substantial forces left out there to help out the Legionnaires on the run.  I’m hoping that we see some of them (I won’t ask for all…yet) before this is said and done.  Also – there are these guys out there getting ready to take on the Justice League:

 

Stone Boy, Fire Lad, Chlorophyll Kid, Rainbow Girl…that’s right – the SUBS are joining the battle!  Night Girl told us that they were planning a little retribution for one of their fallen comrades (Porcupine Pete, if I recall correctly), and as we’ve seen so many times in the past: Do not underestimate the Subs!

Now…I want to get back to some of that speculation, specifically concerning Dr. Regulus.  The reason that I am convinced that he is involved is because of the plight of Sun Boy.  Of all of the captured Legionnaires, he is the only one not in Earth Man’s battery chamber: he is being used to alter the wavelength of Earth’s sun, changing it to a Red sun which  takes away all of Superman’s abilities.  They are desperate to put forth the lie that Superman is a native human as truth, and with the Red Sun his powerless reappearance was dismissed as simply another Legion lie. 

That said – now that those in the know are aware that Superman is back we’ve discovered that 75% of the suns in the UP have suddenly gone Red, renderring Superman powerless on many worlds.  I do not think that they can tap Sun Boy’s abilities to do all of that, which to me brings Dr. Regulus into the equation.  I could see Dr. Regulus being responsible for the technology which turned Sun Boy into a star-altering weapon, and perhaps he has found ways to duplicate that; possibly using the likes of Sun Emperor, or Beauty Blaze or even by duplicating the experiments which gave Sun Boy and himself their powers.

This is much bigger than Earth Man and the Justice League, so my official prediction for the villains behind this are Pulsar Stargrave, Universo and Dr. Regulus.  Truly a formidable collection of Legion foes who have, to the best of my knowledge, never worked together before.  That’s just a guess on my part tho.

 Now, before ending this I would be remiss if I did not mention the absolutely stunning artwork that Gary Frank has been turning in for this storyline.  I know that his art may not be for some (why, I don’t know), and this is up there with some of the best work he did on Supergirl and Supreme Power.  Clean artwork, good facial expressions and a truly grand, cosmic sense to this story.  Geoff Johns is bringing life back to my favorite era of the Legion of Super-Heroes, and it has left me wanting for more.  I cannot wait to hear what may be next for the Legion this year with the rumors of “Legion of Three Worlds” hinted at on Rip Hunter’s chalkboard.  Good times ahead – Long Live the Legion!

Short Shorts – Comic Book Briefs for the week of 12/28/2007

AAAAARRRGHHHH!!!!!  WHY DOES IT KEEP COMING BACK?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?

Oh, this is just horrendous.  I am truly, terribly, absolutely sorry that this horrible, horrible image has once again burned itself upon your poor, innocent retina.  I promise not to subject any of you to this horror again for at least another week.

 On to the Short Shorts.  This is where I offer some comments, briefs if you will, on the various comics I read each week.  These are not reviews – you can find plenty of places that offer reviews on the internet (and porn…that’s right!  I have recently discovered that there are some dark corners of the internet where porn exists…uncanny!), so instead I will say what comes to mind.  Even if my thoughts do not always have anything to do with the comics in question.

Green Lantern #26

Yeah, like I’m not beginning with Green Lantern.  I have officially decided that 2007 was the Year of Green Lantern, and I have written letters to the Pope and the estate of former President Zachary Taylor to see if I can get this made, like, official and stuff.  I was a bit concerned that after the incredible Sinestro Corps War that the title might take a breather; but that didn’t happen.  Instead of taking his foot off of the accelerator, Geoff Johns pushed it down harder, but only after adding rocket fuel to the tank.  The ramifications of the first new law of the Book of Oa are put to the test by one of our Lost Lanterns, and it has led to the freakish creation of the Alpha Lanterns who are supposed to play a role in the definition and application of the law.  A couple of familiar faces have undertaken this surgery (one which may upset fans of early English tribal queens).  The scene of the issue (and of the week in all comics) had to do with John Stewart.  I got chills when I read “Willpower exceeds Ring Limitations.”  Wow.  Full speed ahead, GL!

 Countdown #18

Anti-climatic.  I want so badly to love this title like I loved 52, but it just isn’t happening.  After all of this time with the “mystery” of Ray Palmer’s disappearance all I can think is “That’s it?  Are you kidding me?”  Not even the “cliffhanger” at the end made me feel anything other than “What the hell is going on here?”  And not in a confused way, but rather a “why do I keep buying this?” way.  I’m using way to many quotation marks in this Brief, so I’ll try not to use any more.  I just don’t know what else to say.  I’m frustrated by this comic.  I know that I shouldn’t compare it to 52, but I kind of have to.  52 was amazing week in and week out: this…I feel like they’re jerking my chain here.  I like all of the creators involved, and I’m not holding this against them in future projects; but I really wish that this could have been better.

Ultimate Power #9

Congrats, Countdown – you weren’t my least favorite comic of the week.  What was the freaking point here???  OK, we have a couple characters trading universes and we learned that superheroines make total orgasm faces while fighting (not to mention striking incredible bunny-mag-type poses in the oddest situations).  Bottom line is – this 9-issue miniseries ran about 6 issues too long.  I can’t believe that they put Squadron Supreme on the back burner for this. 

 Countdown to Adventure #5

Toyota Forerunner is really growing on me. Didn’t think much of her when she was first introduced, but she is an interesting concept for a character.  Excellent move dealing with the space pirates.  As for the lead story: I’m enjoying it.  They don’t have the same charm as from 52, but Beechan is doing a good job with these three characters as they deal with the returning Lady Styx.  Fun scenes; good teamwork; and even the totally-unnecessary-Ellen-jealous-of-Kory bit wasn’t too bad.  The bond these three characters share (even if Adam Strange isn’t with Animal Man and Starfire) makes a lot of sense considering what they went through together.  Years from now you could see them sitting around Warriors late one night having a few beers and not talking too much about what happened.  This title has become a pleasant surprise for me.

 Brave & the Bold #9

Possibly my least favorite issue of this title so far; which of course means that it is still better than most other comics out there!  Waid and Perez just continue to deal the comic book crack which is this title.  It was a sheer joy to see these characters again (many not seen in a long time); and using them to further the Megistus plot was wonderfully entertaining.  My favorite part was the team-up with the All-New Atom and the woefully-underused Hawkman.  Why he has been swept under the rug in favor of the complete bore that is Hawkgirl is mind-boggling.  I loved the Atom’s assessment of Carter Hall at the beginning of the tale; and Waid showed the respect Hawkman has for his friend, Ray Palmer, by accepting his friend’s protege by simply calling him “Atom.”

Countdown: Arena #4

I bought this series for one reason, and one reason only – to show DC that as a reader I want to see Keith Champagne given more writing opportunities.  It turned out to be a fun read, for the most part.  I enjoyed the different worlds and the different possibilities of these characters.  I’m not sure what more they could have done to make this comic better, but considering what he had to work with, I think that Champagne did a fine job.  We’ll see how this plays out in Countdown when Monarch finally takes on the Monitors.

Captain America #33

I do not read a lot of Marvel right now, but I’ll be damned if this is not one of the best titles in comics.  Brubaker has managed to put such an amazing human face to the “events” of the last couple years in this title.  Characters like Bucky, Iron Man, Black Widow, Falcon, Agent 13, Red Skull….I didn’t care a lick about any of them…until reading this title.  All too often we have a “OH MY GOD!  In this issue, _________ DIES!!!!” and people hem and haw about the death, and the moment…but we don’t see a lot of the fallout or the ramifications.  In this, over the past several months, we have seen what the death…and indeed, the life, of Stever Rogers meant.  How he inspired and touched the people who knew him; who respected him; and who loved him.  Much like the Flash at DC, I think that Brubaker is creating the central “legacy character” of the Marvel Universe.

 Gotham Underground #3

Three issues in – still thinking that it is the best Bat-comic being published right now.  Brutal fight between “Matches” and Mr. Zsasz – honestly, I’m surprised that it saw print.  I’m so used to “Uber-Bats,” that seeing him in a very real fight against an opponent, whom while inferior, had an advantageous drop on him and took advantage of it came as a breath of fresh air.  The current events of the DC Universe play heavily into this title, but rather than be bogged down by them, they just run with it and give us a nice, entertaining comic.  We have an old friend (possibly) return; and we see that while they are learning to trust in one another, the remaining criminals of Gotham still carry mistrust as a central key to their character.  Good story; good art; no complaints.

Legion of Super-Heroes #37

So, no more “Supergirl” in the title, and seeing as how they’re going back, they decided to go waaaay back and bring Jim Shooter back on board!  Let me tell you, I was concerned about this move.  I am a long-time, loyal Legion fan; but I was concerned that perhaps Shooter was merely a nostalgia move…and maybe that’s true on some level, but it doesn’t change the fact that he wrote an entertaining story which seamlessly weaves in with the NewBoot Legion.  Good characterization with Lightning Lad, Light Lass, Karate Kid and Phantom Girl.  He has not lost his knack for giving different characters different voices quickly for a new reader.  Not too sure about the art yet (what the hell is up with neckless Colossal Boy (err…Micro Lad) on the cover?  That just looks like bad 90s stuff), but that’s just a minor quibble.  I can see this artist growing on me, and it didn’t distract from an enjoyable “first issue” for one of the legendary names in the Legion universe.  I’m sticking with this….yeah, yeah – big surprise, I know.

Action Comics #860

Sigh…..I’m so torn about this comic.  Incredible story, great art and tons of potential…but there is one little thing that Geoff Johns seems to be determined to do here that is just ruining all of the good stuff in this story for me.  I’m not commenting on it yet, as I will wait to see how it plays out, but if Johns goes in the direction I fear that he is, then I will be very disappointed with him as a writer.  Enough of that, tho – we’ll cross that bridge when we come to it.  The Rejects have come home to Roost in the future, and what better character to offer some perspective on the jerks than the one Legionairre who’s name was synonymous with “rejection” for so long?  It was great seeing him and so many other character whom we haven’t seen in far too long.  One of the great things about the Legion is that these characters have such varying and specific powers, so working together comes up with interesting possibilities.  Case in point: Shadow Lass and Night Girl – that just makes sense!  I can’t help but feeling that this story will not just be contained in the pages of this Action Comics storyline, but instead we’re being set up for something big…and who’s 50th Anniversary is 2008???

OK – that is more than enough for now.  I’ll cover Jack of Fables in it’s own post, of course, and I may have some more comments on these issues, issues raised by these issues, and other issues unrelated to these issues.  Oh, and GL/Sinestro Corps Secret Files deserves a topic in and of itself.